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

Should you visit Xiamen or Tainan City?

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 Tainan City 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 Tainan City?

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.

Tainan City

The oldest city in Taiwan, Tainan was once the nation's capital during imperial times and is today famous for its temples and historic buildings which speak to this distant past. Additionally Tainan has become known for its lively night markets and fantastic snack foods available from a large concentrate of street vendors located throughout the city.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, The Best Historical Tours in China, The Best Tours for Seniors to Taiwan, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Taiwan.


Which place is cheaper, Tainan City or Xiamen?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Xiamen is $64, while the average daily cost in Tainan City is $111. 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 Tainan City in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Xiamen $30
    Tainan City $59
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Xiamen $60
    Tainan City $118
Compare Hotels in Xiamen and Tainan City

Looking for a hotel in Xiamen or Tainan City? 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 Tainan City


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: Tainan City Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Xiamen $5.98
    Tainan City $19

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Xiamen

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

  • Private Arrival Transfer from Gaoqi Airport to Xiamen City Hotel: $10
  • Private Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport Transfers in Xiamen City: $12
  • Xiamen North Railway Station Private Transfer from City Area: $19
  • Xiamen Gaoqi Airport Private Transfer to Local Railway Station : $19
  • Private Xiamen Gaoqi Airport Arrival Transfer to City Area: $30
  • Private Transfer between Riyue Gu Hotspring Resort and Xiamen City : $32
  • Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport Chauffeur Service ,Xiamen Airport Transfer: $47
  • Private Transfer Service between Xiamen and Anxi : $89
  • Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster : $89
  • Private Transfer Between Xiamen City and HongKeng Hakka Tulou Cluster: $89
  • Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Hua’an Earth Building: $89
  • Private Transfer to Gaobei Tulou and Hongkeng Tulou from Xiamen City: $98

Is it cheaper to fly into Xiamen or Tainan City?

Prices for flights to both Tainan City 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 $26
    Tainan City $39

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

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 to Experience Xiamen Botanical Garden: $105
  • Private Xiamen Sea Food Market & Zhongshan Road Shopping and Eating Experience: $107
  • 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

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Xiamen $17
    Tainan City $5.75


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


Which is Bigger, Xiamen or Tainan City?

Tainan City has a larger population, and is about 32% larger than the population of Xiamen. When comparing the sizes of Xiamen and Tainan City, 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.