A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Koh Tarutao vs. Dalian for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Koh Tarutao or Dalian?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Koh Tarutao and Dalian. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Koh Tarutao or Dalian?

Koh Tarutao

While much of Thailand has been built up into a tourist destination of hotels and resorts, there are spots that are still untouched and covered in the beauty of this part of the world. The unspoiled regions of the Ko Tarutao Marine National Park is 51 islands of rainforest ready for visitors. Established in 1974, the park is the second oldest in the country, and was the setting for the 2002 season of the reality television show Survivor. The park includes stunning coral reefs, pristine white beaches and wildlife of all shapes and sizes. Trek through and keep your eyes out for mouse deer, wild pigs, sea otters, tree pythons, sea eagles, hornbills, reef egrets and so much more.

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 Sightseeing Tours in Thailand, The Best Cultural Tours in Thailand, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China.


Which place is cheaper, Dalian or Koh Tarutao?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Tarutao is $137, 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 Koh Tarutao and Dalian in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Koh Tarutao $57
    Dalian $55
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Koh Tarutao $114
    Dalian $110
Compare Hotels in Koh Tarutao and Dalian

Looking for a hotel in Koh Tarutao 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.

Hotels in Koh Tarutao


Hotels in Dalian


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Koh Tarutao $39
    Dalian $41

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 Koh Tarutao or Dalian?

Prices for flights to both Dalian and Koh Tarutao 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
    Koh Tarutao $56
    Dalian $48

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Koh Tarutao $17
    Dalian $4.86

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
  • Seaside and Skyline A Scenic Walking Tour of Dalian: $150

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Koh Tarutao $8.08
    Dalian $6.41


When comparing the travel costs between Koh Tarutao and Dalian, we can see that Koh Tarutao 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 Koh Tarutao Expensive? and Is Dalian Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Koh Tarutao or Dalian?

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

Should I visit Koh Tarutao or Dalian in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Tarutao and Dalian. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Tarutao year-round.

Koh Tarutao is a little warmer than Dalian in the summer. The daily temperature in Koh Tarutao averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Dalian fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

Dalian receives a lot of rain in the summer. Koh Tarutao gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Koh Tarutao usually receives more rain than Dalian. Koh Tarutao gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Dalian receives 202 mm (8 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Koh Tarutao 27°C (81°F) 
    Dalian 24°C (75°F)

Should I visit Koh Tarutao or Dalian in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Koh Tarutao as well as Dalian. Koh Tarutao attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the autumn, Koh Tarutao is much warmer than Dalian. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Koh Tarutao in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Dalian averages at about 15°C (58°F).

Koh Tarutao receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Koh Tarutao usually gets more rain in October than Dalian. Koh Tarutao gets 281 mm (11.1 in) of rain, while Dalian receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, November to April in Koh Tarutao is the dry season. May and October in Koh Tarutao is the rainy season.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Koh Tarutao 27°C (81°F) 
    Dalian 15°C (58°F)

Should I visit Koh Tarutao or Dalian in the Winter?

Both Dalian and Koh Tarutao are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Tarutao throughout the year.

Dalian can be very cold during winter. In January, Koh Tarutao is generally much warmer than Dalian. Daily temperatures in Koh Tarutao average around 27°C (80°F), and Dalian fluctuates around -4°C (25°F).

In January, Koh Tarutao usually receives more rain than Dalian. Koh Tarutao gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Dalian receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Koh Tarutao 27°C (80°F) 
    Dalian -4°C (25°F)

Should I visit Koh Tarutao or Dalian in the Spring?

Both Dalian and Koh Tarutao during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Tarutao because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Koh Tarutao is much warmer than Dalian in the spring. The daily temperature in Koh Tarutao averages around 29°C (85°F) in April, and Dalian fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Tarutao. Koh Tarutao usually gets more rain in April than Dalian. Koh Tarutao gets 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Dalian receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year. November to April is the dry season in Koh Tarutao. May and October is the rainy season in Koh Tarutao.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Koh Tarutao 29°C (85°F) 
    Dalian 11°C (51°F)

Typical Weather for Dalian and Koh Tarutao

Koh Tarutao Dalian
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 27°C (80°F) 50 mm (2 in) -4°C (25°F) 9 mm (0.4 in)
Feb 28°C (82°F) 23 mm (0.9 in) -2°C (28°F) 12 mm (0.5 in)
Mar 29°C (84°F) 51 mm (2 in) 4°C (38°F) 14 mm (0.6 in)
Apr 29°C (85°F) 124 mm (4.9 in) 11°C (51°F) 44 mm (1.7 in)
May 29°C (83°F) 244 mm (9.6 in) 17°C (62°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 224 mm (8.8 in) 21°C (69°F) 83 mm (3.3 in)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 269 mm (10.6 in) 24°C (75°F) 202 mm (8 in)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 262 mm (10.3 in) 25°C (77°F) 132 mm (5.2 in)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 355 mm (14 in) 21°C (70°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Oct 27°C (81°F) 281 mm (11.1 in) 15°C (58°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Nov 27°C (80°F) 204 mm (8 in) 7°C (44°F) 26 mm (1 in)
Dec 27°C (80°F) 116 mm (4.6 in) -0°C (32°F) 6 mm (0.2 in)