Which place is cheaper, Surfers Paradise or Aqaba?
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 Aqaba or Surfers Paradise?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Aqaba or Surfers Paradise, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Aqaba or Surfers Paradise?
Aqaba
Aqaba is a port city in Jordan, in fact, it is the only port city in the country. This city is located on the Gulf of Aqaba on the Red Sea, which is in the southern part of Jordan. The city is still being developed; many of its facilities and infrastructures are being improved. The population of Aqaba is about 190,000 and the city has been key in developing Jordan's economy via trade and tourism.
Surfers Paradise
A tourist mecca, Surfers Paradise is one of the most popular travel destinations along Australia's famed Gold Coast. The beach stretches for miles and there is an endless supply of almost constant parties. You'll find high rise apartments lined up along the shore and plenty of shopping areas, restaurants, nightclubs, and bars. Travelers from around the world visit the area, and it's a right of passage for Australia's teens to vacation in or near Surfers Paradise. For many travelers, Surfers Paradise comes across as little more than a mass marketed, over commercialized, party destination, but for others it is a vacation dream. Prices are highly inflated so you have to keep your whits about you to avoid being ripped off. Surfers Paradise is a destination of extremes and it conjures up extreme emotions in many travelers, be it positive or negative.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Jordan, The Best Budget Tours to Jordan, The Best Luxury Tours to Australia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Australia.
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Aqaba Prices
Jordan PricesSurfers Paradise Prices
Australia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAqaba $157Surfers Paradise $124
The average daily cost (per person) in Aqaba is $157, while the average daily cost in Surfers Paradise is $124. 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 Aqaba and Surfers Paradise in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAqaba $59Surfers Paradise $67
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAqaba $118Surfers Paradise $134
Compare Hotels in Aqaba and Surfers Paradise
Looking for a hotel in Aqaba or Surfers Paradise? 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: Aqaba Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Aqaba $24Surfers Paradise $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Aqaba
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Aqaba:
- Wadi Rum: One-Way Transfer to/from Aqaba by Private Car: $80
- Wadi Rum to Aqaba Border Private Transfer – Hassle-Free Travel: $100
- Transfer from Aqaba City Or TalaBay to Amman Airport: $101
- Transfer from Aqaba Airport to Petra: $60
- Transfer From Aqaba Airport to Petra: $60
- Transfer From Aqaba Airport to Aqaba City Or TalaBay: $25
- Snorkeling in The Red Sea With Equipment And Free Transfer: $51
- Private Transfers from Wadi Rum Inside Jordan and Vice Versa: $129
- Private Transfer: Aqaba Hotels to Aqaba Airport: $27
- Private Transfer: Aqaba Airport to Sheikh Hussein Border or vice versa: $193
- Private Transfer: Aqaba Airport to Petra City Hotels: $93
- Private Transfer from King Hussein Airport (AQJ)to Aqaba Port : $56
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Surfers Paradise
Also for Surfers Paradise, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Gold Coast Theme Parks: Shared Hotel Transfers: $15
Is it cheaper to fly into Aqaba or Surfers Paradise?
Prices for flights to both Surfers Paradise and Aqaba 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 dayAqaba $73Surfers Paradise $45
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Aqaba
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Aqaba.
- Sunset Cruise with BBQ Dinner and Drinks: $54
- Overnight in Bedouin Camp. Dinner and breakfast included.: $56
- Wadi Rum Full Day Jeep Tour + Overnight + Dinner in Bedouin Camp: $75
- Wadi Rum Full Day Jeep Tour + Overnight & Dinner in Bedouin Camp: $111
- Wadi Rum New Year Eve Party (Jeep Tour + Dinner + Music + Fireworks + Overnight): $112
- From Wadi Rum Full-Day Private Jeep Tour with Dinner: $169
- Wadi Rum Private Tour with Jeep Safari and Dinner: $220
- 4 Hours Jeep Tour with Overnight in Bedouin Camp and Dinner: $286
- Petra & Wadi Rum Private Tour with Dinner one day: $425
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Surfers Paradise
For Surfers Paradise, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Buffet Dinner Sightseeing Cruise: $85
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Aqaba $54Surfers Paradise $24
Tours and Activities in Aqaba
Here are a few actual costs in Aqaba for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Day Tour in Jeep Tour with Bedouin Guide: $81
- Full-Day Jeep Tour in Wadi Rum without Overnight Stay: $85
- Wadi Rum 2-Hour Sunset Tour Wadi Rum Desert Highlights: $35
- "Jordan: 3-Day Tour of Ancient Sites, Nature,&Local Culture": $317
- 03 Hrs Jeep tour in Wadi Rum: $47
- 04 Hrs Jeep tour in Wadi Rum: $70
- 05 Hrs Jeep tour in Wadi Rum: $68
- 2 Days & 1 Night | Jeep & Hike Tour in Wadi Rum Desert | Magic Bedouin Star: $258
- 2 Hour Jeep Tour (Morning or Sunset) Wadi Rum Desert Highlights: $35
- 2-Hour Desert Guided Activities Tour in Wadi Rum: $50
- 2-Hour Private Scuba Experience in Aqaba : $45
- 2-day Hiking Adventure and Jeep Tour from Wadi Rum: $202
Typical Entertainment Prices in Surfers Paradise
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Surfers Paradise's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Surf Lesson$79
Tours and Activities in Surfers Paradise
For Surfers Paradise, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Surfers Paradise Sightseeing Midday River Cruise: $19
- Gold Coast Afternoon River Cruise: $21
- Surfers Paradise Sightseeing City Lights Cruise: $26
- Surfers Paradise Sightseeing River Cruises: $26
- HOTA: Gold Coast Home of the Arts Cruise & Dine Experience Pass: $27
- Gold Coast Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing Cruise 1 Day Pass: $30
- Gold Coast Quack'rDuck Amphibious Tour from Surfers Paradise: $37
- Surfers Paradise Sightseeing Sunset River Cruise: $37
- Guided Gold Coast Amphibious Bus Tour: $38
- Gold Coast: 360-Degree High-Speed Jet Boat Adventure: $39
- Tropical Fruit World Farm Full Tour : $45
- Surfers Paradise Sunset Kayak Tour: $53
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAqaba $9.07Surfers Paradise $11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Aqaba and Surfers Paradise, we can see that Aqaba is more expensive. And not only is Surfers Paradise much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Aqaba is in Middle East and Surfers Paradise is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Surfers Paradise would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Surfers Paradise 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 Aqaba would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Aqaba than you might in Surfers Paradise.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Aqaba Expensive? and Is Surfers Paradise Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Aqaba or Surfers Paradise?
Aqaba has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Surfers Paradise. When comparing the sizes of Aqaba and Surfers Paradise, 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.
When is the best time to visit Aqaba or Surfers Paradise?
Surfers Paradise has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Aqaba experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Aqaba or Surfers Paradise in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Aqaba as well as Surfers Paradise. Aqaba attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Surfers Paradise this time of year.
The heat can be very extreme in Aqaba. In the summer, Aqaba is a little warmer than Surfers Paradise. Typically, the summer temperatures in Aqaba in July average around 33°C (91°F), and Surfers Paradise averages at about 25°C (77°F)in January.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Surfers Paradise. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Aqaba this time of the year. In the summer, Aqaba often gets more sunshine than Surfers Paradisein January. Aqaba gets 384 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Surfers Paradise receives 256 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Surfers Paradise. Aqaba usually gets less rain in July than Surfers Paradisein January. Aqaba gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryAqaba 33°C (91°F)Surfers Paradise 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Aqaba or Surfers Paradise in the Autumn?
Both Surfers Paradise and Aqaba are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Aqaba throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Surfers Paradise for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.
In October, Aqaba is generally a little warmer than Surfers Paradisein April. Daily temperatures in Aqaba average around 26°C (79°F), and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).
It's quite sunny in Surfers Paradise. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Aqaba. Aqaba usually receives more sunshine than Surfers Paradise during autumn. Aqaba gets 295 hours of sunny skies, while Surfers Paradise receives 214 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Surfers Paradise. In October, Aqaba usually receives less rain than Surfers Paradisein April. Aqaba gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilAqaba 26°C (79°F)Surfers Paradise 22°C (71°F)
Should I visit Aqaba or Surfers Paradise in the Winter?
Both Surfers Paradise and Aqaba during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Aqaba because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many visitors come to Surfers Paradise in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Aqaba is around the same temperature as Surfers Paradise in the winter. The daily temperature in Aqaba averages around 14°C (57°F) in January, and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 15°C (59°F)in July.
In Surfers Paradise, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Aqaba. In the winter, Aqaba often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Surfers Paradisein July. Aqaba gets 234 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Surfers Paradise receives 226 hours of full sun.
Aqaba usually gets less rain in January than Surfers Paradisein July. Aqaba gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyAqaba 14°C (57°F)Surfers Paradise 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Aqaba or Surfers Paradise in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Aqaba and Surfers Paradise. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Aqaba year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Surfers Paradise for the beaches during these months.
In the spring, Aqaba is a little warmer than Surfers Paradise. Typically, the spring temperatures in Aqaba in April average around 24°C (75°F), and Surfers Paradise averages at about 21°C (69°F)in October.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Surfers Paradise this time of the year. In Aqaba, it's very sunny this time of the year. Aqaba usually receives more sunshine than Surfers Paradise during spring. Aqaba gets 282 hours of sunny skies, while Surfers Paradise receives 259 hours of full sun in the spring.
Surfers Paradise receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Aqaba usually receives less rain than Surfers Paradisein October. Aqaba gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberAqaba 24°C (75°F)Surfers Paradise 21°C (69°F)
Typical Weather for Surfers Paradise and Aqaba
| Aqaba | Surfers Paradise | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 14°C (57°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Feb | 16°C (61°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 157 mm (6.2 in) |
| Mar | 19°C (66°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Apr | 24°C (75°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) |
| Jun | 31°C (88°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jul | 33°C (91°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Aug | 33°C (91°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 31°C (88°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 103 mm (4 in) |
| Nov | 20°C (68°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Dec | 15°C (59°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 129 mm (5.1 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.