Which place is cheaper, Lisbon or Xi'an?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Xi'an or Lisbon?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Xi'an and Lisbon 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: Xi'an or Lisbon?
Xi'an
Xi'an is an ancient city in the Shaanxi Province in China. Today it is most notable as the location of the Terracotta Warriors, but for visitors who choose to linger, there is so much more to see and do in the area. The city itself is more than 3,000 years old and for about one thousand years, through 13 dynasties and 73 emperors, it was the capital. Because of its rich history there are many historical ruins and a strong culture in the city. Today the city is a pleasant place to visit, although much of it's influence and power has dwindled. The city has both cosmopolitan and modern areas as well as historic and culturally rich areas. The neighborhoods are diverse and by exploring the city in depth you can learn a little more about what China really has to offer.
Lisbon
Portugal's capital city of Lisbon continues to grow in popularity as a travel destination. The cultural scene has come to life in recent years and the city itself is stunningly beautiful. It sits on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean and is made up of hills that create a dramatic and scenic layout. The city has many white-bleached limestone buildings, narrow alleyways, and a laidback charm that appeals to visitors.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in China, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in China, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Portugal, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Portugal.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayXi'an $94Lisbon $140
The average daily cost (per person) in Xi'an is $94, while the average daily cost in Lisbon is $140. 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 Xi'an and Lisbon in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personXi'an $60Lisbon $63
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomXi'an $120Lisbon $126
Compare Hotels in Xi'an and Lisbon
Looking for a hotel in Xi'an or Lisbon? 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Lisbon Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Xi'an $12Lisbon $26
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Xi'an
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Xi'an:
- Xian to Xian Xianyang Airport (XIY) - Departure Private Transfer: $32
- Xian Xianyang International Airport (XIY) Private Departure Transfer: $40
- Xian Xianyang International Airport (XIY) Private Arrival Transfer: $40
- Xian Xianyang Airport (XIY) to Xian City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $57
- Xian Xianyang Airport (XIY) to Xian - Arrival Private Transfer: $32
- Xian Terracotta Warriors and City Wall Tour with Airport Transfer: $224
- Xian Terracotta Warriors Tour with Airport Transfer: $176
- Xian Private Day Tour with Airport Transfer: Terracotta Warriors and City Wall: $186
- Xian City to Xian Xianyang Airport (XIY) - Departure Private Transfer: $28
- Xian Best Day Tour with Airport / Railway Station Transfer: $132
- Xi’an Xianyang International Airport Private Departure Transfer from City Area : $29
- Xi’an Terracotta Warriors Private Round-Trip Transfer from City Area : $69
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lisbon
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Lisbon:
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Taxi Ride$6.96
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lisbon
Also for Lisbon, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Private Transfer to Óbidos | Caldas da Rainha: $56
- Airport Private Transfer to Costa da Caparica | Almada | Aroeira: $33
- Airport Private Transfer to Ericeira | Torres Vedras | Campo Real: $55
- Airport Private Transfer to Lisbon: $23
- Airport Transfer - Lisbon: $60
- Airport Transfer: Lisbon Airport LIS to Lisbon in Business Car: $66
- Airport Transfer: Lisbon Airport LIS to Lisbon in Luxury Van: $95
- Airport Transfer: Lisbon to Lisbon Airport LIS in Business Car: $66
- Arrábida Snorkeling Adventure with Transfer from Lisbon: $87
- Arrival Transfer: Lisbon Airport LIS to Lisbon in Luxury Van: $94
- Cascais transfer: Private Transfer to/from Cascais or Lisbon: $59
- Departure Transfer: Lisbon to Lisbon Airport LIS in Business Car: $65
Is it cheaper to fly into Xi'an or Lisbon?
Prices for flights to both Lisbon and Xi'an 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 dayXi'an $12Lisbon $45
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Xi'an
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Xi'an.
- Skip the Line: Xi'an Tang Dynasty Show Ticket & Dumpling Dinner or Royal Banquet: $32
- Dinner and Show of Tang Dynasty Palace in Xian: $40
- Private Home Cooking Class:Dumpling Cooking Class Tour in Xi'an: $50
- Xi'an Twilight Sightseeing and Food Tour: $51
- Tang Dynasty Dinner Show: $55
- Xi'an Vegetarian Food Tour: $60
- Xi'an Food Tour by Tuk Tuk: $62
- Private Xi'an Food Tour: $65
- Private Xi’an Night & Food Tour by Tuk Tuk and Public Transportation: $67
- Xi'an Evening Food Tour by TukTuk: $69
- 4 Hours Food Tours in Xi'an: $72
- 3-Hour Biang Biang Noodles Cooking Class in Xi'an: $75
Typical Food Prices in Lisbon
For Lisbon, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Coffee$2.68
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lisbon
For Lisbon, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Soirée Rivage - Sunset cruise with dinner and Party: $25
- Hard Rock Cafe Lisbon with Set Lunch or Dinner : $28
- Tapas Food Tour: $38
- Fado Show and Portuguese Dinner: $48
- Lisbon Food Tour: $53
- Alfama Tour and Live Fado with Traditional Dinner: $54
- 2-Hour Pastel de Nata Cooking Class: $54
- Cooking Pastel de Nata with a glass of wine !: $54
- Legendary Beer Dinner: $54
- Pastel de Nata Cooking Class in Lisbon: $55
- No Diet Club - Unique food tour in Lisbon with many Tastings: $62
- Original Morning Food Tour: $64
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Xi'an $35Lisbon $26
Tours and Activities in Xi'an
Here are a few actual costs in Xi'an for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Group Tour to the Terra-cotta Warriors Museum & Lunch : $65
- Private Half Day Tour to See The Big Wild Goose Pagoda&City Wall:: $185
- Xi'an Morning Food & Market Tour by TukTuk: $55
- #1 Bestselling Private Terracotta Army Tours + Customized Xian Tours: $109
- 1 Day Xian City Highlights Private Tour: $148
- 1 Day Xian Group Tour: Terracotta Warriors & City Wall: $138
- 1 day The Terracotta Army+Xi'an City Wall+Yongxing Square Mini Group Tour: $106
- 1 day Xi'an Culture and History Discovery Mini Group tour: $112
- 1 day private tour to Xi'an Terra Cotta Warriors by Metro/Subway: $110
- 1-Day Xi'an City Highlights and Hanyangling Museum Private Tour: $100
- 1-Day Xi'an Terracotta Warriors Museum and Banpo Neolithic Village Museum Tour: $100
- 1-Day Xi'an Terracotta Warriors,Wild Goose Pagoda and Banpo Village Museum Tour: $100
Tours and Activities in Lisbon
For Lisbon, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- See Lisbon Through the Eyes of a Local - Free Walking Tour: $1.08
- Lisbon Walking Tour - The Perfect Introduction to the City: $1.12
- Belém Unveiled: A Free Tour Through the Age of Discoveries: $1.29
- Alfama Walking Tour Lisbon: $3.26
- Tower of Saint George’s Castle Church Ticket & Drink: $5.38
- Wonders of Lisbon Walking Tour: $5.38
- Lisbon Walking Tour: $5.38
- Lisbon Cathedral Entry Ticket: $5.38
- Lisbon Highlights Self Guided Scavenger Hunt & Walking Tour: $5.38
- Graça Church Entry Ticket with Drink on the Terrace: $5.38
- A Self-Guided Audio Tour From Príncipe Real to Downtown Lisbon: $5.53
- Príncipe Real to Downtown A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayXi'an $7.23Lisbon $20
Sample the Local Flavors in Lisbon
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Lisbon:
- Pub Crawl with Open Bar, Shots, & VIP Club Entry: $17
- Pub Crawl with Unlimited Drinks and VIP Club Entry: $18
- Pub Crawl Lisbon - 1 Hour of Unlimited Beer and Sangria and more!: $19
- 1-Hour Portuguese Wine Tasting Session: $20
- Lisbon Pub Crawl: $21
- Pub Crawl with Open Bar and VIP Club Entry: $21
- Lisbon Pub Crawl: $22
- Lisbon Wild Pub Crawl : $22
- Private Bar Crawl in Lisbon: $22
- Pub Crawl Walking Tour with Shots and Drinking Games: $22
- Beer Tasting in a Classic Brewery: $27
- Pub Crawl Lisbon: $27
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Xi'an and Lisbon, we can see that Lisbon is more expensive. And not only is Xi'an much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Xi'an is in Asia and Lisbon is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Xi'an would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Xi'an 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 Lisbon would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lisbon than you might in Xi'an.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Xi'an Expensive? and Is Lisbon Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Xi'an or Lisbon?
Xi'an has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Lisbon. When comparing the sizes of Xi'an and Lisbon, 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.
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.