Which place is cheaper, Chengdu or Shenzhen?
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 Shenzhen or Chengdu?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Shenzhen and Chengdu can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Shenzhen or Chengdu?
Shenzhen
Located in the Guangdong Province of southeastern China, Shenzhen is a metropolis that connects Hong Kong to China's mainland. It is one of China's most populous cities, inhabited by vast array of people from other Chinese regions. It is perhaps best known for it shopping, collection of amusement parks, green parks, museums and galleries, and a few historic sites. It is on UNESCO's Creative Cities list.
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 Sightseeing Tours in China, The Best Cultural Tours in China, The Best Luxury Tours to China, and The Best Budget Tours to China.
-
Shenzhen Prices
China PricesChengdu Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayShenzhen $148Chengdu $71
The average daily cost (per person) in Shenzhen is $148, while the average daily cost in Chengdu is $71. 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 Shenzhen and Chengdu in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personShenzhen $96Chengdu $22
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomShenzhen $192Chengdu $44
Compare Hotels in Shenzhen and Chengdu
Looking for a hotel in Shenzhen 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.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Shenzhen $16Chengdu $6.35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Shenzhen
Also for Shenzhen, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- A One-Way Disneyland Pick-Up Transfer to Hong Kong Hotel: $33
- Disneyland Private 2-Way Transfer Service: $90
- HK Airport to Cruise Terminal Rounded-Trip Private Transfer by Lexus Luxury Car: $140
- HK City, Cruise Terminal and Train Station Transfer Luxury MPV: $92
- HONG KONG Airport Private Transfer Service: $148
- Hong Kong Airport (HKG) Transfer to Shenzhen by Toyota Alphard: $220
- Hong Kong Airport (HKG) to Hong Kong - Arrival Private Transfer: $51
- Hong Kong Airport (HKG) to Hong Kong -Round-Trip Private Transfer: $89
- Hong Kong Airport (HKG) to Hong Kong hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $103
- Hong Kong Airport (HKG) to Kai Tak Cruise Terminal - Arrival Private Transfer: $68
- Hong Kong Airport (HKG) to Kai Tak Port - Round- Trip Private Transfer: $136
- Hong Kong Airport Transfer Luxury MPV: $118
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chengdu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Chengdu:
- Round-Trip Private Transfer between Emei Shan and Chengdu City: $113
- Private Transfer from Chengdu hotel to Chengdu Train Station: $27
- Private Transfer from Chengdu Hotel to Chengdu Shuangliu Airport: $52
- Private Transfer from Chengdu City Hotels to Airport: $35
- Private Transfer Chengdu (TFU & CTU) Airport Pickup Service: $29
- Private Departure Transfer:City Hotel to Any Railway Station in Chengdu: $28
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Chengdu International Airport (CTU): $23
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Chengdu Airport (CTU or TFU): $34
- Private Chengdu Tianfu Airport Transfer with English Support: $89
- 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 Shenzhen or Chengdu?
Prices for flights to both Chengdu and Shenzhen 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 dayShenzhen $37Chengdu $40
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Shenzhen
For Shenzhen, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Shenzhen Food Tour with Locals: $37
- Hong Kong: Fresh Produce Market and Cook-to-Order Food Tour: $39
- Hong Kong: 7-Course Hong Kong Street & Restaurant Food Tour: $59
- Hong Kong's Tin Hau Hidden Gems Food Tour with 7+ Local Tastings: $107
- Hong Kong Sightseeing Tour With Dinner Cruise From Shenzhen: $136
- Hong Kong Private & Personalized Street Food Tour with a Local: $169
- Kowloon Street Food Tour Private & Personalized with a Local: $170
- Hong Kong Tour, Victoria Harbour Dinner Cruise & TurboJet Transfers from Macau: $170
- The 10 Tastings of Hong Kong With Locals: Private Street Food Tour: $190
- Kowloon Night Street Food Tour with a Local: Private & Customized: $195
- Private Hong Kong Top Night Tour: Cruise, Aquarium Dinner, Peak: $249
- Hong Kong Private Food Tour with Michelin Street Food: $294
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chengdu
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Chengdu.
- Chengdu Night: VIP Seat Opera Show or Back Alley Food Tour: $40
- Chengdu Food Tour Local Delicacies and Ear Cleaning: $59
- Chengdu Hidden Street Food Tour Spice Trails: $60
- Eat Like a Local! Food Tour in the Hidden Alleys: $67
- Tuktuk Food Tour Through Chengdu Local Eats: $68
- Discovery more Chengdu evening food tour with locals: $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
- Cooking Class with Fresh Market Half Day Experience: $80
- Eat with Locals Chengdu Dinner Tour: $80
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Shenzhen $18Chengdu $17
Tours and Activities in Shenzhen
For Shenzhen, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Introduction to Hong Kong: Central Tip Based Walking Tour: $2.62
- Between Capitalism & Communism: Hong Kong History Tip Based Tour: $2.62
- Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in Hong Kong: $4.67
- Victoria Peak: Climb to the summit via the Mid-Levels escalato on an audio tour: $5.40
- Yau Ma Tei: A Self-Guided Audio Tour in the Heart of Kowloon: $5.40
- Hong Kong Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.00
- Hong Kong Ghost Tour: $6.00
- Secret Hong Kong: Hidden Local Spots Self Guided Adventure: $8.18
- Markets in Motion: Audio Tour of Mong Kok: $8.99
- Lights, Harbour, Action! A Self-Guided Tsim Sha Tsui Walking Tour: $9.99
- Hong Kong: Airport Express e-Ticket (Kowloon/HK/Tsing Yi): $11
- Monopoly Dreams Hong Kong Ticket Peak Galleria 4D Fun: $13
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 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 Leshan Giant Buddha Private Tour with the Lunch from Chengdu: $229
- 1-Day Leshan Giant Buddha and Huanglongxi old town Private Tour from Chengdu: $236
- 1-Day Panda Base and Huanglongxi old town Private Tour from Chengdu: $234
- 1-Day Private tour:Dazu Rock Carvings and Ciqikou Ancient Village from Chongqing: $285
- 1-Day Self-Guided Dujiangyan Tour: Panda Volunteer Program and Mount Qingcheng: $150
- 1-Day Self-Guided Leshan Giant Buddha Tour from Chengdu: $154
- 1-day Tour of Chengdu Panda and Sanxingdui Museum: $286
- 2 Days Chengdu Panda Base, Leshan Giant Buddha and Mt.Emei Group Tour: $188
- 2-Day Chengdu & Mount Qingcheng Heritage Tour: $511
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayShenzhen $20Chengdu $4.21
Sample the Local Flavors in Shenzhen
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Shenzhen:
- Hong Kong Pub Crawl at Lan Kwai Fong (LKF): $13
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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Shenzhen and Chengdu, we can see that Shenzhen is more expensive. And not only is Chengdu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Chengdu would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chengdu 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 Shenzhen would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Shenzhen than you might in Chengdu.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Shenzhen Expensive? and Is Chengdu Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Shenzhen or Chengdu?
Chengdu has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Shenzhen. When comparing the sizes of Shenzhen 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.