Which place is cheaper, Harbin or Hoi 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 Hoi An or Harbin?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Hoi An and Harbin. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Hoi An or Harbin?
Hoi An
Located just south of the city of Da Nang, Hoi An is famous for it's beautiful old town. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Unfortunately, since its designation as a World Heritage Site in 1999, mass tourism has grown and the city has felt the growing pains. Most of the homes and shops in the old town are now used for commercial purposes. The city is still quaint, but the old town is lined with tailor shops, souvenir stores, and restaurants. Foreigners are required to purchase a ticket to enter the old town of Hoi An (120,000 VND, about $5).
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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in Vietnam, The Best Historical Tours in Vietnam, The Best 2-Week Tours in China, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China.
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Hoi An Prices
Vietnam PricesHarbin Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHoi An $51Harbin $66
The average daily cost (per person) in Hoi An is $51, 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 Hoi An and Harbin in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHoi An $20Harbin $21
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHoi An $40Harbin $42
Compare Hotels in Hoi An and Harbin
Looking for a hotel in Hoi An 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.
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: Hoi An Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hoi An $18Harbin $1.52
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Hoi An
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Hoi An are as follows:
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Taxi From Danang to Hoi An$8.34
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Bus From Hoi An Bus Station to Town$0.57
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hoi An
Also for Hoi An, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Hue Private Car with Driver for Customizable Trip & Transfer: $7.09
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Harbin
Also for Harbin, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shared Transfer Service to Ice and Snow World, Sun Island Snow Festival: $250
- Private HRB Airport Departure Transfer from Harbin City Hotel: $70
- Private HRB Airport Arrival Transfer to Harbin City Hotel: $70
- Private Full Day Transfer Service to Harbin Top Winter Attractions: $198
- Private Departure Transfer to Harbin North Railway Station from Harbin City: $100
- Private Arrival Transfer from Harbin West Railway Station to Harbin City Hotel: $65
- Harbin Volga Manor Private Transfer Service with Entry Tickets: $300
- Harbin Taiping Airport Chauffeur Service, Harbin Airport Transfer, Pick up.: $59
- Harbin Ice Festival Tickets and Transfer Service : $148
- Harbin Catholic Church Car Transfer Service: $80
- Harbin Airport (HRB) : Private Arrival Transfer with Meet & Greet Service: $32
- 4 Hour Private Transfer to Sun Island Snow Sculptures: $100
Is it cheaper to fly into Hoi An or Harbin?
Prices for flights to both Harbin and Hoi 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 dayHoi An $16Harbin $24
Typical Food Prices in Hoi An
For Hoi An, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner at Bamboo Village (for Two)$13
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$3.79
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Casual Dinner (for Two)$7.58
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hoi An $12Harbin $53
Typical Entertainment Prices in Hoi An
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Hoi An's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Golf (for Two)$140
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Short Boat Ride$1.52
Tours and Activities in Hoi An
For Hoi An, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Cruiseship Tour to MY SON HOLYLAND - DA NANG CITY From Chan May or Tien Sa Port: $179
- Cruiseship Trip from TIEN SA or CHAN MAY Port to MY SON HOLYLAND & DA NANG City: $154
- Cruiseship Trip from TIEN SA or CHAN MAY Port to MY SON HOLYLAND & HOI AN City: $154
- Cruiseship Trip to GOLDEN BRIDGE & MY SON SANCTUARY from CHAN MAY orTIEN SA Port: $189
- Cruiseship Trip to My Son Sanctuary & GOLDEN BRIDGE from TIEN SA orCHAN MAY Port: $200
- Hoi An Experience 3 Hours Wood Carving Class with Local Artist: $47
- Hue : Shuttle bus from Hue to Hoi An and sightseeing: $16
- Hue-Da Nang-Hoi An Bus Tour with English Guide & Sightseeing: $22
- Hue: Half-Day Tour with Optional Dragon Boat Perfume River: $28
- My Son - Danang from Tien Sa cruise harbor: $150
- My Son - Danang from Tien Sa cruise harbor: $180
- My Son - Hoi An Full Day Private Tour With Meals: $75
Tours and Activities in Harbin
For Harbin, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Harbin Igloos Hot Pot Private Tour: $300
- Private Night Tour to Harbin Ice Festival: $261
- 1-Day Harbin Private Tour: $168
- 2-Day Harbin City Private Tour in Your Way in Winter Season: $280
- All-Inclusive Harbin City History and Local Culture Private Day Tour: $300
- Group Tour to Harbin Ice and Snow World plus Sun Island Snow Sculpture Festival: $298
- Half Day Tour for Harbin Guandong Ancient Lane and Wood Sculpture Museum: $104
- Half-Day Private Old Harbin Street Walking Tour with Meal: $300
- Harbin City Guided Tour to Zhongyang Street and Sophia Church: $180
- 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
- Harbin Ice Lantern Show and Center Street Tour: $150
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHoi An $8.59Harbin $7.96
Typical Alcohol Prices in Hoi An
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Hoi An are as follows:
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Bottle of Wine$9.10
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 Hoi An and Harbin, we can see that Harbin is more expensive. And not only is Hoi An much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hoi An would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hoi 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 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 Hoi An.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hoi An Expensive? and Is Harbin Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hoi An or Harbin?
Harbin has a larger population, and is about 100 times larger than the population of Hoi An. When comparing the sizes of Hoi An 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 Hoi An or Harbin?
Harbin has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Hoi An experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Hoi An or Harbin in the Summer?
Both Harbin and Hoi An are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Hoi An throughout the year.
In the summer, Hoi An is a little warmer than Harbin. Typically, the summer temperatures in Hoi An in July average around 29°C (85°F), and Harbin averages at about 24°C (75°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Harbin. In July, Hoi An usually receives less rain than Harbin. Hoi An gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 153 mm (6 in) of rain each month for the summer. The dry season in Hoi An is February to July. The rainy season in Hoi An is September to January.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHoi An 29°C (85°F)Harbin 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Hoi An or Harbin in the Autumn?
Both Harbin and Hoi An during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Hoi An because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In October, Hoi An is generally much warmer than Harbin. Daily temperatures in Hoi An average around 25°C (78°F), and Harbin fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Hoi An. Hoi An usually gets more rain in October than Harbin. Hoi An gets 613 mm (24.1 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHoi An 25°C (78°F)Harbin 7°C (44°F)
Should I visit Hoi An or Harbin in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Hoi An and Harbin. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Hoi An year-round.
The weather in Harbin can be very cold. Hoi An is much warmer than Harbin in the winter. The daily temperature in Hoi An averages around 22°C (71°F) in January, and Harbin fluctuates around -18°C (-0°F).
Hoi An gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Hoi An usually receives more rain than Harbin. Hoi An gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the winter. February to July in Hoi An is the dry season. Also, September to January is the rainy season in Hoi An.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHoi An 22°C (71°F)Harbin -18°C (-0°F)
Should I visit Hoi An or Harbin in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Hoi An as well as Harbin. Hoi An attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the spring, Hoi An is much warmer than Harbin. Typically, the spring temperatures in Hoi An in April average around 26°C (80°F), and Harbin averages at about 8°C (46°F).
Hoi An usually gets more rain in April than Harbin. Hoi An gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 21 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHoi An 26°C (80°F)Harbin 8°C (46°F)
Typical Weather for Harbin and Hoi An
| Hoi An | Harbin | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 22°C (71°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | -18°C (-0°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Feb | 23°C (73°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | -14°C (7°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | -3°C (26°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (80°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (85°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 153 mm (6 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (85°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 331 mm (13 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (78°F) | 613 mm (24.1 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Nov | 24°C (76°F) | 376 mm (14.8 in) | -4°C (24°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 223 mm (8.8 in) | -14°C (7°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
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.