Which place is cheaper, Alice Springs or Qingdao?
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 Qingdao or Alice Springs?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Qingdao or Alice Springs, 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: Qingdao or Alice Springs?
Qingdao
Qingdao, China, located in the Shandong Province, is a very large city right on the Yellow Sea coast. The city, whose name means "The Green Island" due to it's gorgeous landscapes and interesting geography, was named China's most livable city in 2012. The city is rich in history, having almost become a German territory in 1897 and being occupied by the Japanese during WWI. Evidence of these occupiers is present in much of the architecture around the city, which includes a few Catholic and Protestant churches.
Alice Springs
Alice Springs is in the middle of Central Australia and is most famous as a base for exploring the famous rock, Uluru. Alice Springs itself has grown dramatically from what was once a small outpost. The tourist boom began in the early 1980s and the population is now somewhere around 28,000. The city now has all of the necessary facilities to cater to the influx of tourists who swing through to see Uluru. The town is 1500km from Darwin, which is the closest major city. Adelaide is just as far to the south. It's remote location means that costs can be higher than they are elsewhere in Australia. Expect to pay more for anything from fruits and vegetables to clothing and souvenirs. When making a reservation for a hotel, do note that the rating scale differs from elsewhere in Australia or in most western countries. The ratings come from the amenities available and have little to do with the actual room quality.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in China, The Best Luxury Tours to China, The Best 2-Week Tours in Australia, and The Best 3-Week Tours in Australia.
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Qingdao Prices
China PricesAlice Springs Prices
Australia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayQingdao $73Alice Springs $113
The average daily cost (per person) in Qingdao is $73, while the average daily cost in Alice Springs is $113. 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 Qingdao and Alice Springs in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personQingdao $27Alice Springs $50
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomQingdao $54Alice Springs $100
Compare Hotels in Qingdao and Alice Springs
Looking for a hotel in Qingdao or Alice Springs? 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: Alice Springs Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Qingdao $12Alice Springs $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Qingdao
Also for Qingdao, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Qingdao Liuting Airport Transfer Service by Minivan: $86
- Private Qingdao Airport Arrival Transfer to City Hotels: $80
- Qingdao Private Transfer from Qingdao Airport (TAO) to central Qingdao: $54
- Qingdao Private Transfer from Qingdao central to Qingdao Airport (TAO): $53
- Qingdao Northern Railway Station Arrival Private One-Way Transfer: $42
- Qingdao Cruise Port Departure Transfer from City Hotels: $36
- Qingdao Railway Station Depature Transfer from City Hotels: $36
- Qingdao Railway Station Arrival Transfer to City Hotel: $36
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Alice Springs
Also for Alice Springs, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Uluru to Alice Springs or Alice to Uluru 1-Way Luxe Transfer: $168
- Alice Springs to Uluru (Ayers Rock) Coach Transfer: $171
Is it cheaper to fly into Qingdao or Alice Springs?
Prices for flights to both Alice Springs and Qingdao 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 dayQingdao $35Alice Springs $42
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Alice Springs
For Alice Springs, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- From Day Trip to Uluru with BBQ Dinner: $242
- Ayers Rock Day Trip from Alice Springs Including BBQ Dinner: $246
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Qingdao $20Alice Springs $14
Tours and Activities in Qingdao
For Qingdao, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Private Qingdao Essentials Tour: City Highlights and Beer Museum: $216
- Alternative City Tour with Navy Museum, Beer Street and TV Tower, Lunch Included: $200
- German Era Tour of Old Town Qingdao with Lunch and Beer Museum: $200
- Half Day Tour and Trek to Fushan Mountain: $170
- Laoshan Mountain Full Day Private Activity Tour: $224
- Private Qingdao Historic architectural day tour with Tsingdao beer during Lunch: $245
- Private Qingdao Laoshan day tour with lunch& round way cable car: $240
- Private Qingdao Laoshan half day tour with one bottle of Tsingdao beer as gift: $199
- Private Qingdao highlights city tour with Lunch and Qingdao beer: $175
- Qingdao After Dark: 4-Hour Illumination Tour with Options: $150
- Qingdao Discover Tour to the Mount Laoshan and Tasting Famous Local Beer: $248
- Qingdao Private Day Tour to Laoshan Mountain with Lunch and Cable Car: $238
Tours and Activities in Alice Springs
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Alice Springs.
- A Town Like Alice: Half-Day Tour of Alice Springs: $118
- Alice Springs Airport to West MacDonnell Half-Day Tour : $107
- Alice Springs Desert Park General Entry Ticket: $27
- Alice Springs Desert Park Nocturnal Tour: $28
- Alice Springs Tour to West MacDonnell Ranges with Lunch: $116
- Desert Park Entry Ticket: $26
- Larapinta Hiking Trail 5 Day Adventure Safari: $2,067
- Red Centre Journey Tour with Morning Tea: $114
- West MacDonnell Ranges & Standley Chasm Tour: $129
- Alice Town And Country Half Day Sunset Tour - Small Group: $127
- Alice Town and Country Half Day Sunset Tour -Small Group: $129
- Art Centre Tour in Alice Springs: $50
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayQingdao $14Alice Springs $17
Typical Alcohol Prices in Alice Springs
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Alice Springs:
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Glass of Wine in Alice Springs$4.58
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Qingdao and Alice Springs, we can see that Alice Springs is more expensive. And not only is Qingdao much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Qingdao is in Asia and Alice Springs is in Pacific, 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 Qingdao would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Qingdao 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 Alice Springs would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Alice Springs than you might in Qingdao.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Qingdao Expensive? and Is Alice Springs Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Qingdao or Alice Springs?
Qingdao has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Alice Springs. When comparing the sizes of Qingdao and Alice Springs, 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.