A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Ayutthaya vs. Dalian for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Ayutthaya or Dalian?

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

Should I visit Ayutthaya or Dalian? 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: Ayutthaya or Dalian?

Ayutthaya

Once the largest city in the world, Ayutthaya, is the example of an ancient capital within a modern city. Located in the central plains of Thailand, this spot is ideally located between China, India and the Malay Archipelago creating the perfect place for trade in Asia. Eighteenth century maps from Holland and France show golden palaces, large ceremony spots and trading vessels from all over the world. Suddenly, in 1767, Ayutthaya experienced a tragic fall from grace with a Burmese invasion burning much of the city to the ground.

Dalian

Dalian, China is a very large peninsula city located in the southernmost part of the Liaoning Province in northeast China. The area has a wealth of history, with roots in Russian and Japanese rule, resulting in unique architecture and many universities that attract foreign students and teachers. Dalian is also known for their beautiful green spaces and relaxing beaches which juxtapose a lot of the more industrial cities found throughout other areas of northern China.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Thailand, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Thailand, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China.


Which place is cheaper, Dalian or Ayutthaya?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Ayutthaya is $86, while the average daily cost in Dalian is $124. 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 Ayutthaya and Dalian in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Ayutthaya $24
    Dalian $55
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Ayutthaya $48
    Dalian $110
Compare Hotels in Ayutthaya and Dalian

Looking for a hotel in Ayutthaya or Dalian? 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 Ayutthaya


Hotels in Dalian


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: Ayutthaya Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Ayutthaya $29
    Dalian $41
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Ayutthaya

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Ayutthaya are as follows:


  • River Ferry Crossing
    $0.63

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dalian

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

  • Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport Chauffeur Service , to Dalian Transfer: $27
  • Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport Chauffeur Service , to Dalian Transfer: $40

Is it cheaper to fly into Ayutthaya or Dalian?

Prices for flights to both Dalian and Ayutthaya 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
    Ayutthaya $39
    Dalian $48
Typical Food Prices in Ayutthaya

Some typical examples of dining costs in Ayutthaya are as follows:


  • Lunch for 2
    $4.40
  • Ice Cream
    $0.94
  • Breakfast for 2
    $4.40
  • Breakfast for 2
    $11

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Ayutthaya $31
    Dalian $4.86
Typical Entertainment Prices in Ayutthaya

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Ayutthaya are as follows:


  • Temple Entrances (2)
    $6.28
  • Wat Entrance
    $1.57

Tours and Activities in Dalian

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Dalian.

  • Seaside and Skyline A Scenic Walking Tour of Dalian: $150
  • Waves & Wharfs: Dalian's Chill Soul 1-Day Tour: $215
  • Dalian City Private Day Tour in Your Way: $250

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Ayutthaya $21
    Dalian $6.41


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

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


Which is Bigger, Ayutthaya or Dalian?

Dalian has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Ayutthaya. When comparing the sizes of Ayutthaya and Dalian, 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 Ayutthaya or Dalian?

Dalian has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Ayutthaya experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Ayutthaya or Dalian in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Ayutthaya as well as Dalian. Ayutthaya attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In July, Ayutthaya is generally a little warmer than Dalian. Daily temperatures in Ayutthaya average around 29°C (84°F), and Dalian fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

It's quite rainy in Dalian. Ayutthaya receives a lot of rain in the summer. Ayutthaya usually gets less rain in July than Dalian. Ayutthaya gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Dalian receives 202 mm (8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Ayutthaya 29°C (84°F) 
    Dalian 24°C (75°F)

Should I visit Ayutthaya or Dalian in the Autumn?

Both Dalian and Ayutthaya are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ayutthaya throughout the year.

Ayutthaya is much warmer than Dalian in the autumn. The daily temperature in Ayutthaya averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Dalian fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

It's quite rainy in Ayutthaya. In October, Ayutthaya usually receives more rain than Dalian. Ayutthaya gets 180 mm (7.1 in) of rain, while Dalian receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Ayutthaya is October to April. The rainy season in Ayutthaya is May to October.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Ayutthaya 28°C (82°F) 
    Dalian 15°C (58°F)

Should I visit Ayutthaya or Dalian in the Winter?

Both Dalian and Ayutthaya during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Ayutthaya because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Dalian can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Ayutthaya is much warmer than Dalian. Typically, the winter temperatures in Ayutthaya in January average around 25°C (78°F), and Dalian averages at about -4°C (25°F).

Ayutthaya usually gets less rain in January than Dalian. Ayutthaya gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Dalian receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Ayutthaya 25°C (78°F) 
    Dalian -4°C (25°F)

Should I visit Ayutthaya or Dalian in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Ayutthaya and Dalian. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ayutthaya year-round.

Ayutthaya can become quite hot in the spring. In April, Ayutthaya is generally much warmer than Dalian. Daily temperatures in Ayutthaya average around 31°C (88°F), and Dalian fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In April, Ayutthaya usually receives more rain than Dalian. Ayutthaya gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Dalian receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring. October to April in Ayutthaya is the dry season. Also, May to October is the rainy season in Ayutthaya.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Ayutthaya 31°C (88°F) 
    Dalian 11°C (51°F)

Typical Weather for Dalian and Ayutthaya

Ayutthaya Dalian
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 25°C (78°F) 7 mm (0.3 in) -4°C (25°F) 9 mm (0.4 in)
Feb 28°C (82°F) 11 mm (0.4 in) -2°C (28°F) 12 mm (0.5 in)
Mar 30°C (85°F) 21 mm (0.8 in) 4°C (38°F) 14 mm (0.6 in)
Apr 31°C (88°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 11°C (51°F) 44 mm (1.7 in)
May 30°C (86°F) 151 mm (5.9 in) 17°C (62°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Jun 30°C (85°F) 102 mm (4 in) 21°C (69°F) 83 mm (3.3 in)
Jul 29°C (84°F) 120 mm (4.7 in) 24°C (75°F) 202 mm (8 in)
Aug 29°C (84°F) 133 mm (5.2 in) 25°C (77°F) 132 mm (5.2 in)
Sep 28°C (83°F) 292 mm (11.5 in) 21°C (70°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 180 mm (7.1 in) 15°C (58°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) 7°C (44°F) 26 mm (1 in)
Dec 25°C (77°F) 13 mm (0.5 in) -0°C (32°F) 6 mm (0.2 in)