Which place is cheaper, Arrowtown or Dalian?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Dalian or Arrowtown?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Dalian or Arrowtown? 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 Arrowtown?
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.
Arrowtown
Historically, Arrowtown is an old gold mining town that is located on the South Island of New Zealand. The town was established during the Otago gold rush of 1862. It is very close to Queenstown, which is a very popular destination among travelers, and it is definitely worth visiting if you are in the Otago region of New Zealand. It is a very tiny town, with a population of just over 2,000 people. The town has a lot of character and history and is a perfect place to go if you wish to get out of the touristy areas like Queenstown.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, The Best Contiki Tours to New Zealand, and The Best G Adventures Tours to New Zealand.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDalian $106Arrowtown $122
The average daily cost (per person) in Dalian is $106, while the average daily cost in Arrowtown is $122. 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 Arrowtown in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDalian $56Arrowtown $72
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDalian $112Arrowtown $144
Compare Hotels in Dalian and Arrowtown
Looking for a hotel in Dalian or Arrowtown? 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: Arrowtown Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dalian $42Arrowtown $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: $27
- Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport Chauffeur Service , to Dalian Transfer: $40
Is it cheaper to fly into Dalian or Arrowtown?
Prices for flights to both Arrowtown 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
-
Food Meals for one dayDalian $28Arrowtown $32
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dalian $4.91Arrowtown $16
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 Arrowtown
For Arrowtown, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- From Queenstown: 'Valley of the Vines' Wine and Bike Tour: $92
- Queenstown: Arrowtown To Queenstown Biking Adventure: $58
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayDalian $6.48Arrowtown $14
When comparing the travel costs between Dalian and Arrowtown, we can see that Arrowtown 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 Arrowtown 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 Arrowtown Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dalian or Arrowtown?
Dalian has a larger population, and is about 950 times larger than the population of Arrowtown. When comparing the sizes of Dalian and Arrowtown, 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.