Which place is cheaper, Harbin or Tianjin?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Tianjin or Harbin?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Tianjin or Harbin? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Tianjin or Harbin?
Tianjin
Tianjin is a large metropolis on the north east coast of China. This ancient city, which dates back to prehistoric times, is one of five National Central Cities of China and is rich in culture and history. Tianjin is most famous for its beautiful walking streets and history of European concession territories.
Tianjin experiences hot and humid summers, with temperatures reaching 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Winters are cool and dry with temperatures around 15° (F). Spring and Autumn tend to be the best times to visit as weather is a little more mild, although Spring has a tendency to be a little rainy.
Harbin
Harbin, China is the northernmost major city in the country, with a population of over 10 million. Harbin was founded in 1897 by Russia, which has resulted in a lot of Russian influence throughout the city and many Russian citizens. The city is most famous for their annual International Snow and Ice Festival, a two-month-long festival running from January through February of each year.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in China, The Best Cultural Tours in China, The Best Luxury Tours to China, and The Best Budget Tours to China.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTianjin $78Harbin $56
The average daily cost (per person) in Tianjin is $78, while the average daily cost in Harbin is $56. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Tianjin and Harbin in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTianjin $35Harbin $21
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTianjin $70Harbin $42
Compare Hotels in Tianjin and Harbin
Looking for a hotel in Tianjin or Harbin? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tianjin $37Harbin $1.54
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tianjin
Also for Tianjin, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- [Airport Transfer] Tianjin Airport ⇔ Tianjin City Transfer ☆ High reputation for service <Charter charter>: $13
- Tianjin Private Transfer from Cruise Port to Railway Station: $80
- Tianjin Private Round-Trip Transfer to Huangyaguan Great Wall: $112
- Tianjin Private Round Trip Transfer to Huangyaguan Pass and Eastern Qing Tombs: $132
- Tianjin Port Private transfers to Tianjin train station: $52
- Tianjin Port Pick-up and Beijing Hotel Drip-off Transfer with Private Driver : $155
- Tianjin International Cruise Port Private Transfer to City Hotels : $80
- Tianjin Cruise Port to Hotels in Beijing Downtown Shared Transfer: $66
- Tianjin Binhai International Airport Private Arrival Transfer to City Area : $29
- Tianjin Binhai Airport(TSN) to Beijing - Arrival Private Transfer: $80
- Tianjin Airport Chauffeur Service, Tianjin Airport Transfer: $13
- Private Transfer: Tianjin Xingang International Cruise Home Port to Beijing Hotel: $88
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Harbin
Also for Harbin, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Harbin Volga Manor Private Transfer Service with Entry Tickets: $300
- Shared Transfer Service to Ice and Snow World, Sun Island Snow Festival: $250
- Harbin City Car Transfer Service with Driver: $168
- Private Full Day Transfer Service to Harbin Top Winter Attractions: $168
- Private Arrival Transfer to China's Snow Town from Harbin HRB Airport: $149
- Harbin Private Transfer from Harbin central to Harbin Taiping Airport (HRB): $117
- Harbin Private Transfer from Harbin Airport (HRB) to central Harbin: $117
- Private Transfer to China's Snow Town from Yabuli Ski Resort: $107
- Shared Night Transfer Service to Harbin Ice and Snow World: $85
- Private Arrival Transfer from Harbin South Railway Station to Harbin City Hotel: $80
- Private Departure Transfer to Harbin South Railway Station from Harbin City Hotel: $80
- Harbin Taiping Airport Chauffeur Service , Harbin Airport Transfer,Pick up: $78
Is it cheaper to fly into Tianjin or Harbin?
Prices for flights to both Harbin and Tianjin change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
-
Food Meals for one dayTianjin $21Harbin $14
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tianjin
For Tianjin, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Beijing: Private Family Dumpling Cooking Experience: $160
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Harbin
For Harbin, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Harbin Dumpling Cooking Class: $154
- Harbin Private City and Food Tour: $200
- 4-Hour Private Night Tour to Harbin Ice and Snow World with Dinner Options: $261
- Hot Spring Experience with Hot Pot Dinner in Harbin: $300
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tianjin $11Harbin $54
Tours and Activities in Tianjin
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tianjin.
- 1 Day Tianjin City Essence Tour from Tianjin Port: $235
- 4-Hour Tianjin Shore Excursion Highlight Tour with Peking Duck Experience: $240
- 4-Hour Tianjin Shore Excursion Private Shopping Tour: $120
- 4-Hour Tianjin Shore Excursion to Shijia Mansion with Bullet Train Experience: $210
- 5-Hour Private Tianjin Shopping Tour from Tianjin Cruise Port: $179
- All-inclusive Day Tour: China House, Five Avenues, Ancient Street & Tianjin Eye: $224
- Bullet Train Private Tour: Beijing Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City & Great Wall: $239
- Bullet Train Private Tour: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City & Temple of Heaven: $219
- From Tianjin Xingang Port: Private 2-Day Beijing Tour: $550
- Huangyaguan Great Wall Layover Tour from Tianjin Cruise Port: $265
- Mutianyu Great Wall Trip with English Speaking Driver from Tianjin Cruise Port: $261
- One Day Huangyaguan Great Wall And Qing Tomb Tour Of Beijing: $260
Tours and Activities in Harbin
For Harbin, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1-Day Harbin Private Tour: $130
- 2-Day Harbin City Private Tour in Your Way in Winter Season: $280
- 4-Hour Private Tour of the Largest Indoor Ice and Snow Paradise: $136
- 4Hour Tour Heilongjiang Museum to Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral: $250
- From Amazing Day Trip Including tickets: $400
- Full Day Private Tour to Harbin Ice and Snow Festival: $250
- Group Tour to Harbin Ice and Snow World plus Sun Island Snow Sculpture Festival: $298
- Harbin City Group Tour including Crossing Songhua River by Ropeway and Ice Swimming Show: $290
- Harbin City Guided Tour to Zhongyang Street and Sophia Church: $180
- Harbin City Private Day Tour in Your Way in Winter Season: $200
- Harbin Ice Festival /Harbin Ice and Snow World Entrance Ticket: $100
- Harbin Ice Festival New Year Eve Countdown Group Tour on December 31: $200
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayTianjin $11Harbin $8.05
Sample the Local Flavors in Harbin
Also in Harbin, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Half-Day Private Harbin Beer Museum and Brewery Tour: $250
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tianjin and Harbin, we can see that Tianjin is more expensive. And not only is Harbin much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Harbin would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Harbin and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Tianjin would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tianjin than you might in Harbin.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tianjin Expensive? and Is Harbin Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tianjin or Harbin?
Tianjin has a larger population, and is about 17% larger than the population of Harbin. When comparing the sizes of Tianjin and Harbin, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
When is the best time to visit Tianjin or Harbin?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Tianjin or Harbin in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Tianjin and Harbin.
In the summer, Tianjin is a little warmer than Harbin. Typically, the summer temperatures in Tianjin in July average around 27°C (80°F), and Harbin averages at about 24°C (75°F).
Harbin receives a lot of rain in the summer. Tianjin gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Tianjin usually receives more rain than Harbin. Tianjin gets 185 mm (7.3 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 153 mm (6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyTianjin 27°C (80°F)Harbin 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Tianjin or Harbin in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Tianjin as well as Harbin.
In October, Tianjin is generally much warmer than Harbin. Daily temperatures in Tianjin average around 15°C (58°F), and Harbin fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).
Tianjin usually gets less rain in October than Harbin. Tianjin gets 21 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberTianjin 15°C (58°F)Harbin 7°C (44°F)
Should I visit Tianjin or Harbin in the Winter?
Both Harbin and Tianjin are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.
Harbin can be very cold during winter. Tianjin can get quite cold in the winter. Tianjin is much warmer than Harbin in the winter. The daily temperature in Tianjin averages around -3°C (27°F) in January, and Harbin fluctuates around -18°C (-0°F).
In January, Tianjin usually receives less rain than Harbin. Tianjin gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryTianjin -3°C (27°F)Harbin -18°C (-0°F)
Should I visit Tianjin or Harbin in the Spring?
Both Harbin and Tianjin during the spring are popular places to visit.
In the spring, Tianjin is much warmer than Harbin. Typically, the spring temperatures in Tianjin in April average around 14°C (58°F), and Harbin averages at about 8°C (46°F).
Tianjin usually gets more rain in April than Harbin. Tianjin gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 21 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilTianjin 14°C (58°F)Harbin 8°C (46°F)
Typical Weather for Harbin and Tianjin
| Tianjin | Harbin | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -3°C (27°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | -18°C (-0°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Feb | -1°C (31°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | -14°C (7°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 9 mm (0.3 in) | -3°C (26°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 14°C (58°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| May | 21°C (69°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (77°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (80°F) | 185 mm (7.3 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 153 mm (6 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 155 mm (6.1 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 15°C (58°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Nov | 6°C (43°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | -4°C (24°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Dec | -1°C (31°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | -14°C (7°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.