A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Chongqing vs. Macao for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Chongqing or Macao?

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 Chongqing and Macao. 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: Chongqing or Macao?

Chongqing

Chongqing, China is a large city in central China and one of only four cities in the country that are not part of a province. While Chongqing is famous for being an economically important city, brush away its industrial surface and you'll find a naturally beautiful city with plenty of hidden wonders. Although you'll find many expats in the city, English is rarely spoken, meaning knowing some basic Mandarin will come in handy.

Macao

Located in China, Macau is a Special Administrative Region and one of the world's most densely populated regions. Until 1999 it remained an overseas territory of Portugal. It sits across from Hong Kong, along the Pearl River Estuary. Because it was so recently relinquished as a colony, it still has a significant amount of visible colonial history. The old city still looks very European, which you can see during a walking tour. Despite this architectural influence, the majority of the city's population is native Chinese.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in China, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in China.


Which place is cheaper, Macao or Chongqing?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Chongqing is $87, while the average daily cost in Macao is $143. 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 Chongqing and Macao in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Chongqing $49
    Macao $114
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Chongqing $98
    Macao $228
Compare Hotels in Chongqing and Macao

Looking for a hotel in Chongqing or Macao? 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.

Hotels in Chongqing


Hotels in Macao


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.


Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Chongqing $19
    Macao $0.58

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chongqing

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Chongqing:

  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Chongqing Jiangbei Airport (CKG): $22
  • Chongqing Jiangbei Airport Chauffeur Service, Chongqing Airport Transfer, Pickup: $50
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Chongqing Chaotianmen Cruise Pier to Hotel: $39
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Chongqing Jiangbei Airport (CKG) to Hotel: $22
  • Private Arrival Transfer:Any Chongqing Railway Station to Hotel: $24
  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Chongqing Chaotianmen Cruise Pier: $39
  • Private Departure Transfer:Hotel to Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport CKG: $25
  • Private Round-Trip Transfer: Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport(CKG) : $50
  • Private Transfer: Chongqing Chaotianmen Cruise Pier to Airport (CKG) : $43

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Macao

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Macao:


  • Local Bus (for Two)
    $1.00

Is it cheaper to fly into Chongqing or Macao?

Prices for flights to both Macao and Chongqing 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 day
    Chongqing $25
    Macao $21

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chongqing

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Chongqing.

  • Chongqing Liangjiang Night Cruise Including Authentic Hot Pot Dinner: $115
  • Chongqing City Private Night Tour with Hot Pot Dinner: $158
  • Chongqing Port Transfer Service with Half-Day Tour and Hot Pot Dinner: $193

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Chongqing $13
    Macao $11

Tours and Activities in Chongqing

Here are a few actual costs in Chongqing for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 3-Hour Walking Tour of Chongqing Shancheng (Mountain City) Lane: $65
  • Private Chongqing Day Tour: Panda, E'ling Park, Three Gorges Museum: $99
  • Chongqing Half Day Morning Private Tour including Eling Park & Chongqing Museum: $135
  • Private Chongqing Illuminated Night Tour : $138
  • Private Amazing Chongqing City Day Tour in Your Way: $139
  • 1-Day Chongqing Dazu Rock Carvings Private Tour With the Lunch: $143
  • Half Day Afternoon Private Tour: General Stilwell Museum, Arhat Temple, Panda: $156
  • 1-Day Chongqing City Private Tour with the Hot pot Lunch: $157
  • Best of Chongqing One Day Tour: Stilwell Museum, Arhat Temple, Eling Park, Panda: $157
  • Chongqing Yangtze River Cruise and Illuminated Night Tour: $158
  • Full Day Chongqing Highlights Private Tour: $180
  • Full-Day Private Tour of Chongqing Highlights: $180

Typical Entertainment Prices in Macao

Here are a few typical costs in Macao for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Macau Tower
    $11

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Chongqing $6.95
    Macao -


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chongqing and Macao, we can see that Macao is more expensive. And not only is Chongqing much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Chongqing would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chongqing 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 Macao would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Macao than you might in Chongqing.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Chongqing Expensive? and Is Macao Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Chongqing or Macao?

Chongqing has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Macao. When comparing the sizes of Chongqing and Macao, 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.

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