Which place is cheaper, Aoraki Mount Cook or Dalian?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Dalian or Aoraki Mount Cook?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Dalian or Aoraki Mount Cook? 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 Aoraki Mount Cook?
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.
Aoraki Mount Cook
Aoraki Mount Cook National Park is located on the South Island of New Zealand. It was declared a national park in 1953 to protect and preserve the landscape. The park is home to the country's highest peak, Aoraki/Mount Cook. In Maori, Aoraki means, "cloud piercer", and the English name, Mt Cook, refers to the navigator James Cook, who discovered New Zealand in the 18th century. Mt Cook was the training location for Sir Edmund Hillary, who was the first person to summit Everest in 1953. Other peaks in the park include Mount Tasman, Mount Sefton, and Mount Hicks. Not only can you find lush greenery all over the park, but also, glaciers cover 40% of the parks area.
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 New Zealand, and The Best Eco Tours in New Zealand.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDalian $105Aoraki Mount Cook $112
The average daily cost (per person) in Dalian is $105, while the average daily cost in Aoraki Mount Cook is $112. 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 Aoraki Mount Cook in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDalian $55Aoraki Mount Cook $63
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDalian $110Aoraki Mount Cook $126
Compare Hotels in Dalian and Aoraki Mount Cook
Looking for a hotel in Dalian or Aoraki Mount Cook? 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.Dalian $41Aoraki Mount Cook $29
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Dalian or Aoraki Mount Cook?
Prices for flights to both Aoraki Mount Cook 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 $28Aoraki Mount Cook $28
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dalian $4.88Aoraki Mount Cook $25
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 Aoraki Mount Cook
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Aoraki Mount Cook.
- (MT) Mount Cook & Lake Tekapo Day Tour from Christchurch: $222
- Day Tours from Mount Cook: $177
- From Christchurch: Mount Cook One-Way Discovery Tour: $126
- Half-Day Guided Sea Kayaking Tour from Anakiwa: $70
- Half-Day Self-Guided Ride and Wine Bike Tour from Arrowtown: $64
- Mount Cook to Queenstown Day Tour: $159
- Mt Cook & Hooker Valley Hike Small Group Tour from Queenstown: $161
- Mt Cook Small Group Tour from Queenstown with Optional Activities : $161
- Mt Cook Tour: Finish at Christchurch, Queenstown or Dunedin: $950
- Mt Cook Tour: Finish at Queenstown, Christchurch or Dunedin: $951
- Mt Cook to Christchurch One-Way Small Group Tour via Lake Tekapo: $128
- Mt Cook to Lake Tekapo One-Way Small Group Tour: $128
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDalian $6.44Aoraki Mount Cook $22
Sample the Local Flavors in Aoraki Mount Cook
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Aoraki Mount Cook:
- Kinross Winery: Valli Wine Tasting Experience: $29
- Kinross Winery: Pinot Noir Wine Tasting Experience: $29
- Kinross Winery: Wild Irishman Wine Tasting Experience: $48
- Kinross Winery: Premium Central Otago Wine Tasting Experience: $48
When comparing the travel costs between Dalian and Aoraki Mount Cook, we can see that Aoraki Mount Cook 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 Aoraki Mount Cook 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 Aoraki Mount Cook 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.