Which place is cheaper, Chengdu or Petra?
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 Petra or Chengdu?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Petra and Chengdu can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Petra or Chengdu?
Petra
Whether you're checking off the Seven Wonders of the World, or you're just a huge Indiana Jones fan, the city of Petra must be on your bucket list. The "rose red city, half as old as time," was the capital of the Nabataean kingdom in the 6th century BC. It was the center for trade and commerce until an earthquake took out buildings and destroyed their water management system. After this destruction, the city of Petra seemed to be lost to western civilization.
Chengdu
Chengdu is in China's Sichuan Provence and is in what is known as the Red Basin. It is a particularly fertile region in China that is known for its agriculture. For this reason it is sometimes referred to as the "Land of Milk and Honey". The Funan River cuts through the city but has almost no boat traffic anymore. The city itself has a wonderful relaxed vibe compared to the rest of China and is filled with green parks and places to relax. It is considered one of the most livable cities in China.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in Jordan, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Jordan, The Best Cultural Tours in China, and The Best Luxury Tours to China.
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Petra Prices
Jordan PricesChengdu Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPetra $153Chengdu $71
The average daily cost (per person) in Petra is $153, while the average daily cost in Chengdu is $71. 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 Petra and Chengdu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPetra $59Chengdu $22
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPetra $118Chengdu $44
Compare Hotels in Petra and Chengdu
Looking for a hotel in Petra or Chengdu? 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: Petra Hotel Prices and Chengdu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Petra $23Chengdu $6.37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Petra
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Petra:
- Comfortable and Reliable Private Transfer: Petra to Wadi Rum: $100
- Door⇄Door Private Transfer from Petra to Sheikh Hussein Crossing: $195
- Fast and Reliable Private Transfer: Petra to Ma’in Hot Springs: $180
- Petra Private Transfer To Aqaba: $100
- Petra Private Transfer To Jerusalem: $290
- Petra Private Transfer To Multiple Destinations: $115
- Private Departure Transfer: Petra Hotels to Amman Airport: $93
- Private Transfer Amman Airport to Petra or vice versa via the King's Highway: $120
- Private Transfer From Petra to Amman or Airport With Optional: $88
- Private Transfer from Petra to Aqaba Cruise Port: $73
- Private Transfers from Petra Inside Jordan and Vice Versa: $176
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chengdu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Chengdu:
- Panda Research Base Ticket or Private Transfer Tour: $15
- Chengdu Panda Breeding Base Tour with Guide or Transfer: $20
- Hassle-Free & Comfortable Airport Transfer Service: $30
- Airport transfer between Tianfu(TFU) and Chengdu downtown: $45
- Leshan Buddha Optional Tours w/ Transfer or Guide: $156
- Algou Valley Hiking Tour with Roundtrip Transfer: $289
- Chengdu 3-Day Self-Guided Jiuzhaigou&Huanglong with Transfer: $412
Is it cheaper to fly into Petra or Chengdu?
Prices for flights to both Chengdu and Petra 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 dayPetra $66Chengdu $40
Typical Food Prices in Petra
Some typical examples of dining costs in Petra are as follows:
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Dinner for Two$12
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Juice$1.76
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Petra
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Petra.
- Authentic Jordanian Cooking, Taste of Comfort With Family: $28
- Cooking outside in little Petra between the Mountains.: $50
- Private Outdoor bedouin Dinner in Petra: $150
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chengdu
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Chengdu.
- Chengdu Night: VIP Seat Opera Show or Back Alley Food Tour: $40
- Eat Like a Local! Food Tour in the Hidden Alleys: $67
- Evening Food Tour with Local Guide: $78
- Chengdu Evening Food Tour: $79
- Cooking Class with Fresh Market Half Day Experience: $80
- Sichuan Cooking Class with Market Tour: $136
- Chengdu Food Tour on Yulin Road a Tasty Half Day Food Walk: $138
- Sichuan Cuisine-Themed Museum Cooking Experience: $146
- Flea Market, Fashion District, and Dinner Tour: $215
- Panda Base, Farmer's Market, and Cooking Class: $226
- Panda Base, Sichuan Cuisine Museum, & Cooking Class: $250
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Petra $47Chengdu $17
Typical Entertainment Prices in Petra
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Petra are as follows:
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Entry to Petra for One$71
Tours and Activities in Petra
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Petra are as follows:
- Self Guided Tour of Petra Main Trail with App (No Tickets): $8.99
- Guided 3 Hour Tour of Petra's Iconic Landmarks: $60
- Private Guided Tour in Petra with licensed guide: $70
- Private 3-Hour Guided Tour of Petra with Hotel Pickup .: $75
- Private Indiana-Jones Archeological Trail Tour: $100
- Petra Highlight Tour with Private Guide Sami Nawafleh | 2.5 Hours: $120
- 6 Hours Private Tour in Petra: $125
- Private Half-Day Tour of Petra with Lunch: $130
- Tour Privado en Español a Historia y Cultura Nabatea: $130
- Wadi Rum Day Tour from Petra ending in Aqaba: $138
- 3-Hour Private Petra Tour: Siq, Treasury & Qasr Al-Bint: $145
- 3 Hour Horse Riding Adventure around the Petra Area: $145
Tours and Activities in Chengdu
Here are a few actual costs in Chengdu for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Panda Research Base Ticket or Volunteer Day Trip: $9.50
- Giant Panda Breeding Research Base Ticket: $16
- Half-Day Panda Base Tour with Guide Option: $17
- Du Fu Thatched Cottage Museum Ticket for Adult: $18
- Panda Breeding Base Tickets Booking: $19
- Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding e-Ticket: $22
- Panda Base Tour/Ticket Only Option: $22
- Sichuan Opera Show Ticket - Shu Feng Ya Yun: $26
- Sichuan Opera Shu Feng Yan Yun Evening Show Ticket: $27
- Chengdu Sichuan Opera Show Ticket - Shu Feng Ya Yun: $28
- Panda Base Half Day Group Tour: $30
- Chengdu Night Tour Jinjiang Ferry Ticket: $34
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPetra $15Chengdu $4.22
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Petra and Chengdu, we can see that Petra is more expensive. And not only is Chengdu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Petra is in Middle East and Chengdu is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Chengdu would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chengdu 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 Petra would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Petra than you might in Chengdu.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Petra Expensive? and Is Chengdu Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Petra or Chengdu?
Chengdu has a larger population, and is about 280 times larger than the population of Petra. When comparing the sizes of Petra and Chengdu, 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.
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.