Which place is cheaper, Whitsundays or Airlie Beach?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Australia, The Best 3-Week Tours in Australia, The Best Budget Tours to Australia, and The Best Luxury Tours to Australia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAirlie Beach $141Whitsundays $132
The average daily cost (per person) in Airlie Beach is $141, while the average daily cost in Whitsundays is $132. 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 Airlie Beach and Whitsundays in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAirlie Beach $58Whitsundays $69
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAirlie Beach $116Whitsundays $138
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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Airlie Beach $19Whitsundays $55
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Airlie Beach
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Airlie Beach:
- Private Transfer to Whitsunday Coast Airport: $308
- Luxury Mercedes Private Airport Transfer (Return): $261
- Whitehaven Beach Club Transfers from Airlie Beach: $91
- South Molle Island Camping Transfer: $46
- Return Transfer PPP Airport Shute Harbour / Renta Yacht / Freedom Shores: $32
- Airport Transfers - Return (round fare) share shuttle service: $28
- One Way Only - Airport Transfer share shuttle service: $16
- Whitsunday: Prosperpine Airport to Airlie Beach Transfer: $16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Whitsundays
Also for Whitsundays, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Whitsunday Islands: Whitehaven Beach Camping Transfer: $122
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 $32Whitsundays $30
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Airlie Beach
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Airlie Beach.
- 3-Hour Sunset Segway Tour with Dinner: $71
- Whitsundays Segway Sunset and Boardwalk Tour with Dinner: $83
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Whitsundays
For Whitsundays, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Hamilton Island: Whitsundays Sunset BBQ Dinner Cruise: $96
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Airlie Beach $160Whitsundays $25
Tours and Activities in Airlie Beach
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Airlie Beach are as follows:
- 1 hour Mimosa Morning Turtle Spotting Cruise: $60
- 1-Day Whitsunday Islands Cruise: Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet: $137
- Airlie Beach Glass Bottom Boat Tour: $58
- Airlie Beach Jet Ski Tour: $105
- Airlie Beach Sunset Cruise : $45
- Airlie Beach Trike Tours: $50
- Airlie Beach sightseeing Tour: $50
- 2-Hour Sunset Cruise with Sparkling Wine: $44
- Adults-Only Whitehaven Beach Sailing Tour: $179
- Airlie Adventure Jet Ski Tour: $160
- Glass-Bottom Boat Tour: $57
- Great Barrier Reef & Whitehaven Beach Tour: $200
Tours and Activities in Whitsundays
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Whitsundays.
- From Daydream Is.: Whitsundays & Whitehaven Half-Day Cruise: $90
- Whitsundays Camira Sailing Adventure from Daydream Island: $147
- Daydream Island: Great Barrier Reef Adventure Cruise: $192
- Airlie Beach: Private Guided 2-Night Yacht Sailing Cruise: $4,852
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAirlie Beach $8.99Whitsundays $12
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.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Airlie Beach Expensive? and Is Whitsundays Expensive?.
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. The beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Airlie Beach this time of year.
Airlie Beach is around the same temperature as Whitsundays in the summer. The daily temperature in Airlie Beach averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Whitsundays fluctuates 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. Many travelers come to Airlie Beach for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Airlie Beach is around the same temperature as Whitsundays. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Airlie Beach in April average around 23°C (73°F), and Whitsundays averages at 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. Many visitors come to Airlie Beach in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.
In July, Airlie Beach is generally around the same temperature as Whitsundays. Daily temperatures in Airlie Beach average around 16°C (62°F), and Whitsundays fluctuates 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. Most visitors come to Airlie Beach for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.
Airlie Beach is around the same temperature as Whitsundays in the spring. The daily temperature in Airlie Beach averages around 23°C (73°F) in October, and Whitsundays fluctuates 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) |
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.