Which place is cheaper, Kaikoura or Dalian?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Dalian or Kaikoura?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Dalian or Kaikoura? 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 Kaikoura?
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.
Kaikoura
Kaikoura is a town on the east coast of the South Island, situated between Christchurch and Belnheim. It has a permanent resident population of 1,971. The Seaward Kaikoura Mountains that surround this town collide with the Pacific Ocean, and the continental shelf edge is just offshore. The ocean in Kaikoura is very rich in marine life, especially seals and whales.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, The Best Luxury Tours to New Zealand, and The Best Budget Tours to New Zealand.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDalian $103Kaikoura $135
The average daily cost (per person) in Dalian is $103, while the average daily cost in Kaikoura is $135. 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 Kaikoura in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDalian $54Kaikoura $48
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDalian $108Kaikoura $96
Compare Hotels in Dalian and Kaikoura
Looking for a hotel in Dalian or Kaikoura? 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: Kaikoura Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dalian $41Kaikoura $17
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 Private Departure Transfer:City Hotel to Railway Station: $32
- Dalian Private Arrival Transfer: Railway Station to City Hotel: $33
- Private Departure Transfer: City Hotel to Any Guiyang Railway Station: $38
- Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport Chauffeur Service , to Dalian Transfer: $40
Is it cheaper to fly into Dalian or Kaikoura?
Prices for flights to both Kaikoura 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 $27Kaikoura $38
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dalian $4.78Kaikoura $152
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
Tours and Activities in Kaikoura
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kaikoura are as follows:
- Llama Trek (Taster) - Kowhai River Valley and Native Woodland Tour: $81
- 1-Hour Private Heli-Picnic Mountain top tour in Kaikoura : $237
- 40-minute Mt Fyffe Summit Heli Tour in Kaikoura : $222
- Half Day Zipline Adventure in Kaikoura: $97
- Kaikoura Swim with Dolphins Tour from Christchurch: $238
- Kaikoura Whale Watch Day Tour from Christchurch: $211
- 1-Hour Whale Watching Helicopter Tour: $624
- Guided Family Kayaking Adventure: $89
- Half-Day Wildlife Kayaking Tour: $89
- Seal-Watching Pedal Kayak Tour: $71
- Whale Watching Cruise: $98
- Wildlife Kayaking Tour at Sunset: $89
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDalian $6.31Kaikoura -
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dalian and Kaikoura, we can see that Kaikoura 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 Kaikoura 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 Kaikoura would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kaikoura 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 Kaikoura Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dalian or Kaikoura?
Dalian has a larger population, and is about 2970 times larger than the population of Kaikoura. When comparing the sizes of Dalian and Kaikoura, 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.
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.