Which place is cheaper, Guangzhou or Xiamen?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Xiamen or Guangzhou?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Xiamen and Guangzhou can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Xiamen or Guangzhou?
Xiamen
Xiamen is a coastal city in the Fujian Province of China and has been a major port city and gateway to China for centuries. This vibrant and modern city was named the most livable city in the world in 2002 and one of the first cities to be named a Special Economic Zone. Xiamen is best known for being home to Gulangyu Island, a beautiful island full of historic colonial buildings and lovely walking paths.
Guangzhou
With a population of more than 12 million, Guangzhou is the third largest city in China after Beijing and Shanghai. Though it has a long history, founded in 214 BC, the city has also many modern attractions, a mix of the old and new with temples and parks as well as skyscrapers and shopping centers. Its location on the Pearl River has contributed to this growth, making Guangzhou a major port and commercial hub.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, The Best Historical Tours in China, The Best 10-Day Tours in China, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayXiamen $64Guangzhou $89
The average daily cost (per person) in Xiamen is $64, while the average daily cost in Guangzhou is $89. 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 Xiamen and Guangzhou in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personXiamen $31Guangzhou $57
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomXiamen $62Guangzhou $114
Compare Hotels in Xiamen and Guangzhou
Looking for a hotel in Xiamen or Guangzhou? 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.Xiamen $5.99Guangzhou $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Xiamen
Also for Xiamen, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer Service between Xiamen City and Yongding Hakka Tulou : $115
- Private Arrival Transfer from Gaoqi Airport to Xiamen City Hotel: $10
- Private Departure Transfer to North Railway Station from Downtown Xiamen: $15
- Private Transfer Between Xiamen City and HongKeng Hakka Tulou Cluster: $89
- Private Transfer Between Xiamen City and Yun Shui Yao Ancient Town: $89
- Private Transfer Service between Xiamen City and Nanjing Tulou : $115
- Private Transfer Service between Xiamen and Anxi : $89
- Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Hua’an Earth Building: $89
- Private Transfer from Railway Station to Xiamen City: $10
- Private Transfer to Gaobei Tulou and Hongkeng Tulou from Xiamen City: $98
- Private Transfer to Gaobei Tulou and Yunshuiyao Village from Xiamen City: $98
- Private Transfer to Hongkeng Tulou and Yunshuiyao Village from Xiamen City: $98
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guangzhou
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guangzhou:
- Zhuhai City Private Arrival Transfer from Guangzhou Baiyun Int'l Airport : $108
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Guangzhou HTL-APT (CAN): $62
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Guangzhou APT-HTL (CAN): $62
- Private Transfer from Guangzhou city hotels to Shekou Cruise Port: $61
- Private Transfer from Guangzhou City Center to South Railway Station: $49
- Private Departure Transfer in English-speaking: Hotel to Airport: $99
- Private Day Tour to Zhuhai from Guangzhou by Private Transfer: $300
- Private Baiyun Airport Transfer to Guangzhou Railway or East Railway Station: $49
- Private Baiyun Airport Arrival Transfer to Guangzhou South Railway Station : $53
- Private Baiyun Airport Arrival Transfer to Guangzhou City Area: $49
- Private Baiyun Airport Arrival Transfer to Canton Fair Pazhou Complex: $49
- Private Airport Transfer: Guangzhou Airport to Hotel up to 5pax: $120
Is it cheaper to fly into Xiamen or Guangzhou?
Prices for flights to both Guangzhou and Xiamen 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 dayXiamen $26Guangzhou $19
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guangzhou
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Guangzhou.
- Guangzhou Evening Food Tour Through Local Neighborhood: $65
- Guangzhou walking tour with dimsum dinner&Zhujiang river cruise: $100
- Yum Cha Dim Sum Dinner and Pearl River Night Cruise Private Tour : $110
- Private Guangzhou Night Tour VIP Cruise and Dim-Sum Dinner Option: $146
- 3-Hour Guangzhou Private Cooking Class with Local Market Visit : $165
- Private Guangzhou Night Tour with Canton Tower and Dim-Sum Dinner: $176
- Private Guangzhou Food Tour Michelin Restaurant&Local Food Market: $180
- Cantonese Dim Sum Dinner with Pearl River Night Cruise in Guangzhou: $199
- Guangzhou Pearl River Night Cruise and Din Tai Feng Dinner: $199
- Guangzhou Private Night Tour: Lychee Bay, Beijing Road, Cruise, Dinner: $204
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Xiamen $16Guangzhou $18
Tours and Activities in Xiamen
For Xiamen, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Xiamen Private English Tour Guide Service: $93
- Xiamen Private Half Day Tour of Gulangyu Island and Shuzhuang Garden: $97
- Private Xiamen Half Day Tour to Gulangyu Island and the Hi Heaven Villa: $97
- A Night Tour to Xiamen Gulang Island: $100
- Flexible Xiamen Private Half Day Tour with Meal Option: $109
- Flexible Private Half-Day Tour to Visit the Top Attraction Xiamen Yuanbo Garden: $110
- Day Tour to Admire the Panorama of Gulangyu Island and Visit the Precious Birds: $110
- 4-hour Xiamen Private Flexible Tour in Your Way: $113
- Xiamen Half-Day Private Tour include Gulang Yu Island and Garden : $119
- 4-Hour Xiamen Private Shore Excursion Tour in Your Way: $121
- Shanghai Metro Tour: $127
- Xiamen Layover Day Tour-Gulangyu,Shuzhuang Garden And Piano Museum: $132
Tours and Activities in Guangzhou
Here are a few actual costs in Guangzhou for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Guangzhou Self-Guided Tour with Private Car and Driver Service: $75
- 1 Day Historical Guangzhou Layover Tour from Airport: $260
- 1-Day Guangzhou Airport Layover Visa-Free Private City Tour: $185
- 4-Hour Private Tour to Museum of Nanyue King & Academy of Clan Chen in Guangzhou: $91
- 5-Hour Sai Kwan Walking Tour with Unique Food Tasting: $72
- Ancient Foshan Day Tour from Guangzhou: $201
- Big Buddha Lotus Hill Ancient Quarry Seagull Island Private Tour : $300
- Big Buddha Mountain Martial Art Culture Countryside Private Tour: $220
- Canton Tower and Pearl River Cruise Private Guangzhou Day Tour: $180
- China Education Culture University Campus Lifestyle Private Tour: $180
- Chinese Classical Garden and Ancient Water Village Private Tour: $220
- Customised Private Guangzhou City Tour with Flexible Itinerary: $180
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayXiamen $17Guangzhou $14
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Xiamen and Guangzhou, we can see that Guangzhou is more expensive. And not only is Xiamen much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Xiamen would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Xiamen 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 Guangzhou would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Guangzhou than you might in Xiamen.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Xiamen Expensive? and Is Guangzhou Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Xiamen or Guangzhou?
Guangzhou has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Xiamen. When comparing the sizes of Xiamen and Guangzhou, 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 Xiamen or Guangzhou?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Xiamen or Guangzhou in the Summer?
Both Guangzhou and Xiamen during the summer are popular places to visit.
In the summer, Xiamen is around the same temperature as Guangzhou. Typically, the summer temperatures in Xiamen in July average around 30°C (86°F), and Guangzhou averages at about 29°C (84°F).
Guangzhou gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Xiamen. Xiamen usually gets less rain in July than Guangzhou. Xiamen gets 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Guangzhou receives 228 mm (9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyXiamen 30°C (86°F)Guangzhou 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Xiamen or Guangzhou in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Xiamen and Guangzhou.
In October, Xiamen is generally around the same temperature as Guangzhou. Daily temperatures in Xiamen average around 25°C (77°F), and Guangzhou fluctuates around 25°C (76°F).
In October, Xiamen usually receives less rain than Guangzhou. Xiamen gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Guangzhou receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberXiamen 25°C (77°F)Guangzhou 25°C (76°F)
Should I visit Xiamen or Guangzhou in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Xiamen as well as Guangzhou.
Xiamen is around the same temperature as Guangzhou in the winter. The daily temperature in Xiamen averages around 14°C (58°F) in January, and Guangzhou fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).
Xiamen usually gets less rain in January than Guangzhou. Xiamen gets 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Guangzhou receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryXiamen 14°C (58°F)Guangzhou 14°C (58°F)
Should I visit Xiamen or Guangzhou in the Spring?
Both Guangzhou and Xiamen are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.
In the spring, Xiamen is around the same temperature as Guangzhou. Typically, the spring temperatures in Xiamen in April average around 20°C (69°F), and Guangzhou averages at about 22°C (72°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Guangzhou. It's quite rainy in Xiamen. In April, Xiamen usually receives less rain than Guangzhou. Xiamen gets 147 mm (5.8 in) of rain, while Guangzhou receives 182 mm (7.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilXiamen 20°C (69°F)Guangzhou 22°C (72°F)
Typical Weather for Guangzhou and Xiamen
| Xiamen | Guangzhou | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 14°C (58°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 14°C (57°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Mar | 16°C (61°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 85 mm (3.4 in) |
| Apr | 20°C (69°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 182 mm (7.2 in) |
| May | 24°C (76°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 284 mm (11.2 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.1 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 228 mm (9 in) |
| Aug | 30°C (85°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 221 mm (8.7 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 172 mm (6.8 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (77°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (69°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Dec | 16°C (61°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 24 mm (0.9 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.