A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Xigatse vs. Hanoi for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Xigatse or Hanoi?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Xigatse and Hanoi 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: Xigatse or Hanoi?

Xigatse

The second largest city in Tibet behind Lhasa, Xigatse, commonly known as Shigatse, is home to sights and attractions like the Tashilhunpo Monastery, plenty of markets, and the ruins of Shigatse temple. All places of interest are fairly walkable, though auto-rickshaws are also available.

Hanoi

Hanoi is the chaotic capital of Vietnam, and it serves as a great introduction to the country for many travelers. It's the second largest city in the country after Saigon and is an interesting combination of East meets West. There's traditional Vietnamese culture with subtle influences brought by the French. The city continues to grow and change rapidly and it's easy to get lost amidst the chaos.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, The Best Adventure Tours to China, The Best Adventure Tours to Vietnam, and The Best Eco Tours in Vietnam.


Which place is cheaper, Hanoi or Xigatse?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Xigatse is $61, while the average daily cost in Hanoi is $49. 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 Xigatse and Hanoi in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Xigatse $28
    Hanoi $25
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Xigatse $56
    Hanoi $50
Compare Hotels in Xigatse and Hanoi

Looking for a hotel in Xigatse or Hanoi? 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 Xigatse


Hotels in Hanoi


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: Hanoi Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Xigatse $12
    Hanoi $6.89

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Hanoi

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Hanoi:


  • Taxi to Bus Station
    $1.20
  • Shuttle Bus From Airport (for Two)
    $3.20
  • Local Bus Ride (for Two)
    $0.40
  • Short Taxi Ride
    $1.36
  • Short Motorbike Ride (10 Minutes)
    $0.80

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hanoi

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hanoi:

  • Halong Bay: 3-Day 2-Night 4-Star Cruise with Transfer: $450
  • Private Transfer to/from Sapa: $352
  • Transfer to Sapa Private car: $300
  • Luxury Halong Bay Cruise 2 Days-1 Night with 5 Star included transfer & pick up: $290
  • 3-Day Halong Bay Cruise with Round-trip Transfer From Hanoi: $285
  • 3-Day Hanoi - Ninh Binh - Halong Bay 5-Star Cruise & Transfer: $280
  • Hanoi Private Transfer from Hanoi (HAN) Airport to Vinh City: $258
  • Overnight Halong Bay Cruise Including Transfer Service and Kayaking or Bamboo Boat Activities: $250
  • Peony Cruise 5* Lan Hạ Bay 2 days 1 night with 2 ways transfer: $229
  • Hanoi - Sapa One Way Private Transfer: $210
  • 2-Day Ninh Binh & Halong Bay With Transfer: $210
  • Halong Bay Seaplane Tour with Transfer from Hanoi by expressway: $205

Is it cheaper to fly into Xigatse or Hanoi?

Prices for flights to both Hanoi and Xigatse 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
    Xigatse $24
    Hanoi $13

Typical Food Prices in Hanoi

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Hanoi:


  • High End Dinner (for Two)
    $12
  • Casual Lunch (for Two)
    $4.39
  • Bowl of Pho
    $0.80
  • Italian Dinner (for Food)
    $6.19

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hanoi

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

  • Street Food Tour (Group/Individual): $5.13
  • (Group/Individual) HANOI STREET FOOD TOUR : $5.13
  • Hanoi Street Food Tour Visit Train Street Add Old Quarter: $19
  • Hanoi Walking Street Food Tour: $20
  • Hanoi Street Food Tour: $22
  • Hanoi Street Food Tour: $23
  • Ngon ngon & Authentic Hanoi Food Tour: $23
  • Mad Monkey Hoi An Cooking Class & Bamboo Boats: $23
  • Vietnamese Street Food Tour with a Local Guide: $24
  • Vietnamese Street Food Tour with Local Guide: $24
  • Walking Street Food Tour Small Group with Local Guide: $24
  • Guided Half-Day Hanoi Street Food Tour: $25

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Xigatse $14
    Hanoi $8.51

Typical Entertainment Prices in Hanoi

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


  • Puppet Theater
    $1.60
  • The Hanoi Hilton Entrance
    $1.60
  • National History Museum
    $1.60
  • Puppet Theater Ticket
    $2.80

Tours and Activities in Hanoi

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

  • 1 Day Luxury Arcady Cruise Tour from Hanoi by Express Limousine: $75
  • 2 Day Golden Bay Cruise Explore Halong Bay from Hanoi: $220
  • 2 Day Private Guided Tour in Pu Luong Nature Hanoi: $169
  • 4 Days 3 Nights Ha Giang Loop Tour from Hanoi by Sleeper Bus: $235
  • 4 Hours and 30 Minutes Historical Hanoi Army Jeep Tour: $58
  • 5 Days Motorbike Tour in Ha Giang Loop From Hanoi: $265
  • Beautiful Female Riders Vespa Red River Countryside Tour 5 Hours: $65
  • From Halong Bay by Scenic Seaplane and Luxury Day Cruise: $230
  • Full Day Tour in Hanoi City: $35
  • Ha Long Bay Cruise Day Tour-Cave, Kayaking,Ti top island & Lunch: $41
  • Ha Noi Private city tour and water puppet private tour: $59
  • Ha Noi private city tour full day and cyclo: $69

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Xigatse $3.15
    Hanoi $7.70

Sample the Local Flavors in Hanoi

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

  • Hanoi Beer and Brewery Tour: $48
  • Half-Day Guided Tour Australian Beef with Wine Tasting & Rickshaw in Hanoi: $106


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Xigatse and Hanoi, we can see that Xigatse is more expensive. And not only is Hanoi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hanoi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hanoi 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 Xigatse would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Xigatse than you might in Hanoi.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Xigatse Expensive? and Is Hanoi Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Xigatse or Hanoi?

Hanoi has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Xigatse. When comparing the sizes of Xigatse and Hanoi, 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.