A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Malang vs. Chongqing for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Malang or Chongqing?

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

Should I visit Malang or Chongqing? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Malang or Chongqing?

Malang

Malang is a city in East Java, Indonesia. It's a cultured city with several important universities, and is home to a large student population. Prized by the Dutch for its mild highland climate, the city retains much of its colonial architecture. Established by the Dutch in the closing decades of the 18th century, Malang earned its first fortunes from coffee, which flourished on the surrounding hillsides. Today, the city's colonial grandeur is quickly disappearing behind the homogenous facades of more modern developments, but there's still much to admire. The Balai Kota building blends Indonesian and Dutch styles, and grand mansions line the main boulevard, Jalan Besar Ijen. To the east is Mt. Bromo, a volcano with hiking trails. The central area is not too large and quite walkable. And with a number of Hindu temples and sights outside the city, Malang makes an ideal base to explore this intriguing corner of east Java.

Chongqing

Chongqing, China is a large city in central China and one of only four cities in the country that are not part of a province. While Chongqing is famous for being an economically important city, brush away its industrial surface and you'll find a naturally beautiful city with plenty of hidden wonders. Although you'll find many expats in the city, English is rarely spoken, meaning knowing some basic Mandarin will come in handy.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Indonesia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, The Best 10-Day Tours in China, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in China.


Which place is cheaper, Chongqing or Malang?

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 Malang is $76, while the average daily cost in Chongqing is $106. 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 Malang and Chongqing in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Malang $43
    Chongqing $50
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Malang $86
    Chongqing $100
Compare Hotels in Malang and Chongqing

Looking for a hotel in Malang or Chongqing? 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 Malang


Hotels in Chongqing


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: Malang Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Malang $1.36
    Chongqing $19

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Malang

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Malang:

  • FROM YOGYAKARTA TRANSFER TO BROMO/SURABAYA/MALANG CITY.: $50
  • Private Transfer - Malang To Surabaya International Airport: $38
  • Yogyakarta ;Transfer Service From Yogyakarta to Bromo/Malang: $109

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chongqing

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Chongqing:

  • Chongqing Airport Private Transfer : $22
  • Chongqing Jiangbei Airport (CKG) private round-trip transfer: $25
  • Chongqing Private Round Trip Transfer to Dazu Rock Carvings: $134
  • Chongqing Private Round Trip Transfer to Wulong National Park: $156
  • 5-Day Private Tour with Hotel & Transfers: $497
  • Wulong 3-Day Tour with Hotel & Transfers: $497
  • Wulong 5-Day Tour with Hotel & Transfers: $687
  • Datong Yungang Airport Chauffeur Service , to Datong Transfer: $40
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Chongqing Chaotianmen Cruise Pier to Hotel: $39
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Chongqing Jiangbei Airport (CKG) to Hotel: $27
  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Any Railway Station in Chongqing: $24
  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Chongqing Chaotianmen Cruise Pier: $39

Is it cheaper to fly into Malang or Chongqing?

Prices for flights to both Chongqing and Malang 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
    Malang $29
    Chongqing $43

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Malang

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

  • Malang Cooking Class by Mam Warti: $20

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chongqing

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

  • Qingyu Banquet Experience with Show and Dinner: $51
  • Half-Day Cultural Immersion with Cooking Class: $80
  • Food Tour with Old Town and Magical Night Views: $93
  • Chongqing Food Tour: $93
  • 3 HR Chongqing Food Tour: $110
  • Chongqing City Private Night Tour with Hot Pot Dinner: $158
  • Magical Chongqing Art Performance and Food Tour: $297

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Malang $8.53
    Chongqing $14

Tours and Activities in Malang

Here are a few actual costs in Malang for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • From Bromo Sunrise Guided Group Tour: $32
  • 1 Day Mount Bromo Sharing Tour Package from Malang: $34
  • 1Day - Bromo Sunrise Tour via Malang (Sharing or Private Jeep): $39
  • Waterfalls Tour: $40
  • 1 Day Amazing Bromo Sunrise tour from Malang Surabaya 7 spots: $41
  • Bromo Adventure: $50
  • 1 Day - ULTIMATE TOUR Tumpak Sewu Waterfall and Goa Tetes cave // 07:30 - 17:30: $52
  • 1Day - Malang Cycling Village Tour: $60
  • Private Tour in Tumpak Sewu Waterfalls from Malang or Surabaya: $64
  • East Java Dirt Bike Tours: $65
  • 1 Day - Tumpak Sewu, Kapas Biru Waterfall, Goa Tetes cave* Tour // 07:30 - 17:00: $75
  • 1Day - Bromo Non Sunrise Tour via Malang (to avoid crowd): $79

Tours and Activities in Chongqing

Here are a few actual costs in Chongqing for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Chongqing private luxury city tour: Must-sees All in One: $10
  • Chongqing Private Tour Pandas City Must See Hot Pot All in one: $10
  • Chongqing Luxury Hot Spring and Massage Luxury Meal Private Tour: $10
  • Chongqing Wulong National Park Private Nature Tour: $10
  • 520m-high Eye Skyview Deck Ticket for Adult: $26
  • Two Rivers Night Cruise- Yangtze & Jialing Rivers: $40
  • Chongqing 1949 Ticket Epic Historical Spectacle: $41
  • Historical Blocks, Temple, and Mountain Tour: $69
  • Magic Night View and Secret Viewing Spots Tour: $71
  • ChongQing Guanyinqiao: A 3-Hour Urban Adventure: $80
  • Hidden City Walking Tour with Local Guide: $80
  • Baduanjin Qigong Experience in a Serene Temple: $81

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Malang -
    Chongqing $7.01


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

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


Which is Bigger, Malang or Chongqing?

Chongqing has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Malang. When comparing the sizes of Malang and Chongqing, 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.