A Travel Price Comparison for China Xiamen vs. Chongqing for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Xiamen or Chongqing?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Xiamen and Chongqing 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: Xiamen or Chongqing?

Xiamen

Xiamen is a coastal city in the Fujian Province of China and has been a major port city and gateway to China for centuries. This vibrant and modern city was named the most livable city in the world in 2002 and one of the first cities to be named a Special Economic Zone. Xiamen is best known for being home to Gulangyu Island, a beautiful island full of historic colonial buildings and lovely walking paths.

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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, The Best Historical Tours in China, The Best 10-Day Tours in China, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in China.


Which place is cheaper, Chongqing or Xiamen?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Xiamen is $64, while the average daily cost in Chongqing is $87. 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 Xiamen and Chongqing in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Xiamen $31
    Chongqing $49
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Xiamen $62
    Chongqing $98
Compare Hotels in Xiamen and Chongqing

Looking for a hotel in Xiamen 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.

Hotels in Xiamen


Hotels in Chongqing


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.
    Xiamen $6.02
    Chongqing $19

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Xiamen

Also for Xiamen, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Arrival Transfer from Gaoqi Airport to Xiamen City Hotel: $10
  • Private Departure Transfer to North Railway Station from Downtown Xiamen: $15
  • Private Transfer Between Xiamen City and HongKeng Hakka Tulou Cluster: $89
  • Private Transfer between Riyue Gu Hotspring Resort and Xiamen City : $32
  • Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Gaobei Tulou Cluster: $89
  • Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Hua’an Earth Building: $89
  • Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Hui'an county in Quanzhou: $89
  • Private Transfer to Gaobei Tulou and Hongkeng Tulou from Xiamen City: $98
  • Private Transfer to Hongkeng Tulou and Yunshuiyao Village from Xiamen City: $98
  • Private Transfer to Tianluokeng Tulou and Hekeng Hakka Tulou from Xiamen City : $98
  • Private Xiamen Gaoqi Airport Arrival Transfer to City Area: $30
  • Private Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport Transfers in Xiamen City: $12

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chongqing

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Chongqing:

  • Private Transfer: Chongqing Chaotianmen Cruise Pier to Airport (CKG) : $43
  • Private Round-Trip Transfer: Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport(CKG) : $50
  • Private Departure Transfer:Hotel to Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport CKG: $25
  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Chongqing Chaotianmen Cruise Pier: $39
  • Private Arrival Transfer:Any Chongqing Railway Station to Hotel: $24
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Chongqing Jiangbei Airport (CKG) to Hotel: $22
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Chongqing Chaotianmen Cruise Pier to Hotel: $39
  • Chongqing Jiangbei Airport Chauffeur Service, Chongqing Airport Transfer, Pickup: $50
  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Chongqing Jiangbei Airport (CKG): $22

Is it cheaper to fly into Xiamen or Chongqing?

Prices for flights to both Chongqing and Xiamen 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 day
    Xiamen $26
    Chongqing $25

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chongqing

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Chongqing.

  • Chongqing Liangjiang Night Cruise Including Authentic Hot Pot Dinner: $115
  • Chongqing City Private Night Tour with Hot Pot Dinner: $158
  • Chongqing Port Transfer Service with Half-Day Tour and Hot Pot Dinner: $193

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Xiamen $16
    Chongqing $13

Tours and Activities in Xiamen

For Xiamen, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Xiamen Private Half Day Tour of Gulangyu Island and Shuzhuang Garden: $97
  • Private Xiamen Half Day Tour to Gulangyu Island and the Hi Heaven Villa: $97
  • A Night Tour to Xiamen Gulang Island: $100
  • Flexible Xiamen Private Half Day Tour to Experience Xiamen Botanical Garden: $105
  • Private Xiamen Sea Food Market & Zhongshan Road Shopping and Eating Experience: $107
  • Flexible Xiamen Private Half Day Tour with Meal Option: $109
  • Flexible Private Half-Day Tour to Visit the Top Attraction Xiamen Yuanbo Garden: $110
  • Day Tour to Admire the Panorama of Gulangyu Island and Visit the Precious Birds: $110
  • 4-hour Xiamen Private Flexible Tour in Your Way: $113
  • Xiamen Half-Day Private Tour include Gulang Yu Island and Garden : $119
  • 4-Hour Xiamen Private Shore Excursion Tour in Your Way: $121
  • Xiamen Layover Day Tour-Gulangyu,Shuzhuang Garden And Piano Museum: $132

Tours and Activities in Chongqing

Here are a few actual costs in Chongqing for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Dazu Rock Carvings Private Day Tour With the baoding Mountain and Beishan site: $251
  • 1-Day Chongqing City Private Tour with the Hot pot Lunch: $157
  • 1-Day Chongqing Dazu Rock Carvings Private Tour With the Lunch: $143
  • 3-Hour Walking Tour of Chongqing Shancheng (Mountain City) Lane: $65
  • All-In-One Chongqing Trendy Spots Private Tour: $220
  • Best of Chongqing One Day Tour: Stilwell Museum, Arhat Temple, Eling Park, Panda: $157
  • Chongqing All-in-One Private Tour With Entire City Night View: $230
  • Chongqing Half Day Morning Private Tour including Eling Park & Chongqing Museum: $135
  • Chongqing Private City Tour Extention: $220
  • Chongqing Wulong Exploration Private Day Tour With the Lunch: $185
  • Chongqing Wulong National Park Private Tour : $280
  • Chongqing Yangtze River Cruise and Illuminated Night Tour: $158

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Xiamen $17
    Chongqing $6.95


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Xiamen and Chongqing, we can see that Chongqing is more expensive. And not only is Xiamen much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Xiamen would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Xiamen 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 Chongqing would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Chongqing than you might in Xiamen.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Xiamen Expensive? and Is Chongqing Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Xiamen or Chongqing?

Chongqing has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Xiamen. When comparing the sizes of Xiamen 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.