Which place is cheaper, Dali or Hat Yai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Hat Yai or Dali?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Hat Yai and Dali 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: Hat Yai or Dali?
Hat Yai
The fourth largest city of Thailand, Hat Yai is a popular tourist destination, especially on weekends and holidays for people in neighboring Malaysia and Singapore. It is best known as a commercial hub and shopping destination, and for its floating market and Buddhist temple.
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 Contiki Tours to Thailand, The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, and The Best Adventure Tours to China.
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Hat Yai Prices
Thailand PricesDali Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHat Yai $36Dali $62
The average daily cost (per person) in Hat Yai is $36, 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 Hat Yai and Dali in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHat Yai $16Dali $17
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHat Yai $32Dali $34
Compare Hotels in Hat Yai and Dali
Looking for a hotel in Hat Yai 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.
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: Hat Yai Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hat Yai $0.72Dali $9.34
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hat Yai
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hat Yai:
- Private Hatyai Airport Transfer to Pak Bara Pier by Van: $80
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Dali
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Dali:
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Local Bus$0.42
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dali
Also for Dali, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Dali Airport Chauffeur Service, Private Dali Airport Transfer: $40
- Private Transfer from Dali to Lijiang hotel/airport(LJG): $149
- Private Transfer from Dali to Lijiang/Shuhe hotel and Stops at Shaxi Old Town: $160
Is it cheaper to fly into Hat Yai or Dali?
Prices for flights to both Dali and Hat Yai 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
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Food Meals for one dayHat Yai $18Dali $32
Typical Food Prices in Hat Yai
Some typical examples of dining costs in Hat Yai are as follows:
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Roti Snack$0.63
Typical Food Prices in Dali
For Dali, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch$4.49
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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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hat Yai -Dali $18
Tours and Activities in Dali
For Dali, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Donglianhua (East Lotus) & Hui Muslim Culture Tour: $70
- Dali City Tour with Private Guide: $71
- Yunnan Dali Erhai 3 Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple One Day Tour: $74
- Ancient City, Three Pagodas, and Longkan (ErHai) Tour: $85
- Jizu Mountain Private Tour: $85
- Jizu Mountain Private Tour: $87
- Dali XIzhou Ancient Town Private Tour: $87
- Zhoucheng Village Tie Dyeing Private Experience: $87
- Xizhou Ancient Town Private Half-Day Tour: $89
- Zhoucheng Village Tie-Dyeing Experience Private Tour: $89
- Shaxi Ancient Town Private Tour: $99
- Xizhou Ancient Town and Dali Ancient City Tour: $101
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHat Yai $2.64Dali $11
Typical Alcohol Prices in Hat Yai
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Hat Yai:
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Beer$1.88
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hat Yai and Dali, we can see that Dali is more expensive. And not only is Hat Yai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hat Yai would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hat Yai 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 Dali would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dali than you might in Hat Yai.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hat Yai Expensive? and Is Dali Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hat Yai or Dali?
Hat Yai has a larger population, and is about 43% larger than the population of Dali. When comparing the sizes of Hat Yai 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.
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.