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

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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.

Which city is cheaper, Qingdao or Xiamen?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Xiamen is $67, while the average daily cost in Qingdao is $60. 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 Qingdao in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Xiamen $32
    Qingdao $28
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Xiamen $64
    Qingdao $56
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.

Hotels in Xiamen


Hotels in Qingdao


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 $6.27
    Qingdao $13

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Xiamen

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

  • Xiamen Riyuegu Hot Spring Experience with Private Transfer: $112
  • Xiamen Railway Station Private Transfer to Gaoqi Airport: $19
  • Xiamen Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Railway Station: $56
  • Xiamen Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Airport: $56
  • Xiamen Private Departure Transfer: City Hotel to Railway Station: $19
  • Xiamen Private Arrival Transfer: Railway Station to Hotel: $89
  • Xiamen Private Arrival Transfer: Airport to Hotel: $89
  • Xiamen North Railway Station Private Transfer from City Area: $19
  • Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport Chauffeur Service ,Xiamen Airport Transfer: $47
  • Tuina Massage Experience in Xiamen including Round Trip Transfer: $47
  • Round Trip Transfer Between the Most Picturesque Chuxi Tulou Cluster and Xiamen: $106
  • Private airport transfer to or from Xiamen International Airport max 5: $15

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): $95
  • Qingdao Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Airport: $56
  • Qingdao Private Arrival Transfer: Airport to Hotel: $78
  • Qingdao Northern Railway Station Depature Private One-Way Transfer: $42
  • Qingdao Northern Railway Station Arrival Private One-Way Transfer: $42
  • Qingdao Liuting International Airport Chauffeur Service , to Qingdao Transfer: $31
  • Qingdao Cruise Port Departure Transfer from City Hotels: $36
  • Qingdao Cruise Port Arrival Transfer to City Hotels: $36
  • Private transfer: Qingdao to Qingdao International Airport (TAO): $622
  • Private airport transfer to or from Qingdao Liuting International Airport max 5: $18

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 day
    Xiamen $28
    Qingdao $21

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Xiamen $16
    Qingdao $21

Tours and Activities in Xiamen

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

  • 1-Day Xiamen City Highlights and Gulangyu Island Private Tour: $235
  • 1-day Xiapu Photography Tour: East Route: $273
  • 2 Days Leisure Tour to Explore Xiamen City: $452
  • 2 Days Xiamen Trip to Tour Around the Must-see Highlights of Xiamen: $393
  • 2 Days Xiamen tour to discover highlights of Xiamen and Tianluokeng Tulou: $459
  • 2 Days Xiamen tour to discover highlights of Xiamen and explore Hongkeng Tulou: $457
  • 2-Day Hakka Tulou Private Tour to Nanjing and Yongding: $720
  • 2-Day Leisure Tour to Travel around Xiamen City: $435
  • 2-Day Mountain Wuyi Private Flexible Tour from Xiamen by Bullet Train: $500
  • 2-Day Private Customized Harbin Tour from Xiamen by Air: $1,118
  • 2-Day Private Lijiang Highlights Tour from Xiamen by Plane: $948
  • 2-Day Private Sightseeing Tour of Xiamen City Highlights and Toulou Cluster: $462

Tours and Activities in Qingdao

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

  • 2-Day Private Beijing Highlights Tour from Qingdao by Bullet Train: $438
  • 2-Day Private Customized Harbin Tour from Qingdao by Air: $868
  • 2-Day Private Tour from Qingdao with Hotel: Shaolin Temple and Longmen Grottoes: $798
  • 2-Day Qingdao Tour: Catedral de San Miguel, Laoshan Mountain and Qingdao Beer Museum: $491
  • 2-Day Qufu Historical Tour from Qingdao by High Speed Rail: $584
  • 3-Day Private Golden Triangle Tour: Shanghai, Beijing and Xi'an from Qingdao: $1,378
  • 3-Day Private Tibet Tour from Lhasa, Yamdrok Lake and Khampa La Pass: $925
  • 4 Days Private Guided Tour of Beijing and Xi'an from Qingdao: $1,088
  • 7-Day Private China Tour from Beijing, Xi'an, Guilin and Shanghai: $2,328
  • All Inclusive 2-Day Private Tour of Beijing City Highlights from Qingdao by Air: $738
  • All Inclusive 3-Day Private Tour of Xi'an and Beijing from Qingdao with Hotel: $1,328
  • All Inclusive Private 2-Day Tour of Xi'an Highlights from Qingdao with Hotel: $728

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Xiamen $17
    Qingdao $15

About these numbers

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.


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 temperature in Xiamen is usually 30°C (86°F) in July, and Qingdao stays 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 July
    Xiamen 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 are around 25°C (77°F), and Qingdao is 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 October
    Xiamen 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. Temperatures in Xiamen average around 14°C (58°F), and Qingdao stays 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 January
    Xiamen 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 temperature in Xiamen is usually 20°C (69°F) in April, and Qingdao stays 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 April
    Xiamen 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)


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Xiamen vs. Qingdao Travel Comparison

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