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

Should you visit Dali or Nagoya?

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 Nagoya can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Dali or Nagoya?

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.

Nagoya

Nagoya is Japan's fourth-largest city after Tokyo, Yokohama, and Osaka, as well as one of the nation's major economic centers, being the home of auto giants like Toyota, Honda, and Mitsubishi Motors. With a history that dates back to samurai and ninja, Nagoya has evolved over the years into a trade center and hub for automobile and aircraft manufacturing. And it's also home to the Legoland resort!

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, The Best Adventure Tours to China, The Best Luxury Tours to Japan, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Japan.


Which place is cheaper, Nagoya or Dali?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Dali is $62, while the average daily cost in Nagoya is $113. 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 Nagoya in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Dali $17
    Nagoya $48
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Dali $34
    Nagoya $96
Compare Hotels in Dali and Nagoya

Looking for a hotel in Dali or Nagoya? 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 Nagoya


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: Nagoya Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Dali $9.34
    Nagoya $12
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Dali

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


  • Local Bus
    $0.42

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 hotel/airport(LJG): $149
  • Dali Airport Chauffeur Service, Private Dali Airport Transfer: $40

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nagoya

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

  • Shared Departure Transfer : Nagoya City to Chubu Airport: $99
  • Private Transfer from Nagoya hotels to Nagoya Cruise Port: $139
  • Private Transfer from Nagoya Int Airport (NGO) to Nagoya Port: $285
  • Private Transfer from Nagoya Cruise Port to Nagoya hotels: $139
  • Private Transfer from Nagoya Cruise Port to Nagoya City Hotels: $126
  • Private Transfer from Nagoya Cruise Port to Nagoya Airport (NGO): $201
  • Private Transfer from Nagoya Airport (NGO) to Toyama Port: $235
  • Private Transfer between Chubu Centrair Int'l Airport and Nagoya: $296
  • Private Transfer - Nagoya Int Airport (NGO) to Nagoya Cruise Port: $201
  • Private Transfer - Nagoya Cruise Port to Nagoya Int Airport (NGO): $285
  • Private Departure Transfer Nagoya City to Chubu Centrair International Airport: $208
  • Nagoya to Nagoya Int Airport NGO, Departure Private Transfer: $91

Is it cheaper to fly into Dali or Nagoya?

Prices for flights to both Nagoya 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 $32
    Nagoya $49
Typical Food Prices in Dali

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


  • Lunch
    $4.49
  • Breakfast
    $3.50

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dali

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

  • Cangshan Mountain hike and organic homemade dinner: $80

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nagoya

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

  • Nagoya Night Bar & Food Tour with Locals 【Private Tour】: $59
  • Osu Kannon Temple & Street Food Tour in Nagoya's Osu District: $83
  • Specialties of Nagoya Food Tour: $159
  • Traditional Ukai Watching Private Tour from Nagoya With Dinner: $221

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Dali $18
    Nagoya $13

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 Erhai Sightseeing Tour: $250
  • 1-Day Dali Tie Dye Experience Private Tour: $230
  • 1-Day Dali tour with the Daili old town, Xizhou Village and Three Pagodas: $195
  • 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
  • Dali City Tour with Private Guide: $71
  • Dali Private Tour to Xizhou Ancient Town and Erhai Lake : $186
  • Dali XIzhou Ancient Town Private Tour: $87
  • Dali Yunnan Local Market Pottery Making Eco Tour: $197
  • Jizu Mountain Private Tour: $87
  • Private Customized Tour: Dali City Highlights in One Day: $213
  • Private Day Tour of Dali Explore the Ancient City: $274

Tours and Activities in Nagoya

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

  • Buddhas at a Temple and Tea Ceremony Experience: $91
  • 2 Hour Private Scenic Mountain Castle Tour in Gifu: $76
  • A Fun Car Tour to Inuyama Castle and a Phallus: $160
  • A tour to enjoy Japanese official gambling (horse racing, bicycle racing, pachinko): $72
  • All-You-Can-Drink Sake Tasting Tour in Nagoya: $185
  • Arimatsu townscape walk & aperture experience: Accompanying professional photographer: $138
  • Atsuta Shrine Visit and Sweets Making Experience in Nagoya: $276
  • Autumn Leaves Private Tour in Nagoya: $172
  • Bus Tour to Hida Takayama and Shirakawa-go with Hida Pork Lunch : $81
  • Experience Being a Shinto Priest or Shrine Maiden at NAGOYA: $45
  • Experience the Soul of the Sword-smith : Samurai Spirit in Seki: $242
  • From Nagoya Kyoto Day Tour with Kobe Beef Shabu Shabu Lunch: $93

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Dali $11
    Nagoya $13

Sample the Local Flavors in Nagoya

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Nagoya:

  • The Nagoya Restaurant and Bar Crawl: $40


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dali and Nagoya, we can see that Nagoya is more expensive. And not only is Dali much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Nagoya would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nagoya 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 Nagoya Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Dali or Nagoya?

Nagoya has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Dali. When comparing the sizes of Dali and Nagoya, 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.