A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Dalian vs. Boracay for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Dalian or Boracay?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Dalian or Boracay? 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 Boracay?

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.

Boracay

A small island in the Philippines known for its resorts and beaches, Boracay is a little escape. Each beach has its own unique character, each with new treasures waiting to be discovered.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, The Best 10-Day Tours in Philippines, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Philippines.


Which place is cheaper, Boracay or Dalian?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Dalian is $106, while the average daily cost in Boracay is $56. 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 Boracay in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Dalian $56
    Boracay $23
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Dalian $112
    Boracay $46
Compare Hotels in Dalian and Boracay

Looking for a hotel in Dalian or Boracay? 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.

Hotels in Dalian


Hotels in Boracay


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Dalian $42
    Boracay $28

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 Boracay

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Boracay:

  • PRIVATE AIRPORT TRANSFER TO BORACAY: $105
  • Speedboat Caticlan to Boracay Transfer (Oneway): $82
  • Boracay Transfer round trip with Island Hopping: $69
  • Caticlan: Shared Airport Transfer From/To Boracay: $55
  • Caticlan: Speedboat Airport Transfer to Boracay: $50
  • Private Transfer from Caticlan Airport to Boracay: $44
  • Boracay Adventures Transfer Services Via Caticlan: $35
  • Caticlan: Ferry Boat Airport Transfer To Boracay: $35
  • Departure: Ferry boat Transfer Boracay to Caticlan Airport: $30
  • Airport Transfer to Boracay or vice versa: $29
  • Caticlan Airport Roundtrip Transfer: $26
  • Shared Transfer from/to MPH for Domestic Passports: $21

Is it cheaper to fly into Dalian or Boracay?

Prices for flights to both Boracay 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 day
    Dalian $28
    Boracay $14

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Dalian $4.91
    Boracay $15

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 Boracay

Here are a few actual costs in Boracay for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 2 Hours Boracay Land Tour via Etrike: $32
  • Aklan Tibiao Antique Tour : $190
  • Atv Mainland Adventure with lunch: $64
  • Beyond Jungle-River Adventure & Sunset Cruise: $40
  • Boracay - Crystal Kayak phot-op Experience: $9.09
  • Boracay ATV Tour and Kawa Hot Bath: $85
  • Boracay Buggy Car Adventure: $105
  • Boracay Cliff Jumping & Snorkeling Experience (Private): $105
  • Boracay E-trike Land Tour: $24
  • Boracay Eco-Hopping Tour: $86
  • Boracay Helicopter Tour with Red Whale Party Yacht: $226
  • Boracay Hopping Tour with Standard Boodle Fight Lunch: $40

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Dalian $6.48
    Boracay $16


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dalian and Boracay, we can see that Dalian is more expensive. And not only is Boracay much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Boracay would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Boracay 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 Dalian would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dalian than you might in Boracay.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Dalian Expensive? and Is Boracay Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Dalian or Boracay?

Dalian has a larger population, and is about 880 times larger than the population of Boracay. When comparing the sizes of Dalian and Boracay, 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.