Which place is cheaper, Chongqing or Tianjin?
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 Tianjin or Chongqing?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Tianjin or Chongqing? 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: Tianjin or Chongqing?
Tianjin
Tianjin is a large metropolis on the north east coast of China. This ancient city, which dates back to prehistoric times, is one of five National Central Cities of China and is rich in culture and history. Tianjin is most famous for its beautiful walking streets and history of European concession territories.
Tianjin experiences hot and humid summers, with temperatures reaching 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Winters are cool and dry with temperatures around 15° (F). Spring and Autumn tend to be the best times to visit as weather is a little more mild, although Spring has a tendency to be a little rainy.
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 Sightseeing Tours in China, The Best Cultural Tours in China, The Best Luxury Tours to China, and The Best Budget Tours to China.
-
Tianjin Prices
China PricesChongqing Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTianjin $98Chongqing $112
The average daily cost (per person) in Tianjin is $98, while the average daily cost in Chongqing is $112. 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 Tianjin and Chongqing in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTianjin $37Chongqing $53
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTianjin $74Chongqing $106
Compare Hotels in Tianjin and Chongqing
Looking for a hotel in Tianjin 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.
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: Tianjin Hotel Prices and Chongqing Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tianjin $39Chongqing $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tianjin
Also for Tianjin, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Arrival Transfer from Tianjin Airport TSN to Tianjin City: $60
- Beijing Airport Transfer from Tianjin International Cruise Port: $130
- Beijing Downtown to Tianjin Cruise Port Private Transfer drop off: $105
- Binhai Airport Private Transfer from Tianjin Cruise Port: $80
- Binhai Airport Private Transfer to Tianjin Cruise Port: $80
- Cruise Transfer from Tianjin Port to Beijing Hotels: $225
- Cruise Transfer:Tianjin International Home Port to Beijing PEK or Daxing Airport: $118
- Departure Transfer from Tianjin City to Tianjin Airport TSN: $60
- One Way Private Transfer from Tianjin Cruise Port To Beijing with Guide: $266
- Port Arrival Transfer: Tianjin Cruise Home Port to Beijing Hotels: $100
- Private 1-Way Transfer Between Tianjin Port to Beijing: $138
- Private One Way Tianjin Port Transfer to Beijing including Great Wall Sightseeing: $198
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chongqing
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Chongqing:
- Wulong 5-Day Tour with Hotel & Transfers: $687
- Wulong 3-Day Tour with Hotel & Transfers: $497
- 5-Day Private Tour with Hotel & Transfers: $497
- Private One Way Transfer (English Service) between Airport & Hotel & Cruise Port: $99
- Chongqing Private Arrival Transfer: Airport to Hotel: $88
- Chongqing Private Arrival Transfer: Railway Station to Hotel: $88
- Chongqing Jiangbei Airport Chauffeur Service, Chongqing Airport Transfer, Pickup: $60
- Private Round-Trip Transfer: Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport(CKG): $60
- Jiangbei International Airport Transfer 24h Services: $56
- Private Transfer from Chongqing Railway Station to City Hotel: $52
- Private Chongqing International Airport Departure Transfer from City Hotels: $49
- Private Departure Transfer from City Hotel to Chongqing Railway Station: $49
Is it cheaper to fly into Tianjin or Chongqing?
Prices for flights to both Chongqing and Tianjin 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 dayTianjin $38Chongqing $46
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chongqing
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Chongqing.
- Qingyu Banquet Experience with Show and Dinner: $51
- Half-Day Cultural Immersion with Cooking Class: $80
- Chongqing Local Food Tour Adventure: $86
- Be a Chongqinger - wet market tour &cooking class & paper cutting: $89
- Food Tour with Old Town and Magical Night Views: $93
- Chongqing Food Tour: $93
- Private Food Tour and Magical Night View: $107
- Chongqing Like A Local Explore LocalMarket and Cooking byYourself: $120
- Chongqing City Tour with Lunch and Dinner Transportation: $140
- Chongqing Cyberpunk City Night Tour Including Dinner: $140
- Chongqing Liangjiang Night Cruise Including Authentic Hot Pot Dinner: $183
- Private Chongqing Night View Tour with Hot Pot or Local Dinner: $199
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tianjin $11Chongqing $14
Tours and Activities in Tianjin
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tianjin.
- Tianjin International Cruise Home Port to Beijing Airport/City Tr: $119
- Guided Day Tour to Tianjin Downtown with Lunch: $148
- Tianjin Cruise Port To Beijing Hotel With the English Speaking Driver: $160
- Private Tianjin City Highlight Day Tour: $188
- Tianjin Cruise Port To Beijing Daxing Airport With the English Speaking Driver: $203
- Private Tianjin City Night Tour with Haihe River Cruise: $210
- Tianjin Private Walking Tour Guided by a Lady Worked in Europe: $215
- Private Tianjin Shopping Tour: $218
- 4-Hour Tianjin Shore Excursion Private Shopping Tour: $228
- 1 Day Tianjin City Essence Tour from Tianjin Port: $235
- Private Tianjin Day Tour to Huangyaguan Great Wall and Dule Temple: $238
- Tianjin Shore Excursion: Huangyaguan Great Wall Private Day Tour: $238
Tours and Activities in Chongqing
Here are a few actual costs in Chongqing for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 1 Day Private Tour to UNESCO Dazu Rock Carvings from Chongqing: $261
- 1 Day Private tour to Chongqing Wulong National Geology Park: $179
- 3-hour Chongqing Back Alley Walking Tour: $65
- 3Days Chongqing Cyber City✖ Wulong Karst Cave Adventure: $750
- 4D3N Yangtze River Victoria Cruise: Chongqing to Yichang: $628
- 7 Hour Private Car Tour of Chongqing Eling Park: $170
- All In One Chongqing Trendy Spots Private Tour: $230
- Authentic Chongqing Walking Tour: Explore History & Local Vibe: $98
- CHONGQING City Guided Hiking Day Tour: Lens, Bites & Hidden Steps: $83
- Cable Car and Walking Private Tour in Chongqing: $116
- Century Cruises Chongqing to Yichang Yangzte River Tour: $61
- China Chongqing 520m high Eye Skyview Deck Ticket: $10
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayTianjin $12Chongqing $7.47
When comparing the travel costs between Tianjin and Chongqing, we can see that Chongqing is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tianjin Expensive? and Is Chongqing Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tianjin or Chongqing?
Chongqing has a larger population, and is about 5% larger than the population of Tianjin. When comparing the sizes of Tianjin 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.
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.