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.
Which city 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 $53, while the average daily cost in Chongqing is $72. 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Xiamen and Chongqing in more detail.
Accommodation
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.
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:
Xiamen Hotel Prices
and
Chongqing Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Xiamen
Also for Xiamen, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
FujianTulou Cluster Tour with accommodation in Chuxi and transfers from Xiamen:
$342
-
Gulangyu Ferry Ticket between Xiamen and Sanqiutian Pier with private transfer:
$18
-
Private Airport Transfer: Xiamen to Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport (XMN):
$14
-
Private Arrival Transfer from Xiamen North Railway Station to Xiamen City:
$24
-
Private City Transfers in Xiamen:
$64
-
Private Departure Transfer to North Railway Station from Downtown Xiamen:
$15
-
Private Departure Transfer to Xiamen Airport from Xiamen City:
$19
-
Private Departure Transfer:City Hotel to Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport(XMN):
$14
-
Private Round-Trip Transfer: Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport (XMN):
$28
-
Private Transfer Between Xiamen City and HongKeng Hakka Tulou Cluster:
$89
-
Private Transfer Between Xiamen City and Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster:
$116
-
Private Transfer Between Xiamen City and Yun Shui Yao Ancient Town:
$116
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chongqing
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Chongqing:
-
Three Gorges Cruises with Transfer in Chongqing and Yichang:
$466
-
Private airport transfer to or from Chongqing International Airport max 5:
$18
-
Private airport transfer to or from Chongqing International Airport max 5:
$14
-
Private Transfer: Chongqing Jiangbei Airport (CKG) to Chaotianmen Cruise Pier:
$43
-
Private Transfer: Chongqing Chaotianmen Cruise Pier to Airport (CKG):
$43
-
Private Transfer from Chongqing hotel to Chongqing Train Station:
$25
-
Private Transfer from Chongqing Railway Station to City Hotel:
$40
-
Private Round-Trip Transfer: Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport(CKG):
$44
-
Private One Way Transfer (English Service) between Airport & Hotel & Cruise Port:
$57
-
Private Departure Transfer:Hotel to Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport CKG:
$22
-
Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Chongqing Jiangbei Airport (CKG):
$22
-
Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Chongqing Chaotianmen Cruise Pier:
$39
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 $22
Chongqing $21
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:
$86
-
Chongqing City private night tour with Hot Pot dinner:
$148
-
Chongqing Port Transfer Service with Half-Day Tour and Hot Pot Dinner:
$193
-
From Port Transfer with Half Day Tour and Hot Pot Dinner:
$197
-
250 USD Per Group Private Chongqing Night Tour with Hot-pot Dinner:
$213
Entertainment
Tours and Activities in Xiamen
For Xiamen, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
-
Skip the Line: Xiamen Minnan Magic Cultural Show Ticket:
$27
-
Ticket to Xiamen Shimao Straits Tower Sightseeing Hall 55F Ticket:
$27
-
Xiamen Ancient Courtyard and the Show “Legend of Southern Fujian”Ticket:
$39
-
Private Day Tour to Xiamen Ancient Courtyard and Watch an Extraordinary Show:
$64
-
Xiamen Private English Tour Guide and Interpreter Service:
$78
-
4-Hour Xiamen Private Local Food Market Experience:
$91
-
Xiamen Half-Day Tour to Experience Tuina Massage and A Scenic Night Cruise:
$92
-
Private Xiamen Half Day Tour to Gulangyu Island and the Hi Heaven Villa:
$97
-
Xiamen Private Half Day Tour of Gulangyu Island and Shuzhuang Garden:
$97
-
A Night Tour to Xiamen Gulang Island:
$100
-
Xiamen Half-Day Private Tour include Gulang Yu Island and Garden:
$101
-
Xiamen Private Highlight Tour-Gulangyu Island, Shuzhuang Garden And Piano Museum:
$103
Tours and Activities in Chongqing
Here are a few actual costs in Chongqing for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
-
1 Day Private Tour of Chongqing Highlights Including lunch and Optional Photo in Sichuan Opera Costume:
$114
-
1 Day Private Tour of Most Beautiful Heishan Valley in Chongqing Including Lunch:
$166
-
1 Day Private Tour of Wulong Stone Bridges and Canyon in Chongqing Including Lunch:
$195
-
1-Day Chongqing City Private Tour with the Hot pot Lunch:
$150
-
1-Day Chongqing Dazu Rock Carvings Private Tour With the Lunch:
$230
-
1-Day Private Tour: Wulong Tiankeng Three Bridges and Fairy Mountain:
$366
-
199 USD Per Group Private Chongqing City Hiking Tour:
$199
-
2-Day Private Customized Harbin Tour from Chongqing by Air:
$958
-
2-Day Private Lijiang Highlights Tour from Chongqing by Plane:
$798
-
2-Day Private Tour from Chongqing with Hotel:Shaolin Temple and Longmen Grottoes:
$798
-
2-Days Chongqing City Highlights Sightseeing Private Tour:
$398
-
2-Days Private Tour of Chengdu City Highlights from Chongqing by Bullet Train:
$428
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.
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