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

Should you visit Xi'an or Valencia?

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 Valencia 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 Valencia?

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.

Valencia

Valencia is a port city that sits on Spain's southeastern Orange Blossom coast, where the Turia River meets the Mediterranean Sea. As the nation's third-largest city, it is continually innovative in the arts and sciences with some futuristic architecture including a planetarium, oceanarium, and an interactive museum. The nightlife and daytime culture both thrive in their own ways, bustling with limitless opportunities for sight-seeing and entertainment. While the city is surrounded by fertile farmland, its center is a modern metropolis, skirted by beautiful beaches.

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 G Adventures Tours to Spain, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Madrid.


Which place is cheaper, Valencia 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 Valencia is $132. 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 Valencia in more detail.



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

Looking for a hotel in Xi'an or Valencia? 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 Valencia


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: Valencia Hotel Prices.

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

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Xi'an

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Xi'an:

  • Airport Transfer] Xi'an Airport Xi'an City Transfer High reputation for service! : $27
  • 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 Departure Transfer to Xi'an International Airport from City Hotels: $22
  • Private Guided Transfer to Terracotta Warriors, City Wall, Small Wild Pagoda: $189
  • Private High-speed Train Arrival Transfer: Xi'an Bei (North) Station to Hotel: $30
  • Private Round-trip Airport Transfer to Terracotta Army & City Wall with A Guide: $259
  • Private Transfer Between Xi'an Xianyang Airport and Xi'an: $33
  • Private Transfer Service: Xi'an International Airport (XIY) to Xi'an Hotels: $43
  • Private Transfer from Xi'an Hotel to Xi'an Xianyang International Airport (XIY): $25
  • Private Transfer from Xi'an hotel to Xi'an train station: $27
  • Private Transfer with Guide: Xi'an International Airport to Xian Hotel: $52

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Valencia

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Valencia:

  • Arrival Private Transfer Valencia Port to Valencia City by Van: $42
  • Arrival Transfer Valencia Airport VLC to Valencia City by Minivan: $42
  • Arrival Transfer Valencia Airport VLC to Valencia City by Sedan: $37
  • Barcelona to Montserrat: Guided Tour & Return Bus Transfers: $46
  • Departure Private Transfer Montserrat to Barcelona Airport or City by Luxury Van: $176
  • From Albufera Day Trip with Boat Tour and Transfer: $59
  • From Morella and Peñíscola Day Trip with Transfers: $118
  • Private Transfer - Valencia Airport (VLC) to Valencia Cruise Port: $38
  • Private Transfer Valencia Airport to Hotel: $109
  • Private Transfer: Valencia Airport (VLC) to Valencia City Center: $27
  • Private Transfer: Valencia City Center to Valencia Airport (VLC): $26
  • Private Transfer: Valencia to VLC Airport in Business Car: $77

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

Prices for flights to both Valencia 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
    Valencia $43

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 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
  • Private Old Xi'an Authentic Local Beer Dinner Tour: $68
  • 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
  • Authentic Old Xi'an Back Street Food Tour : $75

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Valencia

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Valencia.

  • Flamenco at Toro y La Luna with Drinks or Dinner: $19
  • Hard Rock Cafe Entrance with Lunch or Dinner: $32
  • Traditional Spanish Home Dinner: $48
  • Valencia Traditional Food Tour: $51
  • Guided Food Tour with Chocolate Tasting Experience: $54
  • Street Food Tour including Paella & Tapas Tasting: $59
  • Paella Cooking Experience near the center of Valencia: $59
  • Morning Food Tour with Central Market Visit: $64
  • Cooking Class of traditional spanish food: $65
  • Vegetable Paella cooking class, tapas and visit market: $66
  • Valencian Paella cooking class, Tapas and Market Visit: $66
  • Flamenco Show with Dinner at La Bulería: $70

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

Tours and Activities in Xi'an

Here are a few actual costs in Xi'an for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 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
  • Terracotta Army Ticket Booking: $28
  • Group Bus Tour to Terracotta Warriors with Hotel Pickup & Lunch: $35
  • Terracotta Warriors Tickets Booking: $35
  • Tang Dynasty Palace Show Tickets Booking: $37
  • Half Day Walking Tour around Xi'an Peaceful Old Downtown Area: $38
  • 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
  • Leisure Night Walking Tour of Xi’an: $46

Typical Entertainment Prices in Valencia

Here are a few typical costs in Valencia for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Flamenco Tour
    $17

Tours and Activities in Valencia

Here are a few actual costs in Valencia for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
  • Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $3.77
  • Self-Guided City Exploration Game and Walking Tour: $3.77
  • Valencia Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.55
  • In love with A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
  • Between Two Gates Self-Guided Smartphone Tour: $7.99
  • Between Two Gates: A Self-Guided Audio Tour in Valencia: $7.99
  • Walking Tour with Audio Guide on App: $8.07
  • Silk Museum Entry Ticket with Audio Guide: $8.61
  • Historic Center Audio-Guided Tour with Earphones: $8.61
  • Scavenger Hunt and Monumental Self-Guided Tour: $8.84
  • Scavenger Hunt and Iconic Sights Self-Guided Tour: $8.84

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Xi'an $7.23
    Valencia $21

Sample the Local Flavors in Valencia

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

  • Guided Pub Crawl with Free Shots: $13
  • Pub Crawl Tour in the Old town of Valencia: $17
  • Pub Crawl With Free Shots: $25
  • Wine Tasting with Professional Sommelier in centre Valencia: $59
  • From Guided Cheese Factory Tour with Wine Tasting: $91
  • Local Tapas & Wine tasting experience: $91
  • Wine Tasting and Tapas Experience: $102
  • Cheese Factory Workshop with Wine Tasting in Requena, Valencia: $108
  • From Requena Wine Tour with Tastings: $124
  • Small Group - Half-Day Wine Tour: $126
  • Two wineries tour with wine tasting : $131
  • Christmas Tapas and Wine Tour in Valencia: $164


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


Which is Bigger, Xi'an or Valencia?

Xi'an has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Valencia. When comparing the sizes of Xi'an and Valencia, 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.