A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Hue vs. Qingdao for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Hue or Qingdao?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Hue and Qingdao 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: Hue or Qingdao?

Hue

Hue is a major city in central Vietnam and was historically the imperial capital. The city was the base for the imperial Nguyen Dynasty, which ruled from 1802 to 1945. During the Vietnam War the city faced many challenges. It was conquered by the Viet Cong and held for 24 days. During this time about 3,000 people were slaughtered for their political views, education level, or religious affiliation.

Qingdao

Qingdao, China, located in the Shandong Province, is a very large city right on the Yellow Sea coast. The city, whose name means "The Green Island" due to it's gorgeous landscapes and interesting geography, was named China's most livable city in 2012. The city is rich in history, having almost become a German territory in 1897 and being occupied by the Japanese during WWI. Evidence of these occupiers is present in much of the architecture around the city, which includes a few Catholic and Protestant churches.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Vietnam, The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in Vietnam, The Best Cultural Tours in China, and The Best Luxury Tours to China.


Which place is cheaper, Qingdao or Hue?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Hue is $48, while the average daily cost in Qingdao is $58. 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 Hue and Qingdao in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Hue $23
    Qingdao $26
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Hue $46
    Qingdao $52
Compare Hotels in Hue and Qingdao

Looking for a hotel in Hue or Qingdao? 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 Hue


Hotels in Qingdao


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: Hue Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Hue $12
    Qingdao $12
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Hue

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Hue:


  • Cyclo
    $0.48
  • Short Taxi Ride
    $0.88
  • Taxi Ride to Tombs
    $14

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hue

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hue:

  • Vinh Moc Tunnels & Khe Sanh: Transfer from Hue or Phong Nha: $43
  • Transfer from Hue to Hoi An with Private Car: $98
  • Transfer from Hue to Hoi An via Hai Van Pass and Golden Bridge: $55
  • Transfer from Hue to Hoi An by Motorbike: $67
  • Transfer from Hue to Da Nang or Hoi An via Bach Ma National Park: $81
  • Transfer from Hue city to Phu Bai airport: $29
  • Transfer from Hue airport to Hue city center or vice versa: $7.10
  • Transfer from Da Nang or Hoi An to Hue via Hue City Tour: $64
  • Transfer between Hue Hotels and Hue Airport: $7.41
  • Sightseeing Transfer Between Hue and Hoi An: $102
  • Sightseeing Transfer Between Hue and Hoi An: $113
  • Roundtrip Transfer to Ba Na Hills - Golden Bridge via Hai Van Pass from Hue City: $85

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Qingdao

Also for Qingdao, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Departure Transfer: City Hotel to Qingdao Railway Station : $36
  • Qingdao Railway Station Depature Transfer from City Hotels: $36
  • Qingdao Railway Station Arrival Transfer to City Hotel: $36
  • Qingdao Cruise Port Departure Transfer from City Hotels: $36
  • Qingdao Northern Railway Station Arrival Private One-Way Transfer: $42
  • Qingdao Private Transfer from Qingdao central to Qingdao Airport (TAO): $83
  • Qingdao Private Transfer from Qingdao Airport (TAO) to central Qingdao: $83
  • Qingdao Liuting Airport Transfer Service by Minivan: $86

Is it cheaper to fly into Hue or Qingdao?

Prices for flights to both Qingdao and Hue 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
    Hue $15
    Qingdao $20
Typical Food Prices in Hue

Some typical examples of dining costs in Hue are as follows:


  • River Night Market Dinner (for Two)
    $7.99
  • Two Sugarcane Drinks
    $0.80
  • Quick Lunch (for Two)
    $2.20
  • Sitdown Dinner (for Two)
    $4.39

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hue

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Hue.

  • Private Healthy Cooking Class In Ancient Vietnamese Garden: $20
  • Hue Walking Street Food Tour: $27
  • Walking street food tour: $30
  • Hue : Vegetarian Cooking Class with Local Family: $31
  • Vietnamese Cooking Class with Local Family in Hue: $31
  • Hue Food Tour by Walking or Cyclo or Motorcycle with Driver: $33
  • Hue Food Tour by Walking or Cyclo or Motorbike with Driver: $33
  • Home Cooking Class in Hue City : $35
  • Hue Walking Food Tour: $35
  • Best Hue Street Food Tour: $35
  • Exploring Hue Food Tour with Local Guide : $35
  • Home Vegan/Vegetarian Cooking Class with Local Girl: $35

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Hue $11
    Qingdao $20
Typical Entertainment Prices in Hue

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Hue are as follows:


  • Boat Ride
    $7.79
  • Bicycle Rental (One Day)
    $1.12
  • Imperial Citadel Entrance
    $3.20
  • Massage at Institute for the Blind
    $1.60

Tours and Activities in Hue

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Hue are as follows:

  • Hue - Bach Ma National Park Group Tour : $300
  • Hue City Full-Day Tour with Boat Trip on Perfume River and Lunch: $128
  • Hue City: Full-Day Guided Tour - Imperial City - All Inclusive: $59
  • Hue Private Guided Tour : Citadel, Royal tombs, Thien Mu pagoda: $57
  • 1-day Hue full day city tour: $39
  • 12 Hours Experience Different Hue: $179
  • 13 Days Private Tour Highlights of Cambodia & Vietnam: $4,731
  • 2 Day Motorbike Tour from Hue to Hoi An by Mister T Easy Rider: $160
  • 2,5 hours walking tour inside Hue Imperial city: $35
  • 2-Day Phong Nha-Ke Bang Cave Adventure from Hue: $250
  • 2-Day Sa Pa Adventure with Trekking and Ethnic Homestay: $88
  • 2.5 hours Hue Walking Tour with Tour Guide: $19

Tours and Activities in Qingdao

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

  • Private Qingdao City tour with Lunch and Qingdao beer: $175
  • Private Qingdao Historic architectural day tour with Tsingdao beer during Lunch: $190
  • Private Qingdao Laoshan half day tour with one bottle of Tsingdao beer as gift: $199
  • Qingdao private half day tour with Tsingdao Beer Lunch : $202
  • Qingdao Shore Excursion: Private Full Day Laoshan Mountain Sightseeing Tour: $207
  • Private Qingdao Essentials Tour: City Highlights and Beer Museum: $216
  • Laoshan Mountain Full Day Private Activity Tour: $224
  • Qingdao Private Day Tour to Laoshan Mountain with Lunch and Cable Car: $238
  • Private Qingdao Laoshan day tour with lunch& round way cable car: $240
  • Qingdao Discover Tour to the Mount Laoshan and Tasting Famous Local Beer: $248
  • Qingdao Private Tour: City Highlights and Laoshan Mountain with Lunch+Cable Car: $268
  • All-Inclusive Private Day Tour: Qingdao Highlights with Lunch: $285

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Hue $5.79
    Qingdao $14
Typical Alcohol Prices in Hue

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Hue:


  • Beer
    $1.00


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hue and Qingdao, we can see that Qingdao is more expensive. And not only is Hue much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hue would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hue 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 Qingdao would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Qingdao than you might in Hue.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hue Expensive? and Is Qingdao Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Hue or Qingdao?

Qingdao has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Hue. When comparing the sizes of Hue and Qingdao, 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 Hue or Qingdao?

Qingdao has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Hue experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Hue or Qingdao in the Summer?

Both Qingdao and Hue during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Hue because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Hue is a little warmer than Qingdao in the summer. The daily temperature in Hue averages around 29°C (85°F) in July, and Qingdao fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

It's quite sunny in Hue. In the summer, Hue often gets more sunshine than Qingdao. Hue gets 242 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Qingdao receives 183 hours of full sun.

Qingdao gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Hue usually gets less rain in July than Qingdao. Hue gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Qingdao receives 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain this time of the year. March to August is the dry season in Hue. September to December is the rainy season in Hue.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Hue 29°C (85°F) 
    Qingdao 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Hue or Qingdao in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Hue and Qingdao. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Hue year-round.

In the autumn, Hue is much warmer than Qingdao. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hue in October average around 25°C (78°F), and Qingdao averages at about 17°C (62°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Qingdao this time of the year. Hue usually receives less sunshine than Qingdao during autumn. Hue gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Qingdao receives 220 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Hue gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Hue usually receives more rain than Qingdao. Hue gets 613 mm (24.1 in) of rain, while Qingdao receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn. Also, September to December is the rainy season in Hue.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Hue 25°C (78°F) 
    Qingdao 17°C (62°F)

Should I visit Hue or Qingdao in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Hue as well as Qingdao. Hue attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Qingdao. In January, Hue is generally much warmer than Qingdao. Daily temperatures in Hue average around 22°C (71°F), and Qingdao fluctuates around -0°C (32°F).

In the winter, Hue often gets less sunshine than Qingdao. Hue gets 136 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Qingdao receives 185 hours of full sun.

Hue receives a lot of rain in the winter. Hue usually gets more rain in January than Qingdao. Hue gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Qingdao receives 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, March to August in Hue is the dry season.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Hue 22°C (71°F) 
    Qingdao -0°C (32°F)

Should I visit Hue or Qingdao in the Spring?

Both Qingdao and Hue are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Hue throughout the year.

Hue is much warmer than Qingdao in the spring. The daily temperature in Hue averages around 26°C (80°F) in April, and Qingdao fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

It's quite sunny in Qingdao. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hue. Hue usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Qingdao during spring. Hue gets 210 hours of sunny skies, while Qingdao receives 224 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Hue usually receives less rain than Qingdao. Hue gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Qingdao receives 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Hue 26°C (80°F) 
    Qingdao 12°C (53°F)

Typical Weather for Qingdao and Hue

Hue Qingdao
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 22°C (71°F) 112 mm (4.4 in) -0°C (32°F) 11 mm (0.4 in)
Feb 23°C (73°F) 34 mm (1.3 in) 1°C (34°F) 12 mm (0.5 in)
Mar 24°C (75°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 6°C (43°F) 21 mm (0.8 in)
Apr 26°C (80°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 12°C (53°F) 37 mm (1.5 in)
May 29°C (83°F) 67 mm (2.6 in) 17°C (62°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Jun 30°C (85°F) 87 mm (3.4 in) 21°C (70°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Jul 29°C (85°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 25°C (77°F) 211 mm (8.3 in)
Aug 29°C (85°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 26°C (79°F) 162 mm (6.4 in)
Sep 28°C (82°F) 331 mm (13 in) 22°C (72°F) 99 mm (3.9 in)
Oct 25°C (78°F) 613 mm (24.1 in) 17°C (62°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Nov 24°C (76°F) 376 mm (14.8 in) 10°C (49°F) 28 mm (1.1 in)
Dec 23°C (73°F) 223 mm (8.8 in) 3°C (37°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)