Which place is cheaper, Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) or Dali?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Dali or Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock)?
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 Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Dali or Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock)?
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.
Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock)
The Australian countryside is a large and vast area just waiting to be explored. Located in the north of Australia, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is a part of the Red Centre of the country. It is an UNESCO World Heritage Site, and, according to the Aborigines, it is a very sacred space. Amazing geological wonders and fascinating wildlife are just waiting for your visit.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, The Best Adventure Tours to China, The Best 10-Day Tours in Australia, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Australia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDali $48Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) $151
The average daily cost (per person) in Dali is $48, while the average daily cost in Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) is $151. 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 Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDali $17Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) $58
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDali $34Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) $116
Compare Hotels in Dali and Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock)
Looking for a hotel in Dali or Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock)? 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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dali $9.19Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) $74
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Dali
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Dali:
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Local Bus$0.41
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 Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock)
Also for Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock), here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Coach Transfer from Ayers Rock (Uluru) to Kings Canyon: $112
Is it cheaper to fly into Dali or Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock)?
Prices for flights to both Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) 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
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Food Meals for one dayDali $18Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) $46
Typical Food Prices in Dali
For Dali, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch$4.42
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Breakfast$3.45
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock)
For Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock), here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Uluru (Ayers Rock) Base and Sunset Half-Day Trip with Opt Outback BBQ Dinner: $129
- Uluru (Ayers Rock) Sunset + Outback Barbecue Dinner & Star Talk : $188
- Uluru Experience with BBQ Dinner: $202
- Mount Conner 4WD Small Group Tour from Ayers Rock including Dinner: $244
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dali $18Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) $37
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 Highlights Mini Group Tour: $140
- 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
- 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: $175
- Private Day Tour: Erhai Lake, Three Pagodas, Dali Ancient Town: $217
- Private hiking tour to Cangshan Mountain from Dali: $175
Tours and Activities in Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock)
For Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock), here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- A Self-Guided Driving Tour in Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park: $15
- Aboriginal Homelands Experience from Ayers Rock including Sunset: $233
- Afternoon Kata Tjuta Small Group Tour: $110
- Discover Uluru: Aboriginal Art & Culture 4.5 Hours Tour: $170
- Kata Tjuta Small-Group Tour Including Sunrise and Breakfast: $146
- Small Group Uluru Sunset Viewing Tour: $66
- Uluru (Ayers Rock) Field of Light Sunrise Tour: $69
- Uluru (Ayers Rock) Sunset Tour: $65
- Uluru Audio Tour App: $13
- Uluru Small Group Tour including Sunset: $146
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDali $11Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) $11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dali and Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock), we can see that Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) 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 Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) 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 Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) 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 Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) Expensive?.
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.