Which place is cheaper, Qingdao or Xiamen?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Xiamen or Qingdao?
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 Qingdao 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 Qingdao?
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.
Qingdao
Qingdao, China, located in the Shandong Province, is a very large city right on the Yellow Sea coast. The city, whose name means "The Green Island" due to it's gorgeous landscapes and interesting geography, was named China's most livable city in 2012. The city is rich in history, having almost become a German territory in 1897 and being occupied by the Japanese during WWI. Evidence of these occupiers is present in much of the architecture around the city, which includes a few Catholic and Protestant churches.
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.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayXiamen $64Qingdao $58
The average daily cost (per person) in Xiamen is $64, while the average daily cost in Qingdao is $58. 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 Qingdao in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personXiamen $31Qingdao $26
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomXiamen $62Qingdao $52
Compare Hotels in Xiamen and Qingdao
Looking for a hotel in Xiamen or Qingdao? 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.Xiamen $5.99Qingdao $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Xiamen
Also for Xiamen, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport Chauffeur Service ,Xiamen Airport Transfer: $47
- Round Trip Transfer Between the Most Picturesque Chuxi Tulou Cluster and Xiamen: $106
- Private Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport Transfers in Xiamen City: $12
- Private Xiamen Gaoqi Airport Arrival Transfer to City Area: $30
- Private Transfer to Tianluokeng Tulou and Yunshuiyao Village from Xiamen City: $93
- Private Transfer to Tianluokeng Tulou and Hekeng Hakka Tulou from Xiamen City : $98
- Private Transfer to Hongkeng Tulou and Yunshuiyao Village from Xiamen City: $98
- Private Transfer to Gaobei Tulou and Yunshuiyao Village from Xiamen City: $98
- Private Transfer to Gaobei Tulou and Hongkeng Tulou from Xiamen City: $98
- Private Transfer from Railway Station to Xiamen City: $10
- Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Hua’an Earth Building: $89
- Private Transfer Service between Xiamen and Anxi : $89
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Qingdao
Also for Qingdao, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Qingdao Railway Station Depature Transfer from City Hotels: $36
- Qingdao Railway Station Arrival Transfer to City Hotel: $36
- Qingdao Private Transfer from Qingdao central to Qingdao Airport (TAO): $83
- Qingdao Private Transfer from Qingdao Airport (TAO) to central Qingdao: $83
- Qingdao Northern Railway Station Arrival Private One-Way Transfer: $42
- Qingdao Liuting Airport Transfer Service by Minivan: $86
- Qingdao Cruise Port Departure Transfer from City Hotels: $36
- Private Departure Transfer: City Hotel to Qingdao Railway Station : $36
Is it cheaper to fly into Xiamen or Qingdao?
Prices for flights to both Qingdao 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 dayXiamen $26Qingdao $20
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Xiamen $16Qingdao $20
Tours and Activities in Xiamen
For Xiamen, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Fujian Tulou Private Day Tour to World Heritage Site Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster: $178
- 4-Hour Xiamen Private Shore Excursion Tour in Your Way: $121
- 4-hour Xiamen Private Flexible Tour in Your Way: $113
- A 2 Days 1 Night Group Tour to Explore Kinmen Island: $216
- A Night Tour to Xiamen Gulang Island: $100
- All Inclusive Xiamen Private Layover Tour to Hakka Tulou Village with Options: $234
- Day Tour to Admire the Panorama of Gulangyu Island and Visit the Precious Birds: $110
- Dongshan Island Highlights Full-Day Private Tour: $232
- Flexible Private Half-Day Tour to Visit the Top Attraction Xiamen Yuanbo Garden: $110
- Flexible Private Xiamen Layover Tour from Cruise Port or Airport : $155
- Flexible Private Xiamen Layover Tour with Meal: $176
- Flexible Xiamen Private Half Day Tour with Meal Option: $109
Tours and Activities in Qingdao
For Qingdao, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Private Qingdao Essentials Tour: City Highlights and Beer Museum: $216
- All-Inclusive Private Day Tour: Qingdao Highlights with Lunch: $285
- Laoshan Mountain Full Day Private Activity Tour: $224
- Private Qingdao City tour with Lunch and Qingdao beer: $175
- Private Qingdao Historic architectural day tour with Tsingdao beer during Lunch: $190
- Private Qingdao Laoshan day tour with lunch& round way cable car: $240
- Private Qingdao Laoshan half day tour with one bottle of Tsingdao beer as gift: $199
- Qingdao Discover Tour to the Mount Laoshan and Tasting Famous Local Beer: $248
- Qingdao Private Day Tour to Laoshan Mountain with Lunch and Cable Car: $238
- Qingdao Private Tour: City Highlights and Laoshan Mountain with Lunch+Cable Car: $268
- Qingdao Shore Excursion: Private Full Day Laoshan Mountain Sightseeing Tour: $207
- Qingdao private half day tour with Tsingdao Beer Lunch : $202
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayXiamen $17Qingdao $14
When comparing the travel costs between Xiamen and Qingdao, we can see that Xiamen 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 Xiamen Expensive? and Is Qingdao Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Xiamen or Qingdao?
Qingdao has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Xiamen. When comparing the sizes of Xiamen and Qingdao, 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.
When is the best time to visit Xiamen or Qingdao?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Xiamen or Qingdao in the Summer?
Both Qingdao and Xiamen are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.
Xiamen is a little warmer than Qingdao in the summer. The daily temperature in Xiamen averages around 30°C (86°F) in July, and Qingdao fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Qingdao. It's quite rainy in Xiamen. In July, Xiamen usually receives less rain than Qingdao. Xiamen gets 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Qingdao receives 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyXiamen 30°C (86°F)Qingdao 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Xiamen or Qingdao in the Autumn?
Both Qingdao and Xiamen during the autumn are popular places to visit.
In the autumn, Xiamen is a little warmer than Qingdao. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Xiamen in October average around 25°C (77°F), and Qingdao averages at about 17°C (62°F).
Xiamen usually gets less rain in October than Qingdao. Xiamen gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Qingdao receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberXiamen 25°C (77°F)Qingdao 17°C (62°F)
Should I visit Xiamen or Qingdao in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Xiamen and Qingdao.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Qingdao. In January, Xiamen is generally much warmer than Qingdao. Daily temperatures in Xiamen average around 14°C (58°F), and Qingdao fluctuates around -0°C (32°F).
In January, Xiamen usually receives more rain than Qingdao. Xiamen gets 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Qingdao receives 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryXiamen 14°C (58°F)Qingdao -0°C (32°F)
Should I visit Xiamen or Qingdao in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Xiamen as well as Qingdao.
Xiamen is much warmer than Qingdao in the spring. The daily temperature in Xiamen averages around 20°C (69°F) in April, and Qingdao fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).
Xiamen receives a lot of rain in the spring. Xiamen usually gets more rain in April than Qingdao. Xiamen gets 147 mm (5.8 in) of rain, while Qingdao receives 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilXiamen 20°C (69°F)Qingdao 12°C (53°F)
Typical Weather for Qingdao and Xiamen
| Xiamen | Qingdao | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 14°C (58°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) | -0°C (32°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 14°C (57°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
| Mar | 16°C (61°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| Apr | 20°C (69°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
| May | 24°C (76°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.7 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) |
| Aug | 30°C (85°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 162 mm (6.4 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (77°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (69°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| Dec | 16°C (61°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
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.