A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Benxi vs. Airlie Beach for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Benxi 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 Benxi 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.

Where Should I go: Benxi or Airlie Beach?

Benxi

Benxi, China is a city in the south east of the Liaoning Province in northeast China. The city itself is a major industrial hub, but is best known for the Benxi Shuidong National Park where you'll find the famous five million year old water cave. Benxi experiences cold winters, with weather being less enjoyable for touring from November through March. May through August see much warmer weather, getting up to the high 80's Fahrenheit in late summer. September and October are also good times to visit as temperatures cool to 60-70 degrees.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Australia, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Australia.


Which place is cheaper, Airlie Beach or Benxi?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Benxi is $97, while the average daily cost in Airlie Beach is $148. 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 Benxi and Airlie Beach in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Benxi $48
    Airlie Beach $61
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Benxi $96
    Airlie Beach $122
Compare Hotels in Benxi and Airlie Beach

Looking for a hotel in Benxi or Airlie Beach? 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.

Hotels in Benxi


Hotels in Airlie Beach


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Benxi $32
    Airlie Beach $20

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Airlie Beach

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Airlie Beach:

  • Whitsunday: Prosperpine Airport to Airlie Beach Transfer: $17
  • One Way Only - Airport Transfer share shuttle service: $17
  • Transfer from Whitsunday Coast Airport: $17
  • Airport Transfers - Return (round fare) share shuttle service: $29
  • Return Transfer PPP Airport Shute Harbour / Renta Yacht / Freedom Shores: $33
  • South Molle Island Camping Transfer: $61
  • Roundtrip KIA Transfer from Whitsunday Coast Airport: $237
  • Private Transfer to Whitsunday Coast Airport: $327

Is it cheaper to fly into Benxi or Airlie Beach?

Prices for flights to both Airlie Beach and Benxi 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Benxi $31
    Airlie Beach $34

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: $85
  • Whitsundays Segway Sunset and Boardwalk Tour with Dinner: $86

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Benxi $7.50
    Airlie Beach $169

Tours and Activities in Airlie Beach

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Airlie Beach are as follows:

  • Private Airlie Beach Tuk-Tuk Tours: $21
  • Cedar Creek Express. (cruise ship friendly): $41
  • 2-Hour Sunset Cruise with Sparkling Wine: $47
  • Whisper Cruises - One-Hour Turtle Spotting Bay Cruise: $48
  • Sundowner Sunset Cruise Airlie Beach: $48
  • Airlie Beach Sunset Cruise : $48
  • Whitsundays Sunset Sailing Cruise: $59
  • Glass-Bottom Boat Tour: $61
  • Airlie Beach Glass Bottom Boat Tour: $62
  • Airlie Beach Glass bottom boat Scenic Sunset Tour: $68
  • Airlie Beach Glass Bottom Boat Guided Night Tour: $68
  • Whitsundays Guided Jet Ski Tour: $90

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Benxi $7.90
    Airlie Beach $9.49


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Benxi and Airlie Beach, we can see that Airlie Beach is more expensive. And not only is Benxi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Benxi 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 Benxi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Benxi 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 Benxi.

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



When is the best time to visit Benxi 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 Benxi has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Benxi or Airlie Beach in the Summer?

Both Airlie Beach and Benxi are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Airlie Beach for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Benxi is generally around the same temperature as Airlie Beachin January. Daily temperatures in Benxi average around 25°C (78°F), and Airlie Beach fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

It's quite sunny in Airlie Beach. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Benxi. Benxi usually receives less sunshine than Airlie Beach during summer. Benxi gets 214 hours of sunny skies, while Airlie Beach receives 285 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Airlie Beach. It's quite rainy in Benxi. In July, Benxi usually receives less rain than Airlie Beachin January. Benxi gets 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 331 mm (13 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Benxi 25°C (78°F) 
    Airlie Beach 26°C (79°F)

Should I visit Benxi or Airlie Beach in the Autumn?

Both Airlie Beach and Benxi during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Airlie Beach in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Benxi is much colder than Airlie Beach in the autumn. The daily temperature in Benxi averages around 11°C (52°F) in October, and Airlie Beach fluctuates around 23°C (73°F)in April.

In Airlie Beach, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Benxi. In the autumn, Benxi often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Airlie Beachin April. Benxi gets 216 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Airlie Beach receives 207 hours of full sun.

Airlie Beach gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Benxi usually gets less rain in October than Airlie Beachin April. Benxi gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Benxi 11°C (52°F) 
    Airlie Beach 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Benxi or Airlie Beach in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Benxi and Airlie Beach. Furthermore, most visitors come to Airlie Beach for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.

Benxi can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Benxi is much colder than Airlie Beach. Typically, the winter temperatures in Benxi in January average around -10°C (14°F), and Airlie Beach averages at about 16°C (62°F)in July.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Airlie Beach this time of the year. Benxi usually receives less sunshine than Airlie Beach during winter. Benxi gets 167 hours of sunny skies, while Airlie Beach receives 226 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Benxi usually receives less rain than Airlie Beachin July. Benxi gets 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Benxi -10°C (14°F) 
    Airlie Beach 16°C (62°F)

Should I visit Benxi or Airlie Beach in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Benxi as well as Airlie Beach. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Airlie Beach because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Benxi is generally much colder than Airlie Beachin October. Daily temperatures in Benxi average around 11°C (51°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 Benxi this time of the year. In the spring, Benxi often gets less sunshine than Airlie Beachin October. Benxi gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Airlie Beach receives 298 hours of full sun.

Benxi usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Airlie Beachin October. Benxi gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Benxi 11°C (51°F) 
    Airlie Beach 23°C (73°F)

Typical Weather for Airlie Beach and Benxi

Benxi Airlie Beach
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -10°C (14°F) 9 mm (0.4 in) 26°C (79°F) 331 mm (13 in)
Feb -7°C (20°F) 11 mm (0.4 in) 26°C (78°F) 377 mm (14.8 in)
Mar 2°C (35°F) 17 mm (0.7 in) 25°C (77°F) 312 mm (12.3 in)
Apr 11°C (51°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 23°C (73°F) 143 mm (5.6 in)
May 18°C (64°F) 68 mm (2.7 in) 20°C (68°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)
Jun 22°C (72°F) 93 mm (3.7 in) 17°C (63°F) 57 mm (2.2 in)
Jul 25°C (78°F) 211 mm (8.3 in) 16°C (62°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Aug 25°C (76°F) 167 mm (6.6 in) 18°C (65°F) 27 mm (1.1 in)
Sep 18°C (65°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 20°C (68°F) 15 mm (0.6 in)
Oct 11°C (52°F) 51 mm (2 in) 23°C (73°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Nov 2°C (35°F) 24 mm (0.9 in) 25°C (77°F) 107 mm (4.2 in)
Dec -7°C (20°F) 12 mm (0.5 in) 26°C (78°F) 191 mm (7.5 in)