Which place is cheaper, Suzhou or Xi'an?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Xi'an or Suzhou?
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 Suzhou 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 Suzhou?
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.
Suzhou
Suzhou is a city in Jiangsu province famed for its beautiful gardens and traditional waterside architecture, featuring elaborate canals and bridges. Located on the Yangtze Delta, the city consists largely of waterways making Suzhou a kind of 'Venice of the Orient.' It is also a hub for scholars, artists, and skilled craftsmen.
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 2-Week Tours in China, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China.
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Xi'an Prices
China PricesSuzhou Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayXi'an $111Suzhou $134
The average daily cost (per person) in Xi'an is $111, while the average daily cost in Suzhou is $134. 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 Suzhou in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personXi'an $65Suzhou $41
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomXi'an $130Suzhou $82
Compare Hotels in Xi'an and Suzhou
Looking for a hotel in Xi'an or Suzhou? 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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Xi'an $13Suzhou $61
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Xi'an
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Xi'an:
- Xi'an Airport Transfer: $18
- Private Departure Transfer to Xi'an International Airport from City Hotels: $22
- Xi'an Xianyang Airport Chauffeur Transfer, Xian Airport transfer, Pickup: $23
- Xianyang Airport(XIY) to Xianyang/Xi'An -Arrival Private Transfer: $28
- Xianyang/Xi'An to Xianyang Airport XIY-Departure Private Transfer: $28
- Private Airport Transfer: Xi'an Hotel to Xianyang International Airport: $29
- Private Airport Transfer:Xi'an Xianyang International Airport to Xi'an Hotel: $29
- Xi’an Xianyang International Airport Private Arrival Transfer to City Area: $29
- Xi’an Xianyang International Airport Private Departure Transfer from City Area: $29
- Private Transfer from Xi'an Hotel to Xi'an Xianyang International Airport (XIY): $30
- Private Transfer from Xi'an hotel to Xi'an train station: $30
- Xi'an Private Transfer: From Xi'an Xianyang International Airport (XIY) to Hotel in Xi'an: $30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Suzhou
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Suzhou:
- Full-Day Suzhou Gardens Exploration with Hotel or Railway Station Transfer: $285
- Hangzhou Private Transfer from Suzhou with Stop-over at Wuzhen Water Town: $144
- Private Arrival Transfer: Suzhou Train Station to Hotels in Suzhou: $44
- Private Round-Trip Transfer between Zhouzhuang Water Town and Suzhou City: $58
- Private Suzhou Garden and Water Town Highlight Trip with Hotel or Railway Station Transfer: $298
- Private Transfer from Suzhou to Hangzhou City Area: $137
- Private Transfer to Hangzhou City from Suzhou: $113
- Shanghai Hongqiao Airport to Suzhou Chauffeur Service, Shanghai Airport Transfer: $240
- Shanghai Private Transfer from Suzhou with Stop-over at Tongli Water Town: $90
- Shanghai Private Transfer from Suzhou with Stop-over at Zhouzhuang Water Town: $81
- Shanghai Pudong International Airport Private Departure Transfer from Suzhou: $87
- Suzhou Gardens Entry Ticket with Optional Guide&Transfer Services: $8.00
Is it cheaper to fly into Xi'an or Suzhou?
Prices for flights to both Suzhou 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 $23Suzhou $60
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Xi'an
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Xi'an.
- Xi’an：City Wall Multi-Entry or Night Food Tour with Show: $21
- Xi'An: Tang Dynasty Show Ticket w/ Transfer or Dinner: $33
- Top 3 Xian Sites to Terracotta Army & Dinner Show w/ Options: $35
- Xi'an Tang Dynasty Show Ticket Optional Dumplings or Royal Dinner: $37
- Xian Tang Dynasty Show -Optional Dumpling Dinner or Royal Banquet: $38
- Tang Dynasty Royal Show Optinal Dinner With Round-trip Transfers: $38
- Xi'an Tang Dynasty Music Dance Show or Dinner Show with Transfer: $39
- Xi'an: Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show with Dinner Option: $40
- Tang Dynasty Dinner Show with Private transfer: $55
- Xi’an: Market Tour and Cooking Class with Local Family: $59
- Xi'an Vegetarian Food Tour: $60
- Xi'an Muslim Quarter Walking Food Tour: $61
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Suzhou
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Suzhou.
- Suzhou Alleyway Walking Food Tour: $58
- Suzhou Alleyway Food Tour: $63
- Half-Day Private Customized Suzhou Highlights with Lunch or Dinner Option: $123
- Private Suzhou Night Tour:Master of the Nets Garden, Ancient Canal with Dinner: $145
- Zhouzhuang Water Town Private Tour from Suzhou with Lunch or Dinner Option: $154
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Xi'an $38Suzhou $9.98
Tours and Activities in Xi'an
Here are a few actual costs in Xi'an for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Xi'an: Daci'en Temple(Great Wild Goose Pagoda) E-ticket: $9.99
- Xi'an: City Wall & Old Town Walking Tour w/ 10+ Food Tasting: $14
- Xi’an City Wall – E-Ticket: $15
- Xi'an: Xi’an City Wall South Gate(Yongningmen) Entry Ticket: $15
- Xi'an: City Wall Moat Smart Boat Tour: $17
- Huaqing Palace Tickets with Optional show of Xi'an incident: $19
- Xian: Terracotta Army Ticket & Guided Bus Tour with Options: $20
- Morning Tour to Terracotta Warriors Museum with Lunch: $20
- Huaqing Palace Adult Ticket[Direct Subway Access]: $20
- Shaanxi History Museum Admission Tickets: $20
- Private Car Tour to Terra-cotta Army and Xi'an Ctiy Attrations: $22
- Walking Tour: Giant Wild Goose Pagoda & Great Tang All Day Mall: $23
Tours and Activities in Suzhou
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Suzhou are as follows:
- Suzhou Canglang Pavilion Admission Ticket: $7.00
- Suzhou Lingering Garden Admission Ticket: $15
- Suzhou Tiger Hill Admission Ticket: $15
- Suzhou Humble Administrator's Garden Ticket Booking: $18
- Huqiu Adult Tickets without Time Slots: $20
- Suzhou:Humble Administrator's Garden Ticket for Adult: $22
- Suzhou Brunch Guided Walking Tour: $58
- Suzhou Self-Guided Tour with Private Car and Driver Service: $65
- Zhouzhuang and Tongli Self-Guided Tour from Suzhou with Drop-off Options: $72
- Zen Culture and Garden Tour: $80
- Shantang Street Shared Suzhou Walking Tour: $80
- 4-Hour Suzhou Private Customized Tour: $80
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayXi'an $7.74Suzhou $6.85
Sample the Local Flavors in Xi'an
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Xi'an:
- Xi'an Bar Crawl: Drink, Gaming, Snacks & Meet with Locals: $29
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Xi'an and Suzhou, we can see that Suzhou is more expensive. And not only is Xi'an much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Suzhou would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Suzhou 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 Suzhou Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Xi'an or Suzhou?
Xi'an has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Suzhou. When comparing the sizes of Xi'an and Suzhou, 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.