Which place is cheaper, Alice Springs or Shenyang?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Shenyang or Alice Springs?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Shenyang or Alice Springs? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Shenyang or Alice Springs?
Shenyang
Shenyang, China is the capital, and largest, city in the Liaoning Province in northwest China which borders North Korea. Shenyang has a long, imperial, history and is the birthplace of the Qing Dynasty. The city has a blend of beautifully preserved architecture and modern buildings, creating a pleasant atmosphere for exploring!
Alice Springs
Alice Springs is in the middle of Central Australia and is most famous as a base for exploring the famous rock, Uluru. Alice Springs itself has grown dramatically from what was once a small outpost. The tourist boom began in the early 1980s and the population is now somewhere around 28,000. The city now has all of the necessary facilities to cater to the influx of tourists who swing through to see Uluru. The town is 1500km from Darwin, which is the closest major city. Adelaide is just as far to the south. It's remote location means that costs can be higher than they are elsewhere in Australia. Expect to pay more for anything from fruits and vegetables to clothing and souvenirs. When making a reservation for a hotel, do note that the rating scale differs from elsewhere in Australia or in most western countries. The ratings come from the amenities available and have little to do with the actual room quality.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in China, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in China, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Australia, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Australia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayShenyang $70Alice Springs $95
The average daily cost (per person) in Shenyang is $70, while the average daily cost in Alice Springs is $95. 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 Shenyang and Alice Springs in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personShenyang $41Alice Springs $50
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomShenyang $82Alice Springs $100
Compare Hotels in Shenyang and Alice Springs
Looking for a hotel in Shenyang or Alice Springs? 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: Alice Springs Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Shenyang $19Alice Springs $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Alice Springs
Also for Alice Springs, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Uluru to Alice Springs or Alice to Uluru 1-Way Luxe Transfer: $127
Is it cheaper to fly into Shenyang or Alice Springs?
Prices for flights to both Alice Springs and Shenyang 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 dayShenyang $18Alice Springs $24
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Alice Springs
For Alice Springs, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- From Day Trip to Uluru with BBQ Dinner: $219
- Ayers Rock Day Trip from Alice Springs Including BBQ Dinner: $233
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Shenyang $7.69Alice Springs $14
Tours and Activities in Alice Springs
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Alice Springs.
- A Town Like Alice: Half-Day Tour of Alice Springs: $95
- Alice Springs Camel Tour: $59
- Alice Springs Desert Park General Entry Ticket: $26
- Alice Springs Desert Park Nocturnal Tour: $28
- Alice Springs Highlights Tour : $109
- West MacDonnell Ranges & Standley Chasm Tour: $121
- Alice Town And Country Half Day Sunset Tour - Small Group: $125
- Alice Town and Country Half Day Sunset Tour -Small Group: $123
- Australia’s Red Centre: A Self-Guided West Macs Driving Tour: $9.99
- Best of Alice Springs Full Day Tour: $162
- East Mac's Adventure Day Tour Mondays and Fridays: $125
- East MacDonnell Ranges Half day Tour -Small Group: $225
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayShenyang $5.82Alice Springs $17
Typical Alcohol Prices in Alice Springs
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Alice Springs:
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Glass of Wine in Alice Springs$4.54
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Shenyang and Alice Springs, we can see that Alice Springs is more expensive. And not only is Shenyang much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Shenyang is in Asia and Alice Springs is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Shenyang would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Shenyang 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 Alice Springs would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Alice Springs than you might in Shenyang.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Shenyang Expensive? and Is Alice Springs Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Shenyang or Alice Springs?
Shenyang has a larger population, and is about 130 times larger than the population of Alice Springs. When comparing the sizes of Shenyang and Alice Springs, 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.