Which place is cheaper, Picton or Dalian?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Dalian or Picton?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Dalian or Picton? 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 Picton?
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.
Picton
Picton, New Zealand is located in the picturesque Marlborough Region on the South Island. With beachfront access in a central location and near the Marlborough Sounds, Picton is an ideal place for anyone looking for both adventure and relaxation in one of the most naturally beautiful countries in the world.
The weather in Picton is fairly mild, ranging from the low fifties to high sixties, Fahrenheit, throughout the year. Their summer months are December through March, this is when you'll find temperatures in the high sixties. During the winter, June through August, Picton experiences averages of fifty degree Fahrenheit. This means you can visit any time of the year without having to worry about weather inhibiting any of your outdoor activities!
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand, and The Best Eco Tours in New Zealand.
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Dalian Prices
China PricesPicton Prices
New Zealand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDalian $124Picton $101
The average daily cost (per person) in Dalian is $124, while the average daily cost in Picton is $101. 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 Picton in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDalian $55Picton $37
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDalian $110Picton $74
Compare Hotels in Dalian and Picton
Looking for a hotel in Dalian or Picton? 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: Picton Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dalian $41Picton -
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 Picton
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Picton:
- Private Transfer from Picton Port to Blenheim Airport (BHE): $134
- Private Transfer from Blenheim Airport (BHE) to Picton Port: $134
- Private Transfer from Picton Cruise Port to Blenheim City Hotels: $121
- Private Transfer from Blenheim city hotels to Picton Cruise Port: $120
Is it cheaper to fly into Dalian or Picton?
Prices for flights to both Picton 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 $48Picton $34
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Picton
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Picton.
- CRUISE SHIP DAYS - HOP ON HOP OFF - Wine, Beer, Food Tour: $58
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dalian $4.86Picton $109
Tours and Activities in Dalian
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Dalian.
- Seaside and Skyline A Scenic Walking Tour of Dalian: $150
- Waves & Wharfs: Dalian's Chill Soul 1-Day Tour: $215
- Dalian City Private Day Tour in Your Way: $250
Tours and Activities in Picton
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Picton are as follows:
- 1-Day Cruise in Queen Charlotte Track & Kupes Trail Walk: $119
- 3.5 Hour Marlborough Sounds Delivery Cruise: $66
- Bays and Bush Flight Scenic Tour: $95
- Bird Watching and Dolphin Eco-Tour from Picton: $89
- Captain Cook and Dolphin Cruise: $95
- Depart Marlborough Sounds Afternoon Seafood Cruise: $90
- Discover Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
- Flight Experience our Water and Wilderness Scenic Tour: $178
- From Havelock to Marlborough Sounds Postie's Day Off Cruise: $83
- From Marlborough Sounds Cruise with Seafood: $104
- From Private Wine and Gourmet Tour of Marlborough: $575
- Full Day Iconic Mail Boat Cruise: $83
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDalian $6.41Picton $34
Sample the Local Flavors in Picton
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Picton:
- Self-Guided Biking Wine Tour (full day) in the Marlborough Region.: $39
- Self-Guided Wine Tours by Bike with Lorelle & Greg : $41
- Marlborough: Hop-On Hop-Off Wine, Brewery, and Wonders Tour: $75
- Hop on Hop off Wine Tours Marlborough: $77
- CRUISE SHIP DAY Marlborough Hop On Hop Off Wine Tours: $77
- Marlborough Afternoon Wine Tour with Tastings: $77
- Marlborough Half Day Wine Tour From Picton: $92
- Half-Day Wine Tour from Blenheim: $95
- Marlborough Wine Tasting Tour.: $95
- Half-Day Wine Tour from Picton: $95
- Taste the Valley Wine Tour in Marlborough with Wine Tasting: $101
- Morning Guided with Afternoon Self-Guided Biking Wine Tour: $101
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dalian and Picton, we can see that Dalian is more expensive. And not only is Picton much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dalian is in Asia and Picton 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 Picton would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Picton 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 Picton.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Dalian Expensive? and Is Picton Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dalian or Picton?
Dalian has a larger population, and is about 680 times larger than the population of Picton. When comparing the sizes of Dalian and Picton, 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 Picton?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Picton is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Dalian has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Dalian or Picton in the Summer?
Both Picton and Dalian during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Picton because of the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.
Dalian is a little warmer than Picton in the summer. The daily temperature in Dalian averages around 24°C (75°F) in July, and Picton fluctuates around 18°C (64°F)in January.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Dalian. Dalian usually gets more rain in July than Pictonin January. Dalian gets 202 mm (8 in) of rain, while Picton receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryDalian 24°C (75°F)Picton 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Dalian or Picton in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Dalian and Picton. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to Picton this time of year.
In the autumn, Dalian is around the same temperature as Picton. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Dalian in October average around 15°C (58°F), and Picton averages at about 15°C (58°F)in April.
In October, Dalian usually receives less rain than Pictonin April. Dalian gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Picton receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilDalian 15°C (58°F)Picton 15°C (58°F)
Should I visit Dalian or Picton in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Dalian as well as Picton. Also, many travelers come to Picton 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 Pictonin July. Daily temperatures in Dalian average around -4°C (25°F), and Picton fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).
It's quite rainy in Picton. Dalian usually gets less rain in January than Pictonin July. Dalian gets 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Picton receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyDalian -4°C (25°F)Picton 10°C (49°F)
Should I visit Dalian or Picton in the Spring?
Both Picton and Dalian are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Picton in the spring for the beaches and the small town charm.
Dalian is cooler than Picton in the spring. The daily temperature in Dalian averages around 11°C (51°F) in April, and Picton fluctuates around 13°C (55°F)in October.
In April, Dalian usually receives less rain than Pictonin October. Dalian gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Picton receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberDalian 11°C (51°F)Picton 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Picton and Dalian
| Dalian | Picton | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -4°C (25°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Feb | -2°C (28°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 4°C (38°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Apr | 11°C (51°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| May | 17°C (62°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (75°F) | 202 mm (8 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (77°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 98 mm (3.9 in) |
| Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 15°C (58°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (44°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Dec | -0°C (32°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 69 mm (2.7 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.