Which place is cheaper, Osaka or Dalian?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Dalian or Osaka?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Dalian or Osaka? 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 Osaka?
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.
Osaka
The third largest city in Japan, Osaka has a lot to offer travelers. It's at the center of the Kansai region, and is a wonderful place to spend a few days. The city sits at the mouth of the Yodo River on Osaka Bay and is a major commercial hub for the country.
Osaka has a humid subtropical climate with four seasons. The winters are mild with January temperatures having an average high of almost 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Snow is very rare. Springs start cool and become hot and humid. This is also the wettest season with the rainiest time being between May and early July. Summers are hot and humid with July temperatures climbing into the high 90s Fahrenheit. The fall season becomes cooler as winter approaches.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Japan, and The Best Adventure Tours to Japan.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDalian $103Osaka $88
The average daily cost (per person) in Dalian is $103, while the average daily cost in Osaka is $88. 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 Osaka in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDalian $54Osaka $45
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDalian $108Osaka $90
Compare Hotels in Dalian and Osaka
Looking for a hotel in Dalian or Osaka? 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: Osaka Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dalian $41Osaka $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dalian
Also for Dalian, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Departure Transfer: City Hotel to Any Guiyang Railway Station: $38
- Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport Chauffeur Service , to Dalian Transfer: $27
- Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport Chauffeur Service , to Dalian Transfer: $40
- Dalian Private Departure Transfer:City Hotel to Railway Station: $32
- Dalian Private Arrival Transfer: Railway Station to City Hotel: $33
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Osaka
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Osaka:
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Subway$7.83
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Osaka
Also for Osaka, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Osaka Kansai Int Airport (KIX): Transfer to Osaka hotels: $339
- Osaka Private Transfer from Osaka central to Itami Airport (ITM): $275
- Osaka Kansai Airport to Arima-Onsen Resorts-Round-Trip Transfer: $266
- Osaka Airport (ITM) to Kinosakicho Yushima - Arrival Transfer: $242
- Itami Airport Private One-Way Transfer to/from Nara: $240
- Osaka Airport Transfers : Osaka City to Kansai Airport KIX in Business Van: $236
- Departure Private Transfers: Osaka City to Kansai Airport KIX in Business Van: $236
- One-Way Private Transfer to/from Kyoto: $220
- Osaka City: Private One-Way Transfers to/from Arima Onsen: $219
- Itami Airport (ITM): Private One-Way Transfer to/from Nara: $215
- Itami Airport Private One-Way Transfer to/from Kyoto: $208
- Itami Airport (ITM): Private One-Way Transfer to/from Kyoto: $199
Is it cheaper to fly into Dalian or Osaka?
Prices for flights to both Osaka 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 $27Osaka $25
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Osaka
For Osaka, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Osaka:Food Tour & Shopping(Grand Opening Limited Time Offer): $25
- 2-Hour Kuromon Market Walking Street Food Tour: $26
- Private Takoyaki Cooking Class by Natives in Osaka: $36
- Japanese home cooking class in Osaka Umeda: $45
- Osaka Okonomiyaki Cooking Experience!: $49
- Ramen and Gyoza Cooking Class in Dotonbori: $61
- Kimono experience and Japanese home-cooking lesson Osaka: $63
- Osaka Authentic Tempura & Miso Soup Japan Cooking Class: $64
- RAMEN and 2 types GYOZA (dumplings) Cooking Class: $65
- Three Types of RAMEN Cooking Class: $65
- Kimono experience and Japanese home-cooking lesson Osaka Umeda : $65
- Ramen and Gyoza Cooking Class in Osaka Dotonbori: $66
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dalian $4.78Osaka $20
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Osaka
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Osaka's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Osaka Aquarium (for 2)$30
Tours and Activities in Osaka
For Osaka, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- "Dotonbori Nightscapes: Photoshooting tour in Dotonbori": $120
- "Experience Kyoto: A Full-Day Private Tour Adventure": $120
- 1-Day walking tour in Osakaļ¼Castle, temples and Ukiyoe: $134
- 150 mins Deep Samurai Experience near Osaka Castle: $179
- 2-Hour Osaka Go-Kart Experience with Local Guide from Namba: $138
- 3 Days Private Osaka Kyoto and Nara Tour with English Driver: $1,579
- 3 Hours Historical Tour of Princess Saio on an Electric Cart: $32
- 3/4/5 Hours Private Tour in Osaka with Local Guide: $117
- 4-Day Private Kyoto Osaka Nara Sightseeing tour with Guide: $2,370
- 4-hour Private Walking Tour to Historical Town of Saiku: $71
- 5 Hour Osaka Castle Tsutenkaku and Dotonbori Guided Tour: $71
- 90mins Samurai Pilgrimage Osaka Castle Tour: $214
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDalian $6.31Osaka $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Osaka
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Osaka:
- Osaka Namba Hidden Places Bar Crawl: $16
- Osaka Pub Crawl and Nightlife Tour: $23
- Namba Pub Bar Crawl with a Local Guide: $30
- Osaka Evening: Ultimate Pub Bar Crawl with an Expert Local Guide: $32
- Local Bar Crawl in Dotombori and Uranamba Area: $38
- Osaka Local Bar Crawl in Dotombori & Uranamba Area: $39
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dalian and Osaka, we can see that Dalian is more expensive. And not only is Osaka much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Osaka would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Osaka 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 Osaka.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Dalian Expensive? and Is Osaka Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dalian or Osaka?
Osaka has a larger population, and is about 27% larger than the population of Dalian. When comparing the sizes of Dalian and Osaka, 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 Osaka?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Dalian or Osaka in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Dalian and Osaka. Furthermore, many visitors come to Osaka in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
Dalian is cooler than Osaka in the summer. The daily temperature in Dalian averages around 24°C (75°F) in July, and Osaka fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
Osaka receives a lot of rain in the summer. Dalian gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Dalian usually receives more rain than Osaka. Dalian gets 202 mm (8 in) of rain, while Osaka receives 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyDalian 24°C (75°F)Osaka 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Dalian or Osaka in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Dalian as well as Osaka. Additionally, most visitors come to Osaka for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.
In the autumn, Dalian is cooler than Osaka. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Dalian in October average around 15°C (58°F), and Osaka averages at about 19°C (66°F).
It's quite rainy in Osaka. Dalian usually gets less rain in October than Osaka. Dalian gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Osaka receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberDalian 15°C (58°F)Osaka 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Dalian or Osaka in the Winter?
Both Osaka and Dalian are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Osaka because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Dalian can be very cold during winter. In January, Dalian is generally much colder than Osaka. Daily temperatures in Dalian average around -4°C (25°F), and Osaka fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).
In January, Dalian usually receives less rain than Osaka. Dalian gets 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Osaka receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryDalian -4°C (25°F)Osaka 6°C (42°F)
Should I visit Dalian or Osaka in the Spring?
Both Osaka and Dalian during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Osaka this time of year.
Dalian is cooler than Osaka in the spring. The daily temperature in Dalian averages around 11°C (51°F) in April, and Osaka fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
Osaka gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Dalian usually gets less rain in April than Osaka. Dalian gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Osaka receives 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilDalian 11°C (51°F)Osaka 15°C (59°F)
Typical Weather for Osaka and Dalian
| Dalian | Osaka | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -4°C (25°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Feb | -2°C (28°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Mar | 4°C (38°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Apr | 11°C (51°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) |
| May | 17°C (62°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 204 mm (8 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (75°F) | 202 mm (8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 157 mm (6.2 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (77°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| Oct | 15°C (58°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (44°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Dec | -0°C (32°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 35 mm (1.4 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.