Which place is cheaper, Newcastle or Chengdu?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Chengdu or Newcastle?
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 Newcastle. 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 Newcastle?
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.
Newcastle
Newcastle is 150 kilometers north of Sydney in New South Wales. It is also the second largest city in the state, and serves as a central point to explore the area's beaches, wineries, and beautiful natural landscape. North of the city is Stockton beach, which has many miles of isolated, beautiful beaches, stretching all the way up to Nelson Bay. The wineries are inland to the west and have some of Australia's finest wine which you can taste. If you want to see rainforests, you can head northwest to Barrington Tops National Park, which has great rainforests and freshwater streams. You may even get to see a platypus. The city also has the country's oldest sea port. In the past the city's economy was centered around the steel industry, but today the University of Newcastle is one of the area's most important employers.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in China, The Best Luxury Tours to China, The Best Contiki Tours to Australia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Australia.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChengdu $51Newcastle $94
The average daily cost (per person) in Chengdu is $51, while the average daily cost in Newcastle is $94. 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 Newcastle in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChengdu $21Newcastle $46
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChengdu $42Newcastle $92
Compare Hotels in Chengdu and Newcastle
Looking for a hotel in Chengdu or Newcastle? 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: Newcastle Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Chengdu $6.06Newcastle $8.63
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chengdu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Chengdu:
- Chengdu City to Chengdu Shuangliu Airport (CTU) - Departure Private Transfer: $19
- Chengdu Airport (CTU) to Chengdu - Arrival Private Transfer: $22
- Private Arrival Transfer: Chengdu International Airport (CTU) to Hotel: $23
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Chengdu International Airport (CTU): $23
- Private Transfer from Chengdu hotel to Chengdu Train Station: $27
- Private Departure Transfer:City Hotel to Any Railway Station in Chengdu : $28
- Private Arrival Transfer:Any Chengdu Railway Station to City Hotel: $28
- Private Arrival Transfer: Chengdu Airport (CTU or TFU) to Hotel: $34
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Chengdu Airport (CTU or TFU): $34
- Airport transfer between Tianfu(TFU) and Chengdu downtown: $40
- Chengdu Airport (CTU) to Chengdu - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $43
- Arrival Transfer Chengdu Airport CTU to Chengdu City by Sedan: $52
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Newcastle
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Newcastle:
- Newcastle to Newcastle Airport (NTL) - Departure Private Transfer: $27
- Bimbadgen Lunch Tour with Helicopter Transfers: $794
- Tandem Beach Skydive with Optional Transfers: $275
- Private Transfer - Newcastle Cruise Port to Sydney Airport (SYD): $92
- Private Transfer from Newcastle Airport (NTL) to Newcastle Port: $31
- Private Transfer from Newcastle City Hotels to Newcastle Port: $30
- Private Transfer from Newcastle Cruise Port to Sydney City Hotels: $92
- Private Transfer from Newcastle Port to Newcastle Airport (NTL): $31
- Private Transfer from Newcastle Port to Newcastle city hotels: $30
Is it cheaper to fly into Chengdu or Newcastle?
Prices for flights to both Newcastle 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 $22Newcastle $36
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chengdu
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Chengdu.
- Discovery more Chengdu evening food tour with locals : $55
- Eat with Locals Chengdu Dinner Tour : $62
- Tuktuk Food Tour Through Chengdu's Local Eats: $69
- Half-Day Professional Mapo Tofu Cooking Class with Local Spice Market Visit: $69
- Half day Sichuan Cuisine Cooking Class Tour(Cooking 3 dishes): $75
- Half-Day Chengdu Cooking Class with Local Market Visit: $75
- Half-Day Chengdu Farm Cooking Class & Spice Market Exploration: $75
- Chengdu Evening Food Tour: $76
- Tuk Tuk Food Tour with Unlimited Beer and Soda: $79
- Half-Day Chinese Bun Cooking Class with Local Spice Market Visit: $80
- Spicy Local Food Tour through Chengdu: $80
- Cooking Class with Fresh Market Half Day Experience: $82
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chengdu $16Newcastle $16
Tours and Activities in Chengdu
Here are a few actual costs in Chengdu for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Agent ticket booking service: Online ticket booking in China: $10
- Sichuan Opera night show Jinjiang theater tickets: $13
- Chengdu Panda Research Base Tickets And Half Day Tour(Private): $16
- Chengdu Panda Base and Dujiangyan One-Day Private Tour: $18
- Giant Panda Base tickets booking option tours: $18
- Chengdu Sichuan Opera Show Ticket - Shu Feng Ya Yun: $18
- Panda Breeding Base Private Tour/Ticket Only Option: $19
- Giant Panda Base tickets booking option tours: $19
- Private Tour of Chengdu's Top 3 Must-go Attractions w Photo Shoot: $20
- Skip the Line: Sichuan Opera Chengdu Ticket: $21
- Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base Ticket: $22
- Panda Base Tour/Ticket Only Option: $22
Tours and Activities in Newcastle
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Newcastle are as follows:
- Wine & Cheese Tasting Experience in Hunter Valley: $11
- Skip the Line: Handmade Cheese, Fruit Paste & Gourmet Bread & Wafers Lunch: $18
- True Crime Guided Walking Tour: $23
- Newcastle Dark Stories True Crime Tour: $24
- Port Stephens: Dolphin Discovery Cruise: $28
- Port Stephens: Dolphin Watch Eco Adventure: $28
- Family Pass: Fighter World Museum Admission Ticket: $32
- Architecture, Street Art & Hidden Secrets Walking Tour of Newcastle: $35
- Audrey Wilkinson Vineyard - Sweet Indulgence Experience: $39
- Newscastle: Australian Tree Ropes Course Adventure: $45
- Lake Macquarie Cruise with Lunch: $48
- Humpback Whale Watching Cruise and Harbor Tour: $52
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayChengdu $4.01Newcastle $11
Sample the Local Flavors in Newcastle
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Newcastle:
- Cael’s Gate Wine Tasting in Broke: $7.02
- Boutique Wine Tasting Experience in Pokolbin: $7.05
- Ivanhoe Wines: Trip Advisor Seated Wine Tasting : $11
- Distillery Tour at Earp Distilling Co.: $14
- 30-Minute Distillery Guided Tour in Carrington : $14
- Ivanhoe Wines: Trip Advisor Premium Wine Tasting: $21
- Tulloch Wines - Wine Tasting paired with Local Handmade Chocolates: $25
- Cheese and Wine Tasting Experience in Pokolbin: $27
- Tulloch Wines- Mystery Wine Tasting Experience with Local Cheese and Charcuterie: $35
- Tintilla Estate: Wine Tasting with a Meat and Cheese Platter: $35
- Tulloch Wines Hunter Heroes Wine Tasting with Local Cheese & Charcuterie Board: $35
- Premium Wine Tasting Experience in Pokolbin: $53
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chengdu and Newcastle, we can see that Newcastle 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 Newcastle 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 Newcastle would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Newcastle 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 Newcastle Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Chengdu or Newcastle?
Chengdu has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Newcastle. When comparing the sizes of Chengdu and Newcastle, 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.