Which place is cheaper, Dalian or Hanoi?
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 Hanoi or Dalian?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Hanoi and Dalian can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Hanoi or Dalian?
Hanoi
Hanoi is the chaotic capital of Vietnam, and it serves as a great introduction to the country for many travelers. It's the second largest city in the country after Saigon and is an interesting combination of East meets West. There's traditional Vietnamese culture with subtle influences brought by the French. The city continues to grow and change rapidly and it's easy to get lost amidst the chaos.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Vietnam, The Best G Adventures Tours to Vietnam, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China.
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Hanoi Prices
Vietnam PricesDalian Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHanoi $57Dalian $124
The average daily cost (per person) in Hanoi is $57, while the average daily cost in Dalian is $124. 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 Hanoi and Dalian in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHanoi $25Dalian $55
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHanoi $50Dalian $110
Compare Hotels in Hanoi and Dalian
Looking for a hotel in Hanoi or Dalian? 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: Hanoi Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hanoi $6.54Dalian $41
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Hanoi
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Hanoi:
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Taxi to Bus Station$1.14
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Shuttle Bus From Airport (for Two)$3.03
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Local Bus Ride (for Two)$0.38
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Short Taxi Ride$1.29
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Short Motorbike Ride (10 Minutes)$0.76
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hanoi
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hanoi:
- Hanoi Private Transfer from Hanoi (HAN) Airport to Cao Bang: $290
- Top-Rated Luxury Halong Bay 2-Day Cruise Including Hanoi Transfer: $285
- Hanoi Private Transfer from Hanoi (HAN) Airport to Vinh City: $281
- 25 Minutes Scenic Halong Seaplane from Hanoi Transfer Expressway: $280
- Halong Bay Cruise 3D2N - Kayaking Explorer & Round-trip transfer from Hanoi: $280
- Private Transfer by Dcar Limousine Ha Noi from to Sapa : $269
- Aspira Luxury Cruise Halong Bay & Lan Ha Bay – 2D1N with Transfer: $269
- Private Sapa tour 3 days transfer from Hanoi by limousine overnight 3 star hotel: $264
- Luxury 2D1N Ha Long and Lan Ha Bay Cruise with 2-Way Transfer : $259
- Halong Bay Seaplane Tour with Transfer from Hanoi by expressway: $255
- Halong Bay 2 Days - 1 Night with 5 Star Cruise included transfer & pick up: $254
- Halong Bay Sightseeing With Seaplane Tour Transfer From Hanoi: $250
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 Hanoi or Dalian?
Prices for flights to both Dalian and Hanoi 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 dayHanoi $23Dalian $48
Typical Food Prices in Hanoi
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Hanoi:
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High End Dinner (for Two)$11
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$4.17
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Bowl of Pho$0.76
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Italian Dinner (for Food)$5.88
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hanoi
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Hanoi.
- (Group/Individual) HANOI STREET FOOD TOUR : $5.13
- Hanoi Old Quarter Cooking Class Tour With Local Market Shopping : $9.71
- Hanoi Walking Street Food Tour with Train-Street Visit: $18
- Hanoi Cooking Class: Pho/Bun Cha/Banh Xeo...+Free Egg/Salt Coffee: $19
- Hanoi local street food tour: $20
- Hanoi Street Food Tour with Train Street Visit: $22
- Hanoi food tour-Local street food tour (food&guide included): $22
- Hanoi Street Food Tour: $23
- Hanoi Street Food Tour with Experience Guide & Real Foodie: $24
- Hanoi Street Food Tour with Local Delicacies (3 Hours): $24
- Best Hanoi Day Street Food Tour with Real Foodie Tastings: $24
- Hanoi Food Tours: $24
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hanoi $8.07Dalian $4.86
Typical Entertainment Prices in Hanoi
Here are a few typical costs in Hanoi for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Puppet Theater$1.52
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The Hanoi Hilton Entrance$1.52
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National History Museum$1.52
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Puppet Theater Ticket$2.65
Tours and Activities in Hanoi
Here are a few actual costs in Hanoi for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2 Day Private Guided Tour in Pu Luong Nature Hanoi: $169
- 2 Days Hanoi City Bus Tour Experience: $239
- 2-Day Ta Chi Nhu Mountain Hiking Experience: $228
- 2-day Explore Halong Bay in Caravella Cruise: $268
- 3D2N Cao Bang Ba Be Lake Experience: $190
- 3D2N Sapa Bac Ha Shared Tour: $245
- 4 Days 3 Nights Ha Giang Loop Tour from Hanoi by Sleeper Bus: $235
- 5 Days Motorbike Tour in Ha Giang Loop From Hanoi: $265
- All-Inclusive 2D/1N 5star Cruises: Meals-Kayak-Cave-Accommodation : $175
- Ambassador Day Cruise: Discover The Beauty of Halong Bay: $101
- Bai Dinh Pagoda Trang An and Eco Hang Mua Cave Heritage Day Tour: $53
- Beautiful Female Riders Vespa Red River Countryside Tour 5 Hours: $59
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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHanoi $7.30Dalian $6.41
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hanoi and Dalian, we can see that Dalian is more expensive. And not only is Hanoi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hanoi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hanoi 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 Hanoi.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hanoi Expensive? and Is Dalian Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hanoi or Dalian?
Dalian has a larger population, and is about 42% larger than the population of Hanoi. When comparing the sizes of Hanoi and Dalian, 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 Hanoi or Dalian?
Dalian has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Hanoi experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Hanoi or Dalian in the Summer?
Both Dalian and Hanoi during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Hanoi because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the summer, Hanoi is a little warmer than Dalian. Typically, the summer temperatures in Hanoi in July average around 29°C (84°F), and Dalian averages at about 24°C (75°F).
Dalian gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Hanoi. Hanoi usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Dalian. Hanoi gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Dalian receives 202 mm (8 in) of rain this time of the year. May to September is the rainy season in Hanoi.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHanoi 29°C (84°F)Dalian 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Hanoi or Dalian in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Hanoi and Dalian. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Hanoi year-round.
In October, Hanoi is generally much warmer than Dalian. Daily temperatures in Hanoi average around 25°C (77°F), and Dalian fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).
Hanoi gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Hanoi usually receives more rain than Dalian. Hanoi gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Dalian receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn. November to April in Hanoi is the dry season.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHanoi 25°C (77°F)Dalian 15°C (58°F)
Should I visit Hanoi or Dalian in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Hanoi as well as Dalian. Hanoi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
The weather in Dalian can be very cold. Hanoi is much warmer than Dalian in the winter. The daily temperature in Hanoi averages around 17°C (63°F) in January, and Dalian fluctuates around -4°C (25°F).
Hanoi usually gets more rain in January than Dalian. Hanoi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Dalian receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHanoi 17°C (63°F)Dalian -4°C (25°F)
Should I visit Hanoi or Dalian in the Spring?
Both Dalian and Hanoi are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Hanoi throughout the year.
In the spring, Hanoi is much warmer than Dalian. Typically, the spring temperatures in Hanoi in April average around 24°C (75°F), and Dalian averages at about 11°C (51°F).
It's quite rainy in Hanoi. In April, Hanoi usually receives more rain than Dalian. Hanoi gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Dalian receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring. The dry season in Hanoi is November to April. The rainy season in Hanoi is May to September.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHanoi 24°C (75°F)Dalian 11°C (51°F)
Typical Weather for Dalian and Hanoi
| Hanoi | Dalian | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 17°C (63°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | -4°C (25°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 17°C (63°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | -2°C (28°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
| Mar | 21°C (70°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 4°C (38°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Apr | 24°C (75°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (84°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (84°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 202 mm (8 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Nov | 22°C (72°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| Dec | 18°C (64°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | -0°C (32°F) | 6 mm (0.2 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.