Which place is cheaper, Dali or Bangkok?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Bangkok or Dali?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Bangkok and Dali can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Bangkok or Dali?
Bangkok
Bangkok: a name synonymous with all things exotic. The vibrant and exciting capital of Thailand is not just a hub for Southeast Asia, but also a destination into itself. Known for an active nightlife and party scene, as well as great food, historic temples, and busy markets, Bangkok offers a diversity to entertain even the most experienced travelers.
Dali
Dali is a city in southern China with a long and glorious history dating back to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The Xiaguan neighborhood of the city is the modern industrial center where most public transportation arrives; however, the Old Town of Dali is the place that draws the most visitors. Being one of China's ancient cities, Dali is said to have been a gateway to the Silk Road, and still attracts attention with its traditional architecture, beautiful scenery, ethnic cultures, and nightlife.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Thailand, The Best Wildlife Tours to Thailand, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, and The Best Adventure Tours to China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBangkok $86Dali $49
The average daily cost (per person) in Bangkok is $86, while the average daily cost in Dali is $49. 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 Bangkok and Dali in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBangkok $47Dali $17
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBangkok $94Dali $34
Compare Hotels in Bangkok and Dali
Looking for a hotel in Bangkok or Dali? 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: Bangkok Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bangkok $6.53Dali $9.45
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bangkok
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Bangkok are as follows:
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Tuk Tuk to bus station$2.47
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Skytrain Ticket$4.94
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Chao Phraya River Express Ticket$0.99
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Ferry Ride$0.80
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Taxi From Airport$7.72
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Short Taxi Ride$2.78
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Boat Taxi$1.54
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Trains to airport$4.94
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bangkok
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bangkok:
- oneway transfer service Bangkok-Hua hin: $77
- Wat Pho The Reclining Buddha Ticket with Transfer in Bangkok: $27
- Tuk-tuk tour Bangkok by Night with Chinatown meal and hotel transfers: $61
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Hua Hin APT-HTL (BKK): $71
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Bangkok HTL- APT(BKK): $19
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Bangkok APT-HTL (BKK): $19
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Pattaya APT-HTL (DMK): $67
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Hua Hin APT-HTL (DMK): $71
- Transfer from Don Mueang Airport (DMK) to Pattaya: $65
- Transfer from Don Mueang Airport (DMK) to HuaHin: $82
- Transfer from DMK Donmuaeng International Airport to BKK Suvarnabhumi Airport: $33
- Transfer from Bangkok Airport to Pranburi: $127
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Dali
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Dali:
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Local Bus$0.43
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dali
Also for Dali, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Dali Airport Chauffeur Service,Dali Airport Transfer: $40
- Private Transfer from Dali to Lijiang/Shuhe hotel: $149
- Private Transfer from Dali to Lijiang/Shuhe hotel and Stops at Shaxi Old Town: $160
Is it cheaper to fly into Bangkok or Dali?
Prices for flights to both Dali and Bangkok 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 dayBangkok $21Dali $18
Typical Food Prices in Bangkok
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Bangkok:
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Dinner at Hard Rock Cafe (for Two)$28
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Casual Lunch of Prawns (for Two)$6.18
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2 Rotis (Bread)$1.39
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Mango & Sticky Rice$0.93
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Lunch at KFC (for Two)$6.18
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Pad Thai$2.16
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Airport Lunch for 2$17
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Lunch for 2$23
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bangkok
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bangkok.
- White Orchid Chao Phraya Dinner Cruise: $21
- Meridian Dinner Cruise with Live Music: $21
- Baiyoke Sky Observation Deck With Dinner or Lunch & Thai Massage: $23
- Baiyoke Observation Deck with Lunch/Dinner Buffet: $23
- Chao Phraya Princess Dinner Cruise Ticket: $26
- River Dinner Cruise on the Chao Phraya Princess: $26
- Meridian Sunset Dinner Cruise - Floating Paradise From ICONSIAM Bangkok: $26
- 2-Hour Dinner Cruise on the Chao Phraya Princess: $27
- Calypso Cabaret Show with Thai Set Dinner: $27
- Chao Phraya Buffet Dinner Viva Alangka Cruise: $30
- Alangka Luxury Buffet Dinner Cruise With Live Music: $30
- Viva Alangka Chao Phraya Dinner Cruise: $30
Typical Food Prices in Dali
For Dali, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch$4.54
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Breakfast$3.55
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bangkok $18Dali $18
Typical Entertainment Prices in Bangkok
Here are a few typical costs in Bangkok for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Movie Ticket$4.94
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Grand Palace Entrance Ticket$11
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Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha) Ticket$1.54
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Dusit Zoo Entrance Fee (for Two)$6.18
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Club Cover Charge$12
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Thai Boxing Tickets (for Two)$74
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Fish Pedicure$4.63
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Wat Pho entrance ticket$3.09
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Siriraj Museum (2)$12
Tours and Activities in Bangkok
Here are a few actual costs in Bangkok for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- A Day in Ayutthaya: Private 5 UNESCO Temples Tour From Bangkok: $119
- Ayutthaya Historic Park Group Tour from Bangkok: $65
- Bangkok 4 Hour Cultural & Temples Tour Private with Guide: $97
- Bangkok Sea Life + Madame Tussauds Entrance Tickets : $51
- Bangkok Thrilling Tuk Tuk Tour (Private & All-Inclusive): $95
- Maeklong Railway & Floating Market Tour (Private & All-Inclusive): $146
- Sunset Sail, Glittering Temspls at Afternoon Ayutthaya Tours : $53
- Tuk-Tuk Tour Bangkok By Night With Chinatown Street: $70
- 'Sunset Cruise' Canal Boat Tour - Fully guided 3hrs: $82
- "Bangkok Walking Hopping Tour" show city’s historic sights are located.: $74
- (Join Tour) BANGKOK 'S 2 HOURS CANAL TOUR: $86
- 1-hour Bangkok Old City NIGHT Tour on Private TUK TUK: $20
Tours and Activities in Dali
For Dali, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1-Day Erhai Sightseeing in Dali: $129
- 1-Day Tie Dye Experience Tour in Dali: $160
- Private hiking tour to Cangshan Mountain from Dali: $175
- Private tour to Xizhou old town local market Erhai lake three Pagodas from Dali: $184
- Dali Private Tour to Xizhou Ancient Town and Erhai Lake : $186
- 1-Day Dali tour with the Daili old town, Xizhou Village and Three Pagodas: $195
- 2-Days Self-Guided tour from Dali to Lijiang and overnight in Shaxi old town: $205
- All inclusive Dali Erhai cruise three pagoda xizhou market: $210
- Private Customized Tour: Dali City Highlights in One Day: $213
- All Inclusive Private Day Tour to Shaxi Ancient Town from Dali: $213
- Private Day Tour: Erhai Lake, Three Pagodas, Dali Ancient Town: $217
- Dali Yunnan Local Market + Pottery Making Eco Tour: $220
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBangkok $6.76Dali $11
Typical Alcohol Prices in Bangkok
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Bangkok are as follows:
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Beer$1.24
Sample the Local Flavors in Bangkok
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Bangkok:
- Bangkok After Dark: Pub Crawl Adventure: $23
- Pub Crawl: $27
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bangkok and Dali, we can see that Bangkok is more expensive. And not only is Dali much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Dali would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Dali 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 Bangkok would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bangkok than you might in Dali.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bangkok Expensive? and Is Dali Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bangkok or Dali?
Bangkok has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Dali. When comparing the sizes of Bangkok and Dali, 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.
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.