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

Should you visit Kao-hsiung or Xi'an?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Kao-hsiung and Xi'an 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: Kao-hsiung or Xi'an?

Kao-hsiung

Kaohsiung is the second-most populated city and also the largest port city in the country, located in the south of Taiwan. Compared to Taipei, the lifestyle in Kaohsiung is laid-back and noticeably slower, populated with friendly locals. However, with Taipei in the spotlight, Kaohsiung is often overlooked, though it offers so much in the way of art and culture, history, and delicious food.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in Taiwan, The Best Adventure Tours to Taiwan, The Best 10-Day Tours in China, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in China.


Which place is cheaper, Xi'an or Kao-hsiung?

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

  • Kao-hsiung Prices
    Taiwan Prices
    Xi'an Prices
    China Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Kao-hsiung $134
    Xi'an $105

The average daily cost (per person) in Kao-hsiung is $134, while the average daily cost in Xi'an is $105. 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 Kao-hsiung and Xi'an in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kao-hsiung $60
    Xi'an $61
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kao-hsiung $120
    Xi'an $122
Compare Hotels in Kao-hsiung and Xi'an

Looking for a hotel in Kao-hsiung or Xi'an? 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 Kao-hsiung


Hotels in Xian


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: Kao-hsiung Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kao-hsiung $12
    Xi'an $12

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kao-hsiung

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kao-hsiung:

  • Guanziling Resorts to Kaohsiung Airport KHH Departure Transfer: $134
  • Kaohsiung Airport (KHH) to Guanziling Resorts - Arrival Transfer: $134
  • Kaohsiung Airport -> Kaohsiung Hotel Private Transfer (Large room for luggage) : $35
  • Kaohsiung Airport Chauffeur service , Kaohsiung Airport Transfer : $50
  • Private Kaohsiung Airport to Taitung Resorts Arrival Transfer: $192
  • Private Transfer from Kaohsiung Airport (KHH) to Kaohsiung Port : $75
  • Private Transfer from Kaohsiung Airport to Kenting: $138

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Xi'an

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Xi'an:

  • Private Arrival Transfer: Xi'an Central Train Station to Hotel: $21
  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Xi'an Central Train Station: $21
  • Private Departure Transfer to Xi'an International Airport from City Hotels: $22
  • Xian Xianyang Airport (XIY) to Xian City - Arrival Private Transfer: $28
  • Xian City to Xian Xianyang Airport (XIY) - Departure Private Transfer: $28
  • Xian Xianyang Airport (XIY) to Xian - Arrival Private Transfer: $29
  • Xian to Xian Xianyang Airport (XIY) - Departure Private Transfer: $29
  • Xi’an Railway Station Private Departure Transfer from City Area: $29
  • Xi’an Xianyang International Airport Private Arrival Transfer to City Area: $29
  • Private Arrival Transfer:Any Xi'an Railway Station to Xi'an City Hotel: $30
  • Xi'an Terracotta Army Tickets with Optional Guide/Transfer: $30
  • Private Transfer from Xi'an Hotel to Xi'an Xianyang International Airport (XIY): $30

Is it cheaper to fly into Kao-hsiung or Xi'an?

Prices for flights to both Xi'an and Kao-hsiung 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
    Kao-hsiung $59
    Xi'an $22

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kao-hsiung

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kao-hsiung.

  • Sunset Dinner on Monkey Mountain : $100

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Xi'an

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Xi'an.

  • Xi’an:City Wall Multi-Entry or Night Food Tour with Show: $21
  • Xi'An: Tang Dynasty Show Ticket w/ Transfer or Dinner: $33
  • Top 3 Xian Sites to Terracotta Army & Dinner Show w/ Options: $35
  • Xi'an Tang Dynasty Show Ticket Optional Dumplings or Royal Dinner: $37
  • Skip the Line: Xi'an Tang Dynasty Show Ticket & Dumpling Dinner or Royal Banquet: $37
  • Xian Tang Dynasty Show -Optional Dumpling Dinner or Royal Banquet: $38
  • Xi'an: Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show with Dinner Option: $40
  • Xi'an Homemade Food Cooking Dumplings / BIANGBIANGNoodles: $58
  • Xi’an: Market Tour and Cooking Class with Local Family: $59
  • Xi'an Vegetarian Food Tour: $60
  • Xi'an Muslim Quarter Walking Food Tour: $61
  • Private Xi'an Food Tour: $65

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kao-hsiung $22
    Xi'an $36

Tours and Activities in Kao-hsiung

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kao-hsiung are as follows:

  • Suzuka Circuit Park Ticket in Kaohsiung: $33
  • Kaohsiung Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $48
  • Kenting and Pingtung One Day Tour with Departure from Kaohsiung: $52
  • Classic Northern Kaohsiung Day Tour: $60
  • Classic Southern Kaohsiung Day Tour: $60
  • Kaohsiung City Walking Day Tour: $70
  • Food and Culture Walking Tour in Tainan: $78
  • Alishan Day Tour from Kaohsiung (Incl. Park Entrance): $90
  • Buddha Museum- Half Day Tour : $90
  • Tainan Day Tour –Qigu Salt Mountain, Chikan Tower & Anping Castle: $100
  • Private Tour Shore Excursion in Kaohsiung City: $199
  • 1 day tour - Kaohsiung: $200

Tours and Activities in Xi'an

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

  • Xi'an: Daci'en Temple(Great Wild Goose Pagoda) E-ticket: $9.99
  • Xi'an: City Wall & Old Town Walking Tour w/ 10+ Food Tasting: $14
  • Xi’an City Wall – E-Ticket: $15
  • Xi'an: Xi’an City Wall South Gate(Yongningmen) Entry Ticket: $15
  • Xi'an Virtual Tour: Emperor Qin Shi Huang and His Terracotta Army: $15
  • Xi'an: City Wall Moat Smart Boat Tour: $17
  • Xian: Terracotta Army Ticket & Guided Bus Tour with Options: $20
  • Private Car Tour to Terra-cotta Army and Xi'an Ctiy Attrations: $22
  • Terracotta Warriors Tickets Booking: $24
  • Xian Day Tour, Terracotta Army, City Wall, Pagoda, Muslim Bazaar: $24
  • Xi'an Exclusive Terracotta Army Tour with Local Family Lunch: $24
  • Terracotta Army Ticket Booking - Optional Guide Service: $25

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kao-hsiung $11
    Xi'an $7.34

Sample the Local Flavors in Xi'an

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Xi'an:

  • Xi'an Bar Crawl: Drink, Gaming, Snacks & Meet with Locals: $29


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kao-hsiung and Xi'an, we can see that Kao-hsiung is more expensive. And not only is Xi'an much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Kao-hsiung would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kao-hsiung 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 Kao-hsiung Expensive? and Is Xi'an Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Kao-hsiung or Xi'an?

Xi'an has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Kao-hsiung. When comparing the sizes of Kao-hsiung and Xi'an, 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.