A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Beijing vs. Airlie Beach for Food, Couples, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Beijing or Airlie Beach?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Beijing and Airlie Beach 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.

Beijing

Beijing is a massive, jam-packed, and cultural city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Airlie Beach

Airlie Beach is a laid back, slow-paced, and idyllic town. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. Other popular activities here include scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking.

Beijing and Airlie Beach: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Beijing or Airlie Beach?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Beijing than Airlie Beach, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Beijing is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Airlie Beach is more popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Beijing is more touristy than Airlie Beach and is known for its rich culture, many historical landmarks, its long running history, and its world class cuisine. Also, Beijing is famous for The Forbidden City. Airlie Beach is well known for its tours and transportation that visit the Great Barrier Reef and the Whitsunday Islands.

How is Beijing different from Airlie Beach?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Airlie Beach and Beijing. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Beijing or Airlie Beach?

Beijing is very popular for its sights and museums. However, Airlie Beach is not a good town for its museums and history.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Beijing that are not to be missed. The city is filled with iconic landmarks including the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and The Temple of Heaven. It's also essential that you plan a trip outside of town to the world renowned Great Wall of China. The trip takes about an hour and you can organize a tour through almost any hotel or tour company.

If you're looking to pass the time, head to a museum or historic sight in Airlie Beach. Oceanfront beauty is what this town is all about, so you won't find much is the form of museums and manmade landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Beijing or Airlie Beach? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Beijing is very popular for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Airlie Beach is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

Eat your way through Beijing, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. The city has a number of iconic dishes that have put it on the culinary map. The most notable dish is Peking Duck, which is a delectable crispy roast duck that is usually served with cucumber, scallions, sweet bean sauce and pancakes or other steamed buns. Hot pots are another must-try experience in the city, and, of course, you have to experience the dumplings. A huge part of a visit to Beijing is experiencing its long running culinary history.

Airlie Beach has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There's a good selection of restaurants in town that offer everything from freshly caught local seafood to fine dining or casual. Try to pick a place with a view.

Is Beijing or Airlie Beach Better for Nightlife?

Beijing is a well-known place for nightlife. Also, Airlie Beach is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for nightlife and partying.

Beijing offers plenty to do in the evening. Live performances are popular in the city, and range from concerts to magic shows and acrobatics. There is also an active bar scene around town. Some of the most popular nightlife areas include Sanlitun and Houhai.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Airlie Beach. The town has a number of nightlife venues that include DJ hosted parties, beachfront cocktail lounges, and mellow local bars.

Is Beijing or Airlie Beach Better for Resorts?

Airlie Beach is an unbeatable place for its resorts. However, Beijing is not a resort destination.

Airlie Beach is a world class resort vacation destination. There's everything from posh resorts and luxury hotels to family-friendly campgrounds. There are also hostels that cater to the budget crowd.

Beijing is not a resort destination.

Is Beijing or Airlie Beach Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Airlie Beach is an unbeatable place for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Beijing is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Airlie Beach is a world class destination for scuba diving and snorkeling. You can't snorkel right off the shore because the water is murky and mucky, but there are excursions that will take you to the Great Barrier Reef. There are many day cruises that will take you out on the reef to several sights where you may see beautiful coral, sea turtles, or even reef sharks.

Beijing is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Beijing or Airlie Beach Better for Beaches?

Airlie Beach is an unbeatable place for the beach. However, Beijing is not a beach destination.

Airlie Beach is considered to be a world-class beach destination. Near town there are world class beaches that range from secluded and idyllic to those lined with luxury resorts. For an escape, head to Hideaway Bay or Dingo Beach. If you don't want to leave town, there's also Airlie Beach, which is right off the Main Street. You likely won't want to swim here, but you can enjoy a picnic. Whatever beach you chose, do confirm that there's a stinger net.

Beijing is not a beach destination.

Is Beijing or Airlie Beach Better for Hiking?

Airlie Beach is an unbeatable place for its hiking experiences. However, Beijing is not a hiking destination.

Around Airlie Beach visitors will find world-class hiking trails. You'll find many incredible hiking trails in the area. Conway National Park is a great place to hike through the rainforest and Conway State Forest is another nice spot.

Beijing is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Beijing or Airlie Beach?

Beijing is a well-known place for shopping. Also, Airlie Beach is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Beijing is an extremely popular place for shoppers. There are many unique handicrafts that you can purchase around town. Popular souvenirs include silk, pearls, and snuff bottles with pictures inside. The city has many shopping streets as well as markets and shopping malls that are worth visiting.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Airlie Beach. Head to the town's main street for your typical souvenir shops and holiday stores.

Is Beijing or Airlie Beach Better for Families?

Airlie Beach is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Beijing is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Airlie Beach is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy playing in the Airlie Beach Lagoon, visiting the markets, or hanging out at the local beaches or playgrounds. If you're hoping to swim in the ocean, be very aware of the season and the conditions.

Beijing offers lots of family activities. The city offers a unique cultural immersion that kids and adults can enjoy. Wander through the Forbidden City or watch your kids be mesmerized by a Chinese acrobatics show. It's also fun to get lost in the Hutongs or test their culinary palates by visiting a snack street.

Is Beijing or Airlie Beach Better for Couples?

Airlie Beach is an unbeatable place for couples. Also, Beijing is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Airlie Beach is a great town for couples, as it has plenty to offer. Couples often use this as a gateway to the stunning Whitsunday Islands. The dining scene is good and there are countless outdoor activities that you can enjoy together. There are also many different resorts in the area.

Beijing is a nice destination for couples. The culture, history, and food all make this a stunning place to visit. While romance doesn't immediately spring to mind when you think of Beijing, there are shows and fine dining restaurants that couples will enjoy. There are also many luxury hotels with spas and other amenities.

Is Beijing or Airlie Beach Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Beijing and Airlie Beach are very good places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Beijing is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. The city has many hostels and budget-friendly options. There isn't the backpacker community vibe that you may get in other Asian cities, but if you organize an excursion through your hostel, you're sure to make a few friends along the way.

Airlie Beach is very popular with the backpacker crowd. If you're hoping to visit the Whitsunday Islands, then is a good place to base yourself as a backpacker. It has a decent selection of hostels and there are a number of restaurants and other dining options.

Is Beijing or Airlie Beach Better for Students?

Beijing is a well-known place for students. However, Airlie Beach is not popular with students.

Many students visit Beijing. Students will enjoy the culture, food, and academic opportunities that the universities offer. There is also a decent nightlife scene and affordable places where students can live.

Airlie Beach is not popular with students.

Is Beijing or Airlie Beach Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Beijing is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, Airlie Beach is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Visitors to Beijing can move around easily with public transportation. The system can be crowded and confusing at first, but it's one of the most convenient and affordable ways to get around town. There's a subway system as well as buses, trolleybuses, and suburban rail.

Airlie Beach has some public transit options. There's a public bus that runs from Proserpine to Shute Harbour. The main bus station is near the city center and the main beach.

Is Beijing or Airlie Beach a more walkable city?

Airlie Beach is a great destination for its ease of walking around. However, Beijing is a city with minimal options for its walkability.

Airlie Beach is a very walkable destination. The town itself is walkable, but the surrounding area is hilly and requires a car.

Beijing is generally not a very walkable city. While parts of the city are fun to explore on foot, the city itself is very large with long blocks that aren't pedestrian-friendly.

For even more information, also check out Is Beijing Worth Visiting? and Is Airlie Beach Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Airlie Beach or Beijing?

How long in Beijing or Airlie Beach?

Both Beijing and Airlie Beach have a number of activities to choose from. In our opinion, Airlie Beach has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Airlie Beach than Beijing. In general, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Beijing, and 4-7 days is enough time in Airlie Beach.

Families should spend more time in Airlie Beach than Beijing. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Airlie Beach, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Airlie Beach than Beijing. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Airlie Beach that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Beijing than Airlie Beach if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Beijing.

One day in Beijing or Airlie Beach?

Each neighborhood in Beijing has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

In Airlie Beach, you'll find nightlife and food. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Beijing or Airlie Beach?

Beijing is a fun place to experience. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring.

In Airlie Beach, you'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in Beijing or Airlie Beach?

Each neighborhood in Beijing has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. So, five days is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Airlie Beach is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Airlie Beach has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Beijing or Airlie Beach?

Beijing is a popular place to visit. Many people spend one week here. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one week is just the right amount of time to spend here. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Airlie Beach. In Airlie Beach, you'll find shopping and nightlife. It's also a relaxing resort destination. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, The Best Adventure Tours to Australia, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Australia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Beijing and Airlie Beach, we can see that Airlie Beach is more expensive. And not only is Beijing much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Beijing is in Asia and Airlie Beach 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 Beijing would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Beijing 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 Airlie Beach would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Airlie Beach than you might in Beijing.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Beijing Expensive? and Is Airlie Beach Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Beijing or Airlie Beach?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Airlie Beach is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Beijing has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Beijing or Airlie Beach in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Beijing and Airlie Beach. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Beijing this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Airlie Beach for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Beijing is around the same temperature as Airlie Beach. Typically, the summer temperatures in Beijing in July average around 27°C (80°F), and Airlie Beach averages at about 26°C (79°F)in January.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Airlie Beach this time of the year. In Beijing, it's very sunny this time of the year. Beijing usually receives less sunshine than Airlie Beach during summer. Beijing gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Airlie Beach receives 285 hours of full sun in the summer.

Airlie Beach receives a lot of rain in the summer. Beijing gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Beijing usually receives less rain than Airlie Beachin January. Beijing gets 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 331 mm (13 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Beijing or Airlie Beach in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Beijing as well as Airlie Beach. Many travelers come to Beijing for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Airlie Beach in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Beijing is generally much colder than Airlie Beachin April. Daily temperatures in Beijing average around 14°C (56°F), and Airlie Beach fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Airlie Beach. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Beijing this time of the year. In the autumn, Beijing often gets more sunshine than Airlie Beachin April. Beijing gets 227 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Airlie Beach receives 207 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Airlie Beach. Beijing usually gets less rain in October than Airlie Beachin April. Beijing gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Beijing or Airlie Beach in the Winter?

Both Airlie Beach and Beijing are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Beijing in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Airlie Beach for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.

Beijing can get quite cold in the winter. Beijing is much colder than Airlie Beach in the winter. The daily temperature in Beijing averages around -4°C (26°F) in January, and Airlie Beach fluctuates around 16°C (62°F)in July.

It's quite sunny in Airlie Beach. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Beijing. Beijing usually receives less sunshine than Airlie Beach during winter. Beijing gets 201 hours of sunny skies, while Airlie Beach receives 226 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Beijing usually receives less rain than Airlie Beachin July. Beijing gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Beijing or Airlie Beach in the Spring?

Both Airlie Beach and Beijing during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Beijing for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Airlie Beach because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Beijing is much colder than Airlie Beach. Typically, the spring temperatures in Beijing in April average around 14°C (57°F), and Airlie Beach averages at about 23°C (73°F)in October.

In Airlie Beach, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Beijing. In the spring, Beijing often gets less sunshine than Airlie Beachin October. Beijing gets 247 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Airlie Beach receives 298 hours of full sun.

Beijing usually gets less rain in April than Airlie Beachin October. Beijing gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Airlie Beach and Beijing