Which place is cheaper, Suzhou or Dalian?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Dalian or Suzhou?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Dalian or Suzhou? 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 Suzhou?
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.
Suzhou
Suzhou is a city in Jiangsu province famed for its beautiful gardens and traditional waterside architecture, featuring elaborate canals and bridges. Located on the Yangtze Delta, the city consists largely of waterways making Suzhou a kind of 'Venice of the Orient.' It is also a hub for scholars, artists, and skilled craftsmen.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, The Best Historical Tours in China, and The Best 10-Day Tours in China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDalian $103Suzhou $102
The average daily cost (per person) in Dalian is $103, while the average daily cost in Suzhou is $102. 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 Suzhou in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDalian $54Suzhou $38
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDalian $108Suzhou $76
Compare Hotels in Dalian and Suzhou
Looking for a hotel in Dalian or Suzhou? 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 $41Suzhou $57
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 Private Departure Transfer:City Hotel to Railway Station: $32
- Dalian Private Arrival Transfer: Railway Station to City Hotel: $33
- Private Departure Transfer: City Hotel to Any Guiyang Railway Station: $38
- Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport Chauffeur Service , to Dalian Transfer: $40
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Suzhou
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Suzhou:
- Shanghai Pudong Airport - Suzhou Chauffeur Service,Shanghai Airport Transfer: $280
- Private Suzhou Garden and Water Town Highlight Trip with Hotel or Railway Station Transfer: $240
- Shanghai Hongqiao Airport - Suzhou Chauffeur Service,Shanghai Airport Transfer: $240
- Shanghai Pudong Airport to Suzhou Chauffeur Service, Shanghai Airport Transfer: $240
- Private Day Tour: Gardens and Old Street in Suzhou with Hotel or Railway Station Transfer: $214
- Suzhou to Beijing Bullet Train Ticket with Local Private Transfer : $178
- Hangzhou Private Transfer from Suzhou with Stop-over at Wuzhen Water Town : $143
- Shanghai Private Transfer from Suzhou with Stop-over at Tongli Water Town : $90
- Shanghai Pudong International Airport Private Departure Transfer from Suzhou: $87
- Suzhou Private Transfer to Zhouzhuang Water Town with Shanghai Drop-off Option: $84
- Suzhou Private Transfer to Tongli Water Town with Shanghai Drop-off Option: $84
- Private Departure Transfer to Shanghai Airport from Suzhou City Hotel: $68
Is it cheaper to fly into Dalian or Suzhou?
Prices for flights to both Suzhou 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 $27Suzhou $32
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Suzhou
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Suzhou.
- Suzhou Alleyway Walking Food Tour With Locals: $55
- Zhouzhuang Water Town Private Tour from Suzhou with Lunch or Dinner Option: $154
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dalian $4.79Suzhou $9.34
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
Tours and Activities in Suzhou
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Suzhou are as follows:
- Private Shanghai City Tour from Suzhou by Bullet Train with Drop off Option: $232
- 4-Hour Flexible Suzhou City Highlights Private Tour: $114
- 4-Hour Suzhou Private Customized Tour: $71
- 4-Hour Suzhou Private Flexible Tour with Garden and Boat Ride Option: $125
- 4-Hour Tongli Water Town Private Tour from Suzhou with Boat Ride : $127
- 4-Hour Zhouzhuang Water Town Private Tour from Suzhou with Boat Ride: $145
- All Inclusive Suzhou Highlight Tour with Boat Ride and Lunch: $179
- Classic Suzhou Tour with Hotel or Railway Station Pickup: $213
- Essential Suzhou City Sightseeing Private Day Tour: $248
- Flexible Shanghai Private Day Tour from Suzhou by Bullet Train: $208
- Flexible Suzhou City Highlights Private Day Tour with Authentic Lunch: $153
- Full Day Luzhi Water Town Day Tour From Suzhou: $178
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDalian $6.32Suzhou $6.41
When comparing the travel costs between Dalian and Suzhou, we can see that Dalian 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 Suzhou Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dalian or Suzhou?
Dalian has a larger population, and is about 52% larger than the population of Suzhou. When comparing the sizes of Dalian and Suzhou, 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 Suzhou?
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 Suzhou in the Summer?
Both Suzhou and Dalian during the summer are popular places to visit.
In the summer, Dalian is cooler than Suzhou. Typically, the summer temperatures in Dalian in July average around 24°C (75°F), and Suzhou averages at about 28°C (83°F).
Suzhou 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 Suzhou. Dalian gets 202 mm (8 in) of rain, while Suzhou receives 128 mm (5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyDalian 24°C (75°F)Suzhou 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Dalian or Suzhou in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Dalian and Suzhou.
In October, Dalian is generally cooler than Suzhou. Daily temperatures in Dalian average around 15°C (58°F), and Suzhou fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).
In October, Dalian usually receives less rain than Suzhou. Dalian gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Suzhou receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberDalian 15°C (58°F)Suzhou 19°C (65°F)
Should I visit Dalian or Suzhou in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Dalian as well as Suzhou.
It's quite cold in Suzhou in the winter. The weather in Dalian can be very cold. Dalian is much colder than Suzhou in the winter. The daily temperature in Dalian averages around -4°C (25°F) in January, and Suzhou fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).
Dalian usually gets less rain in January than Suzhou. Dalian gets 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Suzhou receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryDalian -4°C (25°F)Suzhou 4°C (39°F)
Should I visit Dalian or Suzhou in the Spring?
Both Suzhou and Dalian are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.
In the spring, Dalian is cooler than Suzhou. Typically, the spring temperatures in Dalian in April average around 11°C (51°F), and Suzhou averages at about 15°C (58°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Suzhou. In April, Dalian usually receives less rain than Suzhou. Dalian gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Suzhou receives 102 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilDalian 11°C (51°F)Suzhou 15°C (58°F)
Typical Weather for Suzhou and Dalian
| Dalian | Suzhou | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -4°C (25°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | -2°C (28°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Mar | 4°C (38°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Apr | 11°C (51°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 102 mm (4 in) |
| May | 17°C (62°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 113 mm (4.5 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (75°F) | 202 mm (8 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 128 mm (5 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (77°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) |
| Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 156 mm (6.1 in) |
| Oct | 15°C (58°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (44°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Dec | -0°C (32°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 7°C (44°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.