Which place is cheaper, Dali or Malang?
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 Malang or Dali?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Malang or Dali? 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: Malang or Dali?
Malang
Malang is a city in East Java, Indonesia. It's a cultured city with several important universities, and is home to a large student population. Prized by the Dutch for its mild highland climate, the city retains much of its colonial architecture. Established by the Dutch in the closing decades of the 18th century, Malang earned its first fortunes from coffee, which flourished on the surrounding hillsides. Today, the city's colonial grandeur is quickly disappearing behind the homogenous facades of more modern developments, but there's still much to admire. The Balai Kota building blends Indonesian and Dutch styles, and grand mansions line the main boulevard, Jalan Besar Ijen. To the east is Mt. Bromo, a volcano with hiking trails. The central area is not too large and quite walkable. And with a number of Hindu temples and sights outside the city, Malang makes an ideal base to explore this intriguing corner of east Java.
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 Budget Tours to Indonesia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, and The Best Adventure Tours to China.
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Malang Prices
Indonesia PricesDali Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMalang $76Dali $62
The average daily cost (per person) in Malang is $76, 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 Malang and Dali in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMalang $43Dali $17
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMalang $86Dali $34
Compare Hotels in Malang and Dali
Looking for a hotel in Malang 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: Malang Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Malang $1.36Dali $9.34
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Malang
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Malang:
- Yogyakarta ;Transfer Service From Yogyakarta to Bromo/Malang: $109
- Private Transfer - Malang To Surabaya International Airport: $38
- FROM YOGYAKARTA TRANSFER TO BROMO/SURABAYA/MALANG CITY.: $50
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 Malang or Dali?
Prices for flights to both Dali and Malang 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 dayMalang $29Dali $32
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Malang
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Malang.
- Malang Cooking Class by Mam Warti: $20
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.Malang $8.53Dali $18
Tours and Activities in Malang
Here are a few actual costs in Malang for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 1 Day - Bromo Afternoon Siesta Tour start MALANG or SURABAYA // 11:00 - 18:00: $80
- 1 Day - Tumpak Sewu, Kapas Biru Waterfall, Goa Tetes cave* Tour // 07:30 - 17:00: $75
- 1 Day - ULTIMATE TOUR Tumpak Sewu Waterfall and Goa Tetes cave // 07:30 - 17:30: $52
- 1 Day Amazing Bromo Sunrise tour from Malang Surabaya 7 spots: $41
- 1 Day Mount Bromo Sharing Tour Package from Malang: $34
- 1Day - Bromo Non Sunrise Tour via Malang (to avoid crowd): $79
- 1Day - Bromo Sunrise Tour via Malang (Sharing or Private Jeep): $39
- 1Day - Malang Cycling Village Tour: $60
- 2 Days - Bromo Ijen Bali Ultimate Tour // D1 01.00 - D2 14.00: $175
- 2 Days Shared Tour from Malang to Mount Bromo and Ijen: $104
- 2-Day Tour: Mount Bromo & Tumpak Sewu from Malang or Surabaya: $164
- 2Days - Bromo Sunrise Ijen Adventure via Malang: $199
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 dayMalang -Dali $11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Malang and Dali, we can see that Malang is more expensive. And not only is Dali much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Dali would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Dali 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 Malang would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Malang than you might in Dali.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Malang Expensive? and Is Dali Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Malang or Dali?
Malang has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Dali. When comparing the sizes of Malang 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.