Which place is cheaper, Queenstown or Chengdu?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Chengdu or Queenstown?
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 Queenstown. 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 Queenstown?
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.
Queenstown
Queenstown is a popular tourist destination on New Zealand's South Island. It is beautifully surrounded by the Southern Alps and sits on the banks of Lake Wakatipu. Across the lake you will find a stunning view of the Remarkables, a dramatic mountain range. The town itself is quite touristy, but prices still remain reasonable. There are options for all travel budgets, whether you're a backpacker hoping to save a few dollars or a family looking for some luxury accommodation. Despite its natural and tranquil setting, Queenstown is actually very much a party town, particularly during the peak seasons. Don't be surprised to find people out enjoying themselves until the early hours of the morning. If you're not into the party scene and are hoping to get a decent night's sleep, consider staying a little outside of town. About an hour outside of Queenstown you'll find Wanaka, which is a much smaller and peaceful town without the party scene.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in China, The Best Luxury Tours to China, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in New Zealand, and The Best 10-Day Tours in New Zealand.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChengdu $52Queenstown $111
The average daily cost (per person) in Chengdu is $52, while the average daily cost in Queenstown is $111. 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 Queenstown in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChengdu $21Queenstown $59
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChengdu $42Queenstown $118
Compare Hotels in Chengdu and Queenstown
Looking for a hotel in Chengdu or Queenstown? 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: Queenstown Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Chengdu $6.09Queenstown $11
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 to Chengdu Airport (CTU) - Departure Private Transfer: $21
- Chengdu Airport (CTU) to Chengdu - Arrival Private Transfer: $21
- [Airport Transfer] Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport Kosheng City Transfer High reputation for service! : $22
- Private Arrival Transfer: Chengdu International Airport (CTU) to Hotel: $23
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Chengdu International Airport (CTU): $23
- Private Departure Transfer:City Hotel to Any Railway Station in Chengdu : $28
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Chengdu Airport (CTU or TFU): $34
- Private Arrival Transfer: Chengdu Airport (CTU or TFU) to Hotel: $34
- Downtown to Sichuan Opera round way transfer: $39
- Airport transfer between Tianfu(TFU) and Chengdu downtown: $40
- Private Transfer from Chengdu Hotel to Chengdu Shuangliu Airport: $52
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Queenstown
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Queenstown:
- From Mount Cook Transfer w/ Guided Landmark Tour: $108
- Private Transfer from Queenstown Central to Wanaka: $188
- Private Transfer from Queenstown to Milford Sound Cruise Port: $171
- Private Transfer from Wanaka to Queenstown Airport: $188
- Private Transfer from Wanaka to Queenstown Central: $188
- Private Transfers from Queenstown Airport to Wanaka : $188
- QUEENSTOWN:Private 1 way Airport transfer to/from CBD Hotels: $70
- QUEENSTOWN:Private 1 way Airport transfer to/from CBD Hotels: $61
- Queenstown Airport: One-Way Private Transfer to Queenstown: $35
- Milford Sound Cruise with Helicopter Transfer: $798
- Tasman Glacier Helihike with Flight Transfers: $985
Is it cheaper to fly into Chengdu or Queenstown?
Prices for flights to both Queenstown 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
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Food Meals for one dayChengdu $22Queenstown $38
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
- Discovery more Chengdu evening food tour with locals : $55
- Eat with Locals Chengdu Dinner Tour : $61
- Tuktuk Food Tour Through Chengdu's Local Eats: $69
- Half-Day Professional Mapo Tofu Cooking Class with Local Spice Market Visit: $69
- Half Day Chengdu Tofu Making Class with Mapo Tofu Cooking: $72
- Half day Sichuan Cuisine Cooking Class Tour(Cooking 3 dishes): $75
- Half-Day Chengdu Cooking Class with Local Market Visit: $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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Queenstown
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Queenstown.
- Bar Crawl with 5 Free Shots and Pizza: $18
- Dinner at Walter Peak High Country Farm and Cruise from Queenstown: $120
- Queenstown Progressive Dinner Tour | Experience 3 Locations: $239
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chengdu $16Queenstown $23
Tours and Activities in Chengdu
Here are a few actual costs in Chengdu for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Customize Your China Tour 2024/2025: $5.00
- 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
- Giant Panda Base tickets booking option tours: $18
- Chengdu Panda Base and Dujiangyan One-Day Private Tour: $18
- Chengdu Sichuan Opera Show Ticket - Shu Feng Ya Yun: $18
- Giant Panda Base tickets booking option tours: $19
- Panda Breeding Base Private Tour/Ticket Only Option: $20
- Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding Ticket pre-booking: $20
- Private Tour of Chengdu's Top 3 Must-go Attractions w Photo Shoot: $20
- Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base Ticket: $22
Typical Entertainment Prices in Queenstown
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Queenstown are as follows:
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Skyline Gondola (for 2)$32
Tours and Activities in Queenstown
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Queenstown are as follows:
- Time Tripper Underwater Experience: $12
- Skip the Line: Odyssey Sensory Maze Entry Queenstown Ticket: $20
- Private Race Car Simulation Experience: $21
- Augmented Reality Escape Adventure: $25
- Fear Factory Haunted House Admission Ticket: $25
- Escape Adventure AR Experience in Queenstown: $25
- Minus 5 Ice Bar Experience with Drink Options: $28
- Go Karts - Highlands Motorsport and Tourism Park: $31
- Kiwi Park Admission Ticket: $37
- Lake Wakatipu Scenic Cruise: $43
- Kids Club Experience Including Childcare: $49
- Queenstown Hop-on Hop-off Evening Beer Tour: $57
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayChengdu $4.04Queenstown $9.50
Sample the Local Flavors in Queenstown
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Queenstown:
- Ice Bar Crawl: $25
- Jump on the Wine Hopper - Queenstown's Flexible Wine Tour!: $55
- Queenstown & Gibbston Valley: Hop-On Hop-Off Wine Tours: $55
- Craft Beer Brewery Tour with Lunch: $114
- Afternoon Wine Tasting Tour with 3 Wineries: $120
- Classic Wine Tour: $123
- Afternoon Boutique Wine Tour: $139
- Queenstown Classic Wine Tour: 3 Vineyards, Caves and Cheeseboard: $139
- Wine Tasting Tour: $141
- Central Otago Wine Tour from Queenstown Including Lunch: $165
- Wine Tour & Maori Culture Queenstown: $178
- Gourmet Food and Wine Tour with Lunch and Wine Tastings: $178
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chengdu and Queenstown, we can see that Queenstown 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 Queenstown 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 Queenstown would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Queenstown 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 Queenstown Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Chengdu or Queenstown?
Chengdu has a larger population, and is about 380 times larger than the population of Queenstown. When comparing the sizes of Chengdu and Queenstown, 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.