Which place is cheaper, Chengdu or Da Nang?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Da Nang or Chengdu?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Da Nang or Chengdu? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Da Nang or Chengdu?
Da Nang
Halfway between Ho Chi Minh City in the south and Hanoi in the North is the easy-going beach city of Da Nang (or Danang, for some). The third most populated city in Vietnam, Da Nang draws in crowds with its beautiful and calm beaches as well as its history as a French colonial port.
With beaches, mountains, and cityscape, there's bound to be a point of interest for all travelers. Da Nang is also a transit hub to get to the four Vietnamese UNESCO World heritage sites: Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park, Hue, Hoi An, and My Son.
Da Nang experiences wet season from September through March and dry season from April through August with average temperatures of around 80℉.
Da Nang is also known to have some of the friendliest locals, probably due to the peace and quiet and lack of heavy traffic, even in the city.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Hanoi, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Ho Chi Minh City, The Best Adventure Tours to China, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in China.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDa Nang $47Chengdu $51
The average daily cost (per person) in Da Nang is $47, while the average daily cost in Chengdu is $51. 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 Da Nang and Chengdu in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDa Nang $20Chengdu $21
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDa Nang $40Chengdu $42
Compare Hotels in Da Nang and Chengdu
Looking for a hotel in Da Nang or Chengdu? 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: Da Nang Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Da Nang $12Chengdu $6.05
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Da Nang
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Da Nang:
- My Son Holyland & Marble Mountains - PRIVATE TRANSFER: $56
- Afternoon private transfer from Danang city to the Golden Bridge : $44
- Airport Transfer: Da Nang Airport and Hoi An City: $17
- Arrival Transfer from Da Nang Airport to Hotel in Army Jeep: $91
- Ba Na Hills Golden Bridge Private Car Transfer from Da Nang: $41
- Best tours/transfer from to Bana hills and Golden Bridge: $32
- Car transfer from Da Nang Airport/ Train Station to Hoi An Hotel: $18
- Coconut Jungle - Vegetable & Pottery Village- PRIVATE TRANSFER: $56
- Coconut Jungle- Basket Boat Ride- Hoi An City - PRIVATE TRANSFER: $66
- DA NANG AIRPORT To Da Nang Hotel by PRIVATE TRANSFER: $19
- DA NANG AIRPORT to Da Nang Hotel By Private Transfer: $25
- DCAR Limousine to GOLDEN BRIDGE - Private Transfer ( 8-9 Hours): $89
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chengdu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Chengdu:
- Chengdu Panda Breeding Base Ticket w/ Optional Transfer or Guide: $20
- Chengdu to Chengdu Airport (CTU) - Departure Private Transfer: $22
- Chengdu Airport (CTU) to Chengdu - Arrival Private Transfer: $22
- [Airport Transfer] Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport Kosheng City Transfer High reputation for service! : $22
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Chengdu International Airport (CTU): $23
- Private Arrival Transfer: Chengdu International Airport (CTU) to Hotel: $23
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Chengdu Train Stations: $23
- Private Transfer from Chengdu hotel to Chengdu Train Station: $27
- Private Arrival Transfer:Any Chengdu Railway Station to City Hotel: $28
- Private Departure Transfer:City Hotel to Any Railway Station in Chengdu : $28
- Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport Transfer to Downtown Hotel: $32
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Chengdu Airport (CTU or TFU): $34
Is it cheaper to fly into Da Nang or Chengdu?
Prices for flights to both Chengdu and Da Nang 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 dayDa Nang $17Chengdu $22
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Da Nang
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Da Nang.
- Coffee Making and Cooking Class: $17
- Da Nang Family Cooking Class - with Local Family in Da Nang: $23
- Experience Vegan/Vegetarian Cooking Class in Da Nang : $25
- Experience Vegan/Vegetarian Cooking Class in Da Nang : $27
- Da Nang Street Walking Food Tour : $29
- Eco Cooking Class and Basket boat tour from Da Nang city: $29
- Private Traditional Cooking Class and Pho with Local Girl : $29
- Lantern making-Basket boat-Happy Cooking Class: $30
- Countryside bike tour, Basket boat and Cooking class: $31
- Vegetarian Home Cooking Class Da Nang: $32
- HOI AN : HALF-DAY BA NA HILLS TOUR WITH VIETNAMESE DINNER: $35
- Basket Boating Coconut Forest & Cooking Class: $35
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chengdu
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Chengdu.
- Half day Chengdu Dumpling making Cooking Class: Make from Scratch: $62
- Discovery more Chengdu evening food tour with locals : $65
- 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 Cooking Class with Local Market Visit: $75
- Half-Day Chengdu Farm Cooking Class & Spice Market Exploration: $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
- Half-Day Private Sichuan Hot-Pot Cooking Class with Local Spice Market Visit: $80
- Spicy Local Food Tour through Chengdu: $80
- Cooking Class with Fresh Market Half Day Experience: $81
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Da Nang $14Chengdu $16
Tours and Activities in Da Nang
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Da Nang are as follows:
- HAI VAN PASS & HUE CITY EXPLORE 1 DAY TOUR: $0.06
- The private tour to Golden Bridge and Marble mountain: $2.11
- Monkey Mountain Hidden Gems Full-Day Tour: $4.23
- Da Nang Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $4.25
- Sun World Asia Park Ticket: $5.76
- Han River Local Cruise by Night: $6.33
- Scenic Han River Night Cruise On My Xuan Cruise.: $6.34
- Han River Tour - Da Nang Dragon Cruise: $8.45
- Da Nang Downtown Entry Ticket with Show: $9.08
- Exploring Awaken River Show Ticket in Da Nang Downtown: $10
- Ao Dai Experience in Da Nang: $10
- Monkey Mountain Paragliding Experience: $13
Tours and Activities in Chengdu
Here are a few actual costs in Chengdu for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 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
- Panda Breeding Base Private Tour or Tickets Only: $19
- Giant Panda Base tickets booking option tours: $19
- 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
- Skip the Line: Sichuan Opera Chengdu Ticket: $21
- Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base Ticket: $22
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayDa Nang $9.55Chengdu $4.01
When comparing the travel costs between Da Nang and Chengdu, we can see that Chengdu is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Da Nang Expensive? and Is Chengdu Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Da Nang or Chengdu?
Chengdu has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Da Nang. When comparing the sizes of Da Nang and Chengdu, 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.