Which place is cheaper, Tianjin or Xiamen?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Xiamen or Tianjin?
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 Tianjin 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 Tianjin?
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.
Tianjin
Tianjin is a large metropolis on the north east coast of China. This ancient city, which dates back to prehistoric times, is one of five National Central Cities of China and is rich in culture and history. Tianjin is most famous for its beautiful walking streets and history of European concession territories.
Tianjin experiences hot and humid summers, with temperatures reaching 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Winters are cool and dry with temperatures around 15° (F). Spring and Autumn tend to be the best times to visit as weather is a little more mild, although Spring has a tendency to be a little rainy.
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.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayXiamen $64Tianjin $76
The average daily cost (per person) in Xiamen is $64, while the average daily cost in Tianjin is $76. 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 Tianjin in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personXiamen $31Tianjin $34
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomXiamen $62Tianjin $68
Compare Hotels in Xiamen and Tianjin
Looking for a hotel in Xiamen or Tianjin? 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
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Xiamen $5.99Tianjin $37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Xiamen
Also for Xiamen, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Tianluokeng Tulou Village: $115
- Private Transfer to Tianluokeng Tulou and Hekeng Hakka Tulou from Xiamen City : $98
- Private Transfer to Gaobei Tulou and Hongkeng Tulou from Xiamen City: $98
- Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster : $89
- Private Transfer Service between Xiamen and Anxi : $89
- Private Transfer Between Xiamen City and HongKeng Hakka Tulou Cluster: $89
- Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Hua’an Earth Building: $89
- Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport Chauffeur Service ,Xiamen Airport Transfer: $47
- Private Transfer between Riyue Gu Hotspring Resort and Xiamen City : $32
- Private Xiamen Gaoqi Airport Arrival Transfer to City Area: $30
- Xiamen North Railway Station Private Transfer from City Area: $19
- Xiamen Gaoqi Airport Private Transfer to Local Railway Station : $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tianjin
Also for Tianjin, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- [Airport Transfer] Tianjin Airport ⇔ Tianjin City Transfer ☆ High reputation for service <Charter charter>: $13
- Tianjin Railway Station Private Transfer to Cruise Port: $32
- Tianjin Private Transfer to Gubei Water Town and Simatai Great Wall: $196
- Tianjin Private Transfer from Railway Station to Cruise Port: $80
- Tianjin Private Transfer from Cruise Port to Railway Station: $80
- Tianjin Private Round-Trip Transfer to Huangyaguan Great Wall: $112
- Tianjin Private Round Trip Transfer to Huangyaguan Pass and Eastern Qing Tombs: $132
- Tianjin Port Private transfers to Tianjin train station: $50
- Tianjin Port Private Round Trip Transfer to Huangyaguan Great Wall: $192
- Tianjin International Cruise Port Pick up or Drop off with Private Transfer: $130
- Tianjin Cruise Port to Hotels in Beijing Downtown Shared Transfer: $66
- Tianjin Cruise Port to Hotel in Beijing Downtown Private Transfer: $105
Is it cheaper to fly into Xiamen or Tianjin?
Prices for flights to both Tianjin 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 dayXiamen $26Tianjin $20
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Xiamen $16Tianjin $10
Tours and Activities in Xiamen
For Xiamen, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Fujian Tulou Private Day Tour to World Heritage Site Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster: $178
- Xiamen Private One Day Tailor Made Tour with Gulangyu and City Highlights : $176
- 1-Day Xiamen City Highlights and Gulangyu Island Private Tour: $244
- 4-Hour Xiamen Private Shore Excursion Tour in Your Way: $121
- 4-hour Xiamen Private Flexible Tour in Your Way: $113
- A Night Tour to Xiamen Gulang Island: $100
- Day Tour to Admire the Panorama of Gulangyu Island and Visit the Precious Birds: $110
- Dongshan Island Highlights Full-Day Private Tour: $232
- Flexible Private Half-Day Tour to Visit the Top Attraction Xiamen Yuanbo Garden: $110
- Flexible Private Xiamen Layover Tour with Meal: $176
- Flexible Xiamen Private Half Day Tour to Experience Xiamen Botanical Garden: $105
- Flexible Xiamen Private Half Day Tour with Meal Option: $109
Tours and Activities in Tianjin
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tianjin.
- 1 Day Tianjin City Essence Tour from Tianjin Port: $235
- 2 Days Beijing Group Tour from Tianjin Port without Shop Stops: $276
- 4- Hour Tianjin Local Food & Tea Tour: $49
- 4-Hour Private Tianjin Walking Tour with Dim Sum: $168
- 4-Hour Shore Excursion: Tianjin City Highlights and Binhai Bullet Train Experience: $259
- 4-Hour Tianjin Shore Excursion Highlight Tour with Peking Duck Experience: $240
- 4-Hour Tianjin Shore Excursion Private Shopping Tour: $120
- 4-Hour Tianjin Shore Excursion to Porcelain House with Bullet Train Experience: $240
- 4-Hour Tianjin Shore Excursion to Shijia Mansion with Bullet Train Experience: $210
- 5-Hour Private Tianjin Shopping Tour from Tianjin Cruise Port: $179
- All-inclusive Tianjin Day Tour to Qing Emperor's Tomb & Huangyaguan Great Wall : $278
- Bullet Train Private Tour: Beijing Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City & Great Wall: $239
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayXiamen $17Tianjin $11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Xiamen and Tianjin, we can see that Tianjin 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 Tianjin would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tianjin 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 Tianjin Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Xiamen or Tianjin?
Tianjin has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Xiamen. When comparing the sizes of Xiamen and Tianjin, 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 Tianjin?
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 Tianjin in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Xiamen and Tianjin.
In the summer, Xiamen is a little warmer than Tianjin. Typically, the summer temperatures in Xiamen in July average around 30°C (86°F), and Tianjin averages at about 27°C (80°F).
Tianjin receives a lot of rain in the summer. Xiamen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Xiamen usually receives less rain than Tianjin. Xiamen gets 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Tianjin receives 185 mm (7.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyXiamen 30°C (86°F)Tianjin 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Xiamen or Tianjin in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Xiamen as well as Tianjin.
In October, Xiamen is generally much warmer than Tianjin. Daily temperatures in Xiamen average around 25°C (77°F), and Tianjin fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).
Xiamen usually gets more rain in October than Tianjin. Xiamen gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Tianjin receives 21 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberXiamen 25°C (77°F)Tianjin 15°C (58°F)
Should I visit Xiamen or Tianjin in the Winter?
Both Tianjin and Xiamen are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.
The weather in Tianjin can be very cold. Xiamen is much warmer than Tianjin in the winter. The daily temperature in Xiamen averages around 14°C (58°F) in January, and Tianjin fluctuates around -3°C (27°F).
In January, Xiamen usually receives more rain than Tianjin. Xiamen gets 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Tianjin receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryXiamen 14°C (58°F)Tianjin -3°C (27°F)
Should I visit Xiamen or Tianjin in the Spring?
Both Tianjin and Xiamen during the spring are popular places to visit.
In the spring, Xiamen is a little warmer than Tianjin. Typically, the spring temperatures in Xiamen in April average around 20°C (69°F), and Tianjin averages at about 14°C (58°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Xiamen. Xiamen usually gets more rain in April than Tianjin. Xiamen gets 147 mm (5.8 in) of rain, while Tianjin receives 25 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilXiamen 20°C (69°F)Tianjin 14°C (58°F)
Typical Weather for Tianjin and Xiamen
| Xiamen | Tianjin | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 14°C (58°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) | -3°C (27°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Feb | 14°C (57°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | -1°C (31°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | 16°C (61°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 9 mm (0.3 in) |
| Apr | 20°C (69°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 25 mm (1 in) |
| May | 24°C (76°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.7 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 185 mm (7.3 in) |
| Aug | 30°C (85°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 155 mm (6.1 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (77°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (69°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | 16°C (61°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | -1°C (31°F) | 4 mm (0.2 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.