Which place is cheaper, Seattle or Xi'an?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Xi'an or Seattle?
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 Seattle 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 Seattle?
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.
Seattle
Situated on the Puget Sound in the state of Washington, Seattle is the largest city in the United States Pacific Northwest. It's a beautiful city surrounded by the water and mountains and filled with evergreen trees. It's also the home of some famous American institutions including Starbucks Coffee, Amazon, and Microsoft. The population of almost 700,000 continues to grow. As of 2014, the city was considered the fastest growing major city in the United States. The entire metropolitan area has about 3.6 million residents, making it the 15th largest metro area in the US. The natural beauty, growing economy, and educational base give Seattle a youthful vibe that keep the city young and energetic.
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 from Las Vegas, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayXi'an $94Seattle $205
The average daily cost (per person) in Xi'an is $94, while the average daily cost in Seattle is $205. 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 Seattle in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personXi'an $60Seattle $120
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomXi'an $120Seattle $240
Compare Hotels in Xi'an and Seattle
Looking for a hotel in Xi'an or Seattle? 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: Seattle Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Xi'an $12Seattle $30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Xi'an
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Xi'an:
- Xi'an Airport Transfer: $17
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Xi'an Central Train Station: $21
- Private Departure Transfer to Xi'an International Airport from City Hotels: $22
- Private Transfer from Xi'an hotel to Xi'an train station: $27
- Airport Transfer] Xi'an Airport Xi'an City Transfer High reputation for service! : $27
- Xi'an Terracotta Army Tickets with Optional Guide/Transfer: $28
- Xian City to Xian Xianyang Airport (XIY) - Departure Private Transfer: $28
- Private Airport Transfer:Xi'an Xianyang International Airport to Xi'an Hotel: $29
- Private Airport Transfer: Xi'an Hotel to Xianyang International Airport: $29
- Xi’an Railway Station Private Arrival Transfer to City Area: $29
- Xi’an Railway Station Private Departure Transfer from City Area: $29
- Xi’an Xianyang International Airport Private Departure Transfer from City Area : $29
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Seattle
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Seattle:
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Lightrail from Airport (for 2)$5.50
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Roundtrip Ferry to Bainbridge Island (for 2)$15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Seattle
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Seattle:
- Arrival Private Transfer: Seattle Airport SEA to Seattle in Luxury Van: $115
- Departure Private Transfer: Seattle to Seattle Airport SEA in Luxury Van: $115
- From Seattle Airport - Transfer to Hotel & Homes: $175
- From Seattle Hotels - Hotel Transfer to Airport: $175
- From Snoqualmie Falls and Wineries Tour w/ Transfer: $145
- One-Way Transfer: Cruise Piers to Airport : $28
- One-Way Transfer: SeaTac Hotels to Seattle Cruise Terminals : $33
- Private Arrival Transfer In Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) : $40
- Private One-way Airport Transfer(Seattle Airport To/From Seattle): $58
- Private Transfer Seattle Airport SEA to Seattle center or port by Minibus or SUV: $195
- Private Transfer from Seattle (SEA) Airport to Seattle City: $133
- Private Transfer from Seattle hotels to Smith Cove Terminal : $74
Is it cheaper to fly into Xi'an or Seattle?
Prices for flights to both Seattle 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 $12Seattle $51
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 Seattle
Some typical examples of dining costs in Seattle are as follows:
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Expresso & cookie at Pier 70$7.00
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Cashews at Pike Place Market$6.00
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6 Mini Donuts at Pike Place Market$3.25
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Chinese Lunch in International District (for 2)$21
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Breakfast at Lowel's in Pike Place Market (for 2)$32
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Breakfast at French Cafe (for 2)$37
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Seattle
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Seattle.
- Secret Food Tours Seattle: $65
- Seattle Holiday Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $65
- Chef Guided Food Tour of Pike Place Market- 2 Hours: $67
- Eat Around the World Seattle Food Tour: $69
- International District Food Tour: $69
- Street Food Tour of South Lake Union: $75
- Secret Food Tours: Seattle Pike Place Market: $85
- Pike Place Market Food Tour: $99
- Small Group Cooking Class: $138
- Private Seattle Cooking Class with a Chef in Her Home: $198
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Xi'an $35Seattle $16
Tours and Activities in Xi'an
Here are a few actual costs in Xi'an for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Xi'an Virtual Tour: Emperor Qin Shi Huang and His Terracotta Army: $15
- Xi'an: Terracotta Warriors Group Walking Tour(NO Shopping): $26
- Terra-cotta Warriors Entrance Ticket with Optional Guided Service: $26
- Terracotta Warriors 5-Hour Private Tour w/ Optional Pickup Point: $26
- Terracotta Army Ticket: $28
- Group Bus Tour to Terracotta Warriors with Hotel Pickup & Lunch: $35
- Terracotta Warriors Tickets Booking: $35
- Tang Dynasty Palace Show Tickets Booking: $37
- Terra-cotta Warriors Ticket with Optional Car & Guided Service: $38
- Xi'an City Wall: Guided Tour with Cycling Option: $43
- Xi'an Religions Tour: $45
- Guided Leisure Walking Tour to Muslim Quarter in Xi'an: $46
Tours and Activities in Seattle
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Seattle are as follows:
- Space Needle Park Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $8.49
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Seattle by Crazy Dash: $10
- Downtown Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $13
- Seattle Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
- Seattle Mariners Baseball Game Ticket at T Mobile Park: $15
- Seattle bakery walk tour: $19
- National Nordic Museum Entry Ticket: $20
- Smith Tower Straight Up Observatory Access Ticket: $22
- Terrors and Ghosts Guided Walking Tour: $26
- MoPOP Entry Ticket: $27
- Woodland Park Zoo Day Admission Ticket: $28
- Beneath The Streets Underground History Tour: $29
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayXi'an $7.23Seattle $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Seattle
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Seattle:
- Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $38
- Where the Hops Grow! Yakima Brewery Tour : $40
- Woodinville Wine Country: Downtown Wine Tasting Pass: $65
- Woodinville Wine Country: Artisan Hill Wine Tasting Pass: $65
- Brewery and Restaurant Tour of Historic Seattle Neighborhood: $109
- Bon Vivant Woodinville Wine Tasting Tour : $120
- From Snoqualmie Falls & Woodinville Wine Tasting: $262
- Snoqualmie Falls + Wine Tasting: All-Inclusive Small-Group Tour: $263
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Xi'an and Seattle, we can see that Seattle 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 Seattle is in North America, 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 Seattle would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Seattle 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 Seattle Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Xi'an or Seattle?
Xi'an has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Seattle. When comparing the sizes of Xi'an and Seattle, 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.