Which place is cheaper, Zhangjiajie or Ubud?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Ubud or Zhangjiajie?
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 Zhangjiajie. 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 Zhangjiajie?
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.
Zhangjiajie
Zhangjiajie, China is a picturesque city located in the northwest of the Hunan Province. This ancient city, which dates all the way back to the Stone Age, is famous for being home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Wulingyuan Scenic Area. Zhangjiajie is also known for being a popular filming location and and overall great place to escape the bustling Chinese cities. Zhangjiajie has its own dialect, which is a branch of the Hunan and Southern dialects, so Mandarin does not always translate when trying to speak to locals here.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Indonesia, The Best Budget Tours to Indonesia, The Best Historical Tours in China, and The Best 10-Day Tours in China.
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Ubud Prices
Indonesia PricesZhangjiajie Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayUbud $153Zhangjiajie $79
The average daily cost (per person) in Ubud is $153, while the average daily cost in Zhangjiajie is $79. 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 Zhangjiajie in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personUbud $128Zhangjiajie $30
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomUbud $256Zhangjiajie $60
Compare Hotels in Ubud and Zhangjiajie
Looking for a hotel in Ubud or Zhangjiajie? 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Ubud Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ubud $1.75Zhangjiajie $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ubud
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ubud:
- From Bali: With transfer Paragliding private experience: $245
- Best Bali Package Tour: 4 Days with Airport or Hotel Transfer: $197
- Actively enjoy marine sports / Seawalker + Selectable marine sports (parasailing, etc.) / Round trip hotel transfer included: $171
- Bali 5 Days Private Tours Includes Air Port Transfers: $145
- Bali Package Tour: 3 Days with AIRPORT or HOTEL TRANSFER: $133
- Bali Airport Transfer Check in or Check out with VIP Luxury Car: $125
- Bali Instagramable Private Tour with Transfer: $119
- Jumping Sliding at Aling-aling waterfall with hotel transfer: $117
- Kaura Waterfall Hike & Choose Optional Tour with Private Transfer: $112
- Batur Volcano Trekking with Hot-spring, Breakfast and Hotel Transfer: $110
- Seminyak 4-Hour Spa Treatment with Hotel or Airport Transfer: $105
- Private Tour Besakih Mother Temple, Waterfall with Transfers: $98
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zhangjiajie
Also for Zhangjiajie, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 1 Day Fenghuang and Furong Town Day Tour with Hotel Transfers: $192
- Fox Fairy Show VIP Ticket with Private Transfer in ZJJ City: $52
- Private Car Transfer From WLY to Glass Bridge (Round Trip ): $105
- Private Transfer from Zhangjiajie to Fenghuang and stops at Furong old town: $187
- Private Transfer from Zhangjiajie to Guilin or Yangshuo: $256
- Private Transfer: Yichang hotel from/to Zhangjiajie Hotel: $322
- Private Transfer: Zhangjiajie from/to Fenghuang: $168
- Private transfer from Zhangjiajie(Wulingyuan) to Changsha area: $213
- Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport private transfer service: $20
- Zhangjiajie airport/city pick up transfer to hotel or Vice Versa: $15
- 4-Day Private Tour with Airport Transfers: $710
Is it cheaper to fly into Ubud or Zhangjiajie?
Prices for flights to both Zhangjiajie 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
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Food Meals for one dayUbud $20Zhangjiajie $36
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ubud
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Ubud.
- Canggu: Drag Show with Dinner: $13
- Ubud Mystic Dinner at Oracle of Spice Lemuria The Lost City: $17
- Uluwatu Sunset & Romantic Dinner: $20
- Balinese Traditional Farm Cooking Class and Market Tour: $24
- Ubud Cooking Class by Lemon Grass Cooking Class: $26
- Afternoon Cooking Class & Making Bali Offering with Dinner: $29
- Uluwatu, Kecak Dance and Seafood Dinner Tour Packages: $30
- Amazing Half-Day Uluwatu Sunset Tour with Jimbaran Seafood Dinner: $30
- Uluwatu Temple, Kecak Dance and Jimbaran Seafood Dinner Tour: $30
- Be a real Balinese with Traditional Balinese Cooking Class: $30
- Private Half-Day Tour: Tanah Lot Sunset Tour with Dinner Packages: $30
- Uluwatu Sunset Trip with Kecak Dance Show and Jimbaran Dinner: $30
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zhangjiajie
For Zhangjiajie, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- 1 Day Zhangjiajie Private Tour Visit Avatar Mount and Tianzi Mount with Dinner: $196
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ubud $9.84Zhangjiajie $23
Tours and Activities in Ubud
Here are a few actual costs in Ubud for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Balaji Adventure Bali Quad Bike 350cc and Ayung Rafting: $48
- Bali Private tour : $55
- Bali Royal palaces (observe tour): $120
- Best Ubud Tours -All inclusive with private driver: $35
- Experience T-Rex Beach in Nusa Penida: $49
- Explore Bali with Private ATV Ride + Tour with VW Car: $80
- Full Day Private Tour from Tegenungan Waterfall to Tanah Lot: $55
- Full Day Ubud Tour: $95
- Lembongan Snorkeling Swim With Manta Rays and Island Tour: $55
- Mount Batur Jeep Tour and Hot Spring: $24
- Mount Batur Sunrise Jeep Tour & Natural Hot Spring: $40
- Nusa Penida Island West Tour - All Inclusive: $37
Tours and Activities in Zhangjiajie
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Zhangjiajie.
- Zhangjiajie Pandora Tour to Avatar Hallelujah Mountain: $7.00
- Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Ticket Booking: $16
- Zhangjiajie National Forest Park Entrance Ticket Transportation: $42
- Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge and Grand Canyon Tickets Booking: $48
- Zhangjiajie National Forest Park Private or Shared Day Tour: $50
- Fox Fairy Show VIP ticket with round trip private transport: $52
- Charming Xiangxi Show VIP ticket with round trip transport: $52
- Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain Ticket Booking: $55
- One Day Mini Group Tour to Glass Bridge and Tianmen Mountain: $63
- Mini Group Tour: Zhangjiajie Forest Park & Avatar Mountains: $66
- Zhangjiajie National Forest Park Tickets Booking: $69
- Mini Group Day Tour to Zhangjiajie Forest Park & Avatar Mountains: $69
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayUbud $6.62Zhangjiajie $16
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ubud and Zhangjiajie, we can see that Ubud is more expensive. And not only is Zhangjiajie much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Zhangjiajie would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Zhangjiajie 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 Zhangjiajie.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ubud Expensive? and Is Zhangjiajie Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ubud or Zhangjiajie?
Zhangjiajie has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Ubud. When comparing the sizes of Ubud and Zhangjiajie, 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.