Which place is cheaper, Sydney 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 Sydney?
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 Sydney 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 Sydney?
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.
Sydney
Sydney, known as the harbour city, is the most famous and frequently visited city in Australia. It is at the economical and cultural heart of the country, and is one of the most beautiful and livable cities in the world. It's situated on the water with stunning views of the famous harbour throughout the city. It's most famous landmarks include the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It is also very close wonderful beaches, parks, and nature.
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 Contiki Tours to Australia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Australia.
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Xi'an Prices
China PricesSydney Prices
Australia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayXi'an $110Sydney $218
The average daily cost (per person) in Xi'an is $110, while the average daily cost in Sydney is $218. 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 Sydney in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personXi'an $64Sydney $108
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomXi'an $128Sydney $216
Compare Hotels in Xi'an and Sydney
Looking for a hotel in Xi'an or Sydney? 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: Xi'an Hotel Prices and Sydney Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Xi'an $13Sydney $16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Xi'an
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Xi'an:
- 1-Day Xi'an Layover Tour: Terracotta Army with Round Airport transfers(XIY): $100
- 1-way Private Transfer: Xi'an City Hotel to Airport/Train Station: $55
- 2-Day Customized Private Tour With Transfer in Historical Xi'an: $269
- Essential Xian Tour with Airport Train Station or Hotel Transfer: $229
- Full-Day Layover Private Tour: Essence of Xi'an With Airport Transfer: $229
- One-Way Airport Transfer From Xi'an Xianyang International Airport to Xi'an Hotel: $75
- Private 1-way Transfer: Xi'an North Station/Airport to City Hotel: $58
- Private Airport Transfer: Xi'an Hotel to Xianyang International Airport: $29
- Private Airport Transfer:Xi'an Xianyang International Airport to Xi'an Hotel: $29
- Private Arrival Transfer Xi'an Railway Stations to Hotel: $32
- Private Arrival Transfer:Any Xi'an Railway Station to Xi'an City Hotel: $30
- Private Arrival Transfer:Xi'an Xianyang International Airport(XIY) to City Hotel: $46
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Sydney
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Sydney:
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Taxi Ride$14
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Taxi to Airport$17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sydney
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sydney:
- 11:30AM Sydney Airport-Hotel transfer with Bondi Tour: $125
- 9:30AM Sydney Airport-Hotel transfer with City Half Day Tour: $112
- Airport Transfer: Sydney Airport SYD to Sydney by Business Car: $110
- Airport Transfer: Sydney to Sydney Airport SYD by Business Car: $110
- Airport Transfer: Sydney to Sydney Airport SYD by Luxury Van: $122
- Arrival Transfer from Sydney Airport SYD to Sydney city by Sedan: $116
- Arrival Transfer: Sydney Airport SYD to Sydney in Business Car: $110
- Chauffeur Airport Transfers Sydney - Up to 15 Passengers: $99
- Chauffeur Service Sydney For Luxury Airport Transfers: $112
- Departing Luxury Transfer to Airport or Cruise Port: $70
- Departure Transfer: Sydney to Sydney Airport SYD in Business Car: $110
- From Sydney Hotels - Hotel Transfer to Airport: $355
Is it cheaper to fly into Xi'an or Sydney?
Prices for flights to both Sydney 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 $23Sydney $81
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
- Tang Dynasty Royal Show Optinal Dinner With Round-trip Transfers: $38
- Xian Tang Dynasty Show -Optional Dumpling Dinner or Royal Banquet: $38
- Xi'an Tang Dynasty Music Dance Show or Dinner Show with Transfer: $39
- Skip The Line Xi'an Tang Dynasty Show Or Dinner 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 Tang Dynasty Show Ticket with Optional Dinner: $57
- Xi’an: Market Tour and Cooking Class with Local Family: $59
Typical Food Prices in Sydney
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Sydney:
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Tea$2.76
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Lunch Special$10
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Food/Drink Coogie Beach$10
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Meat Pies$3.45
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sydney
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Sydney.
- Vivid Festival of Light Harbor Cruise with Dinner: $36
- City Highlights Walking Food Tour with Harbor Cruise: $45
- Vivid Sydney Dinner Cruises: $46
- Roti Making Class with 5-Course Dinner: $50
- Harbour Dinner Cruise with Buffet: $50
- Sydney Harbour Discovery Dinner Cruise Scenic Sights and Buffet: $53
- Foraging Food Tour Sydney Native Aussie Food: $53
- Twilight Dinner Cruise on Coral Trekker: $59
- Harbor Sunset Cruise with Dinner: $59
- Sydney Harbour Tall Ship Twilight Dinner Cruise: $63
- Tall Ship Harbour Twilight Dinner Cruise: $72
- Sydney Harbour: Latin Fiesta Dinner Cruise: $73
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Xi'an $38Sydney $33
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
- Terracotta Army+Gaint Goose Pagoda+City Wall Bus Tour with Option: $17
- 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
- Shaanxi History Museum Admission Tickets: $20
- Huaqing Palace Adult Ticket[Direct Subway Access]: $20
- Terracotta Army, Big Wild Goose Pagoda&City Wall Full Day Tour: $20
- Morning Tour to Terracotta Warriors Museum with Lunch: $20
Typical Entertainment Prices in Sydney
Here are a few typical costs in Sydney for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Theatre Show$31
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Sydney Tower Visit (for 2)$32
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Blue Mountain Tour/Featherdale Park (for 2)$131
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Powerhouse Museum$10
Tours and Activities in Sydney
Here are a few actual costs in Sydney for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Sydney's Lavender Bay: An Audio Tour by ABC Broadcaster: $6.99
- Sydney Walking Tour 3h00 and 18 audio reviews: $7.66
- Sydney Ghost Tour: $8.00
- Sydney Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self Guided Walking Tour: $8.15
- Sydney Cockatoo Island Escape: Convict Adventure Game: $8.15
- Sydney Walking Tour with Audioguide on Your Smartphone: $12
- From Foundations to Skylines: A Self Guided Sydney Walking Tour: $15
- Tickets & Tours at Art Gallery of New South Wales: $17
- Razor Gangs True Crime Tour: $17
- Aboriginal Art Exhibition Ticket, Art Gallery of NSW: $17
- Self-Guided Walking Tour in Hidden Trails of The Rocks of Sydney: $18
- Allianz Stadium Guided Tour: $18
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayXi'an $7.70Sydney $16
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
Typical Alcohol Prices in Sydney
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Sydney:
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Wine$11
Sample the Local Flavors in Sydney
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Sydney:
- Big Night Out Pub Crawl: $28
- Big Night Out Pub Crawl with Local Party Hosts: $32
- Private Wine Tasting at The Rocks: $46
- Sydney The Rocks Historical Pub Tour: $84
- From: Sydney - Hunter Valley Wine Tasting Guided Day Tour: $89
- Sydney Beer and Brewery Tour: $109
- Brewery, Winery, and Distillery Tasting Tour: $112
- From Full-Day Hunter Valley Wine Tour & Lunch: $145
- From Hunter Valley Wine Tasting Day Tour: $145
- From Hunter Valley Multi-Brewery Tour with Lunch: $149
- From All Inclusive Boutique Hunter Valley Wine Tour: $155
- Hunter Valley: Wine Tour with 3 Tastings and Garden Lunch: $155
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Xi'an and Sydney, we can see that Sydney 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 Sydney is in Pacific, 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 Sydney would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sydney 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 Sydney Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Xi'an or Sydney?
Sydney has a larger population, and is about 36% larger than the population of Xi'an. When comparing the sizes of Xi'an and Sydney, 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.