Dalian is an exciting destination known for its beauty, culture, food, and exciting activities. In this travel cost guide, we'll cover everything you need to know to plan your travel budget and have an amazing trip without spending too much. This guide includes average trip costs from previous travelers, typical hotel prices, food and dining costs, entertainment and sightseeing prices, and information about transportation.
How much does it cost to travel to Dalian?
You should plan to spend around $121 (¥887) per day on your vacation in Dalian. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $46 (¥340) on meals
- $40 (¥294) on local transportation
- $107 (¥784) on hotels
A one week trip to Dalian for two people costs, on average, $1,695 (¥12,418). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
-
One Week
Per person
$847
¥6,209
-
2 Weeks
Per person
$1,695
¥12,418
-
One Month
Per person
$3,632
¥26,610
-
One Week
For a couple
$1,695
¥12,418
-
2 Weeks
For a couple
$3,389
¥24,836
-
One Month
For a couple
$7,263
¥53,220
How much does a one week, two week, or one month trip to Dalian cost?
A one week trip to Dalian usually costs around $847 (¥6,209) for one person and $1,695 (¥12,418) for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
A two week trip to Dalian on average costs around $1,695 (¥12,418) for one person and $3,389 (¥24,836) for two people. This cost includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
Please note, prices can vary based on your travel style, speed, and other variables. If you're traveling as a family of three or four people, the price per person often goes down because kid's tickets are cheaper and hotel rooms can be shared. If you travel slower over a longer period of time then your daily budget will also go down. Two people traveling together for one month in Dalian will often have a lower daily budget per person than one person traveling alone for one week.
A one month trip to Dalian on average costs around $3,632 (¥26,610) for one person and $7,263 (¥53,220) for two people. The more places you visit, the higher the daily price will become due to increased transportation costs.
Is Dalian expensive to visit?
Dalian is a small yet inviting destination that captivates travelers with a mix of travel preferences, spending habits, and budgetary ranges. You'll find a wide array of accommodation options, such as luxury hotels, mid-range places, or budget-friendly hostels.
Dalian can be very expensive if you want it to be, but there are ways to cut down on your costs, like looking for discounts and coupons.
On average, budget travelers spend $54 (¥388) per day, mid-range travelers spend $122 (¥887) per day, and luxury travelers spend around $234 (¥1,696) per day. These costs are calculated from the expenses of previous travelers to Dalian.
Within Asia, Dalian is a somewhat more expensive destination compared to other places. It is in the top 25% of cities in Asia for its travel costs. While some cities in the region are more expensive, Dalian is generally more expensive than most.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Dalian Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Dalian?
The average Dalian trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Dalian travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers. Also, you can see more details at How much does a trip to Dalian cost?
Dalian on a Budget
|
Category
|
Budget
|
Mid-Range
|
Luxury
|
Accommodation 1
For 1 person in double occupancy
|
$23
(¥171)
|
$53
(¥392)
|
$102
(¥749)
|
|
Local Transportation 1
|
$18
(¥129)
|
$40
(¥294)
|
$77
(¥562)
|
|
Food 2
|
$20
(¥149)
|
$46
(¥340)
|
$89
(¥649)
|
|
Entertainment 1
|
$2
(¥15)
|
$5
(¥35)
|
$9
(¥66)
|
|
Alcohol 2
|
$1-4
(¥10-30)
|
$3-9
(¥23-69)
|
$6-18
(¥44-131)
|
Realistic Expectations for Your Travel Budget
Having realistic expectations for your travel expenses is important. While many assume they can visit Dalian on a tight budget, the truth is that most people don't enjoy traveling that way. Think about what you prioritize on vacation. Do you prefer staying in resorts or hostels? Do you love exploring sights and attractions, or dining out? Your preferences will directly impact your budget and travel plans.
What Does It Mean to Be a Budget Traveler?
You might think you're a budget traveler, but unless you're willing to sacrifice many comforts, expect to spend a lot more than the average of $54 per day that backpackers typically manage.
Younger budget travelers sometimes stick to a shoestring budget, which usually means staying in hostel dorms, eating at budget restaurants or fast food, relying on public transportation or walking, and limiting activities to free attractions.
What Makes You an Average Traveler?
If you're a family or couple enjoying a vacation, you'll most likely want to stay in a mid-range hotel, eat at trendy restaurants, and check out the main museums and attractions that charge for entry. Exploring the major attractions, museums, sights, and landmarks is a must for most visitors to Dalian. Keep in mind that most activities have costs associated with them. Hence, you should realistically expect your daily budget to hover around $122 per person, per day.
Looking to Travel in Luxury?
If you want an all encompassing getaway with top-notch amenities and exceptional service, get ready for a daily cost around $234. Staying in upscale hotels, dining at acclaimed restaurants, indulging in lavish activities, and using taxis or private drivers to navigate the destination will require a more luxurious budget. Many luxury travelers also enjoy unique experiences such as Dalian City Private Day Tour in Your Way - offered by Viator.
Accommodation Budget in Dalian
Dalian offers a broad range of hotel prices, from budget to luxury. Higher-end hotels come with more amenities and higher prices, particularly during peak season. Off-season, you'll find average rates around $0, but during peak season, they can average $0. Prices range from $0 to $0, and hostels tend to be much cheaper. Save money by visiting during the low season or by taking advantage of early booking and special promotions.
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid in Dalian for two people for a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $107 (¥784). For one person sharing a room, the average price paid for a hotel room is $53 (¥392) per night. These costs are from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Dalian? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
Traveling during the shoulder or low season, instead of , can save you money on accommodations and spare you the heavy tourist crowds.
Transportation Budget in Dalian
Unfortunately, Dalian does not provide a solid public transit network.
Calculated from travelers like you
-
On average, past travelers have spent $40 (¥294) per person, per day, on local transportation in Dalian. The cost of a taxi ride or rideshare service (Uber/Lyft) in Dalian is significantly more than public transportation.
-
Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$40
¥294
Some of the standard hotel transfers and transport options include:
- Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport Chauffeur Service , to Dalian Transfer for $27 details
- Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport Chauffeur Service , to Dalian Transfer for $40 details
How much does it cost to go to Dalian? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Dalian will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Food Budget in Dalian
One of the biggest draws for travelers is the food, so be sure to savor the local flavors.
Calculated from travelers like you
-
While restaurant and meal prices in Dalian can vary significantly, the average cost of food in Dalian is $46 (¥340) per day, per person, based on the spending habits of previous travelers.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$46
¥340
When dining out, the average daily cost for food in Dalian is around $47 (¥340) per person, with previous travelers spending from $20 to $89. Generally, breakfast and lunch cost less than dinner, but this will depend on the type of restaurant and what you order.
Typical meal prices in Dalian are as follows:
- Breakfast: $5 to $14
- Lunch: $7 to $19
- Dinner: $14 to $33
- Coffee: $4
- Fast Food or Street Food: $7
Dalian cuisine is influence by Dongbei cuisine, which often has large portions and simple flavors. Being a peninsula city, expect to also see a lot of seafood incorporated into dishes. You'll find that Dalian has a huge number of restaurant options, no matter your taste or price range, and its pretty easy to wander into any restaurant and get a great meal. Head to the Zhongshan and Xigang districts for some of the best restaurant options.
As with food, there's a huge variety of bars in Dalian, ranging from small bars filled with locals to huge clubs full of foreign students. You'll also find many night markets where you can pick up a beer and some light food while wandering around or sitting in one of makeshift seating areas.
Many accommodations throw in breakfast at no extra cost, though others might charge you for it. The price and quality can greatly vary by hotel. Knowing this in advance can help you figure out if you need to spend more money. You might find the hotel's buffet is worth it, or you may prefer to grab a cheaper bite at a local bakery or cafe.
Stay hydrated with a water bottle instead of purchasing drinks everywhere. It's also great for the environment.
Before you head out on a tour, be sure to find out which meals are included. You could end up paying for some meals out of pocket, which can impact your budget.
Sightseeing and Activities Budget in Dalian
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Sightseeing activities, entertainment, and entrance tickets in Dalian typically cost an average of $4.73 (¥35) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
-
Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$4.73
¥35
Experience the multi-cultural beauty of Dalian at Zhongshan Square, located in the center of the financial district. The square was designed by Russians but the majority of the buildings were done by the Japanese rulers in the 1920's. The square acts as a huge social hub where you'll find locals playing sports or just chatting, making it a wonderful place to get lost in the Dalian atmosphere.
Continue your exploration of Dalian's past with a visit to Russian Street, so named for being one of the few places where you can explore the houses left behind by former Russian colonizers. Some of the buildings are replicas, although there are a few originals that have been preserved, including the Dalian Art Gallery. The gallery is housed inside of a 1910 Russian building and hosts local artists works ranging from the traditional Chinese art forms to modern art. You can also see some Russian influence at People's Square in the center of the city, where many of the government buildings are, a few of which have the old Russian style architecture. People's Square is also a great place to people watch, fly a kite, or walk around the fountains.
For great views of the city, climb up to the TV Tower on top of a hill in Labour Park. There are cable cars to take you to the tower, as well as a slightly hidden path that you can hike up the hill in order to avoid too many tourists at the tower. While you can take a cable car down, go for something a little more adventurous and take the slide down!
More hiking can be found near Heping Square in the Shahekou District or take a leisurely climb up Taishan Mountain, which provides panoramic views of the city. If it's warm enough when you visit, a must is a visit to one of the beaches. You can find swimming beaches in Xinghai Square and Xinghai Park, these are two different locations, with the square being in the southwest part of the city.
Local tours that last a few hours can be a great way to explore Dalian. Prices vary by the type of activity or tour, the dates, and the size of the group. Here are a few of the highest rated tours by previous visitors:
- Dalian City Private Day Tour in Your Way for $250 details
Nightlife Budget in Dalian
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average person spends about $6.24 (¥46) on nightlife and alcoholic beverages in Dalian per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$6.24
¥46
Nightlife is a blast when traveling, but scaling back on drinks can really help stretch your travel budget.
Travel cost data last updated: Dec 3, 2024
Traveling in Dalian
Dalian, China
Dalian, China is a very large peninsula city located in the southernmost part of the Liaoning Province in northeast China. The area has a wealth of history, with roots in Russian and Japanese rule, resulting in unique architecture and many universities that attract foreign students and teachers. Dalian is also known for their beautiful green spaces and relaxing beaches which juxtapose a lot of the more industrial cities found throughout other areas of northern China.
Dalian is arguably at its most beautiful during the spring time when cherry blossoms begin to bloom and temperatures are a little more comfortable in the low 70's Fahrenheit. Autumn is another great time to visit, although temperatures tend to be in the low 60's, you'll likely beat the humidity and crowds. Summers see many domestic tourists as Dalian gets reaches the high 80's making for perfect swimming weather in one of the beaches.
Neighborhoods & Around
Due to Dalian's large size, the city has been divided into four districts. One of the major districts is Zhongshan, where you'll find the Zhongshan Square and Labour Park. Zhongshan District also has a huge selection of restaurants, bars, and accommodations. The other major district is Xigang, where you'll find more of the Russian influenced architecture on Russian Street and at People's Square.
A smaller district, Shahekou, is best known for Xinghai Sqaure, the largest square in Asia. It also has a few small mountains and hills that are worth a short climb to enjoy the views. Finally, there is Ganjingzi District, which is not of much interest to tourists due to it being the major industrial area of the city. With that said, Ganjingzi is one of the areas tourists are most likely to pass through as it is home to the Dalian International Airport.
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
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.