A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Hat Yai vs. Harbin for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Hat Yai or Harbin?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Hat Yai and Harbin 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: Hat Yai or Harbin?

Hat Yai

The fourth largest city of Thailand, Hat Yai is a popular tourist destination, especially on weekends and holidays for people in neighboring Malaysia and Singapore. It is best known as a commercial hub and shopping destination, and for its floating market and Buddhist temple.

Harbin

Harbin, China is the northernmost major city in the country, with a population of over 10 million. Harbin was founded in 1897 by Russia, which has resulted in a lot of Russian influence throughout the city and many Russian citizens. The city is most famous for their annual International Snow and Ice Festival, a two-month-long festival running from January through February of each year.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to Thailand, The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best 2-Week Tours in China, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China.


Which place is cheaper, Harbin or Hat Yai?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Hat Yai is $36, while the average daily cost in Harbin is $66. 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 Hat Yai and Harbin in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Hat Yai $16
    Harbin $21
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Hat Yai $32
    Harbin $42
Compare Hotels in Hat Yai and Harbin

Looking for a hotel in Hat Yai or Harbin? 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 Hat Yai


Hotels in Harbin


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: Hat Yai Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Hat Yai $0.72
    Harbin $1.52

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hat Yai

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hat Yai:

  • Private Hatyai Airport Transfer to Pak Bara Pier by Van: $80

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Harbin

Also for Harbin, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Harbin Airport (HRB) : Private Arrival Transfer with Meet & Greet Service: $32
  • Harbin Taiping Airport Chauffeur Service, Harbin Airport Transfer, Pick up.: $59
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Harbin West Railway Station to Harbin City Hotel: $65
  • Private HRB Airport Departure Transfer from Harbin City Hotel: $70
  • Private HRB Airport Arrival Transfer to Harbin City Hotel: $70
  • Harbin Catholic Church Car Transfer Service: $80
  • 4 Hour Private Transfer to Sun Island Snow Sculptures: $100
  • Private Departure Transfer to Harbin North Railway Station from Harbin City: $100
  • Harbin Ice Festival Tickets and Transfer Service : $148
  • Private Full Day Transfer Service to Harbin Top Winter Attractions: $198
  • Shared Transfer Service to Ice and Snow World, Sun Island Snow Festival: $250
  • Harbin Volga Manor Private Transfer Service with Entry Tickets: $300

Is it cheaper to fly into Hat Yai or Harbin?

Prices for flights to both Harbin and Hat Yai 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
    Hat Yai $18
    Harbin $24
Typical Food Prices in Hat Yai

Some typical examples of dining costs in Hat Yai are as follows:


  • Roti Snack
    $0.63

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Harbin

For Harbin, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Dinner Show with Costumes and Performances: $29
  • Harbin Cultural Tour at Zhongyang Dajie to Baluoke with Dinner: $80
  • Central Street, Baluoke Village, and Dinner Tour: $90
  • Harbin Dumpling Cooking Class: $154
  • Hot Spring Experience with Hot Pot Dinner in Harbin: $300

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Hat Yai -
    Harbin $53

Tours and Activities in Harbin

For Harbin, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Harbin Ice and Snow World Ticket Booking: $51
  • Half Day Tour for Harbin Guandong Ancient Lane and Wood Sculpture Museum: $104
  • Harbin Summer Indoor Ice and Snow World Tour: $136
  • Harbin Ice Lantern Show and Center Street Tour: $150
  • Private Half Day Tour Harbin ConfucianTemple and Temple of Bliss (Jile Si): $157
  • 1-Day Harbin Private Tour: $168
  • Harbin City Guided Tour to Zhongyang Street and Sophia Church: $180
  • Private Half Day City Tour including Russian Town and Harbin Ropeway Ride: $198
  • Small Group Night Tour to Harbin Ice and Snow World: $199
  • Harbin City Private Day Tour in Your Way in Winter Season: $200
  • Harbin Ice Festival New Year Eve Countdown Group Tour on December 31: $200
  • Private Half Day Tour to Unit 731 Museum and Sites in Harbin: $218

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Hat Yai $2.64
    Harbin $7.96
Typical Alcohol Prices in Hat Yai

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Hat Yai:


  • Beer
    $1.88

Sample the Local Flavors in Harbin

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

  • Half-Day Private Harbin Beer Museum and Brewery Tour: $250


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

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


Which is Bigger, Hat Yai or Harbin?

Harbin has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Hat Yai. When comparing the sizes of Hat Yai and Harbin, 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.


When is the best time to visit Hat Yai or Harbin?

Harbin has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Hat Yai experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Hat Yai or Harbin in the Summer?

Both Harbin and Hat Yai during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Hat Yai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In July, Hat Yai is generally a little warmer than Harbin. Daily temperatures in Hat Yai average around 29°C (83°F), and Harbin fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

Harbin gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Hat Yai. Hat Yai usually gets less rain in July than Harbin. Hat Yai gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 153 mm (6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Hat Yai 29°C (83°F) 
    Harbin 24°C (75°F)

Should I visit Hat Yai or Harbin in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Hat Yai and Harbin. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Hat Yai year-round.

Hat Yai is much warmer than Harbin in the autumn. The daily temperature in Hat Yai averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Harbin fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Hat Yai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Hat Yai usually receives more rain than Harbin. Hat Yai gets 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn. Also, May to December is the rainy season in Hat Yai.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Hat Yai 28°C (82°F) 
    Harbin 7°C (44°F)

Should I visit Hat Yai or Harbin in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Hat Yai as well as Harbin. Hat Yai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

It's quite cold in Harbin in the winter. In the winter, Hat Yai is much warmer than Harbin. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hat Yai in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Harbin averages at about -18°C (-0°F).

Hat Yai receives a lot of rain in the winter. Hat Yai usually gets more rain in January than Harbin. Hat Yai gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, January to April in Hat Yai is the dry season.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Hat Yai 28°C (82°F) 
    Harbin -18°C (-0°F)

Should I visit Hat Yai or Harbin in the Spring?

Both Harbin and Hat Yai are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Hat Yai throughout the year.

In April, Hat Yai is generally much warmer than Harbin. Daily temperatures in Hat Yai average around 30°C (85°F), and Harbin fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

In April, Hat Yai usually receives more rain than Harbin. Hat Yai gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 21 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the spring. The dry season in Hat Yai is January to April. The rainy season in Hat Yai is May to December.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Hat Yai 30°C (85°F) 
    Harbin 8°C (46°F)

Typical Weather for Harbin and Hat Yai

Hat Yai Harbin
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 28°C (82°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) -18°C (-0°F) 3 mm (0.1 in)
Feb 28°C (83°F) 26 mm (1 in) -14°C (7°F) 6 mm (0.2 in)
Mar 29°C (85°F) 37 mm (1.5 in) -3°C (26°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Apr 30°C (85°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 8°C (46°F) 21 mm (0.8 in)
May 29°C (84°F) 120 mm (4.7 in) 15°C (60°F) 37 mm (1.5 in)
Jun 29°C (84°F) 101 mm (4 in) 21°C (70°F) 78 mm (3.1 in)
Jul 29°C (83°F) 101 mm (4 in) 24°C (75°F) 153 mm (6 in)
Aug 29°C (83°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 22°C (72°F) 116 mm (4.6 in)
Sep 28°C (83°F) 130 mm (5.1 in) 16°C (60°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 284 mm (11.2 in) 7°C (44°F) 23 mm (0.9 in)
Nov 27°C (81°F) 588 mm (23.1 in) -4°C (24°F) 8 mm (0.3 in)
Dec 27°C (80°F) 404 mm (15.9 in) -14°C (7°F) 5 mm (0.2 in)