Which place is cheaper, Zhengzhou 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 Zhengzhou?
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 Zhengzhou. 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 Zhengzhou?
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.
Zhengzhou
Along the Yellow River, a city from the future and the past resides. Ancient pagodas, futuristic domes, verdant gardens - Zhengzhou is a myriad of many worlds in one urban area. The provincial capital of the Henan Province, Zhengzhou is the encapsulation of a perfect city from its delicate balance of the natural and urban spheres. It was born during the Sui Dynasty, and its actual location was in the modern-day Chenggao. Moreover, Zhengzhou works as the political, economic, technological, and educational center of the province. The city is also one of the eight great ancient capitals of China, with a collection of architecture and art originating during iconic dynasties. These relics of the old world include the Shaolin Monastery, Henan Museum, the Pagoda Forest, the Gaocheng Astronomical Observatory, the Songyue Pagoda, the Emperors of Yan and Huang, and the scenic views of the Yellow River. With over nine million inhabitants, Zhengzhou continues to grow at a thriving rate. It also should be noted that in June 2012, Greater Zhengzhou was named one of the thirteen emerging megacities in China according to the Economist Intelligent Unit. Known internationally for its amazing culmination of culture and history, Zhengzhou is the ideal city for travelers and inhabitants alike.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Malaysia, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Shanghai, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing.
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Kuala Lumpur Prices
Malaysia PricesZhengzhou Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKuala Lumpur $83Zhengzhou $65
The average daily cost (per person) in Kuala Lumpur is $83, while the average daily cost in Zhengzhou is $65. 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 Zhengzhou in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKuala Lumpur $41Zhengzhou $21
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKuala Lumpur $82Zhengzhou $42
Compare Hotels in Kuala Lumpur and Zhengzhou
Looking for a hotel in Kuala Lumpur or Zhengzhou? 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 $7.21Zhengzhou $14
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:
- 2 Way Transfer to or from Kuala Lumpur International Airport : $25
- AVANI Sepang Goldcoast Resort Hotel TO Kuala Lumpur Hotel Door to Door Transfer: $59
- Airport Transfer Private From/To KLIA, KLIA2 : $20
- Airport Transfer: Kuala Lumpur to Airport KUL by Business Car: $105
- Airport to Hotel Private Transfer - Welcome to Malaysia: $50
- Airport transfer : $100
- Aquaria KLCC Admission Ticket with One-Way or Round-Trip Transfer: $38
- Aquaria KLCC Admission Ticket with return Transfer: $49
- Arrival Private Transfers from Airport KUL to Kuala Lumpur in Business Car: $93
- Arrival Private Transfers from Airport KUL to Kuala Lumpur in Business Van: $125
- Arrival Transfer : Kuala Lumpur Airport: $43
- Arrival Transfer from KLIA/KLIA2 to IPOH: $169
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zhengzhou
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zhengzhou:
- [Airport Transfer] Zhengzhou Xinjiang International Airport Zhengzhou City Transfer There is a reputation for high service! : $27
- Private Guided Tour/Transfer to Shaolin Temple: $98
- Zhengzhou airport or Train Staion Transfer Service: $150
- Zhengzhou Xinzheng Airport Chauffeur Transfer, Zhengzhou Airport Transfer: $27
- Zhengzhou Airport Transfer( Hotel to Airport): $59
- Private transfer to Shaolin Temple from Zhengzhou: $108
- Private Transfer to Shaolin Temple or Dengfeng from Zhengzhou Train station: $132
- Private Transfer from Zhengzhou to Luoyang Longmen Grottoes : $95
- One-Way Private Transfer from Zhengzhou to Luoyang: $80
- One-Way Private Transfer from Zhengzhou to Kaifeng: $70
Is it cheaper to fly into Kuala Lumpur or Zhengzhou?
Prices for flights to both Zhengzhou 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 $29Zhengzhou $36
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zhengzhou
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zhengzhou.
- Zhengzhou Erqi Square and Night Markets Private Tour including Dinner: $145
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kuala Lumpur $15Zhengzhou $5.03
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
Tours and Activities in Zhengzhou
Here are a few actual costs in Zhengzhou for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- All Inclusive Private Day Tour to Guoliangcun from Zhengzhou: $265
- All Inclusive Private Day Tour to Shaolin Temple and Longmen Grottoes from Zhengzhou: $275
- All inclusive Anyang Yin Xu ruins and Character Museum day tour from Zhengzhou: $140
- All-Inclusive Mutianyu Great Wall and Summer Palace Day Tour: $251
- Beijing: Shaolin Temple Day Tour by Round Trip Bullet Train: $398
- Datong:HangingTemple&Grotto Private Car with Entrance ticket: $199
- Full-Day Private Kaifeng Highlight Tour from Zhengzhou: $248
- Independent Tour to Shaolin Temple and Longmen Grottoes from Zhengzhou: $188
- Kaifeng city highlights tour with delicious lunch from Zhengzhou: $120
- Private Day Tour to Luoyang Longmen Grottoes from Zhengzhou: $210
- Private Day Tour to Shaolin Temple from Zhengzhou with Flexiable Departure Time: $198
- Private Day Tour to Shaolin Temple with Kungfu Class from Zhengzhou: $287
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKuala Lumpur $6.58Zhengzhou $4.04
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 Zhengzhou, we can see that Kuala Lumpur is more expensive. And not only is Zhengzhou much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Zhengzhou would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Zhengzhou 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 Zhengzhou.
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 Zhengzhou Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kuala Lumpur or Zhengzhou?
Zhengzhou has a larger population, and is about 39% larger than the population of Kuala Lumpur. When comparing the sizes of Kuala Lumpur and Zhengzhou, 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 Kuala Lumpur or Zhengzhou?
Zhengzhou 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 Zhengzhou in the Summer?
Both Zhengzhou and Kuala Lumpur during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Kuala Lumpur because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Kuala Lumpur is around the same temperature as Zhengzhou in the summer. The daily temperature in Kuala Lumpur averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Zhengzhou fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
In Zhengzhou, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Kuala Lumpur. In the summer, Kuala Lumpur often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Zhengzhou. Kuala Lumpur gets 200 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zhengzhou receives 215 hours of full sun.
Zhengzhou gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Kuala Lumpur. Kuala Lumpur usually gets more rain in July than Zhengzhou. Kuala Lumpur gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Zhengzhou receives 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKuala Lumpur 28°C (82°F)Zhengzhou 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Zhengzhou in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Kuala Lumpur and Zhengzhou. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kuala Lumpur year-round.
In the autumn, Kuala Lumpur is much warmer than Zhengzhou. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kuala Lumpur in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Zhengzhou averages at about 16°C (61°F).
Kuala Lumpur usually receives less sunshine than Zhengzhou during autumn. Kuala Lumpur gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Zhengzhou receives 188 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Kuala Lumpur gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Kuala Lumpur usually receives more rain than Zhengzhou. Kuala Lumpur gets 280 mm (11 in) of rain, while Zhengzhou receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKuala Lumpur 27°C (81°F)Zhengzhou 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Zhengzhou in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Kuala Lumpur as well as Zhengzhou. Kuala Lumpur attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
The weather in Zhengzhou can be very cold. In January, Kuala Lumpur is generally much warmer than Zhengzhou. Daily temperatures in Kuala Lumpur average around 27°C (81°F), and Zhengzhou fluctuates around 1°C (34°F).
In the winter, Kuala Lumpur often gets more sunshine than Zhengzhou. Kuala Lumpur gets 185 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zhengzhou receives 159 hours of full sun.
Kuala Lumpur receives a lot of rain in the winter. Kuala Lumpur usually gets more rain in January than Zhengzhou. Kuala Lumpur gets 239 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Zhengzhou receives 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKuala Lumpur 27°C (81°F)Zhengzhou 1°C (34°F)
Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Zhengzhou in the Spring?
Both Zhengzhou and Kuala Lumpur are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kuala Lumpur throughout the year.
Kuala Lumpur is much warmer than Zhengzhou in the spring. The daily temperature in Kuala Lumpur averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Zhengzhou fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
It's quite sunny in Zhengzhou. Kuala Lumpur usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Zhengzhou during spring. Kuala Lumpur gets 199 hours of sunny skies, while Zhengzhou receives 201 hours of full sun in the spring.
It's quite rainy in Kuala Lumpur. In April, Kuala Lumpur usually receives more rain than Zhengzhou. Kuala Lumpur gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Zhengzhou receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKuala Lumpur 28°C (82°F)Zhengzhou 16°C (61°F)
Typical Weather for Zhengzhou and Kuala Lumpur
| Kuala Lumpur | Zhengzhou | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 239 mm (9.4 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 280 mm (11 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 290 mm (11.4 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 25 mm (1 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 250 mm (9.8 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 6 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.