Which place is cheaper, Dalian or Qingdao?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Qingdao or Dalian?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Qingdao 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: Qingdao or Dalian?
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.
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 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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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayQingdao $58Dalian $103
The average daily cost (per person) in Qingdao is $58, 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 Qingdao and Dalian in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personQingdao $26Dalian $54
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomQingdao $52Dalian $108
Compare Hotels in Qingdao and Dalian
Looking for a hotel in Qingdao 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Qingdao $12Dalian $41
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
- Qingdao Private Transfer from Qingdao Airport (TAO) to central Qingdao: $83
- Qingdao Private Transfer from Qingdao central to Qingdao Airport (TAO): $83
- Qingdao Northern Railway Station Arrival Private One-Way Transfer: $42
- Qingdao Railway Station Depature Transfer from City Hotels: $36
- Qingdao Railway Station Arrival Transfer to City Hotel: $36
- Qingdao Cruise Port Departure Transfer from City Hotels: $36
- Private Departure Transfer: City Hotel to Qingdao Railway Station : $36
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dalian
Also for Dalian, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Departure Transfer: City Hotel to Any Guiyang Railway Station: $38
- Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport Chauffeur Service , to Dalian Transfer: $27
- Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport Chauffeur Service , to Dalian Transfer: $40
- Dalian Private Departure Transfer:City Hotel to Railway Station: $32
- Dalian Private Arrival Transfer: Railway Station to City Hotel: $33
Is it cheaper to fly into Qingdao or Dalian?
Prices for flights to both Dalian 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 $20Dalian $27
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Qingdao $20Dalian $4.79
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
- All-Inclusive Private Day Tour: Qingdao Highlights with Lunch: $285
- Laoshan Mountain Full Day Private Activity Tour: $224
- 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 day tour with lunch& round way cable car: $240
- Private Qingdao Laoshan half day tour with one bottle of Tsingdao beer as gift: $199
- 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
- Qingdao Private Tour: City Highlights and Laoshan Mountain with Lunch+Cable Car: $268
- Qingdao Shore Excursion: Private Full Day Laoshan Mountain Sightseeing Tour: $207
- Qingdao private half day tour with Tsingdao Beer Lunch : $202
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 dayQingdao $14Dalian $6.32
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Qingdao and Dalian, we can see that Dalian 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 Dalian would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dalian 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 Dalian Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Qingdao or Dalian?
Dalian has a larger population, and is about 24% larger than the population of Qingdao. When comparing the sizes of Qingdao 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 Qingdao or Dalian?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Qingdao or Dalian in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Qingdao and Dalian.
Qingdao is around the same temperature as Dalian in the summer. The daily temperature in Qingdao averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Dalian fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
Dalian receives a lot of rain in the summer. Qingdao gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Qingdao usually receives around the same amount of rain as Dalian. Qingdao gets 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Dalian receives 202 mm (8 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyQingdao 25°C (77°F)Dalian 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Qingdao or Dalian in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Qingdao as well as Dalian.
In the autumn, Qingdao is a little warmer than Dalian. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Qingdao in October average around 17°C (62°F), and Dalian averages at about 15°C (58°F).
Qingdao usually gets more rain in October than Dalian. Qingdao gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Dalian receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberQingdao 17°C (62°F)Dalian 15°C (58°F)
Should I visit Qingdao or Dalian in the Winter?
Both Dalian and Qingdao are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.
It's quite cold in Dalian in the winter. The weather in Qingdao can be very cold. In January, Qingdao is generally much warmer than Dalian. Daily temperatures in Qingdao average around -0°C (32°F), and Dalian fluctuates around -4°C (25°F).
In January, Qingdao usually receives more rain than Dalian. Qingdao gets 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Dalian receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryQingdao -0°C (32°F)Dalian -4°C (25°F)
Should I visit Qingdao or Dalian in the Spring?
Both Dalian and Qingdao during the spring are popular places to visit.
Qingdao is around the same temperature as Dalian in the spring. The daily temperature in Qingdao averages around 12°C (53°F) in April, and Dalian fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
Qingdao usually gets less rain in April than Dalian. Qingdao gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Dalian receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilQingdao 12°C (53°F)Dalian 11°C (51°F)
Typical Weather for Dalian and Qingdao
| Qingdao | Dalian | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -0°C (32°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | -4°C (25°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 1°C (34°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | -2°C (28°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 4°C (38°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (53°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| May | 17°C (62°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 202 mm (8 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 162 mm (6.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Oct | 17°C (62°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Nov | 10°C (49°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| Dec | 3°C (37°F) | 10 mm (0.4 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.