Explore Guangzhou, China

Cost To Visit Guangzhou: Complete Travel Budget Guide

Guangzhou travel cost breakdown: hotels, food, attractions & more. Budget to luxury pricing for every season.

Canon Tower

In this Guangzhou travel budget guide, we’ll break down the full cost of visiting — including accommodation, food, transportation, attractions, seasonal pricing, and what you can expect to spend as a budget, mid-range, or luxury traveler.

💡 Is Guangzhou Expensive to Visit?

No — Guangzhou is very affordable compared to other major Chinese cities like Shanghai and Beijing. Dining, transport, and even 4-star hotels can be surprisingly cheap. Compared to U.S. cities, it's much more budget-friendly overall, particularly when it comes to local food and metro transportation.

🗓️ Seasonal Cost Breakdown

Choosing when to go to Guangzhou is key. Hotel rates, airfare, and even crowds fluctuate with the seasons — and Chinese holidays cause major price jumps.

🔥 Peak Season

March to May & September to November

Spring and fall bring the best weather and big events like the Canton Fair.
Expect airfare and hotel rates to rise by 30–50%, especially during trade events.
Book 3–6 months ahead to avoid price spikes.

🌤️ Shoulder Season

December (before holidays) & early June

Warm but not humid, with smaller crowds.
Hotel prices drop 15–25%.
Great for budget-conscious travelers who want better weather.

🌧️ Off-Season

July to August & January (except holidays)

Hot, humid, and rainy summer months mean fewer tourists.
Hotel prices can be 30–40% cheaper than spring and fall.
January is affordable — unless you arrive during Chinese New Year, which causes prices to skyrocket.

💸 Most Expensive Times to Visit Guangzhou

Canton Fair (held in 3 phases mid-April to early May, and again in October): Hotels fully book and rates jump 2–3x.
Chinese New Year (late January to mid-February): Airfare and hotels spike up to 80%.
National Day Holiday (October 1–7): Domestic travel surges, and accommodations fill fast.

🧳 Cheapest Months to Visit Guangzhou

June (before summer humidity peaks)
July–August (humid, but cheapest hotel rates)
Late January or early February (only if avoiding Lunar New Year)
Early December

🏨 Where You Stay Matters

Two hotels with the same star rating in different areas of Guangzhou can vary wildly in price. Here's where your money goes furthest (or disappears fastest).

Most Expensive Areas to Stay

Tianhe District

Guangzhou’s business and upscale shopping hub.
Luxury hotels, malls, and proximity to the Canton Fair Complex.
Pros: Central, modern, fast metro access.
Cons: Expensive, business-focused.
Nearby attractions:
- Canton Tower
- Zhujiang New Town
- Grandview Mall

Yuexiu District

Historical and cultural heart of Guangzhou.
Lots of 4–5 star hotels, embassies, and old architecture.
Pros: Beautiful parks, museums, historical charm.
Cons: Hotel rates can spike during holidays.
Nearby attractions:
- Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall
- Yuexiu Park
- Five Rams Statue

Affordable Areas to Stay

Haizhu District

Just south of the Pearl River with easy metro links.
Pros: Clean, less touristy, more local dining.
Cons: Less nightlife.
Hotel rates: 3–4 star hotels from ¥300–¥500 ($40–$70 USD) per night.

Baiyun District

Near the airport, with budget accommodations and parks.
Pros: Quiet, great for longer stays.
Cons: Farther from tourist spots.
Hotel rates: 2–3 star stays from ¥200–¥350 ($28–$50 USD).

Cheapest Areas to Stay

Huadu District

Close to the airport; great for travelers on layovers or tight budgets.
Pros: Ultra-affordable, peaceful.
Cons: Remote, requires train/metro to city center.
Rates: Hostels and 2-star hotels from ¥120–¥200 ($17–$28 USD) per night.

💰 Guangzhou Travel Costs

Here’s a full breakdown by category of what you can expect to spend when visiting Guangzhou, China.

🏨 Accommodation (Per Night)

Travel Style	Low Season	Peak Season
Budget	¥150–¥250 ($21–$35)	¥200–¥350 ($28–$50)
Mid-Range	¥400–¥600 ($56–$85)	¥600–¥900 ($85–$127)
Luxury	¥1,000+ ($140+)	¥1,500+ ($210+)

🍜 Food Costs (Per Day)

Meal	Budget	Mid-Range	Luxury
Breakfast	¥10–¥25 ($1.40–$3.50)	¥30–¥50 ($4–$7)	¥80+ ($11+)
Lunch	¥20–¥40 ($3–$6)	¥60–¥100 ($8–$14)	¥150+ ($21+)
Dinner	¥30–¥50 ($4–$7)	¥100–¥180 ($14–$25)	¥250+ ($35+)

🚇 Transportation Costs

Metro (single ride): ¥2–¥7 ($0.30–$1 USD)
Taxi (base fare): ¥12 ($1.70 USD) + ¥2.6/km
Didi (ride-hailing): Comparable to Uber; ¥20–¥50 ($3–$7 USD) for short trips
Public buses: ¥2–¥5 ($0.30–$0.70 USD)
Private driver (8 hrs): ¥600–¥1,200 ($85–$170 USD)

🎟️ Top Attractions & Entry Fees

Canton Tower Observation Deck: ¥150 ($21 USD)
Chen Clan Ancestral Hall: ¥10 ($1.40 USD)
Yuexiu Park & Five Rams Statue: Free
Guangdong Museum: Free
Baiyun Mountain (cable car): ¥25 ($3.50 USD)
Chimelong Safari Park: ¥300 ($42 USD)
Shamian Island: Free

🚆 Day Trips from Guangzhou

Destination	Distance	Transport	Round Trip Cost	Highlights
Shenzhen	1 hr	High-speed train	¥150–¥200 ($21–$28)	Futian, tech scene, shopping
Foshan	45 min	Metro or Train	¥30–¥50 ($4–$7)	Martial arts, temples
Hong Kong	2 hrs	High-speed train	¥250–¥350 ($35–$50)	Skyline, shopping, nightlife
Zhuhai	2 hrs	Bus or train	¥100–¥150 ($14–$21)	Seaside promenade

💵 Daily Budget Breakdown

Traveler Type	Low Season	Peak Season
Budget	¥300–¥450 ($42–$63)	¥450–¥600 ($63–$85)
Mid-Range	¥800–¥1,200 ($113–$170)	¥1,200–¥1,500 ($170–$210)
Luxury	¥2,000+ ($280+)	¥2,800+ ($390+)

📅 Weekly Budget (7 Days)

Category	Budget	Mid-Range	Luxury
Lodging	¥1,400 ($200)	¥3,500 ($500)	¥10,000+ ($1,400+)
Food	¥700 ($100)	¥1,500 ($215)	¥4,000+ ($560+)
Transport	¥150 ($21)	¥350 ($50)	¥1,000+ ($140+)
Attractions	¥300 ($42)	¥700 ($100)	¥2,000+ ($280+)
Total	¥2,550 ($365)	¥6,050 ($860)	¥17,000+ ($2,400+)

✈️ Flight Costs to Guangzhou

Flight prices vary by departure city and season, but here’s a general estimate from the U.S.:

Low Season: $700–$900 round trip
Peak Season (April–May, Oct, Lunar New Year): $1,100–$1,400+
Tip: Save big by signing up for cheap flight alerts from Jetsetter Alerts.