Which place is cheaper, Cairns or Dalian?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Dalian or Cairns?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Dalian or Cairns? 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 Cairns?
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.
Cairns
Most travelers go to Cairns specifically to visit Great Barrier Reef. The city itself is surprisingly large and cosmopolitan with a population of approximately 140,000. The city's economy is almost exclusively based on tourism, although you will find some jobs centered around agriculture, or more specifically sugar cane, bananas, coffee, tea, wine, and some tropical fruits. The city itself is surrounded by rainforest and makes a great base for exploring Kuranda, with the Barron Gorge National Park and the Daintree offering a quieter tropical getaway than Cairns.
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 Australia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Australia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDalian $103Cairns $94
The average daily cost (per person) in Dalian is $103, while the average daily cost in Cairns is $94. 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 Cairns in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDalian $54Cairns $43
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDalian $108Cairns $86
Compare Hotels in Dalian and Cairns
Looking for a hotel in Dalian or Cairns? 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: Cairns Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dalian $41Cairns $12
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cairns
Also for Cairns, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Hot Air Balloon Flight with Transfers: $653
- Cairns to Mission Beach (ONE WAY) Private Transfer 1 to 6 pax: $277
- Cairns Airport(CNS) to Port Douglas - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $268
- Mercedes-Benz S Class Transfers Cairns Airport - Port Douglas : $254
- Luxury Van, Private Transfer, Cairns Airport - Port Douglas.: $254
- Cairns Airport(CNS) to Cairns City - Round-Trip Private Transfer : $247
- Cairns Airport (CNS): Private Transfer to Cairns city hotels: $241
- IMAX Private Transfer 7 Guests Cairns Airport to Hotels in Port Douglas : $225
- Cairns Airport Private Transfers: $184
- Cairns Airport to Luxury Transfers Port Douglas: $170
- Cairns Airport (CNS): Private Transfer to Palm Cove hotels: $168
- Cairns Airport (CNS): Transfer to Port Douglas hotels: $168
Is it cheaper to fly into Dalian or Cairns?
Prices for flights to both Cairns 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 $27Cairns $28
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cairns
For Cairns, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cairns Luxury Catamaran Harbor and Dinner Cruise: $85
- Night at the Aquarium Guided Tour & 2 Course Dinner: $91
- Guided Twilight Tour with 3-Course Dinner: $117
- City Sights Tour with Evening Dinner Cruise: $149
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dalian $4.78Cairns $37
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 Cairns
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Cairns's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Scuba Diving$36
Tours and Activities in Cairns
For Cairns, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Kuranda Rainforestation Nature Park Ticket (BNP): $43
- 3B Daintree Rainforest, Mossman Gorge, Crocodile Wildlife Cruise: $188
- Atherton Tablelands, Waterfalls and Rainforest Tour from Cairns: $98
- Atherton Tablelands: Lakes, Waterfalls, Rainforest Day Tour: $97
- Authentic Indigenous Cultural Tour Including Scenic River Cruise: $92
- Barron Gorge and Kuranda National Park Half Day Rainforest and Waterfall 4WD Tour from Cairns: $120
- Cairns 4WD Rainforest Waterfall Tour Including a GBR Island Tour: $242
- Cairns Aquarium General Admission & Coral Conservation Tour: $52
- Cairns Aquarium General Admission Ticket: $34
- Cairns Aquarium Turtle Hospital and City Sightseeing Tour: $116
- Cairns Aquarium and small group City Sightseeing Tour: $125
- Cairns Botanic Gardens: Mushroom Photography Tour: $44
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDalian $6.31Cairns $13
Sample the Local Flavors in Cairns
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Cairns:
- Cairns Brewery Tours: $139
- From Atherton Tablelands Food and Wine Tasting Tour: $160
When comparing the travel costs between Dalian and Cairns, 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 Cairns 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 Cairns Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dalian or Cairns?
Dalian has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Cairns. When comparing the sizes of Dalian and Cairns, 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 Cairns?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Cairns 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 Cairns in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Dalian and Cairns. Furthermore, the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Cairns this time of year.
Dalian is cooler than Cairns in the summer. The daily temperature in Dalian averages around 24°C (75°F) in July, and Cairns fluctuates around 29°C (84°F)in January.
Cairns receives a lot of rain in the summer. Dalian gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Dalian usually receives less rain than Cairnsin January. Dalian gets 202 mm (8 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 429 mm (16.9 in) of rain each month for the summer. Also, November to March is the rainy season in Cairns.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryDalian 24°C (75°F)Cairns 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Dalian or Cairns in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Dalian as well as Cairns. Additionally, many travelers come to Cairns for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Dalian is much colder than Cairns. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Dalian in October average around 15°C (58°F), and Cairns averages at about 27°C (80°F)in April.
It's quite rainy in Cairns. Dalian usually gets less rain in October than Cairnsin April. Dalian gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 273 mm (10.8 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, April to October in Cairns is the dry season.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilDalian 15°C (58°F)Cairns 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Dalian or Cairns in the Winter?
Both Cairns and Dalian are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Cairns in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Dalian. In January, Dalian is generally much colder than Cairnsin July. Daily temperatures in Dalian average around -4°C (25°F), and Cairns fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
In January, Dalian usually receives less rain than Cairnsin July. Dalian gets 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyDalian -4°C (25°F)Cairns 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Dalian or Cairns in the Spring?
Both Cairns and Dalian during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Cairns for the beaches during these months.
Dalian is much colder than Cairns in the spring. The daily temperature in Dalian averages around 11°C (51°F) in April, and Cairns fluctuates around 27°C (80°F)in October.
Dalian usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Cairnsin October. Dalian gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year. April to October is the dry season in Cairns. November to March is the rainy season in Cairns.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberDalian 11°C (51°F)Cairns 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Cairns and Dalian
| Dalian | Cairns | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -4°C (25°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 429 mm (16.9 in) |
| Feb | -2°C (28°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 469 mm (18.5 in) |
| Mar | 4°C (38°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 471 mm (18.5 in) |
| Apr | 11°C (51°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 273 mm (10.8 in) |
| May | 17°C (62°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 62 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (75°F) | 202 mm (8 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (77°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Oct | 15°C (58°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (44°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Dec | -0°C (32°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 211 mm (8.3 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.