Which place is cheaper, Airlie Beach or Dalian?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Dalian or Airlie Beach?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Dalian or Airlie Beach? 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: Dalian or Airlie Beach?
Dalian
Dalian, China is a very large peninsula city located in the southernmost part of the Liaoning Province in northeast China. The area has a wealth of history, with roots in Russian and Japanese rule, resulting in unique architecture and many universities that attract foreign students and teachers. Dalian is also known for their beautiful green spaces and relaxing beaches which juxtapose a lot of the more industrial cities found throughout other areas of northern China.
Airlie Beach
Airlie Beach, in Queensland, offers the closest port to the Whitsunday Islands on the Great Barrier Reef. It's a small town of only 25,000 and has grown out of the area's popularity as a tourist destination. It's main industry remains tourism and, as such, there are many venues set up to accommodate travelers hoping to make trips to the Whitsunday Islands and the Outer Great Barrier Reef. The town has the feel of a vacation destination. While in the past Airlie Beach appealed specifically to the backpacker crowd, it's popularity has spread and now there are facilities catering to all travel types. The area has become more commercialized and there are plenty of large resorts to choose from. Even so, you'll still find no shortage of affordable accommodation around town.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, The Best Adventure Tours to Australia, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Australia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDalian $106Airlie Beach $173
The average daily cost (per person) in Dalian is $106, while the average daily cost in Airlie Beach is $173. 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 Dalian and Airlie Beach in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDalian $56Airlie Beach $61
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDalian $112Airlie Beach $122
Compare Hotels in Dalian and Airlie Beach
Looking for a hotel in Dalian or Airlie Beach? 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: Airlie Beach Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dalian $42Airlie Beach $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dalian
Also for Dalian, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport Chauffeur Service , to Dalian Transfer: $27
- Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport Chauffeur Service , to Dalian Transfer: $40
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Airlie Beach
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Airlie Beach:
- Private Transfer to Whitsunday Coast Airport: $324
- Roundtrip KIA Transfer from Whitsunday Coast Airport: $233
- South Molle Island Camping Transfer: $61
- Return Transfer PPP Airport Shute Harbour / Renta Yacht / Freedom Shores: $33
- Airport Transfers - Return (round fare) share shuttle service: $29
- One Way Only - Airport Transfer share shuttle service: $17
- Transfer from Whitsunday Coast Airport: $17
- Whitsunday: Prosperpine Airport to Airlie Beach Transfer: $17
Is it cheaper to fly into Dalian or Airlie Beach?
Prices for flights to both Airlie Beach and Dalian 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 dayDalian $28Airlie Beach $58
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Airlie Beach
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Airlie Beach.
- 3-Hour Sunset Segway Tour with Dinner: $84
- Whitsundays Segway Sunset and Boardwalk Tour with Dinner: $86
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dalian $4.91Airlie Beach $169
Tours and Activities in Dalian
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Dalian.
- Dalian City Private Day Tour in Your Way: $250
Tours and Activities in Airlie Beach
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Airlie Beach are as follows:
- 1-Day Whitsunday Islands Cruise: Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet: $144
- Airlie Beach Adrenaline Jet Ski Adventure: $168
- Airlie Beach Glass Bottom Boat Guided Night Tour: $68
- Airlie Beach Glass Bottom Boat Tour: $61
- Airlie Beach Jet Ski Tour: $109
- Airlie Beach Sunset Cruise : $47
- Airlie Beach to Daydream Island Ultimate Jet Ski Adventure: $271
- Airlie Beach to Daydream Island Ultimate Jet Ski Adventure: $266
- 2-Hour Sunset Cruise with Sparkling Wine: $47
- Adults-Only Whitehaven Beach Sailing Tour: $188
- Airlie Adventure Jet Ski Tour: $169
- Glass-Bottom Boat Tour: $60
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDalian $6.48Airlie Beach $9.49
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dalian and Airlie Beach, we can see that Airlie Beach is more expensive. And not only is Dalian much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dalian is in Asia and Airlie Beach 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 Dalian would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Dalian 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 Airlie Beach would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Airlie Beach than you might in Dalian.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Dalian Expensive? and Is Airlie Beach Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Dalian or Airlie Beach?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Airlie Beach is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Dalian has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Dalian or Airlie Beach in the Summer?
Both Airlie Beach and Dalian during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Airlie Beach because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Dalian is around the same temperature as Airlie Beach. Typically, the summer temperatures in Dalian in July average around 24°C (75°F), and Airlie Beach averages at about 26°C (79°F)in January.
Airlie Beach gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Dalian. Dalian usually gets less rain in July than Airlie Beachin January. Dalian gets 202 mm (8 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 331 mm (13 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryDalian 24°C (75°F)Airlie Beach 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Dalian or Airlie Beach in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Dalian and Airlie Beach. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Airlie Beach this time of year.
In October, Dalian is generally much colder than Airlie Beachin April. Daily temperatures in Dalian average around 15°C (58°F), and Airlie Beach fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
Airlie Beach receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Dalian usually receives less rain than Airlie Beachin April. Dalian gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilDalian 15°C (58°F)Airlie Beach 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Dalian or Airlie Beach in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Dalian as well as Airlie Beach. Also, many travelers come to Airlie Beach for the shopping scene and the cuisine.
It's quite cold in Dalian in the winter. Dalian is much colder than Airlie Beach in the winter. The daily temperature in Dalian averages around -4°C (25°F) in January, and Airlie Beach fluctuates around 16°C (62°F)in July.
Dalian usually gets less rain in January than Airlie Beachin July. Dalian gets 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyDalian -4°C (25°F)Airlie Beach 16°C (62°F)
Should I visit Dalian or Airlie Beach in the Spring?
Both Airlie Beach and Dalian are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Airlie Beach in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Dalian is much colder than Airlie Beach. Typically, the spring temperatures in Dalian in April average around 11°C (51°F), and Airlie Beach averages at about 23°C (73°F)in October.
In April, Dalian usually receives less rain than Airlie Beachin October. Dalian gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberDalian 11°C (51°F)Airlie Beach 23°C (73°F)
Typical Weather for Airlie Beach and Dalian
| Dalian | Airlie Beach | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -4°C (25°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 331 mm (13 in) |
| Feb | -2°C (28°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 377 mm (14.8 in) |
| Mar | 4°C (38°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 312 mm (12.3 in) |
| Apr | 11°C (51°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| May | 17°C (62°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (75°F) | 202 mm (8 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (77°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Oct | 15°C (58°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (44°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Dec | -0°C (32°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 191 mm (7.5 in) |
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.