Which place is cheaper, Dalian or Kuala Lumpur?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Kuala Lumpur 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.
Kuala Lumpur, often referred to as KL, is the cosmopolitan capital of Malaysia. It is also the largest city in the country, having grown out of a small Chinese mining village. Today Kuala Lumpur is a microcosm of the country of Malaysia. The population is split between the Malay, Chinese, and Indian cultures which you can see reflected in the city's neighborhoods, cuisine, and entertainment. It's also an incredibly affordable city, even if you're looking for the comforts of a five star hotel or a luxury restaurant. Prices are almost always a fraction of what you would pay in Europe or the United States.
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 Malaysia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Malaysia, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Kuala Lumpur is $62, while the average daily cost in Dalian is $103. 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 Kuala Lumpur and Dalian in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Kuala Lumpur 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.
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Kuala Lumpur are as follows:
Also for Kuala Lumpur, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Also for Dalian, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Dalian and Kuala Lumpur 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.
For Kuala Lumpur, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
For Kuala Lumpur, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Kuala Lumpur's activities, tours, and tickets:
For Kuala Lumpur, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Dalian.
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Kuala Lumpur are as follows:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kuala Lumpur and Dalian, we can see that Dalian is more expensive. And not only is Kuala Lumpur much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kuala Lumpur would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kuala Lumpur 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 Kuala Lumpur.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kuala Lumpur Expensive? and Is Dalian Expensive?.
Dalian has a larger population, and is about 40% larger than the population of Kuala Lumpur. When comparing the sizes of Kuala Lumpur 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.
Dalian has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Kuala Lumpur experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kuala Lumpur and Dalian. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kuala Lumpur year-round.
In July, Kuala Lumpur is generally a little warmer than Dalian. Daily temperatures in Kuala Lumpur average around 28°C (82°F), and Dalian fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
Dalian receives a lot of rain in the summer. Kuala Lumpur gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Kuala Lumpur usually receives less rain than Dalian. Kuala Lumpur gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Dalian receives 202 mm (8 in) of rain each month for the summer.
The autumn brings many poeple to Kuala Lumpur as well as Dalian. Kuala Lumpur attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Kuala Lumpur is much warmer than Dalian in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kuala Lumpur averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Dalian fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).
Kuala Lumpur receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Kuala Lumpur usually gets more rain in October than Dalian. Kuala Lumpur gets 280 mm (11 in) of rain, while Dalian receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both Dalian and Kuala Lumpur are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kuala Lumpur throughout the year.
Dalian can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Kuala Lumpur is much warmer than Dalian. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kuala Lumpur in January average around 27°C (81°F), and Dalian averages at about -4°C (25°F).
It's quite rainy in Kuala Lumpur. In January, Kuala Lumpur usually receives more rain than Dalian. Kuala Lumpur gets 239 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Dalian receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
Both Dalian and Kuala Lumpur during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Kuala Lumpur because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In April, Kuala Lumpur is generally much warmer than Dalian. Daily temperatures in Kuala Lumpur average around 28°C (82°F), and Dalian fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kuala Lumpur. Kuala Lumpur usually gets more rain in April than Dalian. Kuala Lumpur gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Dalian receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
Kuala Lumpur | Dalian | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 239 mm (9.4 in) | -4°C (25°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) | -2°C (28°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 4°C (38°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
May | 28°C (82°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 202 mm (8 in) |
Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 280 mm (11 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 290 mm (11.4 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 250 mm (9.8 in) | -0°C (32°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |