Which place is cheaper, Pyeongchang or Qingdao?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Qingdao or Pyeongchang?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Qingdao or Pyeongchang, 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 Pyeongchang?
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.
Pyeongchang
Pyeongchang is a county of South Korea situated in the Taebaek Mountains in Gangwon Province. A popular location for winter sports, it was chosen as the host city for the 2018 Winter Olympics. Other attractions include Buddhist temples, parks, villages, and natural scenery.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in China, The Best Luxury Tours to China, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Seoul, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Seoul.
-
Qingdao Prices
China PricesPyeongchang Prices
South Korea Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayQingdao $73Pyeongchang $133
The average daily cost (per person) in Qingdao is $73, while the average daily cost in Pyeongchang is $133. 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 Pyeongchang in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personQingdao $27Pyeongchang $61
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomQingdao $54Pyeongchang $122
Compare Hotels in Qingdao and Pyeongchang
Looking for a hotel in Qingdao or Pyeongchang? 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: Pyeongchang Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Qingdao $12Pyeongchang $24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Qingdao
Also for Qingdao, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Qingdao Railway Station Depature Transfer from City Hotels: $36
- Qingdao Railway Station Arrival Transfer to City Hotel: $36
- Qingdao Private Transfer from Qingdao central to Qingdao Airport (TAO): $53
- Qingdao Private Transfer from Qingdao Airport (TAO) to central Qingdao: $54
- Qingdao Northern Railway Station Arrival Private One-Way Transfer: $42
- Qingdao Liuting Airport Transfer Service by Minivan: $86
- Qingdao Cruise Port Departure Transfer from City Hotels: $36
- Private Qingdao Airport Arrival Transfer to City Hotels: $80
Is it cheaper to fly into Qingdao or Pyeongchang?
Prices for flights to both Pyeongchang 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 dayQingdao $35Pyeongchang $47
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Qingdao $20Pyeongchang $50
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 + Weihai Day Tour with Buffet: $265
- Qingdao After Dark: 4-Hour Illumination Tour with Options: $150
- Qingdao Discover Tour to the Mount Laoshan and Tasting Famous Local Beer: $248
Tours and Activities in Pyeongchang
For Pyeongchang, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Alpensia 2D1N Ski Lift Tour: $141
- Balwangsan Cable Car & Samyang Ranch One Day Tour: $78
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayQingdao $14Pyeongchang $8.69
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Qingdao and Pyeongchang, we can see that Pyeongchang 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 Pyeongchang would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Pyeongchang 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 Pyeongchang Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Qingdao or Pyeongchang?
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 Pyeongchang in the Summer?
Both Pyeongchang and Qingdao are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.
In the summer, Qingdao is around the same temperature as Pyeongchang. Typically, the summer temperatures in Qingdao in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Pyeongchang averages at about 24°C (76°F).
Qingdao usually receives more sunshine than Pyeongchang during summer. Qingdao gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Pyeongchang receives 144 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Pyeongchang. It's quite rainy in Qingdao. In July, Qingdao usually receives around the same amount of rain as Pyeongchang. Qingdao gets 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Pyeongchang receives 217 mm (8.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyQingdao 25°C (77°F)Pyeongchang 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Qingdao or Pyeongchang in the Autumn?
Both Pyeongchang and Qingdao during the autumn are popular places to visit.
In October, Qingdao is generally around the same temperature as Pyeongchang. Daily temperatures in Qingdao average around 17°C (62°F), and Pyeongchang fluctuates around 15°C (60°F).
It's quite sunny in Qingdao. In the autumn, Qingdao often gets more sunshine than Pyeongchang. Qingdao gets 220 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pyeongchang receives 185 hours of full sun.
Pyeongchang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Qingdao usually gets less rain in October than Pyeongchang. Qingdao gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Pyeongchang receives 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberQingdao 17°C (62°F)Pyeongchang 15°C (60°F)
Should I visit Qingdao or Pyeongchang in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Qingdao and Pyeongchang.
Pyeongchang can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Qingdao. Qingdao is much colder than Pyeongchang in the winter. The daily temperature in Qingdao averages around -0°C (32°F) in January, and Pyeongchang fluctuates around 0°C (33°F).
Qingdao usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Pyeongchang during winter. Qingdao gets 185 hours of sunny skies, while Pyeongchang receives 190 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Qingdao usually receives less rain than Pyeongchang. Qingdao gets 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Pyeongchang receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryQingdao -0°C (32°F)Pyeongchang 0°C (33°F)
Should I visit Qingdao or Pyeongchang in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Qingdao as well as Pyeongchang.
In the spring, Qingdao is around the same temperature as Pyeongchang. Typically, the spring temperatures in Qingdao in April average around 12°C (53°F), and Pyeongchang averages at about 12°C (54°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pyeongchang. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Qingdao this time of the year. In the spring, Qingdao often gets more sunshine than Pyeongchang. Qingdao gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pyeongchang receives 204 hours of full sun.
Qingdao usually gets less rain in April than Pyeongchang. Qingdao gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Pyeongchang receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilQingdao 12°C (53°F)Pyeongchang 12°C (54°F)
Typical Weather for Pyeongchang and Qingdao
| Qingdao | Pyeongchang | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -0°C (32°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 0°C (33°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 1°C (34°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 1°C (35°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (53°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| May | 17°C (62°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 217 mm (8.5 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 162 mm (6.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 262 mm (10.3 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 216 mm (8.5 in) |
| Oct | 17°C (62°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| Nov | 10°C (49°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Dec | 3°C (37°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 39 mm (1.5 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.