Which place is cheaper, Nara or Dalian?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Dalian or Nara?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Dalian or Nara? 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 Nara?
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.
Nara
As Japan's first capital, Nara offers a world of tradition and culture second only to the city of Kyoto. It is home to eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, which are largely concentrated in the area of Nara Park. Here, it is also common to see many deer wandering freely amongst the temples and shrines.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan, and The Best Cultural Tours in Japan.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDalian $103Nara $85
The average daily cost (per person) in Dalian is $103, while the average daily cost in Nara is $85. 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 Nara in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDalian $54Nara $52
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDalian $108Nara $104
Compare Hotels in Dalian and Nara
Looking for a hotel in Dalian or Nara? 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: Nara Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dalian $41Nara $5.83
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nara
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Nara:
- Kansai Airport (KIX)：Private One-Way Transfer to/from Nara: $240
Is it cheaper to fly into Dalian or Nara?
Prices for flights to both Nara 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 $27Nara $28
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nara
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Nara.
- Eel Fishing and Cooking Experience in Kyoto: $72
- Cooking class, learning how to make authentic sushi: $111
- Full Day Nara E bike Tour and Osaka History Food Tour: $189
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dalian $4.78Nara $7.81
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 Nara
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Nara are as follows:
- 1 Day Walking Tour in Nara Palace Deer and Inkstick: $166
- 1-Day Walking Tour in Palace, Deer and Inkstick: $147
- All must-sees in 3 hours - Nara Park Classic Tour! From JR Nara!: $42
- EBike Eco Chic Tour Explore 1300 Year Old Primeval Forest: $88
- Eigo Tour - Walk in Nara City: $65
- Experience Authentic Sushi making in Nara: $115
- Guided Tour of Todai ji and Nara Park: $83
- Guided Uji Anime Walking Tour: $31
- Half-Day Private Guided Tour : Nara Imperial Palace: $95
- Half-Day Private Guided Tour to Nara City: $95
- Immersive Experience Tour in Totsukawa village: $3,202
- Katsuragi: Unique Sumo Experience: $195
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDalian $6.31Nara $11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dalian and Nara, we can see that Dalian is more expensive. And not only is Nara much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Nara would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nara 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 Nara.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Dalian Expensive? and Is Nara Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dalian or Nara?
Dalian has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Nara. When comparing the sizes of Dalian and Nara, 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 Nara?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Dalian or Nara in the Summer?
Both Nara and Dalian during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Nara this time of year.
In July, Dalian is generally cooler than Nara. Daily temperatures in Dalian average around 24°C (75°F), and Nara fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
Nara 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 Nara. Dalian gets 202 mm (8 in) of rain, while Nara receives 186 mm (7.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyDalian 24°C (75°F)Nara 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Dalian or Nara in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Dalian and Nara. Furthermore, many travelers come to Nara for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Dalian is cooler than Nara in the autumn. The daily temperature in Dalian averages around 15°C (58°F) in October, and Nara fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).
Nara receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Dalian usually receives less rain than Nara. Dalian gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Nara receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberDalian 15°C (58°F)Nara 17°C (63°F)
Should I visit Dalian or Nara in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Dalian as well as Nara. Additionally, many visitors come to Nara in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Nara can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Dalian. In the winter, Dalian is much colder than Nara. Typically, the winter temperatures in Dalian in January average around -4°C (25°F), and Nara averages at about 4°C (40°F).
Dalian usually gets less rain in January than Nara. Dalian gets 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Nara receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryDalian -4°C (25°F)Nara 4°C (40°F)
Should I visit Dalian or Nara in the Spring?
Both Nara and Dalian are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Nara for the natural beauty during these months.
In April, Dalian is generally cooler than Nara. Daily temperatures in Dalian average around 11°C (51°F), and Nara fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Nara. In April, Dalian usually receives less rain than Nara. Dalian gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Nara receives 127 mm (5 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilDalian 11°C (51°F)Nara 14°C (57°F)
Typical Weather for Nara and Dalian
| Dalian | Nara | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -4°C (25°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Feb | -2°C (28°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 60 mm (2.3 in) |
| Mar | 4°C (38°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Apr | 11°C (51°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| May | 17°C (62°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 128 mm (5.1 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 214 mm (8.4 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (75°F) | 202 mm (8 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 186 mm (7.3 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (77°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) |
| Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 154 mm (6.1 in) |
| Oct | 15°C (58°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (44°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | -0°C (32°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 41 mm (1.6 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.