Which place is cheaper, Suzhou or Chongqing?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Chongqing or Suzhou?
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 Suzhou. 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 Suzhou?
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.
Suzhou
Suzhou is a city in Jiangsu province famed for its beautiful gardens and traditional waterside architecture, featuring elaborate canals and bridges. Located on the Yangtze Delta, the city consists largely of waterways making Suzhou a kind of 'Venice of the Orient.' It is also a hub for scholars, artists, and skilled craftsmen.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in China, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in China, The Best 2-Week Tours in China, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChongqing $86Suzhou $102
The average daily cost (per person) in Chongqing is $86, while the average daily cost in Suzhou is $102. 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 Suzhou in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChongqing $49Suzhou $38
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChongqing $98Suzhou $76
Compare Hotels in Chongqing and Suzhou
Looking for a hotel in Chongqing or Suzhou? 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.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Chongqing $19Suzhou $57
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chongqing
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Chongqing:
- Private Arrival Transfer: Chongqing Jiangbei Airport (CKG) to Hotel: $22
- [Airport Transfer] Chongqing Airport ⇔ Chongqing City Transfer ☆ High reputation for service! <Charter charter>: $23
- Private Arrival Transfer:Any Chongqing Railway Station to Hotel: $24
- Chongqing Jiangbei Airport (CKG) private round-trip transfer: $24
- Private Transfer from Chongqing hotel to Chongqing Train Station : $27
- Private Transfer: Chongqing Jiangbei Airport (CKG) to Chaotianmen Cruise Pier: $43
- Private Round-Trip Transfer: Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport(CKG) : $50
- Chongqing Private Round Trip Transfer to Dazu Rock Carvings: $128
- Dazu Rock Carvings Private Transfer or Tour: $278
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Suzhou
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Suzhou:
- Full-Day Suzhou Gardens Exploration with Hotel or Railway Station Transfer: $227
- Hangzhou Private Transfer from Suzhou with Stop-over at Wuzhen Water Town : $143
- Nanjing Downtown hotels to Lukou Intl Airport (NKG) - Departure Private Transfer: $33
- Private Arrival Transfer: Suzhou Train Station to Hotels in Suzhou: $44
- Private Day Tour: Suzhou Highlights with Hotel or Railway Station Transfer: $227
- Private Departure Transfer to Shanghai Airport from Suzhou City Hotel: $68
- Private Departure Transfer to Suzhou Train Station from City Hotel: $44
- Private Round-Trip Transfer between Tongli Water Town and Suzhou City : $58
- Private Round-Trip Transfer between Zhouzhuang Water Town and Suzhou City: $58
- Private Transfer to Hangzhou City from Suzhou: $113
- Shanghai Private Transfer from Suzhou with Stop-over at Tongli Water Town : $90
- Shanghai Private Transfer from Suzhou with Stop-over at Zhouzhuang Water Town : $81
Is it cheaper to fly into Chongqing or Suzhou?
Prices for flights to both Suzhou 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 dayChongqing $24Suzhou $32
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
- Private Chongqing night tour with dinner hot pot: $170
- Chongqing Port Transfer Service with Half-Day Tour and Hot Pot Dinner: $193
- Private Chongqing Night View Tour with Hot Pot or Local Dinner: $199
- Chongqing Night view private tour with hot-pot dinner: $200
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Suzhou
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Suzhou.
- Suzhou Alleyway Walking Food Tour With Locals: $55
- Private Suzhou Night Tour:Master of the Nets Garden, Ancient Canal with Dinner: $145
- Zhouzhuang Water Town Private Tour from Suzhou with Lunch or Dinner Option: $154
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chongqing $13Suzhou $9.34
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
- 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
- From Full-Day Private Tour Dazu Rock Carvings: $144
- Chongqing Yangtze River Cruise and Illuminated Night Tour: $158
- Chongqing Private Day Tour Of Meet popular Chongqing: $160
- Full Day Chongqing Highlights Private Tour: $180
- Chongqing Wulong Exploration Private Day Tour With the Lunch: $185
- Wulong Private Day Exploration Tour: $187
- Flexible Private Chongqing Layover Tour: $187
Tours and Activities in Suzhou
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Suzhou are as follows:
- Suzhou Self-Guided Tour with Private Car and Driver Service : $65
- Zhouzhuang and Tongli Self-Guided Tour from Suzhou with Drop-off Options : $70
- 4-Hour Suzhou Private Customized Tour: $71
- Suzhou Private English Tour Guide Service: $91
- Suzhou Private Walking Tour with Panmen Gate, City Moat and Yiyuan Garden: $101
- Wuxi Self-Guided Tour from Suzhou by Private Car : $103
- 4-Hour Flexible Suzhou City Highlights Private Tour: $114
- 4-Hour Suzhou Private Flexible Tour with Garden and Boat Ride Option: $125
- 4-Hour Tongli Water Town Private Tour from Suzhou with Boat Ride : $127
- Private Suzhou City Amazing Day Tour in Your Way : $127
- Private Flexible Suzhou Day Tour with Old and New Highlights: $127
- 4-Hour Suzhou Private Tour: Humble Administrator’s Garden,Tiger Hill and Canal : $134
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayChongqing $6.91Suzhou $6.41
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chongqing and Suzhou, we can see that Suzhou 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 Suzhou would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Suzhou 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 Suzhou Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Chongqing or Suzhou?
Chongqing has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Suzhou. When comparing the sizes of Chongqing and Suzhou, 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.