Which place is cheaper, Auckland or Dalian?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Dalian or Auckland?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Dalian or Auckland? 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 Auckland?
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.
Auckland
Auckland is located on the North Island of New Zealand on an isthmus between the Northland Peninsula and the other parts of the North Island. Auckland is not only a city but also a region. In 2010 New Zealand combined what had previously been four separate cities into one region. These cities include the southern city of Manukau, the western city of Waitakere, the North Shore in the north, and Auckland City. The City of Auckland is the largest city in Polynesia and is very diverse with many expatriates from elsewhere in Polynesia. This diversity becomes most apparent in Auckland's many festivals and sporting events.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, The Best Wildlife Tours to New Zealand, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in New Zealand.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDalian $103Auckland $139
The average daily cost (per person) in Dalian is $103, while the average daily cost in Auckland is $139. 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 Auckland in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDalian $54Auckland $88
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDalian $108Auckland $176
Compare Hotels in Dalian and Auckland
Looking for a hotel in Dalian or Auckland? 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: Auckland Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dalian $41Auckland $16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dalian
Also for Dalian, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Departure Transfer: City Hotel to Any Guiyang Railway Station: $38
- Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport Chauffeur Service , to Dalian Transfer: $27
- Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport Chauffeur Service , to Dalian Transfer: $40
- Dalian Private Departure Transfer:City Hotel to Railway Station: $32
- Dalian Private Arrival Transfer: Railway Station to City Hotel: $33
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Auckland
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Auckland:
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Bus from Airport$9.51
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Airport Shuttle$15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Auckland
Also for Auckland, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Auckland Airport (AKL): Private Transfer to Downtown hotels: $351
- Auckland Airport (AKL): Transfer to North Shore hotels: $325
- Auckland Airport to Whangaparaoa - Gulf Harbour Luxury Transfers: $231
- Auckland Airport Transfers Sprinter up to 15 pax: $212
- From One-Way Transfer to Rotorua w/ Hobbiton Tour: $178
- Auckland's Point to Point Transfers : $152
- Auckland Cruise/Wharf & Airport Transfers : $146
- Auckland Airport (AKL) to Downtown hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $144
- Luxury Airport transfers in Auckland : $140
- Auckland Airport / CBD luxury passenger transfers : $134
- Luxury Airport Transfers Auckland : $134
- Auckland Airport Transfers: Auckland to Auckland Airport AKL in Luxury Car: $130
Is it cheaper to fly into Dalian or Auckland?
Prices for flights to both Auckland 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 $27Auckland $27
Typical Food Prices in Auckland
For Auckland, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Breakfast$4.75
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Auckland
For Auckland, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Auckland Harbour 3-Course Dinner Cruise with Welcome Drink: $89
- Auckland Harbour Sailboat Cruise Including Three Course Dinner: $91
- Flavours of the City Walking Food Tour: $104
- Local Auckland Food Tour : Explore the suburbs!: $167
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dalian $4.78Auckland $27
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: $159
Typical Entertainment Prices in Auckland
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Auckland's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Auckland Sky Tour (for 2)$33
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Waiheke Island Tour (for 2)$120
Tours and Activities in Auckland
For Auckland, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- "City of Sails" highlights - private tour with German tour guide: $178
- 2-Hour Stand-Up Paddle Boarding Tour to Lucas Creek Waterfall: $67
- 6 Hours Sightseeing Tour in Auckland: $127
- Afternoon Piha Beach and Rainforest Tour from Auckland: $112
- All Auckland City Hotels to Cruise Ship / Port: $49
- America’s Cup 2-Hour Sailing Experience Waitemata Harbour: $113
- Auckland Bioluminescence Kayak Tour: $67
- Auckland City & West Coast Luxury Tour: $205
- Auckland City Highlights Experience - Fully Guided Small Group Day Tour: $197
- Auckland City Highlights Half Day Tour: $95
- Auckland City Highlights and Hidden Gems Half Day Tour: $98
- Auckland City Highlights, Afternoon Piha Beach & Rainforest Tour: $164
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDalian $6.31Auckland $13
Sample the Local Flavors in Auckland
Also in Auckland, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Waiheke Island: Scenic Wine Tour Tasting Wines on Waiheke: $92
- Muriwai Scenic Wine Tour from Auckland: $106
- Waiheke Island: The Essence of Waiheke Wine Tour: $131
- Waiheke Island Gourmet Food and Wine Tour with Platter Lunch: $148
- Waiheke Island: Tour with Wine Tastings and Restaurant Lunch: $148
- From Waiheke Island Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch: $151
- From Small Group Kumeu Wine Tour with Lunch: $169
- Small-Group Kumeu Wine Country Tour Includes Wine Tastings & Lunch: $173
- Piha Waitakere Rainforest Wine Tour from Auckland: $179
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dalian and Auckland, we can see that Auckland 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 Auckland 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 Auckland would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Auckland 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 Auckland Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dalian or Auckland?
Dalian has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Auckland. When comparing the sizes of Dalian and Auckland, 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.
When is the best time to visit Dalian or Auckland?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Auckland 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 Auckland in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Dalian and Auckland. Furthermore, many travelers come to Auckland for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Dalian is generally a little warmer than Aucklandin January. Daily temperatures in Dalian average around 24°C (75°F), and Auckland fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
Dalian gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Dalian usually receives more rain than Aucklandin January. Dalian gets 202 mm (8 in) of rain, while Auckland receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryDalian 24°C (75°F)Auckland 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Dalian or Auckland in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Dalian as well as Auckland. Additionally, many visitors come to Auckland in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene.
Dalian is cooler than Auckland in the autumn. The daily temperature in Dalian averages around 15°C (58°F) in October, and Auckland fluctuates around 16°C (61°F)in April.
Dalian usually gets less rain in October than Aucklandin April. Dalian gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Auckland receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilDalian 15°C (58°F)Auckland 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Dalian or Auckland in the Winter?
Both Auckland and Dalian are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Auckland for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Dalian can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Dalian is much colder than Auckland. Typically, the winter temperatures in Dalian in January average around -4°C (25°F), and Auckland averages at about 11°C (52°F)in July.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Auckland. In January, Dalian usually receives less rain than Aucklandin July. Dalian gets 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Auckland receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyDalian -4°C (25°F)Auckland 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Dalian or Auckland in the Spring?
Both Auckland and Dalian during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Auckland because of the beaches and the activities around the city.
In April, Dalian is generally cooler than Aucklandin October. Daily temperatures in Dalian average around 11°C (51°F), and Auckland fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).
Dalian usually gets less rain in April than Aucklandin October. Dalian gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Auckland receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberDalian 11°C (51°F)Auckland 14°C (58°F)
Typical Weather for Auckland and Dalian
| Dalian | Auckland | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -4°C (25°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Feb | -2°C (28°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Mar | 4°C (38°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Apr | 11°C (51°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| May | 17°C (62°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (75°F) | 202 mm (8 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (77°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 11°C (53°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) |
| Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) |
| Oct | 15°C (58°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (44°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Dec | -0°C (32°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 83 mm (3.3 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.