Which place is cheaper, Hongcun or Kuala Lumpur?
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 Kuala Lumpur or Hongcun?
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 Kuala Lumpur and Hongcun. 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: Kuala Lumpur or Hongcun?
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur, often referred to as KL, is the cosmopolitan capital of Malaysia. It is also the largest city in the country, having grown out of a small Chinese mining village. Today Kuala Lumpur is a microcosm of the country of Malaysia. The population is split between the Malay, Chinese, and Indian cultures which you can see reflected in the city's neighborhoods, cuisine, and entertainment. It's also an incredibly affordable city, even if you're looking for the comforts of a five star hotel or a luxury restaurant. Prices are almost always a fraction of what you would pay in Europe or the United States.
Hongcun
When you picture ancient China, you likely picture old cobblestone streets, white homes with pointed black roofs and a slight air of mysticism in the surroundings. This is Hongcun.
The backdrop for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is not usually on the top of many traveler's lists. This isn't a bustling tourist town with guides offering to show you the sights or carts peddling the latest tacky souvenir. It's a quiet village where you'll see the real Chinese culture. The homes along the complex water canals air their fish in their windows to preserve it for their family dinners. There is no bowing to tourism here.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Malaysia, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, and The Best Adventure Tours to China.
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Kuala Lumpur Prices
Malaysia PricesHongcun Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKuala Lumpur $83Hongcun $67
The average daily cost (per person) in Kuala Lumpur is $83, while the average daily cost in Hongcun is $67. 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 Kuala Lumpur and Hongcun in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKuala Lumpur $41Hongcun $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKuala Lumpur $82Hongcun $46
Compare Hotels in Kuala Lumpur and Hongcun
Looking for a hotel in Kuala Lumpur or Hongcun? 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: Kuala Lumpur Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kuala Lumpur $7.21Hongcun $12
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kuala Lumpur
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Kuala Lumpur are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$3.57
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Metro Ride (for Two)$0.76
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Short Taxi Ride$3.57
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Taxi From Airport$21
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Bus from Airport$1.90
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Train & Boat to Pulau Ketam$2.85
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kuala Lumpur
Also for Kuala Lumpur, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Kuala Lumpur Airport Departure Transfer: $17
- Private Kuala Lumpur Airport Arrival Transfer: $17
- Sunway Lagoon Theme Park to Kuala Lumpur Hotels Transfer: $17
- Private: Kuala Lumpur Departure Transfer: $17
- PVT Departure Transfer <> Kuala Lumpur to KLIA 1/2: $17
- PVT Arrival Transfer<>KLIA 1/2 to Kuala Lumpur: $17
- Kuala Lumpur Airport Arrival Transfer: $17
- Sunway Lagoon Theme Park to Kuala Lumpur Hotels Transfer (1-way): $17
- Kuala Lumpur Hotels to Sunway Lagoon Theme Park Transfer (1-way): $17
- Kuala Lumpur City to Kuala Lumpur International Airport Transfer: $18
- Kuala Lumpur Hotel to Airport Transfer: $18
- Kuala Lumpur Airport Arrival Transfer: $18
Is it cheaper to fly into Kuala Lumpur or Hongcun?
Prices for flights to both Hongcun and Kuala Lumpur 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 dayKuala Lumpur $29Hongcun $33
Typical Food Prices in Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner at Ding Tai Fung$9.51
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Roti Bread$0.24
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Food Court Lunch$3.42
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Dinner at Indian Restaurant (for Two)$5.11
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Private Night Tour Batu Caves and South Indian Dinner: $20
- From Batu Caves Night Tour + Indian Set Dinner: $28
- Nightlife Street Food Tour with 6 Tastings: $41
- Laksa Lanes Kuala Lumpur Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $49
- Sambal Streets Kuala Lumpur Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $49
- Sambal Street Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $52
- Best Local Food Tour by Night at Kuala Lumpur : $55
- Glowing Firefly Private Tour With Dinner: $59
- Malaysia Cooking Classes With Local: $60
- Kuala Lumpur Food Tour: $60
- Kuala Selangor Fireflies and Blue Tears Tour with Dinner (SIC): $62
- Malaysian Hands-On Cooking Class : Masala Medley : $63
Typical Food Prices in Hongcun
Some typical examples of dining costs in Hongcun are as follows:
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Lunch for Two$4.91
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Breakfast of Dumplings$2.10
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kuala Lumpur $15Hongcun $17
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kuala Lumpur
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Kuala Lumpur's activities, tours, and tickets:
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KL Tower Admission (for Two)$11
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Canopy Walk at FRIM Forest Reserve$1.19
Tours and Activities in Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- A Self Guided Tropical Adventure at Kuala Lumpur Hidden Treasures: $3.59
- Skytropolis Indoor Theme Park Ticket with Unlimited Rides: $5.39
- Urban Museum at Toffee Raja Chulan Admission Ticket: $6.35
- Genting Highlands: Skytropolis Indoor Theme Park Entry Ticket: $6.39
- Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus Pass: $7.41
- KL Tower Admission E-Ticket with Options: $8.65
- REXPERIENCE: Immersive Art Gallery at REXKL: $9.77
- Museum Of Illusions Standard Admission Ticket: $9.88
- Kuala Lumpur Suburbs Batu Caves Half-Day Tour (SIC/Shared Tour): $10
- Kuala Lumpur Half Day Guided City Tour (SIC/Shared Tour): $10
- Malaysia Cruise Tasik Putrajaya: $10
- Aquaria KLCC Entry Ticket: $11
Typical Entertainment Prices in Hongcun
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Hongcun are as follows:
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Two Entrance Tickets$29
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKuala Lumpur $6.58Hongcun $14
Typical Alcohol Prices in Kuala Lumpur
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Kuala Lumpur are as follows:
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Bottle of Wine$11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kuala Lumpur and Hongcun, we can see that Kuala Lumpur is more expensive. And not only is Hongcun much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hongcun would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hongcun 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 Kuala Lumpur would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kuala Lumpur than you might in Hongcun.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kuala Lumpur Expensive? and Is Hongcun Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Kuala Lumpur or Hongcun?
Hongcun has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Kuala Lumpur experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Hongcun in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Kuala Lumpur as well as Hongcun. Kuala Lumpur attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In July, Kuala Lumpur is generally around the same temperature as Hongcun. Daily temperatures in Kuala Lumpur average around 28°C (82°F), and Hongcun fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
It's quite rainy in Hongcun. Kuala Lumpur receives a lot of rain in the summer. Kuala Lumpur usually gets less rain in July than Hongcun. Kuala Lumpur gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Hongcun receives 185 mm (7.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKuala Lumpur 28°C (82°F)Hongcun 29°C (85°F)
Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Hongcun in the Autumn?
Both Hongcun and Kuala Lumpur are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kuala Lumpur throughout the year.
Kuala Lumpur is a little warmer than Hongcun in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kuala Lumpur averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Hongcun fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).
It's quite rainy in Kuala Lumpur. In October, Kuala Lumpur usually receives more rain than Hongcun. Kuala Lumpur gets 280 mm (11 in) of rain, while Hongcun receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKuala Lumpur 27°C (81°F)Hongcun 19°C (65°F)
Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Hongcun in the Winter?
Both Hongcun and Kuala Lumpur during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Kuala Lumpur because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Hongcun. In the winter, Kuala Lumpur is much warmer than Hongcun. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kuala Lumpur in January average around 27°C (81°F), and Hongcun averages at about 4°C (40°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kuala Lumpur. Kuala Lumpur usually gets more rain in January than Hongcun. Kuala Lumpur gets 239 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Hongcun receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKuala Lumpur 27°C (81°F)Hongcun 4°C (40°F)
Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Hongcun in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kuala Lumpur and Hongcun. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kuala Lumpur year-round.
In April, Kuala Lumpur is generally much warmer than Hongcun. Daily temperatures in Kuala Lumpur average around 28°C (82°F), and Hongcun fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).
Hongcun receives a lot of rain in the spring. Kuala Lumpur gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Kuala Lumpur usually receives more rain than Hongcun. Kuala Lumpur gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Hongcun receives 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKuala Lumpur 28°C (82°F)Hongcun 17°C (62°F)
Typical Weather for Hongcun and Kuala Lumpur
| Kuala Lumpur | Hongcun | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 239 mm (9.4 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 235 mm (9.2 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 185 mm (7.3 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 121 mm (4.7 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 280 mm (11 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 290 mm (11.4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 250 mm (9.8 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 36 mm (1.4 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.