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

Should you visit Dalian or Pyeongchang?

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

Should I visit Dalian or Pyeongchang? 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 Pyeongchang?

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.

Pyeongchang

Pyeongchang is a county of South Korea situated in the Taebaek Mountains in Gangwon Province. A popular location for winter sports, it was chosen as the host city for the 2018 Winter Olympics. Other attractions include Buddhist temples, parks, villages, and natural scenery.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Seoul, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Seoul.


Which place is cheaper, Pyeongchang or Dalian?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Dalian is $106, while the average daily cost in Pyeongchang is $121. 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 Pyeongchang in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Dalian $56
    Pyeongchang $65
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Dalian $112
    Pyeongchang $130
Compare Hotels in Dalian and Pyeongchang

Looking for a hotel in Dalian or Pyeongchang? 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 Pyeongchang


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: Pyeongchang Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Dalian $42
    Pyeongchang $26

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 Pyeongchang?

Prices for flights to both Pyeongchang 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
    Pyeongchang $29

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Dalian $4.91
    Pyeongchang $53

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 Pyeongchang

For Pyeongchang, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Balwangsan Cable Car & Samyang Ranch One Day Tour: $94

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Dalian $6.48
    Pyeongchang $9.27


When comparing the travel costs between Dalian and Pyeongchang, we can see that Pyeongchang 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 Pyeongchang Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Dalian or Pyeongchang?

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 Pyeongchang in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Dalian and Pyeongchang.

In the summer, Dalian is around the same temperature as Pyeongchang. Typically, the summer temperatures in Dalian in July average around 24°C (75°F), and Pyeongchang averages at about 24°C (76°F).

Pyeongchang receives a lot of rain in the summer. Dalian gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Dalian usually receives around the same amount of rain as Pyeongchang. Dalian gets 202 mm (8 in) of rain, while Pyeongchang receives 217 mm (8.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Dalian 24°C (75°F) 
    Pyeongchang 24°C (76°F)

Should I visit Dalian or Pyeongchang in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Dalian as well as Pyeongchang.

In October, Dalian is generally around the same temperature as Pyeongchang. Daily temperatures in Dalian average around 15°C (58°F), and Pyeongchang fluctuates around 15°C (60°F).

It's quite rainy in Pyeongchang. Dalian usually gets less rain in October than Pyeongchang. Dalian gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Pyeongchang receives 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Dalian 15°C (58°F) 
    Pyeongchang 15°C (60°F)

Should I visit Dalian or Pyeongchang in the Winter?

Both Pyeongchang and Dalian are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.

The weather in Pyeongchang can be very cold. Dalian can be very cold during winter. Dalian is much colder than Pyeongchang in the winter. The daily temperature in Dalian averages around -4°C (25°F) in January, and Pyeongchang fluctuates around 0°C (33°F).

In January, Dalian usually receives less rain than Pyeongchang. Dalian gets 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Pyeongchang receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Dalian -4°C (25°F) 
    Pyeongchang 0°C (33°F)

Should I visit Dalian or Pyeongchang in the Spring?

Both Pyeongchang and Dalian during the spring are popular places to visit.

In the spring, Dalian is cooler than Pyeongchang. Typically, the spring temperatures in Dalian in April average around 11°C (51°F), and Pyeongchang averages at about 12°C (54°F).

Dalian usually gets less rain in April than Pyeongchang. Dalian gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Pyeongchang receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Dalian 11°C (51°F) 
    Pyeongchang 12°C (54°F)

Typical Weather for Pyeongchang and Dalian

Dalian Pyeongchang
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -4°C (25°F) 9 mm (0.4 in) 0°C (33°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Feb -2°C (28°F) 12 mm (0.5 in) 1°C (35°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Mar 4°C (38°F) 14 mm (0.6 in) 6°C (42°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Apr 11°C (51°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) 12°C (54°F) 77 mm (3 in)
May 17°C (62°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 18°C (64°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Jun 21°C (69°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 21°C (69°F) 111 mm (4.4 in)
Jul 24°C (75°F) 202 mm (8 in) 24°C (76°F) 217 mm (8.5 in)
Aug 25°C (77°F) 132 mm (5.2 in) 25°C (77°F) 262 mm (10.3 in)
Sep 21°C (70°F) 56 mm (2.2 in) 20°C (68°F) 216 mm (8.5 in)
Oct 15°C (58°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 15°C (60°F) 112 mm (4.4 in)
Nov 7°C (44°F) 26 mm (1 in) 9°C (49°F) 78 mm (3.1 in)
Dec -0°C (32°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 3°C (38°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)