A Travel Price Comparison for China Xiamen vs. Shenzhen for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Xiamen or Shenzhen?

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 Shenzhen 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 Shenzhen?

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.

Shenzhen

Located in the Guangdong Province of southeastern China, Shenzhen is a metropolis that connects Hong Kong to China's mainland. It is one of China's most populous cities, inhabited by vast array of people from other Chinese regions.  It is perhaps best known for it shopping, collection of amusement parks, green parks, museums and galleries, and a few historic sites. It is on UNESCO's Creative Cities list.

Which place is cheaper, Shenzhen 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 Shenzhen is $126. 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 Shenzhen in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Xiamen $31
    Shenzhen $91
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Xiamen $62
    Shenzhen $182
Compare Hotels in Xiamen and Shenzhen

Looking for a hotel in Xiamen or Shenzhen? 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 Shenzhen


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
    Shenzhen $15

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Xiamen

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

  • Xiamen Riyuegu Hot Spring Experience with Private Transfer: $112
  • Xiamen Railway Station Private Transfer to Gaoqi Airport: $19
  • Xiamen Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Railway Station: $56
  • Xiamen Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Airport: $56
  • Xiamen Private Departure Transfer: City Hotel to Railway Station: $19
  • Xiamen Private Arrival Transfer: Railway Station to Hotel: $89
  • Xiamen Private Arrival Transfer: Airport to Hotel: $89
  • Xiamen North Railway Station Private Transfer from City Area: $19
  • Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport Chauffeur Service ,Xiamen Airport Transfer: $47
  • Tuina Massage Experience in Xiamen including Round Trip Transfer: $47
  • Round Trip Transfer Between the Most Picturesque Chuxi Tulou Cluster and Xiamen: $106
  • Private airport transfer to or from Xiamen International Airport max 5: $15

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Shenzhen

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

  • Transfer from Shenzhen Bao'an International (SZX) - Shenzhen: $75
  • Shenzhen Private Transfer from Shenzhen central to Shenzhen Bao'an Airport (SZX): $90
  • Shenzhen Private Transfer from Shenzhen Bao'an Airport (SZX) to central Shenzhen: $90
  • Shenzhen Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Railway Station: $56
  • Shenzhen Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Airport: $89
  • Shenzhen Private Arrival Transfer: Airport to Hotel: $89
  • Shenzhen Downtown to Hong Kong Private Transfer: $138
  • Shenzhen Baoan Airport Chauffeur Service ,Shenzhen Airport Transfer,Pickup: $65
  • Shenzhen Baoan Airport Chauffeur Service , Shenzhen Airport Transfer,Pickup: $78
  • Round Trip Shenzhen Bao'an Airport (SZX) Transfer to Shenzen City Center: $83
  • Private Transfer: from Shenzhen to Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport (SZX): $27
  • Private Transfer: Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport (SZX) to Shenzhen: $27

Is it cheaper to fly into Xiamen or Shenzhen?

Prices for flights to both Shenzhen 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
    Shenzhen $20

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Shenzhen

For Shenzhen, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • The best night food tour in SZ: ten tastings: $29

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Xiamen $16
    Shenzhen $17

Tours and Activities in Xiamen

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

  • 1-Day Xiamen City Highlights and Gulangyu Island Private Tour: $235
  • 1-day Xiapu Photography Tour: East Route: $273
  • 2 Days Leisure Tour to Explore Xiamen City: $452
  • 2 Days Xiamen Trip to Tour Around the Must-see Highlights of Xiamen: $393
  • 2 Days Xiamen tour to discover highlights of Xiamen and Tianluokeng Tulou: $459
  • 2 Days Xiamen tour to discover highlights of Xiamen and explore Hongkeng Tulou: $457
  • 2-Day Hakka Tulou Private Tour to Nanjing and Yongding: $720
  • 2-Day Leisure Tour to Travel around Xiamen City: $435
  • 2-Day Mountain Wuyi Private Flexible Tour from Xiamen by Bullet Train: $500
  • 2-Day Private Customized Harbin Tour from Xiamen by Air: $1,118
  • 2-Day Private Lijiang Highlights Tour from Xiamen by Plane: $948
  • 2-Day Private Sightseeing Tour of Xiamen City Highlights and Toulou Cluster: $462

Tours and Activities in Shenzhen

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

  • 2-Day Danxia Mountain & Nanhua Temple Private Tour From Shenzhen By Bullet Train: $677
  • 2-Day Private Customized Harbin Tour from Shenzhen by Air: $1,118
  • 2-Day Private Lijiang Highlights Tour from Shenzhen by Plane: $848
  • 3 Day Private Silk Road Tour fromShenzhen:Highlights of Xi'an,Jiayuguan,Dunhuang: $1,078
  • 3-Day Private Golden Triangle Tour: Shanghai, Beijing and Xi'an from Shenzhen: $1,378
  • 3-Day Private Guilin Highlights Tour from Shenzhen by Bullet Train: $720
  • 3-Day Private Tibet Tour from Lhasa, Yamdrok Lake and Khampa La Pass: $925
  • 4-Day Private Guided Tour of Beijing and Xi'an from Shenzhen: $1,088
  • 4-Day Private Silk Road Tour from Shenzhen: $1,258
  • 7-Day Private China Tour from Beijing, Xi'an, Guilin and Shanghai: $2,328
  • All Inclusive 2-Day Private Tour of Beijing City Highlights from Shenzhen byAir: $648
  • All Inclusive 3-Day Private Tour of Xi'an and Beijing from Shenzhen with Hotel: $1,278

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Xiamen $17
    Shenzhen $20

About these numbers

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


When is the best time to visit Xiamen or Shenzhen?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Xiamen or Shenzhen in the Summer?

Both Shenzhen and Xiamen are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.

Xiamen is around the same temperature as Shenzhen in the summer. The temperature in Xiamen is usually 30°C (86°F) in July, and Shenzhen stays around 30°C (85°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Shenzhen. It's quite rainy in Xiamen. In July, Xiamen usually receives less rain than Shenzhen. Xiamen gets 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Shenzhen receives 323 mm (12.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Xiamen 30°C (86°F) 
    Shenzhen 30°C (85°F)

Should I visit Xiamen or Shenzhen in the Autumn?

Both Shenzhen and Xiamen during the autumn are popular places to visit.

In the autumn, Xiamen is around the same temperature as Shenzhen. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Xiamen in October are around 25°C (77°F), and Shenzhen is about 26°C (78°F).

Shenzhen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Xiamen usually gets less rain in October than Shenzhen. Xiamen gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Shenzhen receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Xiamen 25°C (77°F) 
    Shenzhen 26°C (78°F)

Should I visit Xiamen or Shenzhen in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Xiamen and Shenzhen.

In January, Xiamen is generally around the same temperature as Shenzhen. Temperatures in Xiamen average around 14°C (58°F), and Shenzhen stays around 16°C (60°F).

In January, Xiamen usually receives more rain than Shenzhen. Xiamen gets 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Shenzhen receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Xiamen 14°C (58°F) 
    Shenzhen 16°C (60°F)

Should I visit Xiamen or Shenzhen in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Xiamen as well as Shenzhen.

Xiamen is cooler than Shenzhen in the spring. The temperature in Xiamen is usually 20°C (69°F) in April, and Shenzhen stays around 23°C (73°F).

It's quite rainy in Shenzhen. Xiamen receives a lot of rain in the spring. Xiamen usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Shenzhen. Xiamen gets 147 mm (5.8 in) of rain, while Shenzhen receives 154 mm (6.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Xiamen 20°C (69°F) 
    Shenzhen 23°C (73°F)

Typical Weather for Shenzhen and Xiamen

Xiamen Shenzhen
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 14°C (58°F) 37 mm (1.4 in) 16°C (60°F) 26 mm (1 in)
Feb 14°C (57°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 16°C (61°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Mar 16°C (61°F) 99 mm (3.9 in) 19°C (66°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)
Apr 20°C (69°F) 147 mm (5.8 in) 23°C (73°F) 154 mm (6.1 in)
May 24°C (76°F) 152 mm (6 in) 27°C (80°F) 325 mm (12.8 in)
Jun 27°C (81°F) 197 mm (7.7 in) 29°C (83°F) 382 mm (15 in)
Jul 30°C (86°F) 140 mm (5.5 in) 30°C (85°F) 323 mm (12.7 in)
Aug 30°C (85°F) 149 mm (5.9 in) 29°C (85°F) 393 mm (15.5 in)
Sep 28°C (83°F) 116 mm (4.6 in) 28°C (83°F) 300 mm (11.8 in)
Oct 25°C (77°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 26°C (78°F) 143 mm (5.6 in)
Nov 21°C (69°F) 37 mm (1.4 in) 21°C (70°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)
Dec 16°C (61°F) 25 mm (1 in) 17°C (63°F) 27 mm (1.1 in)


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Xiamen vs. Shenzhen Travel Comparison

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