Which place is cheaper, Fraser Island or Dalian?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Dalian or Fraser Island?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Dalian or Fraser Island? 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 Fraser Island?
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.
Fraser Island
Fraser Island, located off Australia's eastern Queensland coast, is the world's largest sand island. It is best known as a camping and ecotourism destination, with a number of panoramic viewpoints, beaches, lakes, and freshwater pools. Hervey Bay, a beachside city on the nearby mainland, is a primary gateway to the island.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Australia, and The Best Honeymoon Tours in Australia.
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Dalian Prices
China PricesFraser Island Prices
Australia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDalian $124Fraser Island $243
The average daily cost (per person) in Dalian is $124, while the average daily cost in Fraser Island is $243. 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 Fraser Island in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDalian $55Fraser Island $102
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDalian $110Fraser Island $204
Compare Hotels in Dalian and Fraser Island
Looking for a hotel in Dalian or Fraser Island? 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 $41Fraser Island $93
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 Fraser Island?
Prices for flights to both Fraser Island 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 $48Fraser Island $83
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dalian $4.86Fraser Island $45
Tours and Activities in Dalian
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Dalian.
- Seaside and Skyline A Scenic Walking Tour of Dalian: $150
- Dalian City Private Day Tour in Your Way: $250
Tours and Activities in Fraser Island
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Fraser Island are as follows:
- 2 Hours Hervey Bay Funset Cruise: $53
- Fraser Experience Shared Full Day Guided Tour: $208
- Hervey Bay Ultimate Whale Watching Cruise: $80
- Hervey Bay Whale Watching Cruise: $104
- Hervey Bay to K'gari/Fraser Island 2-Day Tour (Beach House): $369
- Hervey Bay: Best Value Half Day Whale Watching Cruise: $80
- Hervey Bay: Half Day Whale watching & Island Stop Tour: $111
- K'gari (Fraser Island) All Inclusive Day Tour: $174
- K'gari (Fraser Island) Small Group 4WD Adventure - From Noosa: $201
- K'gari (Fraser Island) Small Group Day Tour - From Rainbow Beach: $186
- Remote Fraser Island Experience: $173
- Remote K'gari (Fraser Island) & Whale Experience: $173
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDalian $6.41Fraser Island $21
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dalian and Fraser Island, we can see that Fraser Island 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 Fraser Island 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 Fraser Island would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Fraser Island 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 Fraser Island Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Dalian or Fraser Island?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Fraser Island 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 Fraser Island in the Summer?
Both Fraser Island and Dalian during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Fraser Island because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Dalian is generally around the same temperature as Fraser Islandin January. Daily temperatures in Dalian average around 24°C (75°F), and Fraser Island fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
Fraser Island gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Dalian. Dalian usually gets more rain in July than Fraser Islandin January. Dalian gets 202 mm (8 in) of rain, while Fraser Island receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryDalian 24°C (75°F)Fraser Island 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Dalian or Fraser Island in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Dalian and Fraser Island. Also, the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Fraser Island this time of year.
Dalian is much colder than Fraser Island in the autumn. The daily temperature in Dalian averages around 15°C (58°F) in October, and Fraser Island fluctuates around 22°C (72°F)in April.
In October, Dalian usually receives less rain than Fraser Islandin April. Dalian gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Fraser Island receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilDalian 15°C (58°F)Fraser Island 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Dalian or Fraser Island in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Dalian as well as Fraser Island. Also, many travelers come to Fraser Island for the cuisine.
It's quite cold in Dalian in the winter. In the winter, Dalian is much colder than Fraser Island. Typically, the winter temperatures in Dalian in January average around -4°C (25°F), and Fraser Island averages at about 15°C (59°F)in July.
Dalian usually gets less rain in January than Fraser Islandin July. Dalian gets 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Fraser Island receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyDalian -4°C (25°F)Fraser Island 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Dalian or Fraser Island in the Spring?
Both Fraser Island and Dalian are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Fraser Island in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.
In April, Dalian is generally much colder than Fraser Islandin October. Daily temperatures in Dalian average around 11°C (51°F), and Fraser Island fluctuates around 21°C (71°F).
In April, Dalian usually receives less rain than Fraser Islandin October. Dalian gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Fraser Island receives 75 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberDalian 11°C (51°F)Fraser Island 21°C (71°F)
Typical Weather for Fraser Island and Dalian
| Dalian | Fraser Island | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -4°C (25°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Feb | -2°C (28°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) |
| Mar | 4°C (38°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) |
| Apr | 11°C (51°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| May | 17°C (62°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (75°F) | 202 mm (8 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (77°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Oct | 15°C (58°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 21°C (71°F) | 75 mm (2.9 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (44°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 106 mm (4.2 in) |
| Dec | -0°C (32°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 134 mm (5.3 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.