A Travel Price Comparison for China Qingdao vs. Chongqing for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Qingdao or Chongqing?

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

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

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.

Chongqing

Chongqing, China is a large city in central China and one of only four cities in the country that are not part of a province. While Chongqing is famous for being an economically important city, brush away its industrial surface and you'll find a naturally beautiful city with plenty of hidden wonders. Although you'll find many expats in the city, English is rarely spoken, meaning knowing some basic Mandarin will come in handy.

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.


Which place is cheaper, Chongqing 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 Chongqing is $87. 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 Chongqing in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Qingdao $26
    Chongqing $49
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Qingdao $52
    Chongqing $98
Compare Hotels in Qingdao and Chongqing

Looking for a hotel in Qingdao or Chongqing? 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 Chongqing


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
    Chongqing $19

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Qingdao

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

  • One Way Qingdao hotel to Qingdao airport private transfer : $108
  • 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: $84
  • Qingdao Private Transfer from Qingdao central to Qingdao Airport (TAO): $84
  • Qingdao Railway Station Arrival Transfer to City Hotel: $36
  • Qingdao Railway Station Depature Transfer from City Hotels: $36

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chongqing

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Chongqing:

  • Private Transfer: Chongqing Chaotianmen Cruise Pier to Airport (CKG) : $43
  • Private Round-Trip Transfer: Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport(CKG) : $50
  • Private Departure Transfer:Hotel to Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport CKG: $25
  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Chongqing Chaotianmen Cruise Pier: $39
  • Private Arrival Transfer:Any Chongqing Railway Station to Hotel: $24
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Chongqing Jiangbei Airport (CKG) to Hotel: $22
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Chongqing Chaotianmen Cruise Pier to Hotel: $39
  • Chongqing Jiangbei Airport Chauffeur Service, Chongqing Airport Transfer, Pickup: $50
  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Chongqing Jiangbei Airport (CKG): $22

Is it cheaper to fly into Qingdao or Chongqing?

Prices for flights to both Chongqing 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
    Chongqing $25

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chongqing

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Chongqing.

  • Chongqing Liangjiang Night Cruise Including Authentic Hot Pot Dinner: $115
  • Chongqing City Private Night Tour with Hot Pot Dinner: $158
  • Chongqing Port Transfer Service with Half-Day Tour and Hot Pot Dinner: $193

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Qingdao $20
    Chongqing $13

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 Laoshan half day tour with one bottle of Tsingdao beer as gift: $190
  • Private Qingdao Historic architectural day tour with Tsingdao beer during Lunch: $190
  • 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 Chongqing

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

  • Dazu Rock Carvings Private Day Tour With the baoding Mountain and Beishan site: $251
  • 1-Day Chongqing City Private Tour with the Hot pot Lunch: $157
  • 1-Day Chongqing Dazu Rock Carvings Private Tour With the Lunch: $143
  • 3-Hour Walking Tour of Chongqing Shancheng (Mountain City) Lane: $65
  • All-In-One Chongqing Trendy Spots Private Tour: $220
  • Best of Chongqing One Day Tour: Stilwell Museum, Arhat Temple, Eling Park, Panda: $157
  • Chongqing All-in-One Private Tour With Entire City Night View: $230
  • Chongqing Half Day Morning Private Tour including Eling Park & Chongqing Museum: $135
  • Chongqing Private City Tour Extention: $220
  • Chongqing Wulong Exploration Private Day Tour With the Lunch: $185
  • Chongqing Wulong National Park Private Tour : $280
  • Chongqing Yangtze River Cruise and Illuminated Night Tour: $158

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Qingdao $14
    Chongqing $6.95


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Qingdao and Chongqing, we can see that Chongqing is more expensive. And not only is Qingdao much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Chongqing would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Chongqing 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 Chongqing Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Qingdao or Chongqing?

Chongqing has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Qingdao. When comparing the sizes of Qingdao and Chongqing, 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.