A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Can Tho vs. Dali for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Can Tho or Dali?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Can Tho and Dali can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Can Tho or Dali?

Can Tho

Can Tho is the largest city of Vietnam's Mekong Delta, and is best known for its canal network of floating markets, restaurants, bars, and hotels, Buddhist pagodas, and the beauty of the delta, which is illuminated in the evenings.

Dali

Dali is a city in southern China with a long and glorious history dating back to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The Xiaguan neighborhood of the city is the modern industrial center where most public transportation arrives; however, the Old Town of Dali is the place that draws the most visitors. Being one of China's ancient cities, Dali is said to have been a gateway to the Silk Road, and still attracts attention with its traditional architecture, beautiful scenery, ethnic cultures, and nightlife.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Ho Chi Minh City, The Best 10-Day Tours from Hanoi, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, and The Best Adventure Tours to China.


Which place is cheaper, Dali or Can Tho?

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 Can Tho is $66, while the average daily cost in Dali is $62. 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 Can Tho and Dali in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Can Tho $26
    Dali $17
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Can Tho $52
    Dali $34
Compare Hotels in Can Tho and Dali

Looking for a hotel in Can Tho or Dali? 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 Can Tho


Hotels in Dali


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: Can Tho Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Can Tho $12
    Dali $9.34

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Can Tho

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

  • Private Transfer: Can Tho Airport to/from Can Tho City Center: $35
  • Private Transfer from Vinh Long to Tan Son Nhat (SGN) Airport: $116
  • Private Transfer from Can Tho City to Tan Son Nhat (SGN) Airport: $123
  • Private Transfer from Can Tho City to Can Tho (VCA) Airport: $51
  • Private Transfer from Can Tho (VCA) Airport to Can Tho City: $135
  • PRIVATE CAR: Can Tho AIRPORT <=> CanTho Hotels (one way transfer): $30
  • Can Tho To Ho Chi Minh Private Car Transfer: $75

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Dali

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Dali:


  • Local Bus
    $0.42

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dali

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

  • Private Transfer from Dali to Lijiang/Shuhe hotel and Stops at Shaxi Old Town: $160
  • Private Transfer from Dali to Lijiang hotel/airport(LJG): $149
  • Dali Airport Chauffeur Service, Private Dali Airport Transfer: $40

Is it cheaper to fly into Can Tho or Dali?

Prices for flights to both Dali and Can Tho 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
    Can Tho $28
    Dali $32
Typical Food Prices in Can Tho

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Can Tho:


  • Restaurant Dinner (for Two)
    $4.93
  • Coconut
    $0.27
  • Mango
    $1.02
  • Hot Pot Dinner (for Two)
    $6.60
  • Two Vietnamese Iced Coffees
    $0.61
  • Casual Lunch (for One)
    $2.65

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Can Tho

For Can Tho, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Boat tour on Mekong river see the sunset, small canal, Vegan dinner, street food: $29
  • Biking and Cooking Class in Can Tho Rural: $32
  • Explore Can Tho City tour combine Local Food tour - in afternoon: $35
  • Can Tho food tour voted by local - Vegan option is available: $38
  • Street food tour back of the bike in Can Tho: $39
  • Full-Day Experience in Mekong Cycling and Authentic Home Cooking: $60

Typical Food Prices in Dali

For Dali, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Lunch
    $4.49
  • Breakfast
    $3.50

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dali

For Dali, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Cangshan Mountain hike and organic homemade dinner: $80

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Can Tho $16
    Dali $18
Typical Entertainment Prices in Can Tho

For Can Tho, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Sunset Boat Ride
    $1.90
  • Half Day Floating Market Tour
    $7.96

Tours and Activities in Can Tho

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

  • Private ecotour in floating market-nature reserved: $93
  • Victoria Sunset Cruise on Hau River: $35
  • 1 day-Tra Su cajuput forest tour pick up from Chau Doc or Can Tho: $155
  • Bicycle Tour Through Peaceful Villages: $37
  • Boat tour visit 3 pagodas, Ancient house, see sunset on mekong river: $59
  • CASA Authentic Bicycle Tour: $89
  • CASA Authentic Mekong Motorbike Tour: $89
  • Cai Rang Floating Market - My Tho & Ben Tre - VIP Private Tour: $125
  • Cai Rang Floating Market Tour & Rural Cycling: $63
  • Cai Rang Floating Market Tour -Amazing Can Tho : $78
  • Cai Rang Floating Market Tour with Lung Ngoc Hoang Nature Reserve: $92
  • Can Tho Countryside Bike Tour with Fruit Garden Visit: $30

Tours and Activities in Dali

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

  • 1-Day Dali Erhai Sightseeing Tour: $250
  • 1-Day Dali Tie Dye Experience Private Tour: $230
  • 1-Day Dali tour with the Daili old town, Xizhou Village and Three Pagodas: $195
  • 2-Days Self-Guided tour from Dali to Lijiang and overnight in Shaxi old town: $205
  • All Inclusive Private Day Tour to Shaxi Ancient Town from Dali: $213
  • Dali City Tour with Private Guide: $71
  • Dali Day Tour: Scenic Lakes, Bai Heritage & Tie-Dye Workshop: $262
  • Dali Private Tour to Xizhou Ancient Town and Erhai Lake : $186
  • Dali XIzhou Ancient Town Private Tour: $87
  • Dali Yunnan Local Market Pottery Making Eco Tour: $197
  • Ancient City, Three Pagodas, and Longkan (ErHai) Tour: $85
  • Donglianhua (East Lotus) & Hui Muslim Culture Tour: $70

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Can Tho $6.26
    Dali $11
Typical Alcohol Prices in Can Tho

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Can Tho from other travelers:


  • Beer
    $3.03


When comparing the travel costs between Can Tho and Dali, we can see that Can Tho 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 Can Tho Expensive? and Is Dali Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Can Tho or Dali?

Can Tho has a larger population, and is about 94% larger than the population of Dali. When comparing the sizes of Can Tho and Dali, 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.