Which city is cheaper, Nanjing or Xiamen?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for China Xiamen vs. Nanjing for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Xiamen or Nanjing?
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 Nanjing 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 Nanjing?
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.
Nanjing
Nanjing is the capital city of the Jiangsu Province on the central eastern coast of China, just north of Shanghai. This historically and culturally rich city lies at the lower end of the Yangtze river, resulting in lush and scenic landscapes. Nanjing is well-known for having many popular historical sites, some of which have been listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayXiamen $67Nanjing $100
The average daily cost (per person) in Xiamen is $67, while the average daily cost in Nanjing is $100. 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Xiamen and Nanjing in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personXiamen $32Nanjing $48
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomXiamen $64Nanjing $96
Compare Hotels in Xiamen and Nanjing
Looking for a hotel in Xiamen or Nanjing? 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 $6.27Nanjing $40
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nanjing
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Nanjing:
- Zhenjiang Private Transfer Service from Nanjing City or Lukou Airport: $78
- Yangzhou Private Transfer Service from Nanjing City or Lukou Airport: $80
- Tangshan Hot Spring Spa Resorts Private Transfer from Nanjing City: $44
- Private airport transfer to or from Nanjing International Airport max 5 persons: $28
- Private airport transfer to or from Nanjing International Airport max 5 persons: $27
- Private Transfer to Zhenjiang from Nanjing City Center: $89
- Private Transfer to Yangzhou from Nanjing City Center: $89
- Private Transfer to Gaochun City from Nanjing: $77
- Private Transfer between Nanjing Olympic Stadium and City Hotel: $33
- Private Transfer between Nanjing Jinniuhu Wild Animal Park and City Hotels: $61
- Private Transfer Between Tangshan Hot Spring Resort and Nanjing Lukou Airport: $49
- Private Round-Trip Transfer: Nanjing Lukou International Airport (NKG): $98
Is it cheaper to fly into Xiamen or Nanjing?
Prices for flights to both Nanjing 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 $28Nanjing $29
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nanjing
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Nanjing.
- 3-Hour Nanjing Authentic Local Food Tour by Public Transportation: $93
- Nanjing City Private Night Tour with Qinghuai River Cruise and Dinner Option: $101
- Flexible Private Nanjing City Night Tour with Dinner Option: $107
- Private Nanjing Local Street Food Tour with Night River Cruise: $112
- Half-Day Nanjing City Private Flexible Tour with Lunch or Dinner Option: $137
- Nanjing Tangshan Mountain Hot Spring Experience and Hot Pot Dinner: $175
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Xiamen $16Nanjing $9.71
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
Tours and Activities in Nanjing
Here are a few actual costs in Nanjing for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2-Day Beijing Private Tour Including the Great Wall from Nanjing by Bullet Train: $534
- 2-Day Beijing Private Tour from Nanjing by Bullet Train with Drop-Off Options: $488
- 2-Day Mount Huangshan and Xidi Village Private Tour from Nanjing by Bullet Train: $549
- 2-Day Mt Huangshan and Hongcun Village Private Tour from Nanjing by Bullet Train: $549
- 2-Day Nanjing Private Flexible Tour with Tangshan Hot Spring Spa Experience: $300
- 2-Day Private Beijing Highlights Tour from Nanjing by Bullet Train: $499
- 2-Day Private Customized Harbin Tour from Nanjing by Air: $1,118
- 2-Day Private Lijiang Highlights Tour from Nanjing by Plane: $948
- 2-Day Private Tour from Nanjing by Air and Train:Highlights of Xi'an and Beijing: $969
- 2-Day Private Tour from Shenzhen with Hotel:Shaolin Temple and Longmen Grottoes: $798
- 2-Day Private Tour of Beijing UNESCO World Heritage Sites from Nanjing by Train: $521
- 2-Day Unlimited Nanjing Private Flexible Tour with Lunch Option: $238
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayXiamen $17Nanjing $9.92
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Xiamen and Nanjing, we can see that Nanjing 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 Nanjing would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nanjing than you might in Xiamen.
When is the best time to visit Xiamen or Nanjing?
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 Nanjing in the Summer?
Both Nanjing and Xiamen during the summer are popular places to visit.
In July, Xiamen is generally around the same temperature as Nanjing. Temperatures in Xiamen average around 30°C (86°F), and Nanjing stays around 28°C (83°F).
Nanjing 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 Nanjing. Xiamen gets 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Nanjing receives 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyXiamen 30°C (86°F)Nanjing 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Xiamen or Nanjing in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Xiamen and Nanjing.
Xiamen is a little warmer than Nanjing in the autumn. The temperature in Xiamen is usually 25°C (77°F) in October, and Nanjing stays around 17°C (63°F).
In October, Xiamen usually receives less rain than Nanjing. Xiamen gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Nanjing receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberXiamen 25°C (77°F)Nanjing 17°C (63°F)
Should I visit Xiamen or Nanjing in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Xiamen as well as Nanjing.
The weather in Nanjing can be very cold. In the winter, Xiamen is much warmer than Nanjing. Typically, the winter temperatures in Xiamen in January are around 14°C (58°F), and Nanjing is about 3°C (37°F).
Xiamen usually gets more rain in January than Nanjing. Xiamen gets 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Nanjing receives 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryXiamen 14°C (58°F)Nanjing 3°C (37°F)
Should I visit Xiamen or Nanjing in the Spring?
Both Nanjing and Xiamen are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.
In April, Xiamen is generally a little warmer than Nanjing. Temperatures in Xiamen average around 20°C (69°F), and Nanjing stays around 15°C (60°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Nanjing. It's quite rainy in Xiamen. In April, Xiamen usually receives more rain than Nanjing. Xiamen gets 147 mm (5.8 in) of rain, while Nanjing receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilXiamen 20°C (69°F)Nanjing 15°C (60°F)
Typical Weather for Nanjing and Xiamen
| Xiamen | Nanjing | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 14°C (58°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| Feb | 14°C (57°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 16°C (61°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Apr | 20°C (69°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| May | 24°C (76°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.7 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) |
| Aug | 30°C (85°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (77°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (69°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Dec | 16°C (61°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 25 mm (1 in) |
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