Which place is cheaper, Dalian or Phuket?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Phuket or Dalian?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Phuket or Dalian, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Phuket or Dalian?
Phuket
Phuket Island is the tourist mecca of southern Thailand. Known for its beaches and resorts, the island brings in a massive amount of travelers from all over the world, year round. Although the beaches are beautiful, Phuket has also become more westernized and tourist-oriented in recent decades, leaving many travelers to venture elsewhere to find that amazing beach with a more authentic Thai vibe. However, Phuket Island is quite large, and hidden gems can still be found.
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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Thailand, The Best 2-Week Tours in Thailand, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPhuket $105Dalian $103
The average daily cost (per person) in Phuket is $105, 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 Phuket and Dalian in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPhuket $56Dalian $54
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPhuket $112Dalian $108
Compare Hotels in Phuket and Dalian
Looking for a hotel in Phuket 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Phuket Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Phuket $11Dalian $41
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Phuket
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Phuket:
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Longtail Taxi (for Two)$8.18
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Taxi from Airport to Phuket Town$6.82
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Phuket
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Phuket:
- From Krabi: Phuket Transfer with Phi Phi Longtail Boat Tour: $362
- From Krabi Transfer with Phi Phi Longtail Boat Tour: $362
- Phuket Jet Ski Tour to 7 Islands with Pickup and Transfer: $212
- Flying Hanuman Ziplining Experience in Phuket with Return Transfer: $149
- ATV Bike 1 hr + ziplines 30 platforms with Roundtrip Transfer : $139
- Private Transfer from Phuket to Krabi: $137
- Morning Blue Sky Spa Package with Private Transfer: $125
- Full Day Guided Banana Beach Paradise Trip With Lunch & Hotel Transfers: $123
- Private Airport Arrival Transfer : Airport to Hotel in Krabi: $117
- ATV Bike 1 hr+ Skyline Adventure 28 platforms with free Transfer: $116
- Private Transfer from Phuket to Krabi with 2h of Sightseeing: $113
- Flying Hanuman Ziplines 42 platforms With Lunch & Transfer RoundTrips: $108
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dalian
Also for Dalian, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Dalian Private Arrival Transfer: Railway Station to City Hotel: $33
- Dalian Private Departure Transfer:City Hotel to Railway Station: $32
- Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport Chauffeur Service , to Dalian Transfer: $27
- Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport Chauffeur Service , to Dalian Transfer: $40
- Private Departure Transfer: City Hotel to Any Guiyang Railway Station: $38
Is it cheaper to fly into Phuket or Dalian?
Prices for flights to both Dalian and Phuket 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 dayPhuket $22Dalian $27
Typical Food Prices in Phuket
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Phuket:
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Casual Dinner (for Two)$7.88
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$4.64
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Sit Down Dinner (for Two)$12
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Thai Noodles$2.45
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Bananas$0.68
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Pizza (for Two)$8.18
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Phuket
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Phuket.
- Thai Cooking Class 1.5 Hrs ( 2 Dishes Menu): $36
- Express Thai Cooking Class in Phuket: $43
- Coral Island Catamaran Cruise with Sunset Dinner: $43
- Vegetarian Organic Thai Cooking Class and Market Tour in Phuket: $52
- Flavours of the South Guided Food Tour: $52
- Coral Island & Sunset Dinner by Sailing Catamaran: $53
- Phuket Coral Island Sunset with Dinner by Catamaran Yacht: $53
- Thai Cooking Class in Phuket: $55
- Phuket Cooking Class Thai activity: $55
- Thai Cooking Class in Phuket: $55
- Phuket Thai Cooking Class with Market Tour Option: $55
- Organic Thai Cooking Class and Market Tour in Phuket: $55
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Phuket $42Dalian $4.78
Typical Entertainment Prices in Phuket
Here are a few typical costs in Phuket for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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One Day Boat Tour$25
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Scuba Diving (Two Dives)$68
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Thai Oil Massage$17
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Surfboard Rental$8.18
Tours and Activities in Phuket
Here are a few actual costs in Phuket for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 3 Khai Islands Snorkeling Tour by Speed Boat: $43
- Activities In & Around Full Day Customizable Tour: $90
- Amazing Krabi Private 1 day tour from Phuket by VAN: $218
- James Bond Island Highlights Tour from Phuket with Lunch: $115
- Khai Island Half Day Tour by Speedboat from Phuket (SHA Plus): $61
- Phi Phi Islands Adventure Day Tour with Seaview Lunch from Phuket: $68
- Whitewater Rafting & ATV Adventure Tour from Phuket including Lunch: $118
- Zipline Adventure 32 Platforms + Roller + Skywalk: $108
- 2 Hours Phuket Old Town Street Food Walking Tour: $45
- 2-Hour ATV Tour from Phuket: $77
- 2x Snorkelling Phi Phi, Maiton, Maya Bay, khai islands tour: $58
- 4 Waters Eco Adventure: $96
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: $159
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPhuket $6.35Dalian $6.31
Typical Alcohol Prices in Phuket
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Phuket from other travelers:
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Cocktails (for Two)$5.46
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Beer$2.32
Sample the Local Flavors in Phuket
Also in Phuket, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- All-Night Bar Crawl with Drinks & 4 Venues: $22
- Phuket Guided Pub Crawl: $25
- Pub Crawl Tour: $25
- Phuket Real City Tour with Rum Cocktail Distillery: $77
- Big Buddha & The Distillery Phuket: $97
- Phuket Rum Distillery Cocktail Workshop And Wat Chalong Temple : $172
- Phuket Rum Distillery Cocktail Workshop & Wat Chalong Temple: $213
When comparing the travel costs between Phuket and Dalian, we can see that Phuket 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 Phuket Expensive? and Is Dalian Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Phuket or Dalian?
Dalian has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Phuket. When comparing the sizes of Phuket 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.
When is the best time to visit Phuket or Dalian?
Dalian has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Phuket experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Phuket or Dalian in the Summer?
Both Dalian and Phuket during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Phuket because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the summer, Phuket is a little warmer than Dalian. Typically, the summer temperatures in Phuket in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Dalian averages at about 24°C (75°F).
Dalian gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Phuket. Phuket usually gets more rain in July than Dalian. Phuket gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Dalian receives 202 mm (8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPhuket 28°C (82°F)Dalian 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Phuket or Dalian in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Phuket and Dalian. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Phuket year-round.
In October, Phuket is generally much warmer than Dalian. Daily temperatures in Phuket average around 27°C (81°F), and Dalian fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).
Phuket gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Phuket usually receives more rain than Dalian. Phuket gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Dalian receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn. December to March in Phuket is the dry season. Also, June to October is the rainy season in Phuket.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPhuket 27°C (81°F)Dalian 15°C (58°F)
Should I visit Phuket or Dalian in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Phuket as well as Dalian. Phuket attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
It's quite cold in Dalian in the winter. Phuket is much warmer than Dalian in the winter. The daily temperature in Phuket averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and Dalian fluctuates around -4°C (25°F).
Phuket usually gets more rain in January than Dalian. Phuket gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Dalian receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, December to March in Phuket is the dry season.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPhuket 28°C (82°F)Dalian -4°C (25°F)
Should I visit Phuket or Dalian in the Spring?
Both Dalian and Phuket are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Phuket throughout the year.
In the spring, Phuket is much warmer than Dalian. Typically, the spring temperatures in Phuket in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Dalian averages at about 11°C (51°F).
It's quite rainy in Phuket. In April, Phuket usually receives more rain than Dalian. Phuket gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Dalian receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring. The rainy season in Phuket is June to October.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPhuket 29°C (84°F)Dalian 11°C (51°F)
Typical Weather for Dalian and Phuket
| Phuket | Dalian | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | -4°C (25°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (83°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) | -2°C (28°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 4°C (38°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 318 mm (12.5 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 279 mm (11 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 202 mm (8 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 262 mm (10.3 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 399 mm (15.7 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 304 mm (12 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | -0°C (32°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
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.