Which city is cheaper, Whitsundays or Airlie Beach?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for Australia Airlie Beach vs. Whitsundays for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Airlie Beach or Whitsundays?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Airlie Beach and Whitsundays. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Airlie Beach or Whitsundays?
Airlie Beach
Airlie Beach, in Queensland, offers the closest port to the Whitsunday Islands on the Great Barrier Reef. It's a small town of only 25,000 and has grown out of the area's popularity as a tourist destination. It's main industry remains tourism and, as such, there are many venues set up to accommodate travelers hoping to make trips to the Whitsunday Islands and the Outer Great Barrier Reef. The town has the feel of a vacation destination. While in the past Airlie Beach appealed specifically to the backpacker crowd, it's popularity has spread and now there are facilities catering to all travel types. The area has become more commercialized and there are plenty of large resorts to choose from. Even so, you'll still find no shortage of affordable accommodation around town.
Whitsundays
Just off the coast of Queensland, Australia is a cluster of 74 different islands. These islands, the Whitsunday Islands, welcome over a half a million visitors every year to see one of the Seven Wonders of the World - the Great Barrier Reef.
As one of the most famous destinations in the world, it's not uncommon to see expensive yachts sailing around among the private ferries. Most of the islands are designated as national parks with access to snorkeling and diving in the coral reefs, or just to lay in the sand on the famous Whitehaven Beach.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAirlie Beach $114Whitsundays $107
The average daily cost (per person) in Airlie Beach is $114, while the average daily cost in Whitsundays is $107. 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Airlie Beach and Whitsundays in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAirlie Beach $47Whitsundays $56
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAirlie Beach $94Whitsundays $112
Compare Hotels in Airlie Beach and Whitsundays
Looking for a hotel in Airlie Beach or Whitsundays? 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: Airlie Beach Hotel Prices and Whitsundays Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Airlie Beach $16Whitsundays $44
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Airlie Beach
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Airlie Beach:
- Airport Transfers - Return (round fare) share shuttle service: $28
- Airport Transfers - One way share shuttle service: $17
- Whitsunday: Prosperpine Airport to Airlie Beach Transfer: $16
Is it cheaper to fly into Airlie Beach or Whitsundays?
Prices for flights to both Whitsundays and Airlie Beach 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 dayAirlie Beach $26Whitsundays $24
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Airlie Beach
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Airlie Beach.
- Whitsundays Segway Sunset and Boardwalk Tour with Dinner: $93
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Airlie Beach $130Whitsundays $20
Tours and Activities in Airlie Beach
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Airlie Beach are as follows:
- 2 Day Great Barrier Reef "Reefsuites" Experience: $631
- 2 Night Small Group Whitsundays Sailing Adventure Aboard Mandrake: $375
- 2 night Whitsunday Islands Cruise on Atlantic Clipper from Airlie Beach: $394
- 2-Day Great Barrier Reef "Reefsleep" Experience: $470
- 2-Day Whitsundays Sailing Adventure: SV Whitehaven: $315
- 2-Day Whitsundays Sailing Adventure: Summertime: $315
- 2-Night Whitsunday Islands All-Inclusive Sailing Tour from Airlie Beach: $315
- 2-Night Whitsunday Islands Sailing Adventure on Trimaran 'Avatar': $422
- 2-Night Whitsundays Sailing Cruise Aboard 'Spank Me' Including Whitehaven Beach and the Great Barrier Reef: $375
- 2Day 2Night Sail, Snorkel & SUP Adventure Whitsundays double: $439
- 3 Day Whitsundays Sailing and Diving Adventure: Kiana: $592
- 3 Day and 2 Night Whitsundays Maxi Sailing Adventure on Hammer: $514
Tours and Activities in Whitsundays
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Whitsundays.
- Great Barrier Reef Luxury Expedition Cruise cabin booking 7 days 6 night: $3,536
- Great Barrier Reef Private Expedition Cruise (min 4 day max 8 guests): $9,727
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAirlie Beach $7.29Whitsundays $9.77
When comparing the travel costs between Airlie Beach and Whitsundays, we can see that Airlie Beach 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 Pacific, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
When is the best time to visit Airlie Beach or Whitsundays?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.
Should I visit Airlie Beach or Whitsundays in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Airlie Beach as well as Whitsundays.
Airlie Beach is around the same temperature as Whitsundays in the summer. The temperature in Airlie Beach is usually 26°C (79°F) in January, and Whitsundays stays around 26°C (79°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Whitsundays. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Airlie Beach this time of the year. In the summer, Airlie Beach often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Whitsundays. Airlie Beach gets 285 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Whitsundays receives 285 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Whitsundays. Airlie Beach receives a lot of rain in the summer. Airlie Beach usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Whitsundays. Airlie Beach gets 331 mm (13 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 331 mm (13 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JanuaryAirlie Beach 26°C (79°F)Whitsundays 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Airlie Beach or Whitsundays in the Autumn?
Both Whitsundays and Airlie Beach are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.
In the autumn, Airlie Beach is around the same temperature as Whitsundays. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Airlie Beach in April are around 23°C (73°F), and Whitsundays is about 23°C (73°F).
It's quite sunny in Whitsundays. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Airlie Beach. Airlie Beach usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Whitsundays during autumn. Airlie Beach gets 207 hours of sunny skies, while Whitsundays receives 207 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Whitsundays. It's quite rainy in Airlie Beach. In April, Airlie Beach usually receives around the same amount of rain as Whitsundays. Airlie Beach gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures AprilAirlie Beach 23°C (73°F)Whitsundays 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Airlie Beach or Whitsundays in the Winter?
Both Whitsundays and Airlie Beach during the winter are popular places to visit.
In July, Airlie Beach is generally around the same temperature as Whitsundays. Temperatures in Airlie Beach average around 16°C (62°F), and Whitsundays stays around 16°C (62°F).
In Whitsundays, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Airlie Beach. In the winter, Airlie Beach often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Whitsundays. Airlie Beach gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Whitsundays receives 226 hours of full sun.
Airlie Beach usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Whitsundays. Airlie Beach gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JulyAirlie Beach 16°C (62°F)Whitsundays 16°C (62°F)
Should I visit Airlie Beach or Whitsundays in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Airlie Beach and Whitsundays.
Airlie Beach is around the same temperature as Whitsundays in the spring. The temperature in Airlie Beach is usually 23°C (73°F) in October, and Whitsundays stays around 23°C (73°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Whitsundays this time of the year. In Airlie Beach, it's very sunny this time of the year. Airlie Beach usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Whitsundays during spring. Airlie Beach gets 298 hours of sunny skies, while Whitsundays receives 298 hours of full sun in the spring.
In October, Airlie Beach usually receives around the same amount of rain as Whitsundays. Airlie Beach gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures OctoberAirlie Beach 23°C (73°F)Whitsundays 23°C (73°F)
Typical Weather for Whitsundays and Airlie Beach
| Airlie Beach | Whitsundays | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 331 mm (13 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 331 mm (13 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (78°F) | 377 mm (14.8 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 377 mm (14.8 in) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 312 mm (12.3 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 312 mm (12.3 in) |
| Apr | 23°C (73°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| May | 20°C (68°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 17°C (63°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jul | 16°C (62°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Aug | 18°C (65°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| Sep | 20°C (68°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (78°F) | 191 mm (7.5 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 191 mm (7.5 in) |
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