A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Dali vs. Alice Springs for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Dali or Alice Springs?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Dali and Alice Springs can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Dali or Alice Springs?

Dali

Dali is a city in southern China with a long and glorious history dating back to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The Xiaguan neighborhood of the city is the modern industrial center where most public transportation arrives; however, the Old Town of Dali is the place that draws the most visitors. Being one of China's ancient cities, Dali is said to have been a gateway to the Silk Road, and still attracts attention with its traditional architecture, beautiful scenery, ethnic cultures, and nightlife.

Alice Springs

Alice Springs is in the middle of Central Australia and is most famous as a base for exploring the famous rock, Uluru. Alice Springs itself has grown dramatically from what was once a small outpost. The tourist boom began in the early 1980s and the population is now somewhere around 28,000. The city now has all of the necessary facilities to cater to the influx of tourists who swing through to see Uluru. The town is 1500km from Darwin, which is the closest major city. Adelaide is just as far to the south. It's remote location means that costs can be higher than they are elsewhere in Australia. Expect to pay more for anything from fruits and vegetables to clothing and souvenirs. When making a reservation for a hotel, do note that the rating scale differs from elsewhere in Australia or in most western countries. The ratings come from the amenities available and have little to do with the actual room quality.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, The Best Adventure Tours to China, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Melbourne, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Australia.


Which place is cheaper, Alice Springs or Dali?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Dali is $49, while the average daily cost in Alice Springs is $100. 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 Dali and Alice Springs in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Dali $17
    Alice Springs $53
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Dali $34
    Alice Springs $106
Compare Hotels in Dali and Alice Springs

Looking for a hotel in Dali or Alice Springs? 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 Dali


Hotels in Alice Springs


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: Alice Springs Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Dali $9.45
    Alice Springs $21
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Dali

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Dali:


  • Local Bus
    $0.43

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dali

Also for Dali, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer from Dali to Lijiang/Shuhe hotel and Stops at Shaxi Old Town: $160
  • Private Transfer from Dali to Lijiang/Shuhe hotel: $149
  • Dali Airport Chauffeur Service,Dali Airport Transfer: $40

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Alice Springs

Also for Alice Springs, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Uluru to Alice Springs or Alice to Uluru 1-Way Luxe Transfer: $133
  • Alice Springs to Uluru (Ayers Rock) Coach Transfer: $136

Is it cheaper to fly into Dali or Alice Springs?

Prices for flights to both Alice Springs and Dali 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
    Dali $18
    Alice Springs $25
Typical Food Prices in Dali

For Dali, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Lunch
    $4.54
  • Breakfast
    $3.55

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Alice Springs

For Alice Springs, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • From Day Trip to Uluru with BBQ Dinner: $239
  • Ayers Rock Day Trip from Alice Springs Including BBQ Dinner: $246

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Dali $18
    Alice Springs $15

Tours and Activities in Dali

For Dali, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 1-Day Dali tour with the Daili old town, Xizhou Village and Three Pagodas: $195
  • 1-Day Erhai Sightseeing in Dali: $129
  • 1-Day Tie Dye Experience Tour in Dali: $160
  • 2-Days Self-Guided tour from Dali to Lijiang and overnight in Shaxi old town: $205
  • All Inclusive Private Day Tour to Shaxi Ancient Town from Dali: $213
  • All inclusive Dali Erhai cruise three pagoda xizhou market: $210
  • Dali Private Tour to Xizhou Ancient Town and Erhai Lake : $186
  • Dali Yunnan Local Market + Pottery Making Eco Tour: $220
  • Private Customized Tour: Dali City Highlights in One Day: $213
  • Private Day Tour of Dali Explore the Ancient City: $274
  • Private Day Tour: Erhai Lake, Three Pagodas, Dali Ancient Town: $217
  • Private hiking tour to Cangshan Mountain from Dali: $175

Tours and Activities in Alice Springs

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Alice Springs.

  • 2 Day Uluru Kata Tjuta Rock Escape Tour: $448
  • 4-Day Tour of Uluru, Kings Canyon, and the West MacDonnell: $2,719
  • A Town Like Alice: Half-Day Tour of Alice Springs: $679
  • Alice Springs Airport to Alice Springs City Half Day Tour: $126
  • Alice Springs Airport to West MacDonnell Ranges Half-Day Tour: $112
  • Alice Springs Camel Tour: $63
  • Alice Springs Desert Park General Entry Ticket: $28
  • Alice Springs Desert Park Nocturnal Tour: $29
  • Alice Springs Highlights Tour : $115
  • West MacDonnell Ranges & Standley Chasm Tour: $126
  • Alice Town And Country Half Day Sunset Tour - Small Group: $132
  • Alice Town and Country Half Day Sunset Tour -Small Group: $133

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Dali $11
    Alice Springs $18

Typical Alcohol Prices in Alice Springs

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Alice Springs:


  • Glass of Wine in Alice Springs
    $4.79


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

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


Which is Bigger, Dali or Alice Springs?

Dali has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Alice Springs. When comparing the sizes of Dali and Alice Springs, 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.