Which place is cheaper, Okinawa or Dalian?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Dalian or Okinawa?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Dalian or Okinawa? 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 Okinawa?
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.
Okinawa
Okinawa is the southernmost prefecture of Japan and includes hundreds of the Ryukyu Islands. The chain of islands is off the southern mainland portion of the country and is made up of 49 inhabited islands and over one hundred uninhabited islands. Naha is Okinawa's capital, which is located in the southern part of Okinawa Island.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, The Best G Adventures Tours to Japan, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Tokyo.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDalian $106Okinawa $112
The average daily cost (per person) in Dalian is $106, while the average daily cost in Okinawa is $112. 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 Okinawa in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDalian $56Okinawa $78
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDalian $112Okinawa $156
Compare Hotels in Dalian and Okinawa
Looking for a hotel in Dalian or Okinawa? 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 $42Okinawa $10
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 Okinawa
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Okinawa:
- Airport Transfer! Center of Naha to Naha Airport (OKA): $125
- Airport Transfer! Naha Airport (OKA) to Center of Naha: $124
- Private Transfer from Naha City Hotels to Nakagusuku Cruise Port : $67
- Private Transfer from Naha City Hotels to Nakagusuku Cruise Port : $60
- Private One Way Transfer: Naha Airport (OKA) to/from Naha city: $40
Is it cheaper to fly into Dalian or Okinawa?
Prices for flights to both Okinawa 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 $28Okinawa $25
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dalian $4.91Okinawa $15
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
Tours and Activities in Okinawa
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Okinawa are as follows:
- Okinawa Local Experience and Sunset Cycling Tour: $104
- 2-Hour Private Gorilla Go Kart Experience in Okinawa: $68
- 200m Parasailing Experience in Okinawa depart from Ginowan Marina: $76
- 4 Person Group Tour Kerama Blue Cycling in Aka Island : $125
- American Village &Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium Tour from Naha/Chatan: $78
- Beautiful sunset kayak tour in Okinawa: $38
- Cave Okinawa Admission Ticket: $23
- Cycling Experience in the Historic City of Urasoe: $111
- E-Bike Nature Tour in Shuri: $104
- Go by E bike Firefly observation night tour in Naha: $80
- Jungle River Trek: private tour in Yanbaru, north Okinawa: $52
- Karate History Tour in Okinawa: $112
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDalian $6.48Okinawa $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Okinawa
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Okinawa:
- Naha Local Pub Crawl: $110
When comparing the travel costs between Dalian and Okinawa, we can see that Okinawa is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Dalian Expensive? and Is Okinawa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dalian or Okinawa?
Dalian has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Okinawa. When comparing the sizes of Dalian and Okinawa, 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 Okinawa?
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 Okinawa in the Summer?
Both Okinawa and Dalian during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Okinawa because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
Dalian is cooler than Okinawa in the summer. The daily temperature in Dalian averages around 24°C (75°F) in July, and Okinawa fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
Okinawa 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 Okinawa. Dalian gets 202 mm (8 in) of rain, while Okinawa receives 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyDalian 24°C (75°F)Okinawa 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Dalian or Okinawa in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Dalian and Okinawa. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Okinawa this time of year.
In the autumn, Dalian is much colder than Okinawa. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Dalian in October average around 15°C (58°F), and Okinawa averages at about 25°C (77°F).
Okinawa receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Dalian usually receives less rain than Okinawa. Dalian gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Okinawa receives 152 mm (6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberDalian 15°C (58°F)Okinawa 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Dalian or Okinawa in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Dalian as well as Okinawa. Also, many travelers come to Okinawa for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
It's quite cold in Dalian in the winter. In January, Dalian is generally much colder than Okinawa. Daily temperatures in Dalian average around -4°C (25°F), and Okinawa fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
It's quite rainy in Okinawa. Dalian usually gets less rain in January than Okinawa. Dalian gets 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Okinawa receives 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryDalian -4°C (25°F)Okinawa 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Dalian or Okinawa in the Spring?
Both Okinawa and Dalian are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Okinawa in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.
Dalian is much colder than Okinawa in the spring. The daily temperature in Dalian averages around 11°C (51°F) in April, and Okinawa fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Okinawa. In April, Dalian usually receives less rain than Okinawa. Dalian gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Okinawa receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilDalian 11°C (51°F)Okinawa 22°C (71°F)
Typical Weather for Okinawa and Dalian
| Dalian | Okinawa | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -4°C (25°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 125 mm (4.9 in) |
| Feb | -2°C (28°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Mar | 4°C (38°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 156 mm (6.1 in) |
| Apr | 11°C (51°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| May | 17°C (62°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 255 mm (10 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (75°F) | 202 mm (8 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (77°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 266 mm (10.5 in) |
| Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) |
| Oct | 15°C (58°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (44°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) |
| Dec | -0°C (32°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 116 mm (4.6 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.