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

Should you visit Dalian or Milford Sound?

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

Should I visit Dalian or Milford Sound? 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 Milford Sound?

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.

Milford Sound

Milford Sound is a fjord in Fiordland that was created by a glacier. The area is known for rain, but if you end up here on a rainy, know that you are seeing the waterfalls at their fullest.

People go to Milford Sound for the natural beauty. It is unlike any other place on earth. If you're the adventurous type, get yourself a kayak to explore the area. Also, if you have the chance, take a cruise to Milford Deep Underwater Observatory.

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 New Zealand, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in New Zealand.


Which place is cheaper, Milford Sound or Dalian?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Dalian is $105, while the average daily cost in Milford Sound is $125. 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 Milford Sound in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Dalian $55
    Milford Sound $71
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Dalian $110
    Milford Sound $142
Compare Hotels in Dalian and Milford Sound

Looking for a hotel in Dalian or Milford Sound? 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 Milford Sound


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 $41
    Milford Sound $14

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 Milford Sound?

Prices for flights to both Milford Sound 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
    Milford Sound $36

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Dalian $4.88
    Milford Sound $41

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

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Dalian $6.44
    Milford Sound $14


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dalian and Milford Sound, we can see that Milford Sound 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 Milford Sound 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 Milford Sound would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Milford Sound 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 Milford Sound Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Dalian or Milford Sound?

Dalian has a larger population, and is about 4680 times larger than the population of Milford Sound. When comparing the sizes of Dalian and Milford Sound, 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.