Which place is cheaper, Adelaide or Chengdu?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Chengdu or Adelaide?
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 Chengdu and Adelaide. 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: Chengdu or Adelaide?
Chengdu
Chengdu is in China's Sichuan Provence and is in what is known as the Red Basin. It is a particularly fertile region in China that is known for its agriculture. For this reason it is sometimes referred to as the "Land of Milk and Honey". The Funan River cuts through the city but has almost no boat traffic anymore. The city itself has a wonderful relaxed vibe compared to the rest of China and is filled with green parks and places to relax. It is considered one of the most livable cities in China.
Adelaide
Adelaide is the often overlooked capital city of the State of South Australia. It's also the fifth largest city in the country. Despite being skipped by most travelers, Adelaide is an interesting city to explore and has a decent amount to offer open minded travelers. It has some fascinating architecture, unique shopping, and wonderful cafes and restaurants. Part of the appeal of Adelaide is its location in the midst of Australia's wine regions, including McLaren Vale, Barossa Valley, and Clare Valley. Any of these destinations could be visited as a day trip from Adelaide.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in China, The Best Luxury Tours to China, The Best G Adventures Tours to Australia, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Sydney.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChengdu $50Adelaide $109
The average daily cost (per person) in Chengdu is $50, while the average daily cost in Adelaide is $109. 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 Chengdu and Adelaide in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChengdu $21Adelaide $65
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChengdu $42Adelaide $130
Compare Hotels in Chengdu and Adelaide
Looking for a hotel in Chengdu or Adelaide? 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: Adelaide Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Chengdu $5.93Adelaide $18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chengdu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Chengdu:
- [Airport Transfer] Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport Kosheng City Transfer High reputation for service! : $22
- Sichuan Face Changing Opera With Door to Door Private Transfer: $52
- Roundtrip Transfer: Chengdu to Giant Buddha/Panda/Dujiangyan: $55
- Round-Trip Private Transfer between Emei Shan and Chengdu City: $113
- Private Transfer to Leshan Giant Buddha: $110
- Private Transfer from Chengdu to Mount Emei and Stops at Leshan Giant Buddha: $160
- Private Transfer from Chengdu hotel to Chengdu Train Station: $27
- Private Transfer from Chengdu Shuangliu Airport to Chengdu Hotel: $52
- Private Transfer from Chengdu City Hotels to Airport: $35
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Chengdu Train Stations: $23
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Chengdu International Airport (CTU): $23
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Chengdu Airport (CTU or TFU): $34
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Adelaide
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Adelaide are as follows:
-
Shuttle from the Train Station$3.57
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Adelaide
Also for Adelaide, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Adelaide Airport (ADL) to Adelaide - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $76
- Adelaide Airport (ADL): Private Transfer to Adelaide Port: $252
- Adelaide Airport (ADL): Private Transfer to Adelaide hotels: $218
- Adelaide Airport Transfers : Adelaide City to Airport ADL in Luxury Car: $106
- Adelaide Airport(ADL)to Adelaide city - Arrival Private Transfer: $38
- Adelaide Airport: One-Way Private Transfer to Adelaide: $57
- Adelaide Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Adelaide city: $252
- Adelaide Private Airport and City Transfer: $109
- Full-Day Private City Tour with Hotel Transfers: $490
- Arrival Private Transfers: Adelaide Airport ADL to Adelaide in Business Car: $62
- Departure Private Transfers: Adelaide to Adelaide Airport ADL in Luxury Van: $92
- One Day Kangaroo Island Sip & See tour with return ferry transfers from Adelaide: $246
Is it cheaper to fly into Chengdu or Adelaide?
Prices for flights to both Adelaide and Chengdu 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
-
Food Meals for one dayChengdu $22Adelaide $31
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chengdu
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Chengdu.
- Sichuan Opera Face-Changing Show And Hotpot Dinner Evening Tour: $40
- Half-Day Chinese Bun Cooking Class with Local Spice Market Visit: $56
- Chengdu evening food tour by local guide: $60
- Half day Chengdu Dumpling making Cooking Class: Make from Scratch: $62
- Discovery more Chengdu evening food tour with locals : $65
- Tuktuk Food Tour Through Chengdu's Local Eats: $69
- Half-Day Professional Mapo Tofu Cooking Class with Local Spice Market Visit: $69
- Half-Day Dandan Noodles Cooking Class with Local Spice Market Visit: $70
- Sichuan Opera Show VIP Seat Tickets w/ Transfer or Dinner: $71
- Half Day Chengdu Tofu Making Class with Mapo Tofu Cooking: $72
- Half-Day Private Sichuan Hot-Pot Cooking Class with Local Spice Market Visit: $80
- Spicy Local Food Tour through Chengdu: $80
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Adelaide
For Adelaide, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- HandleBar Bike Tour with Pub Stops & Dinner Option: $23
- Local Food Tour and Tastings with Guide: $78
- Cooking classes Goolwa: $129
- Small-Group River Murray Dark Sky and Sunset Tour with Dinner: $192
- Pipi Catching and Cooking Experience in Goolwa : $230
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chengdu $16Adelaide $13
Tours and Activities in Chengdu
Here are a few actual costs in Chengdu for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Chengdu Leshan Buddha and Drop off off Railway Station Day Tour: $226
- Private Chengdu Panda Base and Sichuan Cuisine Museum Day Tour: $120
- 1 Day Wolong Panda Nature Reserve Tour: $218
- 1 day Chengdu City Highlights Mini Group tour: $102
- 1-Day Chengdu Ancient History and Culture City Tour: $179
- 1-Day Chengdu Cultural Discovery:Jinsha,Shu Brocade Museum & Dufu Cottage Tour : $189
- 1-Day Chengdu Cultural Tour: Ancient Poets and Temples: $189
- 1-Day Chengdu Leshan Giant Buddha Private Tour With the Lunch and Boat tour: $242
- 1-Day Chengdu Panda Base and Leshan Giant Buddha GROUP Tour: $144
- 1-Day Chengdu Panda Base and Leshan Giant Buddha Private Tour with the Lunch: $246
- 1-Day Chengdu Private Tour: Dujiangyan Ancient River Irrigation and Temple Site : $213
- 1-Day Dujiangyan Self-Guided Tour: Panda Volunteer and Water Irrigation System: $123
Tours and Activities in Adelaide
For Adelaide, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Adelaide Self-Guided Audio Tour: $1.00
- Queer Adelaide History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
- River Torrens Popeye Sightseeing Cruise: $17
- Torrens River Cruise in Adelaide: $17
- Adelaide Oval Stadium Guided Tour: $18
- Adelaide Oval Stadium Tour: $19
- An exciting, Tree Top Adventure for Our Littlest Adventurers : $23
- River Torrens Popeye Devonshire Tea Cruise: $25
- Adelaide Walking Tour: Hills, Squares and Parklands: $27
- Adelaide Gaol Adults Ghost Tour & Investigation: $28
- City Highlights Walking Tour with Guide: $29
- Private Home Style Indian Dining Experience: $30
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayChengdu $3.93Adelaide $22
Sample the Local Flavors in Adelaide
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Adelaide:
- Private Pinot Noir Wine Tasting & Platter in Adelaide Hills: $30
- River Torrens Desserts And Wine Tour: $42
- McLaren Vale and Glenelg Wine Tasting Tour: $52
- McLaren Vale and Glenelg Wine Tasting and Sightseeing (Half-day Afternoon): $52
- Highlights, Hahndorf, & McLaren Vale Wine Tastings: $78
- Adelaide Highlights, Hahndorf & McLaren Vale Wine Tasting and Sightseeing Tour: $79
- The Barossa Valley Premium Wine Tour with Lunch: $110
- From Barossa Valley Food and Wine Tour: $110
- Barossa Valley Full-Day Wine Tasting Tour: $112
- Barossa Valley Food and Wine Tour: $131
- Barossa Small Group Wine Tours - Local Guide: $131
- Adelaide Hills Full Day Wine Tour: $131
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chengdu and Adelaide, we can see that Adelaide is more expensive. And not only is Chengdu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Chengdu is in Asia and Adelaide 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 Chengdu would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chengdu 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 Adelaide would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Adelaide than you might in Chengdu.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Chengdu Expensive? and Is Adelaide Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Chengdu or Adelaide?
Chengdu has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Adelaide. When comparing the sizes of Chengdu and Adelaide, 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.