A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Da Nang vs. Kunming for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Da Nang or Kunming?

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

Should I visit Da Nang or Kunming? 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: Da Nang or Kunming?

Da Nang

Halfway between Ho Chi Minh City in the south and Hanoi in the North is the easy-going beach city of Da Nang (or Danang, for some). The third most populated city in Vietnam, Da Nang draws in crowds with its beautiful and calm beaches as well as its history as a French colonial port.

With beaches, mountains, and cityscape, there's bound to be a point of interest for all travelers. Da Nang is also a transit hub to get to the four Vietnamese UNESCO World heritage sites: Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park, Hue, Hoi An, and My Son.

Da Nang experiences wet season from September through March and dry season from April through August with average temperatures of around 80℉.

Da Nang is also known to have some of the friendliest locals, probably due to the peace and quiet and lack of heavy traffic, even in the city.

Kunming

Kunming, located in southern China, is the modern capital city of the Yunnan province. It is a transportation hub for visitors entering the region, and good transfer point to just about everywhere else in the province by train or bus. Within the city itself there are many things to see and do with a full range of parks and zoos, museums, temples, theatres, and scenic areas.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Hanoi, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Ho Chi Minh City, The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China.


Which place is cheaper, Kunming or Da Nang?

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 Da Nang is $55, while the average daily cost in Kunming is $85. 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 Da Nang and Kunming in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Da Nang $18
    Kunming $33
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Da Nang $36
    Kunming $66
Compare Hotels in Da Nang and Kunming

Looking for a hotel in Da Nang or Kunming? 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 Da Nang


Hotels in Kunming


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: Da Nang Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Da Nang $11
    Kunming $14

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Da Nang

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Da Nang:

  • Da Nang To Hoi An Transfer By Limousine Dcar Luxury : $100
  • Private Car Transfer to MY LAI MASSACRE & MY SON HOLYAND : $99
  • Private Transfer From Hue to Hoi An by Car: $90
  • Hue: Transfer Hue to Hoi An by Private Car- English Driver: $85
  • Hoi An to Ba Na Hills Private Car Transfer: $82
  • Hoi An to Hue or Hue to Hoi An via Hai Van Pass &Lap An Lagoon(Private Transfer): $75
  • Private Transfer from Hue to Hoi An orHoi An to Hue via Hai Van Pass,Lang Co Bay: $75
  • Transfer from Da Nang to Hue : $70
  • Round trip transfer to My Son sanctuary & Hoi An ancient: $65
  • Hue City Morning Then Transfer to Danang/ Hoi An by Car: $59
  • Hue: Shuttle bus Transfer From Hue to Da Nang: $55
  • Private Transfer Da nang or Hoi An To Hue Via Ba Na Hill Golden Bridge : $55

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kunming

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Kunming:


  • Taxi Ride
    $1.54

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kunming

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

  • [Airport Transfer] Kunming Changshui Airport ⇔ Kunming City Transfer ☆ High reputation for service! <Charter charter>: $36
  • Kunming Airport Private Transfer - Charge by Vehicle: $48
  • Kunming Changshui Airport Chauffeur Service, Kunming Airport Transfer, Pickup: $83
  • Kunming Private Round Trip Transfer to Fuxianhu Lake: $90

Is it cheaper to fly into Da Nang or Kunming?

Prices for flights to both Kunming and Da Nang 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
    Da Nang $27
    Kunming $39

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Da Nang

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Da Nang.

  • Tasty Dinner Da Nang on Han River Cruise by Yatch & Champa Show: $17
  • Poseidon Cruise with Dinner and Dragon Bridge Show: $17
  • HộiAnTrà Quế farming &Cooking Class-BasketBoat Ride,Crab fishing: $26
  • Eco Cooking Class and Basket boat tour from Da Nang/ Hoi An: $29
  • Da Nang Food Tour Motorbike & Sightseeing By Ao Dai Lady Rider: $38
  • 5 traditional dishes Da Nang cooking class with market trip: $39
  • Seafood dinner, night market, sightseeing by night: $39
  • Happy Cooking Class in Danang : $39
  • Da Nang Evening Food Tour: $47
  • 6-Hour Cooking Class in Danang (JDN1): $50
  • Discover Da Nang by Night on a Private Food Tour: $53
  • Hue Countryside Bike Tour & Cooking Class: $71

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kunming

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

  • Discovery more Kunming evening Food Tour with Local Guide: $78
  • Private Kunming Night Tour with Dinner: $88

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Da Nang $13
    Kunming $18

Tours and Activities in Da Nang

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Da Nang are as follows:

  • Golden Bridge- Early Departure & Marble Mountains- Private Tour: $133
  • Hoi An Walking Tour, Sampan Boat Trip , Foodie Tour by Night: $69
  • HoiAn Walking Tour with RiverBoat-Night Market-Colourful Lantern: $39
  • Jeep Tour Danang to Hai Van Pass Lunch Lang Co Beach & Waterfall: $105
  • MY SON HOLYLAND Private Tour-Early Morning at 6A.M or Afternoon : $65
  • Marble Mountains - Hoi An Ancient Town Afternoon Tours FROM DANANG(15H30-21H): $35
  • My Lai Massacre & My Son Holyland Fullday Private Tour : $165
  • My Son Holyland & MARBLE MOUNTAIN Private Tour : $87
  • 1 Day Imperial City Hue Tour from Hoi An and Da Nang City : $70
  • 4-Day Private Central Vietnam Tour from Hue, My Son, Hoi An: $297
  • Ba Na Hill - Golden Bridge Tour: $90
  • Ba Na Hill Golden Bridge Tour with Buffet Lunch: $55

Tours and Activities in Kunming

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

  • Kunming City & Cultural Walking tour: $26
  • Yunnan University & Culture Alley Guided Tour: $26
  • Half Day Private Tour with Customizable Itinerary: $43
  • Kunming City Tour with Private Guide: $44
  • Kunming Western Hills Scenic Area Private Tour: $64
  • Old Town Private Tour (Half Day): $66
  • Guandu Ancient Town Private Tour (Half-Day): $66
  • Kunming Western Hills Scenic Area Private Tour (Half Day): $66
  • Private Tour with Customizable Itinerary: $66
  • Stone Forest + Yiliang Roast Duck + Kunming City Private Tour: $68
  • Stone Forest, Roast Duck Lunch and City Tour: $70
  • Lijiang: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain with Scenic Train Tour: $74

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Da Nang $8.91
    Kunming $18


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

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


Which is Bigger, Da Nang or Kunming?

Kunming has a larger population, and is about 36% larger than the population of Da Nang. When comparing the sizes of Da Nang and Kunming, 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.