Which place is cheaper, Whitsundays or Beijing?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Beijing or Whitsundays?
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 Whitsundays 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.
Where Should I go: Beijing or Whitsundays?
Beijing
Beijing is the capital of China and, with 21.5 million people, it is the second most populated city in the world after Shanghai. It is a city that keeps pockets of its history hidden in old neighborhoods or back alleys, despite the constant change and modernization that goes on around it. As the capital city of China, there is plenty of history and culture. You can still get yourself lost in one of the last remaining hutongs, which are old neighborhoods that remain untouched by the city's modernization. The alleys that weave between the old homes are lined with drying clothes, corner markets, and people going about their daily lives the way they have for centuries. Surrounding these hutongs you'll find modern buildings and a booming economy, all threatening to destroying these last bits of Beijing's history. Beijing offers a glimpse into a microcosm that represents the entire country of China. Make sure you give yourself enough time in China to truly experience Beijing. You can pass a lot of time soaking up life in the city, which remains as diverse as the country it resides within.
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 from Beijing, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Australia, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Australia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBeijing $78Whitsundays $139
The average daily cost (per person) in Beijing is $78, while the average daily cost in Whitsundays is $139. 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 Beijing and Whitsundays in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBeijing $40Whitsundays $72
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBeijing $80Whitsundays $144
Compare Hotels in Beijing and Whitsundays
Looking for a hotel in Beijing 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Beijing $7.92Whitsundays $58
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Beijing
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Beijing:
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Taxi$4.84
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Train from Airport for Two$7.09
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Taxi to Hotel$8.51
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2 Metro Passes$2.27
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Metro$0.57
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Beijing
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Beijing:
- Private Beijing Downtown Transfer for 10 hours Up to 30pax: $850
- Private Beijing Downtown Transfer for 10 hours Up to 15pax: $490
- Private Beijing Downtown Transfer for 10 hours Up to 5pax: $323
- Beijing Layover Tour with Hutong, Temple of Heaven and Airport Transfer: $296
- Private Transfer to Beidaihe Summer Resort from Beijing: $272
- 1 Day Pass for Universal Beijing and Private Transfer Package: $265
- Private Transfer to Mutianyu Great Wall and Summer Palace with A Guide: $259
- Beijing Layover Private Tour: City Highlights With Airport Transfer: $250
- Private Day Tour of Beijing City Overview with Airport Transfer: $245
- Beijing Layover of Comprehensive City Tour With Airport Transfer: $240
- Private Transfer from Tianjin Cruise Port to Beijing with stop at Great Wall : $221
- Private Transfer from Tianjin Cruise port to Mutianyu Great Wall of China : $221
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Whitsundays
Also for Whitsundays, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Whitsunday Islands: Whitehaven Beach Camping Transfer: $130
Is it cheaper to fly into Beijing or Whitsundays?
Prices for flights to both Whitsundays and Beijing 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 dayBeijing $20Whitsundays $31
Typical Food Prices in Beijing
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Beijing:
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Popcorn$0.85
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Hot Pot Dinner$7.09
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Dumpling Breakfast for Two$2.84
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Watermelon$1.99
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Peking Duck Dinner for 2$17
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Two Popsicles$0.85
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Beijing
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Beijing.
- Online Cooking Class Beijing Dumplings and Cuisine by Sunflowerli Renowned Chef : $20
- Online Cooking Class Orange Chicken by Sunflower Li: $20
- Online Cooking Class Kungpao Chicken: $20
- Beijing Acrobatic Show Tickets w/ Optional Dinner or Transfer: $48
- 3.5-Hour Walking Food Tour: A Bite of History at Beijing Niujie Street: $49
- Temple of Heaven Private Tour w/Option Show &Dinner: $54
- Beijing Hutong Breakfast Food Tour: $55
- Beijing Hutong Breakfast Food Tour: $55
- Hutong Breakfast Food Tour: $55
- Gulou (the Drum Tower) of Beijing Dinner & Beer Walking Tour: $68
- Beijing Gulou Night Market Food Tour: $68
- Old Beijing Dinner Tour: $75
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: $102
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Beijing $25Whitsundays $26
Typical Entertainment Prices in Beijing
Here are a few typical costs in Beijing for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Entry to Summer Palace for Two$8.51
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Two Opera Tickets$60
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Temple of Heaven Park Entrance (for 2)$9.93
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Forbidden City (for 2)$17
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Forbidden City Tickets$17
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Audio Guides at Forbidden City$11
Tours and Activities in Beijing
Here are a few actual costs in Beijing for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2-Day Small-Group Tour of Beijing Highlights, No Shopping: $229
- 4-Hour Beijing Layover Tour to Hutong from Daxing Airport: $145
- 9 Day Shared Tour from Beijing to Shanghai: $299
- All Inclusive Mutianyu Great Wall & Summer Palace Private Tour: $188
- All Inclusive Private Summer Palace, Mutianyu Great Wall Day Tour: $204
- All Inclusive Private Tour: Juyongguan Greatwall, Sacred Road, MingTombs : $176
- Beijing 2 Summer Palace Private Garden Tour: $140
- Beijing Art Tour: Seeing Fantastic Ming Murals at Fa Hai Temple : $220
- Beijing Layover Tour: Mutianyu Great Wall with English Driver : $121
- Beijing Private Tour of Ming Tombs, Summer Palace, Bird's Nest and Water Cube: $297
- BusDa:Morning Shared Temple of Heaven Tour : $28
- China Art Museum and 798 Art Zone Private Tour: $137
Tours and Activities in Whitsundays
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Whitsundays.
- Airlie Beach: Whitsundays Full-Day Camira Sailing Adventure: $163
- Airlie Beach: Private Guided 2-Night Yacht Sailing Cruise: $5,159
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBeijing $12Whitsundays $13
Sample the Local Flavors in Beijing
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Beijing:
- Private Tour-Drum Tower, Hutong Food Taste and Local Brewery Beer: $120
- Full Day Private Chateau Changyu Wine Tour from Beijing: $166
- 5-Hour Private Changyu Chateau Wine Tasting Tour from Beijing: $178
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Beijing and Whitsundays, we can see that Whitsundays 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 Whitsundays 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 Whitsundays would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Whitsundays 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 Whitsundays Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Beijing or Whitsundays?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Whitsundays 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 Whitsundays in the Summer?
Both Whitsundays and Beijing during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Beijing for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Beijing is around the same temperature as Whitsundays. Typically, the summer temperatures in Beijing in July average around 27°C (80°F), and Whitsundays averages at about 26°C (79°F)in January.
In Whitsundays, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Beijing. In the summer, Beijing often gets less sunshine than Whitsundaysin January. Beijing gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Whitsundays receives 285 hours of full sun.
Whitsundays gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Beijing. Beijing usually gets less rain in July than Whitsundaysin January. Beijing gets 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 331 mm (13 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryBeijing 27°C (80°F)Whitsundays 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Beijing or Whitsundays in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Beijing and Whitsundays. Many visitors come to Beijing in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Beijing is generally much colder than Whitsundaysin April. Daily temperatures in Beijing average around 14°C (56°F), and Whitsundays fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Whitsundays this time of the year. In Beijing, it's very sunny this time of the year. Beijing usually receives more sunshine than Whitsundays during autumn. Beijing gets 227 hours of sunny skies, while Whitsundays receives 207 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Whitsundays receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Beijing usually receives less rain than Whitsundaysin April. Beijing gets 19 mm (0.7 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 October and AprilBeijing 14°C (56°F)Whitsundays 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Beijing or Whitsundays in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Beijing as well as Whitsundays. Most visitors come to Beijing for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Beijing can be very cold during winter. Beijing is much colder than Whitsundays in the winter. The daily temperature in Beijing averages around -4°C (26°F) in January, and Whitsundays fluctuates around 16°C (62°F)in July.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Whitsundays. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Beijing this time of the year. In the winter, Beijing often gets less sunshine than Whitsundaysin July. Beijing gets 201 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Whitsundays receives 226 hours of full sun.
Beijing usually gets less rain in January than Whitsundaysin July. Beijing gets 3 mm (0.1 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 January and JulyBeijing -4°C (26°F)Whitsundays 16°C (62°F)
Should I visit Beijing or Whitsundays in the Spring?
Both Whitsundays and Beijing are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Beijing because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Beijing is much colder than Whitsundays. Typically, the spring temperatures in Beijing in April average around 14°C (57°F), and Whitsundays averages at about 23°C (73°F)in October.
It's quite sunny in Whitsundays. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Beijing. Beijing usually receives less sunshine than Whitsundays during spring. Beijing gets 247 hours of sunny skies, while Whitsundays receives 298 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Beijing usually receives less rain than Whitsundaysin October. Beijing gets 26 mm (1 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 April and OctoberBeijing 14°C (57°F)Whitsundays 23°C (73°F)
Typical Weather for Whitsundays and Beijing
| Beijing | Whitsundays | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -4°C (26°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 331 mm (13 in) |
| Feb | -1°C (30°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 377 mm (14.8 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (42°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 312 mm (12.3 in) |
| Apr | 14°C (57°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| May | 20°C (68°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (76°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (80°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (78°F) | 182 mm (7.2 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| Sep | 20°C (69°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Oct | 14°C (56°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 5°C (41°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Dec | -1°C (29°F) | 2 mm (0.1 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.