Which place is cheaper, Sydney or Chengdu?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Chengdu or Sydney?
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 Sydney. 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 Sydney?
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.
Sydney
Sydney, known as the harbour city, is the most famous and frequently visited city in Australia. It is at the economical and cultural heart of the country, and is one of the most beautiful and livable cities in the world. It's situated on the water with stunning views of the famous harbour throughout the city. It's most famous landmarks include the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It is also very close wonderful beaches, parks, and nature.
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.
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Chengdu Prices
China PricesSydney Prices
Australia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChengdu $72Sydney $221
The average daily cost (per person) in Chengdu is $72, while the average daily cost in Sydney is $221. 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 Sydney in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChengdu $23Sydney $110
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChengdu $46Sydney $220
Compare Hotels in Chengdu and Sydney
Looking for a hotel in Chengdu or Sydney? 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: Chengdu Hotel Prices and Sydney Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Chengdu $6.42Sydney $16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chengdu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Chengdu:
- 1-Day Chengdu Layover Tour: Leshan Giant buddha with Round Airport Transfer: $205
- 1-Day Chengdu Layover Tour: Panda Base, city central with Round Airport Transfer: $240
- Airport transfer between Tianfu(TFU) and Chengdu downtown: $45
- Authentic Chengdu Dining Experience with with Private Transfers: $60
- Chengdu 3-Day Self-Guided Jiuzhaigou&Huanglong with Transfer: $412
- Chengdu Airport (CTU) to Chengdu - Arrival Private Transfer: $30
- Chengdu Airport (CTU) to Chengdu - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $59
- Chengdu Airport (TFU) to Chengdu - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $62
- Chengdu Airport (TFU) to Chengdu city - Arrival Private Transfer: $31
- Chengdu Airport to Hotel: Private Transfer for up to 40 pax: $230
- Chengdu Airports transfers: Private, Meet & Greet Service: $33
- Chengdu City to Chengdu Shuangliu Airport (CTU) - Departure Private Transfer: $29
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Sydney
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Sydney:
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Taxi Ride$14
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Taxi to Airport$17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sydney
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sydney:
- 11:30AM Sydney Airport-Hotel transfer with Bondi Tour: $125
- 9:30AM Sydney Airport-Hotel transfer with City Half Day Tour: $112
- Arrival Transfer: Sydney Airport SYD to Sydney by Luxury Van: $119
- Chauffeur Airport Transfers Sydney - Up to 15 Passengers: $99
- Chauffeur Service Sydney For Luxury Airport Transfers: $112
- Circular Quay Cruise Port to Sydney Airport (SYD) Transfer: $26
- Departure Transfer: Sydney to Sydney Airport SYD in Luxury Van: $119
- From Sydney Hotels - Hotel Transfer to Airport: $355
- From Special Event, Festival or Conference Transfers: $661
- Luxury Mini Bus - Sydney Airport Transfers: $232
- Luxury Van - Sydney Airport Private Departure Transfer: $128
- Minivan Arrival Transfer from Sydney Airport SYD to Sydney City: $168
Is it cheaper to fly into Chengdu or Sydney?
Prices for flights to both Sydney 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 $41Sydney $82
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chengdu
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Chengdu.
- Chengdu Night: VIP Seat Opera Show or Back Alley Food Tour: $40
- Chengdu Vegetarian Cooking Class at a Local Home: $45
- Private Chengdu TukTuk Food Tour: Hidden Alleys & Local Eats: $59
- Chengdu Food Tour Local Delicacies and Ear Cleaning: $59
- Chengdu Hidden Street Food Tour Spice Trails: $60
- Eat Like a Local! Food Tour in the Hidden Alleys: $67
- Food Tour Through Chengdu Local Eats: $68
- Discovery more Chengdu evening food tour with locals: $69
- Tuktuk Food Tour Through Chengdu's Local Eats: $73
- Evening Food Tour with Local Guide: $78
- Chengdu Evening Food Tour: $79
- Chengdu Cooking Class with a Local Market Visit: $80
Typical Food Prices in Sydney
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Sydney:
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Tea$2.79
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Lunch Special$10
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Food/Drink Coogie Beach$10
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Meat Pies$3.49
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sydney
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Sydney.
- Vivid Festival of Light Harbor Cruise with Dinner: $36
- City Highlights Walking Food Tour with Harbor Cruise: $45
- Vivid Sydney Dinner Cruises: $46
- Harbour Dinner Cruise with Buffet: $50
- Roti Making Class with 5-Course Dinner: $50
- Foraging Food Tour Sydney Native Aussie Food: $53
- Sydney Harbour Discovery Dinner Cruise Scenic Sights and Buffet: $56
- Twilight Dinner Cruise on Coral Trekker: $59
- Harbor Sunset Cruise with Dinner: $59
- Sydney Street Art & Food Tour: $66
- Tall Ship Harbour Twilight Dinner Cruise: $72
- Sydney Harbour: Latin Fiesta Dinner Cruise: $73
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chengdu $17Sydney $34
Tours and Activities in Chengdu
Here are a few actual costs in Chengdu for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Bamboo Weaving Experience and Chengdu Wenshu Monastery: $5.00
- Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base Ticket: $9.00
- Panda Research Base Ticket or Volunteer Day Trip: $9.50
- Free Walking Tour in Chengdu, Experience the city like a Local: $9.90
- Chengdu Museum Tours & Tickets: $10
- Chengdu Panda Base Ticket/Experiences from Chunxi Road: $12
- Chengdu Panda Research Base Tickets And Optional Private Tour: $14
- Chengdu Giant Panda Base Ticket / Optional Private Guide Service: $15
- Chengdu Panda Base Tickets with Optional Private Tour Upgrade: $16
- Giant Panda Breeding Research Base Ticket: $16
- Half-Day Panda Base Tour with Guide Option: $17
- Du Fu Thatched Cottage Museum Ticket for Adult: $18
Typical Entertainment Prices in Sydney
Here are a few typical costs in Sydney for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Theatre Show$31
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Sydney Tower Visit (for 2)$32
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Blue Mountain Tour/Featherdale Park (for 2)$133
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Powerhouse Museum$10
Tours and Activities in Sydney
Here are a few actual costs in Sydney for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Sydney Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self Guided Walking Tour: $3.42
- Sydney Kids Quest: Family Walking Adventure: $5.46
- Sydney Botanic Garden: Kids Quest Family Walking Adventure: $5.78
- Sydney Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.00
- Sydney's Lavender Bay: An Audio Tour by ABC Broadcaster: $6.99
- Sydney Ghost Tour (Self-Guided Audio Tour): $10
- Self Guided Electric Bike Tour of Sydney: $11
- Self Guided Electric Bike Tour of Sydney Beaches: $11
- Sydney Harbour Self Guided Walking Tour with an App: $12
- Sydney’s Iconic Sights: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
- Upside Down House Photo Experience in Sydney: $15
- Sydney Walking Tour Men Who Stayed Alive: $16
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayChengdu $4.25Sydney $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Chengdu
Also in Chengdu, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Chengdu Pub Crawl: $23
- Tipsy Travel: Chengdu Evening Food and Bar Crawl with Local Guide: $138
Typical Alcohol Prices in Sydney
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Sydney:
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Wine$11
Sample the Local Flavors in Sydney
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Sydney:
- Amazing Bar Crawl in Wollongong: Go Out with a Gong: $15
- The Wednesday Social Pub Crawl & Karaoke: $28
- Big Night Out Pub Crawl with Local Party Hosts: $32
- Big Night Out Pub Crawl: $35
- Private Wine Tasting at The Rocks: $46
- Sydney Cellar Door - Old Vine Expressions Wine Tasting: $50
- The Rocks Pub Walking Tour: $85
- Marrickville Brewery Tour: $85
- From: Sydney - Hunter Valley Wine Tasting Guided Day Tour: $89
- Sydney Beer and Brewery Tour: $111
- Brewery, Winery, and Distillery Tasting Tour: $112
- From Full-Day Hunter Valley Wine Tour & Lunch: $145
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chengdu and Sydney, we can see that Sydney 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 Sydney 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 Sydney would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sydney 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 Sydney Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Chengdu or Sydney?
Sydney has a larger population, and is about 11% larger than the population of Chengdu. When comparing the sizes of Chengdu and Sydney, 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.