Which place is cheaper, Chengdu 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 Chengdu?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Qingdao or Chengdu, 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 Chengdu?
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.
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 Cultural Tours in China, The Best Luxury Tours to China, The Best Budget Tours to China, and The Best Tours for Seniors to China.
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Qingdao Prices
China PricesChengdu Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayQingdao $77Chengdu $70
The average daily cost (per person) in Qingdao is $77, while the average daily cost in Chengdu is $70. 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 Chengdu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personQingdao $28Chengdu $22
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomQingdao $56Chengdu $44
Compare Hotels in Qingdao and Chengdu
Looking for a hotel in Qingdao 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: Qingdao Hotel Prices and Chengdu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Qingdao $13Chengdu $6.32
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Qingdao
Also for Qingdao, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Qingdao Airport Arrival Transfer to City Hotels: $80
- Qingdao Cruise Port Departure Transfer from City Hotels: $36
- Qingdao Liuting Airport private Transfer Service by Car, MPV: $45
- Qingdao Northern Railway Station Arrival Private One-Way Transfer: $42
- Qingdao Private Arrival Transfer: Airport to Hotel: $77
- Qingdao Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Airport: $55
- Qingdao Private Transfer from Qingdao central to Qingdao Airport (TAO): $51
- Qingdao Railway Station Arrival Transfer to City Hotel: $36
- Qingdao Railway Station Depature Transfer from City Hotels: $36
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chengdu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Chengdu:
- Sichuan Face Changing Opera With Door to Door Private Transfer: $75
- Private Transfer from Chengdu to Mount Emei and Stops at Leshan Giant Buddha: $110
- Private Transfer from Chengdu hotel to Chengdu Train Station: $27
- Private Transfer from Chengdu Hotel to Chengdu Shuangliu Airport: $52
- Private Round-Trip Transfer:Chengdu Shuangliu Airport or Chengdu: $67
- Private Departure Transfer:City Hotel to Any Railway Station in Chengdu: $28
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Chengdu International Airport (CTU): $23
- Private Day Tour of Giant Pandas and Kuanzhai Alley with Transfer: $168
- Private Arrival Transfer:Any Chengdu Railway Station to City Hotel: $28
- Private Arrival Transfer: Chengdu Airport (CTU or TFU) to Hotel: $34
- Leshan Giant Buddha Entry Ticket with Optional Guide & Transfer: $18
- Hotels to Chengdu Tianfu or Shuangliu Airports private transfer: $33
Is it cheaper to fly into Qingdao or Chengdu?
Prices for flights to both Chengdu 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 $36Chengdu $40
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chengdu
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Chengdu.
- Chengdu Vegetarian Cooking Class at a Local Home: $39
- Chengdu Night: VIP Seat Opera Show or Back Alley Food Tour: $40
- Chengdu Food Tour Local Delicacies and Ear Cleaning: $59
- Private Chengdu TukTuk Food Tour: Hidden Alleys & Local Eats: $59
- Eat Like a Local! Food Tour in the Hidden Alleys: $67
- Discovery more Chengdu evening food tour with locals: $69
- Half-Day Professional Mapo Tofu Cooking with a Local Market Visit: $69
- Tuktuk Food Tour Through Chengdu's Local Eats: $73
- Evening Food Tour with Local Guide: $78
- Chengdu Evening Food Tour: $79
- Chengdu Cooking Class with a Local Market Visit: $80
- Half-Day Steamed Buns (Bao) Cooking Class with Local Market Visit: $80
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Qingdao $21Chengdu $17
Tours and Activities in Qingdao
For Qingdao, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Tsingtao Beer Museum Ticket with All You Can Drink: $13
- Qingdao After Dark: 4-Hour Illumination Tour with Options: $150
- Half Day Tour and Trek to Fushan Mountain: $170
- Private Qingdao Essentials Tour: City Highlights and Beer Museum: $196
- German Era Tour of Old Town Qingdao with Lunch and Beer Museum: $200
- Alternative City Tour with Navy Museum, Beer Street and TV Tower, Lunch Included: $200
- Qingdao private half day tour with Tsingdao Beer Lunch: $202
- Premium Qingdao Private Tour Coastal Scenery and Culture: $210
- Laoshan Mountain Full Day Private Activity Tour: $224
- Qingdao Private Day Tour to Laoshan Mountain with Lunch and Cable Car: $224
- Bespoke Qingdao Private Tour on BMW Convertible or BYD 4WD SUV: $229
- Qingdao Private Tour: Laoshan Mountain&Customized City Highlights: $229
Tours and Activities in Chengdu
Here are a few actual costs in Chengdu for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 1 Day Panda Breeding Center Plus Chengdu City Tour: $175
- 1 Day Tea Trip in Mount Mengding with Tea Making Experience: $150
- 1 Day Wolong Panda Nature Reserve Tour: $204
- 1 day Chengdu City Highlights Mini Group tour: $102
- 1-Day Chengdu Ancient History and Culture City Tour: $179
- 1-Day Chengdu Cultural Discovery:Jinsha,Shu Brocade Museum & Dufu Cottage Tour: $189
- 1-Day Chengdu Leshan Giant Buddha Private Tour With the Lunch and Boat tour: $242
- 1-Day Chengdu Panda Base and Leshan Giant Buddha Private Tour with the Lunch: $246
- 1-Day Chengdu Panda Research Base and Sanxingdui Archeological Museum Tour: $256
- 1-Day Chengdu Private Tour: Dujiangyan Ancient River Irrigation and Temple Site: $213
- 1-Day Chengdu tour with Panda Base, Renmin Park,Wenshu Temple and Hot Pot Lunch: $193
- 1-Day Dujiangyan Self-Guided Tour: Panda Volunteer and Water Irrigation System: $123
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayQingdao $15Chengdu $4.19
Sample the Local Flavors in Chengdu
Also in Chengdu, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Chengdu Pub Crawl: $10
- Tipsy Travel: Chengdu Evening Food and Bar Crawl with Local Guide: $138
When comparing the travel costs between Qingdao and Chengdu, 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 Chengdu Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Qingdao or Chengdu?
Chengdu has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Qingdao. When comparing the sizes of Qingdao 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.