Which place is cheaper, Sihanoukville or Dalian?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Dalian or Sihanoukville?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Dalian or Sihanoukville? 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 Sihanoukville?
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.
Sihanoukville
Sihanoukville, also known by locals as Kompong Som, was named after King Sihanouk. Also Cambodia's youngest city, construction started in 1955 to build Cambodia's first and only deep water port so that ships would no longer have to go through the Mekong Delta in order to trade with Cambodia. Today, many visit Sihanoukville as a hub to visit Cambodia's islands.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, The Best Bicycle Tours in Cambodia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Cambodia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDalian $106Sihanoukville $62
The average daily cost (per person) in Dalian is $106, while the average daily cost in Sihanoukville is $62. 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 Sihanoukville in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDalian $56Sihanoukville $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDalian $112Sihanoukville $46
Compare Hotels in Dalian and Sihanoukville
Looking for a hotel in Dalian or Sihanoukville? 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 $42Sihanoukville $14
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 Sihanoukville
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sihanoukville:
- Private taxi transfer from Sihanoukville to Battambang: $290
- Private Taxi Transfer Siem Reap From/To Sihanoukville: $239
- Private Taxi transfer from Sihanoukvile to Battambang City: $145
- Private Taxi transfer from Sihanoukvile to Battambang City: $145
- Private Taxi transfer from Sihanoukvile to Battambang City: $116
- Private Transfer to/from Battambang - Sihanoukville: $115
- Private Taxi Transfer Kampot - Sihanoukville: $75
- Private Shuttle Transfer From Sihanoukville - Phnom Penh: $57
- Private Taxi Transfer From Kampot - Phnom Penh City: $46
- Sihanouk Ville Airport (KOS) Pickup/Transfer Private Car: $29
- Private Transfer between Sihanoukville Airport and Hotels or Port: $25
- Private Transfer From Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh: $25
Is it cheaper to fly into Dalian or Sihanoukville?
Prices for flights to both Sihanoukville 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 $28Sihanoukville $31
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sihanoukville
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Sihanoukville.
- Cooking class in Kampot: $20
- Cooking Class at La Plantation: $35
- Sihanoukville - Khmer Traditional Cooking Class: $110
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dalian $4.91Sihanoukville $5.33
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 Sihanoukville
Here are a few actual costs in Sihanoukville for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Best Sihanoukville Day Tours from Cruise Port or Hotel: $79
- Best of Sihanoukville City Tour from Cruise Port: $79
- Bokor Mountain Adventure - History, Sights and Waterfalls: $29
- Day trip from Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh for Cruise Ship: $159
- Discovery Tour: Caving, Climbing, Via Ferrata and Abseiling in Kampot: $53
- Explore Sihanoukville Dirt Bike Tour: $140
- Exploring Bokor National Park Full-Day Tour from Sihanoukville: $99
- Exploring Kampot: A Memorable Tour from Sihanoukville: $63
- Exploring the Best of Kampot and Kep in a Full-Day Tour: $55
- Full Day City Tour with Private Boat Trip to 2 Islands: $110
- Full Day North of Phu Quoc Island Private Tour by Local Guide : $50
- Full Day Pepper Farm Adventure by Scooter: $45
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDalian $6.48Sihanoukville $4.38
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dalian and Sihanoukville, we can see that Dalian is more expensive. And not only is Sihanoukville much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Sihanoukville would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sihanoukville 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 Sihanoukville.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Dalian Expensive? and Is Sihanoukville Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dalian or Sihanoukville?
Dalian has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Sihanoukville. When comparing the sizes of Dalian and Sihanoukville, 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.
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.