A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Ubud vs. Hangzhou for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Ubud or Hangzhou?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Ubud and Hangzhou. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Ubud or Hangzhou?

Ubud

Made popular by the film Eat Pray Love, Ubud is located in the uplands of Bali, Indonesia. Beautiful Hindu temples and iconic rice fields are the sight to see in this popular cultural, artistic and religious hub on the island.

Though Ubud is hot and humid during the day, it is still cooler than coastal areas. Still, temperatures linger between mid-70's and low 90's year-round, so it is likely you'll experience warm weather, regardless of when you visit.

Ubud's wet season is from November to June, which makes it an unpopular time for travelers. January and February are when Ubud experiences the heaviest rainfall, so it may be wise to avoid visiting at this time, especially since weather will limit activities, bring out insects, and cause landslides and possible flooding.

Dry season runs from July through October, which is high season for travel. Even during dry season, Ubud is extremely humid, so pack lightweight clothing that breathes and lots of sunblock.

Hangzhou

Hangzhou is a city in Eastern China, about an hour by train from Shanghai, renowned for its historic relics and natural beauty. Each year it attracts more than 20 million tourists who come to see what the city has to offer. Set amongst the natural scenery of lakes and mountains, Hangzhou is modern city that coexists with the old. Historic pagodas and cultural sites built around the central lake sit like they belong amidst the skyscrapers and bustling markets of today.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Indonesia, The Best Budget Tours to Indonesia, The Best Adventure Tours to China, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in China.


Which place is cheaper, Hangzhou or Ubud?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Ubud is $141, while the average daily cost in Hangzhou is $85. 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 Ubud and Hangzhou in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Ubud $118
    Hangzhou $25
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Ubud $236
    Hangzhou $50
Compare Hotels in Ubud and Hangzhou

Looking for a hotel in Ubud or Hangzhou? 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 Ubud


Hotels in Hangzhou


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.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Ubud Hotel Prices and Hangzhou Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Ubud $1.62
    Hangzhou $8.82

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ubud

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ubud:

  • 2 Hour Traditional Balinese Spa with free hotel transfer: $50
  • 2 hours Bali Lulur Massage & Spa Treatment Including Hotel Transfers: $58
  • 2 hours Bali Lulur Massage & Spa Treatment Including Transfers: $52
  • 3 Days Private Tour Without Hotel with AIRPORT OR HOTEL Transfer: $148
  • 4 Days Private Tour Without Hotel with AIRPORT OR HOTEL Transfer: $218
  • 4 Hours Pure Romance & Healing Spa Journey - Free Transfer: $115
  • 5 Days Private Tour Without Hotel with AIRPORT OR HOTEL Transfer: $218
  • A1 Airport Transfer Service Kuta/Seminyak Area: $14
  • ATV Quad Bike & Ayung River Rafting - Free Transfer: $85
  • Airport Transfer Bali: $8.81
  • Airport Transfer Bali from (DPS) Ngurah Rai Airport to Jimbaran Area: $8.00
  • Airport Transfer to Central Ubud Hotel: $17

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Hangzhou

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Hangzhou:


  • Local Bus for Two
    $0.60

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hangzhou

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hangzhou:

  • Enduring Memories of Hangzhou West Lake Show VIP Ticket with Private Transfer: $128
  • Hangzhou Downtown Transfer To Hangzhou East Railway Station: $32
  • Hangzhou Downtown transfer to Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport: $35
  • Hangzhou International Airport Private Arrival Transfer to Shaoxing City: $84
  • Hangzhou Private Arrival Transfer: Airport to Hotel: $88
  • Hangzhou Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Airport: $75
  • Hangzhou Private Transfer to Shanghai with stop-over at Wuzhen Water Town: $167
  • Hangzhou Railway Station Private Arrival Transfer to City Area: $29
  • Hangzhou West Lake Impression Ticket with Private Transfer: $122
  • Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport Transfer to Hotel and West Lake Area: $45
  • Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport TransferTo Shanghai Pudong Airport: $140
  • Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport Private Transfer to QianDao Lake: $131

Is it cheaper to fly into Ubud or Hangzhou?

Prices for flights to both Hangzhou and Ubud 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
    Ubud $18
    Hangzhou $33

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ubud

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Ubud.

  • Ubud Authentic Balinese Cooking Class: 9 Dishes & Market Tour: $18
  • Balinese Ubud Cooking Class with Market Visit and Transfer: $18
  • Hands-On Bali Authentic Balinese Cooking Class Experience: $20
  • Magical Village Tour & Private Dinner with Fireflies in Bali: $20
  • Full Day Ubud Waterfall Visit and Cooking Experience: $22
  • Afternoon Cooking Class & Making Bali Offering with Dinner: $24
  • Cooking Class and Dinner in Traditional House by Food Lover Tour: $25
  • Ubud Cooking Class & Local Market Tour Surrounded by Rice Fields: $25
  • 8 Hours Private Balinese Cooking Class with Tirta Empul Temple: $28
  • Bali Cooking Class with Hotel Pick-up: $30
  • Bali Amazing Cooking Class: $30
  • Uluwatu, Sunset, Kecak Dance & Dinner: A Romantic Bali Evening: $30

Typical Food Prices in Hangzhou

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Hangzhou:


  • Breakfast Pastries
    $2.55
  • Pizza Hut Lunch
    $12

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hangzhou

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Hangzhou.

  • All Inclusive Night Tour with Impression West Lake Show VIP Ticket and Dinner: $117
  • Hangzhou One Day Local Food Tour: $124
  • Private Amazing Hangzhou Airport Layover Tour with Lunch or Dinner Option: $170
  • Hangzhou Private Tour to Wuzhen Water Town with Lunch or Dinner: $213

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Ubud $9.09
    Hangzhou $22

Tours and Activities in Ubud

Here are a few actual costs in Ubud for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Sari Timbul Art Gallery Entrance Ticket: $5.10
  • Wheel Bali Ticket: $5.38
  • Melasti Beach Kecak Dance Ticket: $8.00
  • Mangrove Tour at Nusa Lembongan : Kayak, Paddle and Boat: $8.00
  • Private Bali Watersport Adventure: $8.00
  • Bali Private Car Charter Tour with English Speaking Driver: $9.00
  • Bali Mount Batur Sunrise Trekking Adventure: $9.00
  • Full-Day Private North Bali Tour with Free WiFi: $9.32
  • Mount Batur Jeep Tour: Sunrise, Black Lava,Black Sand &Hot Spring: $9.63
  • 1 Hour Mangrove Tour From Lembongan with Kayak, Paddle, or Boat: $9.89
  • Ubud Sunrise: Campuhan Ridge Self-Guided Walking Tour: $9.99
  • Sea to Summit Trekking Adventure on Mount Agung: $10

Tours and Activities in Hangzhou

Here are a few actual costs in Hangzhou for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Private Xixi Fisherman Tour – Farm-to-Table Harvest Experience: $10
  • Fei Lai Peak (Lingyin Temple) E-Ticket: $12
  • Hangzhou Ghost Market Adventure: Antique Hunt & Bargain Tour: $40
  • Hangzhou Meijiawu Tea Picking and Tea Roasting Experience: $42
  • A Local Breakfast Experience and TCM visit: $46
  • Hangzhou Bites: Local Guided Market Tour: $49
  • The Key to Zhejiang Culture – Guided Museum Tour: $53
  • Authentic Hangzhou Longjing Tea Culture Experience Tour: $53
  • Hangzhou Leaf to Cup Pick Pan Fry and Whisk Tea Experience: $55
  • Best Price: Impression West Lake Show Ticket: $59
  • Skip the Line: Impression West Lake Show Ticket: $65
  • Zhejiang University Guided Campus Tour: $65

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Ubud $6.11
    Hangzhou $11


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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ubud Expensive? and Is Hangzhou Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Ubud or Hangzhou?

Hangzhou has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Ubud. When comparing the sizes of Ubud and Hangzhou, 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.