Which place is cheaper, Chengdu or Dubai?
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 Dubai or Chengdu?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Dubai and Chengdu can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Dubai or Chengdu?
Dubai
Ever wonder what it would be like to see the lifestyles of the rich and famous up close. There's no more upscale destination than Dubai. It's by far and away the spot for shopping, partying, sunbathing, fine dining and the most luxurious of luxury. As the most modern and progressive of the seven emirates in the United Arab Emirates, this area has experienced an unbelievable economic boom and tourism spike. It's a desert city with an amazing infrastructure.
Chengdu
Chengdu is in China's Sichuan Provence and is in what is known as the Red Basin. It is a particularly fertile region in China that is known for its agriculture. For this reason it is sometimes referred to as the "Land of Milk and Honey". The Funan River cuts through the city but has almost no boat traffic anymore. The city itself has a wonderful relaxed vibe compared to the rest of China and is filled with green parks and places to relax. It is considered one of the most livable cities in China.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Day Tours from Dubai, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United Arab Emirates, The Best Cultural Tours in China, and The Best Luxury Tours to China.
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Dubai Prices
UAE PricesChengdu Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDubai $289Chengdu $72
The average daily cost (per person) in Dubai is $289, while the average daily cost in Chengdu is $72. 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 Dubai and Chengdu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDubai $170Chengdu $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDubai $340Chengdu $46
Compare Hotels in Dubai and Chengdu
Looking for a hotel in Dubai or Chengdu? 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: Dubai Hotel Prices and Chengdu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dubai $13Chengdu $6.41
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Dubai
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Dubai:
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Taxi Ride$12
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Airport Taxi$12
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Sea Taxi$0.54
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dubai
Also for Dubai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 1 Hour Marina Yacht Tour with Optional Transfer: $45
- 1-Hour Quad Biking Tour with Transfer from Dubai: $140
- 2 Dives for Certified Divers in Fujairah with transfer: $167
- 3-Hour Ice Skating Experience in Dubai with optional Transfer: $69
- A Guided Tour To Quranic Park and Jumeirah Mosque With Transfer: $95
- A Japanese Business Lunch Experience in Dubai with Transfer: $119
- AYA Universe Dubai Ticket with Transfer option: $33
- AYA Universe Dubai with Transfer Option: $42
- AYA Universe Experience with Private Transfers: $73
- AYA Universe Light and Sound Park in Dubai with Optional Transfer: $63
- AYA Universe and Dubai Frame Tour with Private Transfer: $155
- Abu Dhabi City Tour transfer from Dubai Shared Bus: $52
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chengdu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Chengdu:
- Chengdu 3-Day Self-Guided Jiuzhaigou&Huanglong with Transfer: $412
- Algou Valley Hiking Tour with Roundtrip Transfer: $289
- 1-Day Chengdu Layover Tour: Panda Base, city central with Round Airport Transfer: $240
- Chengdu Airport to Hotel: Private Transfer for up to 40 pax: $230
- 1-Day Chengdu Layover Tour: Leshan Giant buddha with Round Airport Transfer: $205
- Downtown to Mountain Emei round way transfer for one day service: $189
- Downtown to Leshan round way transfer for one day service: $172
- Private Day Tour of Giant Pandas and Kuanzhai Alley with Transfer: $168
- Leshan Buddha Optional Tours w/ Transfer or Guide: $156
- Chengdu Private Round Trip Transfer to Emei Mountain: $128
- Chengdu Airport to Hotel: Private Transfer for up to 5 pax: $120
- Chengdu Tianfu Airport Private Transfer: $119
Is it cheaper to fly into Dubai or Chengdu?
Prices for flights to both Chengdu and Dubai 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 dayDubai $96Chengdu $41
Typical Food Prices in Dubai
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Dubai:
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French bread$0.95
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Sumo salad in Dubai Mall + Juice$10
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Lemon Mint Tea$4.36
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Coffee & Cake$6.54
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Smoothie$5.45
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Shawarma$1.91
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dubai
For Dubai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Evening Desert Safari With BBQ dinner & live shows: $5.55
- VIP Red Sand Safari,Pick/Drop,Camel Ride,Quad Bike& Dinner: $6.42
- Premium Desert Safari with Camel Ride, Sandboard Dinner with BBQ: $6.78
- Dubai Desert Safari - Free Pick&Drop Red Dunes Live Shows Dinner: $6.78
- VIP Desert Safari, Quad Bike 30 Minutes ,Camel Ride, Dinner,Shows: $6.78
- Dubai Desert Safari Tour Hotel Transfer, Camel Ride & BBQ Dinner: $6.78
- VIP Dubai Red Dune Desert Safari 4x4, Camel Ride and BBQ Dinner: $8.75
- Dubai Desert Safari With4x4 Pick/Drop camel ride BBQ dinner shows: $8.89
- Premium Desert Safari, Pick/Drop, Camel Ride, Quad bike & Dinner: $8.96
- Budget-Friendly Evening Desert Safari + BBQ Dinner & Live Shows: $8.99
- Desert Safari,Premium sofa,Quad Bike,CamelRide,BBQ Dinner,Shows: $9.21
- Vip Red Dune Desert Safari, Quad Bike, Camel Ride, Dinner & Shows: $9.60
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chengdu
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Chengdu.
- Chengdu Night: VIP Seat Opera Show or Back Alley Food Tour: $40
- Chengdu Vegetarian Cooking Class at a Local Home: $45
- Private Chengdu TukTuk Food Tour: Hidden Alleys & Local Eats: $59
- Chengdu Food Tour Local Delicacies and Ear Cleaning: $59
- Eat Like a Local! Food Tour in the Hidden Alleys: $67
- Food Tour Through Chengdu Local Eats: $68
- Discovery more Chengdu evening food tour with locals: $69
- Half-Day Professional Mapo Tofu Cooking with a Local Market Visit: $69
- Tuktuk Food Tour Through Chengdu's Local Eats: $73
- Evening Food Tour with Local Guide: $78
- Chengdu Evening Food Tour: $79
- Eat with Locals Chengdu Dinner Tour: $79
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dubai $19Chengdu $17
Typical Entertainment Prices in Dubai
For Dubai, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Visit to the Dubai Museum$0.82
Tours and Activities in Dubai
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Dubai.
- Dubai's Hidden Gems: Self Guided City Tour: $1.12
- Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in Dubai: $5.72
- Dubai Walking Tour: Self-Guided City Game: $5.84
- A Self-Guided Tour of Dubai’s Origins in Deira: $5.99
- Dubai Walking Tour 1h00 and 9 audio reviews: $7.26
- Miracle Garden and Global Village Entrance Ticket: $9.77
- Maze Mirror Inside Creek Park Entry Ticket: $9.77
- Private Evening Desert Safari Dubai Tour: $10
- DUBAI MARINA Jet Ski Adventure: $10
- Dubai Butterfly Garden Ticket Deals: $10
- 60 Min Burj Khalifa Tour in Wooden Boat: $11
- Al Shindagha Museum Ticket: $13
Tours and Activities in Chengdu
Here are a few actual costs in Chengdu for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 1 Day Tea Trip in Mount Mengding with Tea Making Experience: $150
- 1 day Chengdu City Highlights Mini Group tour: $102
- 1-Day Chengdu Ancient History and Culture City Tour: $179
- 1-Day Chengdu Cultural Discovery:Jinsha,Shu Brocade Museum & Dufu Cottage Tour: $189
- 1-Day Chengdu Leshan Giant Buddha Private Tour With the Lunch and Boat tour: $242
- 1-Day Chengdu Panda Base and Leshan Giant Buddha GROUP Tour: $144
- 1-Day Chengdu Panda Base and Leshan Giant Buddha Private Tour with the Lunch: $246
- 1-Day Chengdu Private Tour: Dujiangyan Ancient River Irrigation and Temple Site: $213
- 1-Day Dujiangyan Self-Guided Tour: Panda Volunteer and Water Irrigation System: $123
- 1-Day Leshan Giant Buddha Private Tour with the Lunch from Chengdu: $229
- 1-Day Mount Qingcheng and Dujiangyan Irrigation System Private Tour from Chengdu: $272
- 1-Day Panda Base and Huanglongxi old town Private Tour from Chengdu: $234
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDubai $23Chengdu $4.25
Typical Alcohol Prices in Dubai
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Dubai:
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A Couple Drinks$25
Sample the Local Flavors in Chengdu
Also in Chengdu, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Chengdu Pub Crawl: $23
- Tipsy Travel: Chengdu Evening Food and Bar Crawl with Local Guide: $138
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dubai and Chengdu, we can see that Dubai is more expensive. And not only is Chengdu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dubai is in Middle East and Chengdu is in Asia, 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 Chengdu would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chengdu 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 Dubai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dubai than you might in Chengdu.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Dubai Expensive? and Is Chengdu Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dubai or Chengdu?
Chengdu has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Dubai. When comparing the sizes of Dubai and Chengdu, 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.