A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Xiamen vs. Macao for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Xiamen or Macao?

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 Macao 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 Macao?

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.

Macao

Located in China, Macau is a Special Administrative Region and one of the world's most densely populated regions. Until 1999 it remained an overseas territory of Portugal. It sits across from Hong Kong, along the Pearl River Estuary. Because it was so recently relinquished as a colony, it still has a significant amount of visible colonial history. The old city still looks very European, which you can see during a walking tour. Despite this architectural influence, the majority of the city's population is native Chinese.

Which place is cheaper, Macao or Xiamen?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Xiamen is $65, while the average daily cost in Macao is $137. 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 Macao in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Xiamen $31
    Macao $113
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Xiamen $62
    Macao $226
Compare Hotels in Xiamen and Macao

Looking for a hotel in Xiamen or Macao? 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 Xiamen


Hotels in Macao


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.
    Xiamen $6.13
    Macao $0.58

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Xiamen

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

  • FujianTulou Cluster Tour with accommodation in Chuxi and transfers from Xiamen: $342
  • Gulangyu Ferry Ticket between Xiamen and Sanqiutian Pier with private transfer: $18
  • Private Airport Transfer: Xiamen to Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport (XMN): $14
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Xiamen North Railway Station to Xiamen City: $24
  • Private City Transfers in Xiamen: $64
  • Private Departure Transfer to North Railway Station from Downtown Xiamen: $15
  • Private Departure Transfer to Xiamen Airport from Xiamen City: $19
  • Private Departure Transfer:City Hotel to Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport(XMN): $14
  • Private Round-Trip Transfer: Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport (XMN): $28
  • Private Transfer Between Xiamen City and HongKeng Hakka Tulou Cluster: $89
  • Private Transfer Between Xiamen City and Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster: $116
  • Private Transfer Between Xiamen City and Yun Shui Yao Ancient Town: $116

Typical Local Transportation prices in Macao

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


  • Local Bus (for Two)
    $0.99

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Macao

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Macao:

  • Private transfer: Macau Airport (MFM) to Macau: $622
  • Private Macau Transfer: Port to Hotel: $78
  • Private Airport Transfer: from Macao to Macau International Airport (MFM): $32
  • Private Airport Transfer: Macau International Airport (MFM) to Macao: $32
  • Macau Private Arrival Transfer: Airport to Hotel: $120
  • Macau Day Tour with 2-Way Ferry Transfer from Shenzhen: $247
  • Hong Kong Disneyland Tour with Round-Trip Ferry Transfer from Macau: $201
  • 2 Days Macau Sightseeing Tour with Macau Airport Private Transfer: $362

Is it cheaper to fly into Xiamen or Macao?

Prices for flights to both Macao 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Xiamen $27
    Macao $21

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Macao

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

  • Cooking with a Chef: $95

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Xiamen $16
    Macao $11

Tours and Activities in Xiamen

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

  • Skip the Line: Xiamen Minnan Magic Cultural Show Ticket: $27
  • Ticket to Xiamen Shimao Straits Tower Sightseeing Hall 55F Ticket: $27
  • Xiamen Ancient Courtyard and the Show “Legend of Southern Fujian”Ticket: $39
  • Private Day Tour to Xiamen Ancient Courtyard and Watch an Extraordinary Show: $64
  • Xiamen Private English Tour Guide and Interpreter Service: $78
  • 4-Hour Xiamen Private Local Food Market Experience: $91
  • Xiamen Half-Day Tour to Experience Tuina Massage and A Scenic Night Cruise: $92
  • Private Xiamen Half Day Tour to Gulangyu Island and the Hi Heaven Villa: $97
  • Xiamen Private Half Day Tour of Gulangyu Island and Shuzhuang Garden: $97
  • A Night Tour to Xiamen Gulang Island: $100
  • Xiamen Half-Day Private Tour include Gulang Yu Island and Garden: $101
  • Xiamen Private Highlight Tour-Gulangyu Island, Shuzhuang Garden And Piano Museum: $103

Typical Entertainment prices in Macao

Here are a few typical costs in Macao for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Macau Tower
    $11

Tours and Activities in Macao

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

  • Cultural and Heritage Tour of Cotai: $76
  • Macau Beer Tour (3 Bars + 10 Landmarks): $52
  • Macau Heritage & Gambling Tour History: $47
  • Macau Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $47
  • Macau Sightseeing tour including Buffet Lunch on Macau Tower and pickup in Macau: $116
  • Private Tour: Discover Macau: $264
  • Savour Macau Half Day Tour by Award Winning Operator: $40
  • Sightseeing Coach Tour of Macau from Shenzhen with Ferry: $176
  • Taipa Biking Tour Ride: $54

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Xiamen $17
    Macao -

About these numbers

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Xiamen and Macao, we can see that Macao 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 Macao would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Macao than you might in Xiamen.

Budget Your Trip

Budget Your Trip has average travel costs for thousands of cities around the world, all provided by other travelers. You can also register to organize your spending by category and location with graphs, maps, charts, and tables.
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Xiamen vs. Macao Travel Comparison

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