Which place is cheaper, Kunming or Tianjin?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Tianjin or Kunming?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Tianjin or Kunming? 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 Kunming?
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.
Kunming
Kunming, located in southern China, is the modern capital city of the Yunnan province. It is a transportation hub for visitors entering the region, and good transfer point to just about everywhere else in the province by train or bus. Within the city itself there are many things to see and do with a full range of parks and zoos, museums, temples, theatres, and scenic areas.
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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTianjin $76Kunming $67
The average daily cost (per person) in Tianjin is $76, while the average daily cost in Kunming is $67. 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 Kunming in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTianjin $34Kunming $33
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTianjin $68Kunming $66
Compare Hotels in Tianjin and Kunming
Looking for a hotel in Tianjin or Kunming? 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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tianjin $37Kunming $13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tianjin
Also for Tianjin, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- One Way Private Transfer from Tianjin Cruise Port To Beijing with Guide: $216
- Private Round-Trip Transfer: Tianjin Hotels to Mutianyu Great Wall: $212
- Tianjin Private Transfer to Gubei Water Town and Simatai Great Wall: $196
- Tianjin Port Private Round Trip Transfer to Huangyaguan Great Wall: $192
- Private Tianjin Port Transfer to Huangyaguan Great Wall: $178
- Private Transfer to Huangyaguan Great Wall from Tianjin City: $178
- Private PEK Airport Departure Transfer from Tianjin with Bullet Train Experience: $168
- Private Transfer: Tianjin Cruise Port to Great Wall of China with Beijing Drop-Off: $168
- Private 1-Way Transfer Between Tianjin Port to Beijing: $138
- Tianjin Private Round Trip Transfer to Huangyaguan Pass and Eastern Qing Tombs: $132
- Private One Way Transfer Between Tianjin Port and Beijing: $132
- Tianjin International Cruise Port Pick up or Drop off with Private Transfer: $130
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kunming
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Kunming:
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Taxi Ride$1.52
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kunming
Also for Kunming, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Kunming Private Round Trip Transfer to Fuxianhu Lake: $90
- Kunming Changshui Airport Chauffeur Service, Kunming Airport Transfer, Pick up: $71
- Kunming Airport Private Transfer - Charge by Vehicle: $48
- One way Kunming airport to hotel private transfer: $41
- [Airport Transfer] Kunming Changshui Airport ⇔ Kunming City Transfer ☆ High reputation for service! <Charter charter>: $36
- Kunming Private Departure Transfer:City Hotel to Railway Station: $22
- Kunming Private Arrival Transfer:Railway Station to City Hotel: $22
Is it cheaper to fly into Tianjin or Kunming?
Prices for flights to both Kunming 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
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Food Meals for one dayTianjin $20Kunming $22
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kunming
For Kunming, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Kunming evening food tour with locals: $65
- Half Day Private Tour of Kunming Flower Market and Flower Pastry Cooking Class: $110
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tianjin $10Kunming $18
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
- 2 Days Beijing Group Tour from Tianjin Port without Shop Stops: $276
- 4- Hour Tianjin Local Food & Tea Tour: $49
- 4-Hour Private Tianjin Walking Tour with Dim Sum: $168
- 4-Hour Shore Excursion: Tianjin City Highlights and Binhai Bullet Train Experience: $259
- 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 Porcelain House with Bullet Train Experience: $240
- 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 Tianjin Day Tour to Qing Emperor's Tomb & Huangyaguan Great Wall : $278
- Bullet Train Private Tour: Beijing Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City & Great Wall: $239
Tours and Activities in Kunming
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Kunming.
- 1-Day Self-Guided Stone Forest Geological Park Tour from Kunming: $106
- 1-Day Stone Forest Geological Park Private Tour with the Lunch from Kunming: $201
- Kunming Private Day Tour to Jiuxiang Cave with Boat Ride : $209
- 1 Day Stone Forest & Jiuxiang Cave Tour: $196
- 1 day Kunming Highlights Mini Group tour: $114
- 1- Day Kunming Short Hiking Tour: $122
- 1-Day Civil Culture Tour in Kunming: $112
- 1-Day Dinosaur Tour in Kunming: $144
- 1-Day Dongchuan Red Land Photography Private Tour from Kunming: $269
- 1-Day Kunming Culture Tour: $156
- 1-Day Kunming Scenery Tour: $122
- 1-Day Kunming Temple and Market Tour: $122
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTianjin $11Kunming $17
When comparing the travel costs between Tianjin and Kunming, we can see that Tianjin is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tianjin Expensive? and Is Kunming Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tianjin or Kunming?
Tianjin has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Kunming. When comparing the sizes of Tianjin and Kunming, 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.
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.