Which place is cheaper, Sydney or Nanjing?
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 Nanjing or Sydney?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Nanjing or Sydney? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Nanjing or Sydney?
Nanjing
Nanjing is the capital city of the Jiangsu Province on the central eastern coast of China, just north of Shanghai. This historically and culturally rich city lies at the lower end of the Yangtze river, resulting in lush and scenic landscapes. Nanjing is well-known for having many popular historical sites, some of which have been listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Sydney
Sydney, known as the harbour city, is the most famous and frequently visited city in Australia. It is at the economical and cultural heart of the country, and is one of the most beautiful and livable cities in the world. It's situated on the water with stunning views of the famous harbour throughout the city. It's most famous landmarks include the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It is also very close wonderful beaches, parks, and nature.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in China, The Best 10-Day Tours in China, The Best Contiki Tours to Australia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Australia.
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Nanjing Prices
China PricesSydney Prices
Australia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNanjing $118Sydney $207
The average daily cost (per person) in Nanjing is $118, while the average daily cost in Sydney is $207. 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 Nanjing and Sydney in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNanjing $47Sydney $103
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNanjing $94Sydney $206
Compare Hotels in Nanjing and Sydney
Looking for a hotel in Nanjing or Sydney? 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: Sydney Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nanjing $39Sydney $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nanjing
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Nanjing:
- Nanjing Airport (NKG) to Nanjing - Arrival Private Transfer : $45
- Nanjing Airport (NKG) to Nanjing - Round-Trip Private Transfer : $91
- Nanjing Downtown hotels to Lukou Intl Airport (NKG) - Departure Private Transfer: $47
- Nanjing Lukou Airport Chauffeur Service, Nanjing Airport Transfer, Pickup: $30
- Nanjing Lukou International Airport (NKG) to Nanjing - Arrival Private Transfer : $47
- Nanjing Lukou International Airport Private Arrival Transfer to City Center: $45
- Nanjing Private Round Trip Transfer to Niushoushan Cultural Park: $67
- Nanjing Private Transfer from Nanjing Lukou Airport (NKG) to central Nanjing: $125
- Nanjing Railway Station Private Arrival Transfer to City Hotels: $35
- Nanjing To Huangshan Bullet Train Ticket with Local Private Transfers: $129
- Nanjing to Hangzhou Bullet Train Ticket with Train Station Transfer: $52
- Nanjing to Shanghai Bullet Train Ticket with Train Station Transfer: $60
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Sydney
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Sydney:
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Taxi Ride$13
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Taxi to Airport$16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sydney
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sydney:
- 11:30AM Sydney Airport-Hotel transfer with Bondi Tour: $125
- 9:30AM Sydney Airport-Hotel transfer with City Half Day Tour: $112
- Airport Transfer from Sydney Airport to Hotels: $295
- Airport Transfer: Sydney Airport SYD to Sydney by Business Car: $112
- Airport Transfer: Sydney Airport SYD to Sydney by Luxury Van: $125
- Arrival Transfer from Sydney Airport SYD to Sydney city by Sedan: $90
- Arrival Transfer: Sydney Airport SYD to Sydney in Business Car: $112
- Chauffeur Airport Transfers Sydney - Up to 15 Passengers: $99
- Chauffeur Service Sydney For Luxury Airport Transfers: $112
- Departure Transfer: Sydney to Sydney Airport SYD in Business Car: $113
- Featherdale Wildlife Park with Exclusive Private Transfers: $234
- From Sydney Hotels - Hotel Transfer to Airport: $355
Is it cheaper to fly into Nanjing or Sydney?
Prices for flights to both Sydney and Nanjing 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 dayNanjing $49Sydney $77
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nanjing
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Nanjing.
- 3-Hour Nanjing Authentic Local Food Tour by Public Transportation: $93
- Flexible Private Nanjing City Night Tour with Dinner Option : $112
- Private Amazing Nanjing Airport Layover Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $181
Typical Food Prices in Sydney
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Sydney:
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Tea$2.62
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Lunch Special$9.81
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Food/Drink Coogie Beach$9.81
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Meat Pies$3.27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sydney
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Sydney.
- Vivid Festival of Light Harbor Cruise with Dinner: $36
- City Highlights Walking Food Tour with Harbor Cruise: $45
- Harbour Dinner Cruise with Buffet: $50
- Roti Making Class with 5-Course Dinner: $50
- Sydney Harbour Discovery Dinner Cruise Scenic Sights and Buffet: $50
- Foraging Food Tour Sydney Native Aussie Food: $53
- Sydney's Little Italy Food Tour: $54
- Harbor Sunset Cruise with Dinner: $59
- Twilight Dinner Cruise on Coral Trekker: $59
- Sydney Harbour Tall Ship Twilight Dinner Cruise: $60
- Kids Cooking Classes: $64
- Samosa and Sips Cooking Class in Little India: $67
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Nanjing $9.41Sydney $31
Tours and Activities in Nanjing
Here are a few actual costs in Nanjing for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Qixia Mountain Ticket for Adult: $20
- Night Cruise on Outer Qinhuai River for Adults: $20
- Flexible Private Nanjing Independent Tour : $63
- Nanjing Self-Guided Day Tour with Private Car and Driver Service: $72
- Nanjing Private English Tour Guide Service: $75
- Private Amazing Nanjing City Day Tour in Your Way: $75
- Nanjing Professional English Tour Guide Service: $91
- 3-Hour Local Food Tasting Tour: $93
- Nanjing Private Day Tour With Must-Visit Attractions: $100
- Half-Day Nanjing City Private Flexible Tour : $109
- 4-Hour Nanjing City Private Tailor-Made Tour in Your Way : $109
- 6-Hour Private Tour of Xiaoling Tomb,City Wall & Memorial Hall : $115
Typical Entertainment Prices in Sydney
Here are a few typical costs in Sydney for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Theatre Show$29
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Sydney Tower Visit (for 2)$30
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Blue Mountain Tour/Featherdale Park (for 2)$125
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Powerhouse Museum$9.85
Tours and Activities in Sydney
Here are a few actual costs in Sydney for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Sydney's Hidden Gems Self Guided City Tour: $1.79
- Sydney Botanic Garden Kids Quest: Nature Puzzle Adventure: $6.04
- Sydney Harbour: A Self-Guided Audio Tour to Lavender Bay: $6.99
- Sydney Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $7.16
- Sydney Cockatoo Island Escape: Convict Adventure Game: $7.20
- Sydney Walking Tour with Audioguide on Your Smartphone: $8.40
- Sydney Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Sydney’s Iconic Sights: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
- Haunted Sydney Self-Guided Audio Ghost Tour: $10
- Experience Sydney Audio Tour Adventure: $15
- Discover Self-Guided Audio Tour: $16
- Aboriginal Art Exhibition Ticket, Art Gallery of NSW: $17
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNanjing $9.61Sydney $15
Typical Alcohol Prices in Sydney
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Sydney:
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Wine$10
Sample the Local Flavors in Sydney
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Sydney:
- Wollongong Bar Crawl Go Out with a Gong: $15
- Sydney's Haunted Pub Tour & Cellar visit : $26
- Big Night Out Pub Crawl with Local Party Hosts: $32
- Big Night Out Pub Crawl: $33
- Private Wine Tasting at The Rocks: $46
- Sydney Cellar Door - Old Vine Expressions Wine Tasting: $47
- Marrickville Brewery Tour: $78
- Luxury Hunter Valley Wildlife & Wine Tasting Tour from Sydney: $84
- From: Sydney - Hunter Valley Wine Tasting Guided Day Tour: $89
- Sydney Beer and Brewery Tour: $104
- Brewery, Winery, and Distillery Tasting Tour: $112
- From Full-Day Hunter Valley Wine Tour & Lunch: $145
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nanjing and Sydney, we can see that Sydney is more expensive. And not only is Nanjing much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Nanjing is in Asia and Sydney is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Nanjing would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nanjing 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 Sydney would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sydney than you might in Nanjing.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Nanjing Expensive? and Is Sydney Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Nanjing or Sydney?
Sydney has a larger population, and is about 42% larger than the population of Nanjing. When comparing the sizes of Nanjing and Sydney, 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 Nanjing or Sydney?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Sydney is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Nanjing has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Nanjing or Sydney in the Summer?
Both Sydney and Nanjing are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Sydney in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Nanjing is a little warmer than Sydney. Typically, the summer temperatures in Nanjing in July average around 28°C (83°F), and Sydney averages at about 23°C (73°F)in January.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Sydney. It's quite rainy in Nanjing. In July, Nanjing usually receives more rain than Sydneyin January. Nanjing gets 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Sydney receives 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryNanjing 28°C (83°F)Sydney 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Nanjing or Sydney in the Autumn?
Both Sydney and Nanjing during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Sydney for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In October, Nanjing is generally around the same temperature as Sydneyin April. Daily temperatures in Nanjing average around 17°C (63°F), and Sydney fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).
Sydney gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Nanjing usually gets less rain in October than Sydneyin April. Nanjing gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Sydney receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilNanjing 17°C (63°F)Sydney 19°C (65°F)
Should I visit Nanjing or Sydney in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Nanjing and Sydney. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Sydney because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Nanjing can be very cold during winter. Nanjing is much colder than Sydney in the winter. The daily temperature in Nanjing averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Sydney fluctuates around 12°C (53°F)in July.
In January, Nanjing usually receives less rain than Sydneyin July. Nanjing gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Sydney receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyNanjing 3°C (37°F)Sydney 12°C (53°F)
Should I visit Nanjing or Sydney in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Nanjing as well as Sydney. Also, the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Sydney this time of year.
In the spring, Nanjing is cooler than Sydney. Typically, the spring temperatures in Nanjing in April average around 15°C (60°F), and Sydney averages at about 18°C (64°F)in October.
Nanjing receives a lot of rain in the spring. Nanjing usually gets more rain in April than Sydneyin October. Nanjing gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Sydney receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberNanjing 15°C (60°F)Sydney 18°C (64°F)
Typical Weather for Sydney and Nanjing
| Nanjing | Sydney | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (37°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Feb | 4°C (40°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) |
| Mar | 9°C (48°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (60°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| May | 21°C (69°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (77°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 128 mm (5 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (74°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 17°C (63°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Nov | 11°C (52°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Dec | 5°C (41°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 81 mm (3.2 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.