Which place is cheaper, Gili Trawangan 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 Gili Trawangan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Dalian or Gili Trawangan? 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 Gili Trawangan?
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.
Gili Trawangan
Gili Trawangan, known as Gili T, is the most visited of the three Gili Islands, located on the northeast side of Lombok. These islands are known for world-class diving and snorkeling spots. It's not hard to see why, considering that any direction you step off the shoreline, there's a beautiful underwater world to explore.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Indonesia.
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Dalian Prices
China PricesGili Trawangan Prices
Indonesia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDalian $124Gili Trawangan $40
The average daily cost (per person) in Dalian is $124, while the average daily cost in Gili Trawangan is $40. 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 Gili Trawangan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDalian $55Gili Trawangan $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDalian $110Gili Trawangan $46
Compare Hotels in Dalian and Gili Trawangan
Looking for a hotel in Dalian or Gili Trawangan? 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: Gili Trawangan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dalian $41Gili Trawangan $2.65
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 Gili Trawangan
Also for Gili Trawangan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Gili Trawangan Luxury Speedboat Transfer to Bali: $24
- Private Speedboat transfer Between Lombok and Gili Islands: $15
Is it cheaper to fly into Dalian or Gili Trawangan?
Prices for flights to both Gili Trawangan 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 $48Gili Trawangan $12
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Gili Trawangan
For Gili Trawangan, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Indonesian Food Cooking Class of Gili Air: $33
- Learn to cook authentic Indonesian food at Gili Cooking Classes: $33
- Gili Trawangan Sunset BBQ Dinner Cruise with snorkeling: $91
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dalian $4.86Gili Trawangan $3.82
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
- Seaside and Skyline A Scenic Walking Tour of Dalian: $150
- Waves & Wharfs: Dalian's Chill Soul 1-Day Tour: $215
Tours and Activities in Gili Trawangan
For Gili Trawangan, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 4-in-1 • Gili Islands Half-day Snorkel & Lunch Catamaran Tour: $104
- 4-in-1 • Gili Islands Snorkel & Sunset Half-day Catamaran Cruise: $104
- From Gili Islands Snorkeling Boat Tour: $15
- From Lombok Beaches and Culture Tour: $84
- Gili Air 1 Hour Horseback Beach Adventure: $46
- Gili Hai 3 Islands BBQ Cruise: $83
- Gili Hai 3 Islands BBQ Sunset Cruise: $83
- Gili Islands Day Tour and Snorkeling at Turtle Points: $76
- Gili Islands Snorkel Tour - Explore an Underwater Paradise: $16
- Gili Islands: 4-in-1 Catamaran Snorkeling Experience: $106
- Gili Meno Horse Riding Adventure on the Beach for 1 Hour: $42
- Gili Trawangan 3 Island Half day Cruise with BBQ Lunch and Snorkeling : $91
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDalian $6.41Gili Trawangan $3.53
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dalian and Gili Trawangan, we can see that Dalian is more expensive. And not only is Gili Trawangan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Gili Trawangan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Gili Trawangan 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 Gili Trawangan.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Dalian Expensive? and Is Gili Trawangan Expensive?.
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.