A Travel Price Comparison for China Tianjin vs. Shenzhen for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Tianjin or Shenzhen?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Tianjin or Shenzhen? 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 Shenzhen?

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.

Shenzhen

Located in the Guangdong Province of southeastern China, Shenzhen is a metropolis that connects Hong Kong to China's mainland. It is one of China's most populous cities, inhabited by vast array of people from other Chinese regions.  It is perhaps best known for it shopping, collection of amusement parks, green parks, museums and galleries, and a few historic sites. It is on UNESCO's Creative Cities list.

Which place is cheaper, Shenzhen or Tianjin?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Tianjin is $77, while the average daily cost in Shenzhen is $126. 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 Shenzhen in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Tianjin $35
    Shenzhen $91
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Tianjin $70
    Shenzhen $182
Compare Hotels in Tianjin and Shenzhen

Looking for a hotel in Tianjin or Shenzhen? 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.

Hotels in Tianjin


Hotels in Shenzhen


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 $37
    Shenzhen $15

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tianjin

Also for Tianjin, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Tianjin Round Trip Transfer to Chengde Summer Resort and Eight Outer Temples: $216
  • Tianjin Railway Station Private Transfer to Cruise Port: $59
  • Tianjin Railway Station Private Transfer from Cruise Port: $59
  • Tianjin Private Transfer to Gubei Water Town and Simatai Great Wall: $196
  • Tianjin Private Transfer from Tianjin central to Tianjin Binhai Airport (TSN): $132
  • Tianjin Private Transfer from Railway Station to Cruise Port: $80
  • 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 Panshan: $124
  • Tianjin Private Round Trip Transfer to Huangyaguan Pass and Eastern Qing Tombs: $132
  • Tianjin Private One Way Transfer to Beidaihe: $246
  • Tianjin Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Railway Station: $56

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Shenzhen

Also for Shenzhen, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Arrival Transfer : Shenzen Airport to Hong Kong: $193
  • Shenzhen Downtown to Hong Kong Private Transfer: $138
  • Private Airport Transfer Shenzhen Airport - Guangzhou: $106
  • Guangzhou Baiyun Airport Chauffeur Service , to Shenzhen Transfer: $98
  • Shenzhen Private Transfer from Shenzhen central to Shenzhen Bao'an Airport (SZX): $90
  • Shenzhen Private Transfer from Shenzhen Bao'an Airport (SZX) to central Shenzhen: $90
  • Shenzhen Private Arrival Transfer: Airport to Hotel: $89
  • Shenzhen Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Airport: $89
  • Arrival Private Transfer Shenzhen Airport SZX to Shenzhen City in a Sedan Car: $86
  • Departure Private Transfer Shenzhen to Shenzhen Airport SZX in a Sedan Car: $86
  • Round Trip Shenzhen Bao'an Airport (SZX) Transfer to Shenzen City Center: $83
  • Shenzhen Baoan Airport Chauffeur Service , Shenzhen Airport Transfer,Pickup: $78

Is it cheaper to fly into Tianjin or Shenzhen?

Prices for flights to both Shenzhen 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 day
    Tianjin $21
    Shenzhen $20

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Shenzhen

For Shenzhen, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • The best night food tour in SZ: ten tastings: $29

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Tianjin $11
    Shenzhen $17

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
  • 1 Day Tianjin City Tour: $195
  • 1-Day Tour:Tianjin Cruise Port to Beijing City Highlights and back in a day: $355
  • 1-Day Tour:Tianjin Cruise Port to Beijing Mutianyu Great Wall and back in a day: $355
  • 2 Days Beijing Group Tour from Tianjin Port without Shop/Factory Stops: $276
  • 2 to 3hours shopping Tour at Tianjin Tanggu Foreign goods market by Car: $118
  • 2-Day Beijing Private Tour from Tianjin Cruise Port: $545
  • 2-Day Private Tianjin Sightseeing Tour including Huangyaguan Great Wall: $446
  • 2-Day Private Tour of Qinhuangdao and Beidaihe from Tianjin: $708
  • 3 Days Beijing Group Tour from Tianjin Port without Shop/Factory Stops: $340
  • 3-Day Private Tibet Tour from Lhasa, Yamdrok Lake and Khampa La Pass: $925
  • 3-Day Private tour to Beijing and Tianjin from Tianjin Cruise Port: $875

Tours and Activities in Shenzhen

For Shenzhen, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 2-Day Danxia Mountain & Nanhua Temple Private Tour From Shenzhen By Bullet Train: $677
  • 2-Day Private Customized Harbin Tour from Shenzhen by Air: $1,118
  • 2-Day Private Lijiang Highlights Tour from Shenzhen by Plane: $848
  • 3 Day Private Silk Road Tour fromShenzhen:Highlights of Xi'an,Jiayuguan,Dunhuang: $1,078
  • 3-Day Private Golden Triangle Tour: Shanghai, Beijing and Xi'an from Shenzhen: $1,378
  • 3-Day Private Guilin Highlights Tour from Shenzhen by Bullet Train: $720
  • 3-Day Private Tibet Tour from Lhasa, Yamdrok Lake and Khampa La Pass: $925
  • 4-Day Private Guided Tour of Beijing and Xi'an from Shenzhen: $1,088
  • 4-Day Private Silk Road Tour from Shenzhen: $1,258
  • 7-Day Private China Tour from Beijing, Xi'an, Guilin and Shanghai: $2,328
  • All Inclusive 2-Day Private Tour of Beijing City Highlights from Shenzhen byAir: $648
  • All Inclusive 3-Day Private Tour of Xi'an and Beijing from Shenzhen with Hotel: $1,278

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Tianjin $11
    Shenzhen $20


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tianjin and Shenzhen, we can see that Shenzhen is more expensive. And not only is Tianjin much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Tianjin would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tianjin 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 Shenzhen would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Shenzhen than you might in Tianjin.


When is the best time to visit Tianjin or Shenzhen?

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 Shenzhen in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Tianjin and Shenzhen.

In July, Tianjin is generally cooler than Shenzhen. Temperatures in Tianjin average around 27°C (80°F), and Shenzhen stays around 30°C (85°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Shenzhen this time of the year. In Tianjin, it's very sunny this time of the year. Tianjin usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Shenzhen during summer. Tianjin gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Shenzhen receives 231 hours of full sun in the summer.

Shenzhen receives a lot of rain in the summer. Tianjin gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Tianjin usually receives less rain than Shenzhen. Tianjin gets 185 mm (7.3 in) of rain, while Shenzhen receives 323 mm (12.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Tianjin 27°C (80°F) 
    Shenzhen 30°C (85°F)

Should I visit Tianjin or Shenzhen in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Tianjin as well as Shenzhen.

Tianjin is much colder than Shenzhen in the autumn. The temperature in Tianjin is usually 15°C (58°F) in October, and Shenzhen stays around 26°C (78°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tianjin this time of the year. In the autumn, Tianjin often gets more sunshine than Shenzhen. Tianjin gets 227 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Shenzhen receives 190 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Shenzhen. Tianjin usually gets less rain in October than Shenzhen. Tianjin gets 21 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Shenzhen receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Tianjin 15°C (58°F) 
    Shenzhen 26°C (78°F)

Should I visit Tianjin or Shenzhen in the Winter?

Both Shenzhen and Tianjin are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.

The weather in Tianjin can be very cold. In the winter, Tianjin is much colder than Shenzhen. Typically, the winter temperatures in Tianjin in January are around -3°C (27°F), and Shenzhen is about 16°C (60°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tianjin. Tianjin usually receives more sunshine than Shenzhen during winter. Tianjin gets 201 hours of sunny skies, while Shenzhen receives 140 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Tianjin usually receives less rain than Shenzhen. Tianjin gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Shenzhen receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Tianjin -3°C (27°F) 
    Shenzhen 16°C (60°F)

Should I visit Tianjin or Shenzhen in the Spring?

Both Shenzhen and Tianjin during the spring are popular places to visit.

In April, Tianjin is generally much colder than Shenzhen. Temperatures in Tianjin average around 14°C (58°F), and Shenzhen stays around 23°C (73°F).

It's quite sunny in Tianjin. In the spring, Tianjin often gets more sunshine than Shenzhen. Tianjin gets 247 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Shenzhen receives 95 hours of full sun.

Shenzhen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Tianjin usually gets less rain in April than Shenzhen. Tianjin gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Shenzhen receives 154 mm (6.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Tianjin 14°C (58°F) 
    Shenzhen 23°C (73°F)

Typical Weather for Shenzhen and Tianjin

Tianjin Shenzhen
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -3°C (27°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 16°C (60°F) 26 mm (1 in)
Feb -1°C (31°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 16°C (61°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Mar 6°C (43°F) 9 mm (0.3 in) 19°C (66°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)
Apr 14°C (58°F) 25 mm (1 in) 23°C (73°F) 154 mm (6.1 in)
May 21°C (69°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 27°C (80°F) 325 mm (12.8 in)
Jun 25°C (77°F) 68 mm (2.7 in) 29°C (83°F) 382 mm (15 in)
Jul 27°C (80°F) 185 mm (7.3 in) 30°C (85°F) 323 mm (12.7 in)
Aug 26°C (79°F) 155 mm (6.1 in) 29°C (85°F) 393 mm (15.5 in)
Sep 21°C (70°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 28°C (83°F) 300 mm (11.8 in)
Oct 15°C (58°F) 21 mm (0.8 in) 26°C (78°F) 143 mm (5.6 in)
Nov 6°C (43°F) 11 mm (0.4 in) 21°C (70°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)
Dec -1°C (31°F) 4 mm (0.2 in) 17°C (63°F) 27 mm (1.1 in)


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Tianjin vs. Shenzhen Travel Comparison

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