Which place is cheaper, Alice Springs or Dalian?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Dalian or Alice Springs?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Dalian or Alice Springs? 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 Alice Springs?
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.
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 The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Melbourne, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Australia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDalian $105Alice Springs $98
The average daily cost (per person) in Dalian is $105, while the average daily cost in Alice Springs is $98. 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 Alice Springs in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDalian $55Alice Springs $52
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDalian $110Alice Springs $104
Compare Hotels in Dalian and Alice Springs
Looking for a hotel in Dalian 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.
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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dalian $41Alice Springs $21
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: $40
- Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport Chauffeur Service , to Dalian Transfer: $27
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Alice Springs
Also for Alice Springs, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Alice Springs to Uluru (Ayers Rock) Coach Transfer: $136
- Uluru to Alice Springs or Alice to Uluru 1-Way Luxe Transfer: $135
Is it cheaper to fly into Dalian or Alice Springs?
Prices for flights to both Alice Springs 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 $28Alice Springs $25
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: $243
- Ayers Rock Day Trip from Alice Springs Including BBQ Dinner: $246
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dalian $4.88Alice Springs $14
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 Alice Springs
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Alice Springs.
- 2 Day Uluru Kata Tjuta Rock Escape Tour: $455
- 4-Day Tour of Uluru, Kings Canyon, and the West MacDonnell: $2,761
- A Town Like Alice: Half-Day Tour of Alice Springs: $690
- 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: $128
- Alice Town And Country Half Day Sunset Tour - Small Group: $132
- Alice Town and Country Half Day Sunset Tour -Small Group: $135
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDalian $6.44Alice Springs $18
Typical Alcohol Prices in Alice Springs
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Alice Springs:
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Glass of Wine in Alice Springs$4.70
When comparing the travel costs between Dalian and Alice Springs, we can see that Dalian 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. Even though Dalian is in Asia and Alice Springs is in Pacific, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Dalian Expensive? and Is Alice Springs Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dalian or Alice Springs?
Dalian has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of Alice Springs. When comparing the sizes of Dalian 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.
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.