Which place is cheaper, Zurich 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 Zurich?
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 Zurich. 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 Zurich?
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.
Zurich
Zurich has the biggest connection for trains in Switzerland. It also has the country's biggest and busiest airport. Because of its importance as a transportation center, it is likely to be the first place you visit in Switzerland. It is the financial capital of the country (although, contrary to what you may have thought, not the political capital). It has many international companies, and is home to the country's stock exchange.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in China, The Best Luxury Tours to China, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Switzerland, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Switzerland.
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Chengdu Prices
China PricesZurich Prices
Switzerland Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChengdu $71Zurich $351
The average daily cost (per person) in Chengdu is $71, while the average daily cost in Zurich is $351. 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 Zurich in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChengdu $22Zurich $190
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChengdu $44Zurich $380
Compare Hotels in Chengdu and Zurich
Looking for a hotel in Chengdu or Zurich? 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 Zurich Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Chengdu $6.39Zurich $40
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chengdu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Chengdu:
- Panda Research Base Ticket or Private Transfer Tour: $15
- Chengdu Private Airport & Railway Station Transfer to/from City: $15
- Leshan Giant Buddha Entry Ticket with Optional Guide & Transfer: $18
- Chengdu Panda Breeding Base Tour with Guide or Transfer: $20
- Chengdu Panda Breeding Base Ticket w/ Optional Transfer or Guide: $20
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Chengdu International Airport (CTU): $23
- Chengdu Shuangliu Airport Chauffeur Service, Chengdu Airport Transfer, Pickup: $25
- Private Transfer from Chengdu hotel to Chengdu Train Station: $27
- Private Arrival Transfer:Any Chengdu Railway Station to City Hotel: $28
- Private Transfer Chengdu (TFU & CTU) Airport Pickup Service: $29
- Chengdu City to Chengdu Shuangliu Airport (CTU) - Departure Private Transfer: $30
- Chengdu Shuangliu Airport (CTU) to Chengdu City - Arrival Private Transfer: $30
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Zurich
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Zurich:
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City Pass (2)$32
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zurich
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zurich:
- Airport Transfer: Zurich Airport ZRH to Zurich by Business Car: $98
- Airport Transfer: Zurich to Zurich Airport ZRH by Business Car: $98
- Departure Private Transfer from Zurich to Zurich Airport ZRH by Luxury Van: $104
- Departure Transfer from Zurich City to Zurich Airport ZRH in Private Car/Van: $98
- English Speaking Zurich to Basel Private Car Transfer: $154
- From Zurich Airport: 1-Way Private Transfer To Zurich Hotel: $88
- Premium Private Transfer Zurich to Luzern or (Vice Versa): $290
- Premium Transfer from Zürich Airport to Zurich city or Zürich city to Airport: $147
- Privat Transfer Lucerne to Zurich Airport: $447
- Private Executive Transfers in Zurich Airport and Zurich City: $150
- Private Luxury Transfers ZRH Airport to Zurich City in V Class: $164
- Private One-way Airport Transfer from Zurich to Zurich Airport: $71
Is it cheaper to fly into Chengdu or Zurich?
Prices for flights to both Zurich 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 $40Zurich $119
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chengdu
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Chengdu.
- Chengdu Vegetarian Cooking Class at a Local Home: $39
- Chengdu Night: VIP Seat Opera Show or Back Alley Food Tour: $40
- Private Chengdu TukTuk Food Tour: Hidden Alleys & Local Eats: $59
- Chengdu Food Tour Local Delicacies and Ear Cleaning: $59
- Eat Like a Local! Food Tour in the Hidden Alleys: $67
- Tuktuk Food Tour Through Chengdu Local Eats: $68
- Discovery more Chengdu evening food tour with locals: $69
- Half-Day Professional Mapo Tofu Cooking with a Local Market Visit: $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 Zurich
Some typical examples of dining costs in Zurich are as follows:
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Breakfast for 2$15
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zurich
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zurich.
- Zurich Food Tour with 10 Local Delicacies, Cheeses & Chocolates: $177
- Taste Zurich – A Full Food Tour of Swiss Flavors by Do Eat Better: $188
- Culinary Tour from Zurich with Traditional Swiss Cheese Fondue Dinner: $189
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chengdu $17Zurich $40
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
- Free Walking Tour in Chengdu, Experience the city like a Local: $5.00
- Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base Ticket: $9.00
- Panda Research Base Ticket or Volunteer Day Trip: $9.50
- Chengdu Museum Tours & Tickets: $10
- Chengdu Panda Research Base Tickets And Optional Private Tour: $14
- Ticket reservation for Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Base: $15
- 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
Tours and Activities in Zurich
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Zurich are as follows:
- Zurich Scavenger Hunt & Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour: $3.54
- St Gallen Scavenger Hunt & Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour: $3.55
- Zürich Oldtown Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $6.30
- Zurich Walking Tour with Audioguide on Your Smartphone: $7.67
- Neuhausen Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $8.82
- Winterthur Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $8.82
- Schaffhausen Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $8.82
- Stein am Rhein Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $8.82
- Zurich Exploration Game and City Tour on your Phone: $9.45
- TOP Zurich : Private guided tour with your mobile: $12
- Self-Guided Audio City Tour in Zurich: $13
- Historical Zürich: A Self-Guided Audio Tour Through the city of 1,000 Fountains: $15
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayChengdu $4.23Zurich $33
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: $14
- Tipsy Travel: Chengdu Evening Food and Bar Crawl with Local Guide: $138
Sample the Local Flavors in Zurich
Also in Zurich, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl Zurich: $38
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chengdu and Zurich, we can see that Zurich 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 Zurich is in Europe, 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 Zurich would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Zurich 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 Zurich Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Chengdu or Zurich?
Chengdu has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Zurich. When comparing the sizes of Chengdu and Zurich, 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.