A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Xi'an vs. Seville for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Xi'an or Seville?

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 Seville 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 Seville?

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.

Seville

The capital city of Andalucia, Seville is both the cultural and financial hub of southern Spain. It's also a popular tourist destination. The city has over 700,000 residents and 1.6 million in the metropolitan area, making it the fourth largest city in the country. It is cut in half by the Guadalquivir River, with the two halves referred to as Sevilla and Triana. Seville has continued to grow in popularity as a tourist destination since the 19th century when it was included as a stop on the Romantic "Grand Tour" of Europe. In 1992 Seville hosted the International Exposition which led to the construction of a new airport, train station, as well as other infrastructural improvements. Today Seville remains very popular with tourists for its many festivals, interesting attractions, great restaurants and nightlife scene.

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 3-Week Tours in Spain, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain.


Which place is cheaper, Seville or Xi'an?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Xi'an is $94, while the average daily cost in Seville is $133. 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 Seville in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Xi'an $60
    Seville $62
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Xi'an $120
    Seville $124
Compare Hotels in Xi'an and Seville

Looking for a hotel in Xi'an or Seville? 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 Xian


Hotels in Seville


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: Seville Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Xi'an $12
    Seville $19

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Xi'an

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Xi'an:

  • Xi'an Airport to Hotel: Private Transfer for up to 40 pax: $300
  • Private Round-trip Airport Transfer to Terracotta Army & City Wall with A Guide: $259
  • 2-Day Customized Private Tour With Transfer in Historical Xi'an: $231
  • Xian Terracotta Warriors and City Wall Tour with Airport Transfer: $224
  • Mt. Hua Entrance Ticket w/ Shuttle Bus&Cable Car&Private Transfer: $224
  • Xi'an Airport to Hotel: Private Transfer for up to 15 pax: $200
  • Full-Day Layover Private Tour: Essence of Xi'an With Airport Transfer: $197
  • Xian Private Day Tour with Airport Transfer: Terracotta Warriors and City Wall: $186
  • Xian Terracotta Warriors Tour with Airport Transfer: $176
  • One Day Private Xian Tour to Terracotta Warriors with Airport Transfers: $170
  • Terracotta Warriors Museum Tour with Airport Pickup or Drop-off Transfer: $162
  • Xi'an Layover: Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum With Airport Transfer: $162

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Seville

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

  • Airport transfer from Monte Gordo to Seville: $215
  • Arrival Private Transfer Seville Airport SVQ to Seville City by Luxury Van: $97
  • Caminito del Rey from Seville with semiprivate transfer: $191
  • Departure Private Transfer: Seville City to Seville Airport SVQ by Business Car: $60
  • From Full-Day Private Transfer to Granada via Ronda: $343
  • From Private Transfer to Granada and Córdoba Tour: $386
  • From Private Transfer to Granada with Tour of Ronda: $398
  • Granada: Full-Day Trip from Seville with Transfers: $173
  • One-way Private Transfer From/To Sevilla Airport: $44
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Seville Airport to Hotel: $93
  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Seville Airport: $93
  • Private IN/OUT transfer from/to Seville city: $57

Is it cheaper to fly into Xi'an or Seville?

Prices for flights to both Seville 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Xi'an $12
    Seville $39

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 Seville

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Seville:


  • Lunch
    $10
  • Ice Cream
    $2.46
  • Jamon (Dry Cured Ham)
    $13

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Seville

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

  • Flamenco at El Palacio Andaluz with Optional Dinner: $28
  • Ugly Delicious Food Tour: $38
  • Paella Showcooking with Rooftop Views in Seville City: $43
  • El Patio Sevillano Flamenco Show Ticket & Dinner: $43
  • Flavors of Andalucía Guided Food Tour with Tastings: $46
  • Paella-Cooking Experience with Sangria & Full Meal: $46
  • Flamenco Show at Tablao El Arenal with Drink and Optional Dinner or Tapas : $47
  • Oriental dinner with a view of the Giralda: $57
  • Paella & Sangria Showcooking Experience on a Rooftop: $60
  • Paella Showcooking Experience on a Rooftop: $60
  • Paella Cooking Experience on a Rooftop Terrace: $64
  • The Seville Morning Food Tour: $69

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Xi'an $35
    Seville $31

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

Typical Entertainment Prices in Seville

For Seville, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Entrance to Cathedral
    $8.57

Tours and Activities in Seville

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Seville.

  • SEVILLE in one day: GPS-AutoGuided Audio Tour: $1.08
  • Triana Self-Guided Walking Tour with Audio: $3.23
  • Ticket to the Flamenco Dress Museum: $3.23
  • Barrio de Santa Cruz Self-Guided Audio Tour: $3.23
  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
  • Sevilla: Best Monumental Free Walking Tour: $3.26
  • Walking Tour of Sevilla's Historic Sites: $3.28
  • Self Audio Guided Tour in Seville Cathedral: $4.37
  • Unveil Flamenco's World through a Self-Guided Tour: $4.63
  • Seville Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour (EN, ES): $5.40
  • City Highlights Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
  • Smartphone App Self-Guided Walking Tour: $6.45

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Xi'an $7.23
    Seville $11

Sample the Local Flavors in Seville

Also in Seville, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Sherry Wine Tasting with Views of Sevilla: $32
  • Sherry Wine Tasting with Views of Sevilla: $33
  • Sherry Wine Tasting with Views of Sevilla: $39
  • Sherry Wine Tasting with Views of Sevilla: $43
  • Half-Day Wine Tour in Andalusia: $96
  • From Tour of Jerez with Horse Show & Wine Tasting: $113
  • Tapas and Wine Tasting Tour: $114
  • Jerez and Cadiz Wine Tasting & Horse Show Day Trip: $128
  • County Wine Tasting: $164
  • Wine tourism, visit to a traditional winery and wine tasting: $213
  • Jerez Winery Tour and wine tasting: $213
  • Private wine tour to Jerez de la Frontera: $295


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


Which is Bigger, Xi'an or Seville?

Xi'an has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Seville. When comparing the sizes of Xi'an and Seville, 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.