Which place is cheaper, Santo Domingo or Hanoi?
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 Hanoi or Santo Domingo?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Hanoi and Santo Domingo 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: Hanoi or Santo Domingo?
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.
Santo Domingo
Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic, is a vibrant city that seamlessly blends history, culture, and modernity. Known for being the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in the Americas, Santo Domingo offers a wealth of experiences that cater to every type of traveler.
Traveling to Santo Domingo on a budget is entirely achievable with some strategic planning. Accommodations range from luxury hotels to budget-friendly hostels and guesthouses. The Zona Colonial, the historic district, offers several affordable lodging options that provide easy access to major attractions. Hostels offer comfortable accommodations and a chance to meet fellow travelers, too. Eating on a budget is also feasible in Santo Domingo. Local eateries, known as "comedores," serve traditional Dominican dishes at reasonable prices.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Vietnam, The Best G Adventures Tours to Vietnam, The Best Adventure Tours to Dominican Republic, and The Best Adventure Tours to Dominican Republic.
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Hanoi Prices
Vietnam PricesSanto Domingo Prices
Dominican Republic Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHanoi $57Santo Domingo $99
The average daily cost (per person) in Hanoi is $57, while the average daily cost in Santo Domingo is $99. 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 Hanoi and Santo Domingo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHanoi $25Santo Domingo $40
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHanoi $50Santo Domingo $80
Compare Hotels in Hanoi and Santo Domingo
Looking for a hotel in Hanoi or Santo Domingo? 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: Hanoi Hotel Prices and Santo Domingo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hanoi $6.54Santo Domingo $4.59
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Hanoi
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Hanoi:
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Taxi to Bus Station$1.14
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Shuttle Bus From Airport (for Two)$3.03
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Local Bus Ride (for Two)$0.38
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Short Taxi Ride$1.29
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Short Motorbike Ride (10 Minutes)$0.76
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hanoi
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hanoi:
- Hanoi Private Transfer Taxi with Vietnam SIM Card & Internet: $6.90
- Noi Bai Airport transfer to Hanoi Center and more: $8.00
- Hanoi Private Departure Transfer: City Center Hotel to Airport: $8.00
- Noi Bai Airport Transfer Service: $8.54
- Private Hanoi Airport (HAN) Transfer to Hotel/Accommodation: $9.00
- Hanoi Airport Departure Shared Transfer: $10
- Hanoi to Halong Bay Limousine Bus Transfer: $11
- Bus Transfer Hanoi to Halong Bay and Vice Versa : $11
- Private Car Ha Noi Airport Transfer : $12
- Hanoi Private Taxi Transfer Service: $13
- Private Transfer Between Hanoi Airport (han) And Hanoi City Center: $13
- Hanoi Airport Transfer: $13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santo Domingo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santo Domingo:
- La Romana Airport (LRM) to Santo Domingo hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $63
- Private Airport Transfer (SDQ) to Santo Domingo / Punta Cana: $11
- Private Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) Transfers To Pedernales & Barahona Hotels: $160
- Private Transfer From La Romana Cruise Port to Las Americas Inter. Airport: $150
- Private Transfer From Las Americas Inter. Airport to La Romana Cruise Port: $150
- Private Transfer From Santo Domingo City to Resort Casa de Campo: $175
- Private Transfer Santo Domingo Airport SDQ to Santo Domingo Port: $55
- Private Transfer Santo Domingo Port to Santo Domingo Airport SDQ: $55
- Private Transfer between Santo Domingo Airport and Punta Cana: $155
- Private Transfer from Int Las Americas Airport (SDQ): $27
- Private Transfer from Las americas Airport to Punta Cana : $90
- Private Transfer from Santo Domingo Airport to Bayahibe: $105
Is it cheaper to fly into Hanoi or Santo Domingo?
Prices for flights to both Santo Domingo and Hanoi 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 dayHanoi $23Santo Domingo $53
Typical Food Prices in Hanoi
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Hanoi:
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High End Dinner (for Two)$11
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$4.17
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Bowl of Pho$0.76
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Italian Dinner (for Food)$5.88
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hanoi
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Hanoi.
- (Group/Individual) HANOI STREET FOOD TOUR : $5.13
- Hanoi Old Quarter Cooking Class Tour With Local Market Shopping : $9.71
- Hanoi Walking Street Food Tour with Train-Street Visit: $18
- Hanoi Cooking Class: Pho/Bun Cha/Banh Xeo...+Free Egg/Salt Coffee: $19
- Hanoi local street food tour: $20
- Hanoi Street Food Tour with Train Street Visit: $22
- Hanoi food tour-Local street food tour (food&guide included): $22
- Hanoi Street Food Tour: $23
- Hanoi Street Food Tour with Experience Guide & Real Foodie: $24
- Hanoi Street Food Tour with Local Delicacies (3 Hours): $24
- Best Hanoi Day Street Food Tour with Real Foodie Tastings: $24
- Hanoi Food Tours: $24
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hanoi $8.07Santo Domingo $14
Typical Entertainment Prices in Hanoi
Here are a few typical costs in Hanoi for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Puppet Theater$1.52
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The Hanoi Hilton Entrance$1.52
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National History Museum$1.52
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Puppet Theater Ticket$2.65
Tours and Activities in Hanoi
Here are a few actual costs in Hanoi for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Hanoi Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $4.52
- Vietnam 7 Day 30GB Tourist SIM Rental: $4.66
- Street Food Walking Tour in Hanoi: $5.00
- Hanoi Old Quarter Half Day Private Walking Tour : $5.00
- Hanoi Old Quarter Private Daily Street Food Experience: $5.00
- Hanoi Old Quarter Street Food Experience: $5.00
- Private Walking City Tour in Hanoi : $5.00
- Sightseeing Walking Tour in Hanoi: $5.00
- Private Walking Tour of Hanoi City: $5.00
- Half Day Hanoi Old Quarter Private Walking Tour: $5.00
- Craft Village Tour (Quang Phu Cau, Bat Trang, Chuong Conical,...): $5.00
- Private Early Morning Tour in Hanoi City: $5.00
Typical Entertainment Prices in Santo Domingo
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Santo Domingo are as follows:
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Snorkeling Tour$42
Tours and Activities in Santo Domingo
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santo Domingo are as follows:
- Taínos 4D Experience Discover the Legacy of the Caribbean: $6.00
- Ron Barcelo Anejo Experience Factory Tour: $20
- Colonial Zone Bike Tour: $45
- Panoramic City Tour: $46
- Santo Domingo Small Group Walking Tour: Beer and Specialty Coffee: $59
- Iconic Highlights and historical Tour in Santo Domingo: $75
- Santo Domingo City Tour with Pickup Included From Santo Domingo: $75
- Half Day Santo Domingo Tour: Three Eyes Park to Colon Lighthouse: $80
- Full Day Tour to Santo Domingo from Punta Cana with Lunch: $80
- Santo Domingo Walking Tour for the Whole Family : $88
- Santo Domingo Cultural Tour: $89
- Full-Day Santo Domingo City Tour from Punta Cana: $89
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHanoi $7.30Santo Domingo $7.54
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hanoi and Santo Domingo, we can see that Santo Domingo is more expensive. And not only is Hanoi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Hanoi is in Asia and Santo Domingo is in Caribbean Islands, 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 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 Santo Domingo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Santo Domingo 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 Hanoi Expensive? and Is Santo Domingo Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hanoi or Santo Domingo?
Santo Domingo has a larger population, and is about 54% larger than the population of Hanoi. When comparing the sizes of Hanoi and Santo Domingo, 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.