A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Qingdao vs. Boracay for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Qingdao or Boracay?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Qingdao or Boracay, 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 Boracay?

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.

Boracay

A small island in the Philippines known for its resorts and beaches, Boracay is a little escape. Each beach has its own unique character, each with new treasures waiting to be discovered.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in China, The Best Luxury Tours to China, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Philippines, and The Best Adventure Tours to Philippines.


Which place is cheaper, Boracay or Qingdao?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Qingdao is $58, while the average daily cost in Boracay is $56. 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 Boracay in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Qingdao $26
    Boracay $23
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Qingdao $52
    Boracay $46
Compare Hotels in Qingdao and Boracay

Looking for a hotel in Qingdao or Boracay? 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 Qingdao


Hotels in Boracay


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.


Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Qingdao $12
    Boracay $28

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Qingdao

Also for Qingdao, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Departure Transfer: City Hotel to Qingdao Railway Station : $36
  • Qingdao Cruise Port Departure Transfer from City Hotels: $36
  • Qingdao Liuting Airport Transfer Service by Minivan: $86
  • Qingdao Northern Railway Station Arrival Private One-Way Transfer: $42
  • Qingdao Private Transfer from Qingdao Airport (TAO) to central Qingdao: $83
  • Qingdao Private Transfer from Qingdao central to Qingdao Airport (TAO): $83
  • Qingdao Railway Station Arrival Transfer to City Hotel: $36
  • Qingdao Railway Station Depature Transfer from City Hotels: $36

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Boracay

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Boracay:

  • Speedboat Caticlan to Boracay Transfer (Oneway): $81
  • PRIVATE AIRPORT TRANSFER TO BORACAY: $59
  • Departure: Ferry boat Transfer Boracay to Caticlan Airport: $30
  • Caticlan: Shared Airport Transfer From/To Boracay: $54
  • Caticlan: Ferry Boat Airport Transfer To Boracay: $41
  • Shared Transfer from/to MPH for Domestic Passports: $21
  • Private Transfer from Caticlan Airport to Boracay: $43
  • Boracay Transfer round trip with Island Hopping: $69
  • Boracay Adventures Transfer Services Via Caticlan: $35
  • Airport Transfer to Boracay or vice versa: $26

Is it cheaper to fly into Qingdao or Boracay?

Prices for flights to both Boracay 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Qingdao $20
    Boracay $14

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Qingdao $20
    Boracay $15

Tours and Activities in Qingdao

For Qingdao, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Private Qingdao City tour with Lunch and Qingdao beer: $175
  • Private Qingdao Historic architectural day tour with Tsingdao beer during Lunch: $190
  • Private Qingdao Laoshan half day tour with one bottle of Tsingdao beer as gift: $199
  • Qingdao private half day tour with Tsingdao Beer Lunch : $202
  • Qingdao Shore Excursion: Private Full Day Laoshan Mountain Sightseeing Tour: $207
  • Private Qingdao Essentials Tour: City Highlights and Beer Museum: $216
  • Laoshan Mountain Full Day Private Activity Tour: $224
  • Qingdao Private Day Tour to Laoshan Mountain with Lunch and Cable Car: $238
  • Private Qingdao Laoshan day tour with lunch& round way cable car: $240
  • Qingdao Discover Tour to the Mount Laoshan and Tasting Famous Local Beer: $248
  • Qingdao Private Tour: City Highlights and Laoshan Mountain with Lunch+Cable Car: $268
  • All-Inclusive Private Day Tour: Qingdao Highlights with Lunch: $285

Tours and Activities in Boracay

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

  • 2 Hours Boracay Land Tour via Etrike: $26
  • Aklan Tibiao Antique Tour : $190
  • Atv Mainland Adventure with lunch: $63
  • Best Boracay Sunset Party Boat Experience: $45
  • Boracay - Crystal Kayak phot-op Experience: $9.02
  • Boracay ATV Tour and Kawa Hot Bath: $85
  • Boracay Buggy Car Adventure: $105
  • Boracay Cliff Jumping & Snorkeling Experience (Private): $105
  • Boracay Eco-Hopping Tour: $86
  • Boracay Helicopter Tour with Red Whale Party Yacht: $204
  • Boracay Hopping Tour with Standard Boodle Fight Lunch: $36
  • Boracay Island Hopping +Banana Boat (Shared Tour): $41

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Qingdao $14
    Boracay $16


When comparing the travel costs between Qingdao and Boracay, we can see that Qingdao 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 Qingdao Expensive? and Is Boracay Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Qingdao or Boracay?

Qingdao has a larger population, and is about 710 times larger than the population of Boracay. When comparing the sizes of Qingdao and Boracay, 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.