Which place is cheaper, Gold Coast or Datong?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Datong or Gold Coast?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Datong or Gold Coast, 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: Datong or Gold Coast?
Datong
If you're looking for an old world city, with a renovated feel, you might want to spend some time in Datong, China. This city was once walled-in and the newest initiative is to rebuild their great wall to maintain their old world charm. Datong is definitely done a lot to make itself a contender in the world of vacation destinations.
Gold Coast
The Gold Coast is one of Australia's premier destinations. Famous for gorgeous beaches, warm weather, watersports, and plenty of activities for all ages, millions of tourists from Australia as well as everywhere in the world flock to this region every year. With beaches, national parks, theme parks, shopping and dining, nice resorts, boating, fishing, diving, theme parks and more, the Gold Coast offers something for everyone.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in China, The Best Luxury Tours to China, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Australia, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Australia.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDatong $56Gold Coast $98
The average daily cost (per person) in Datong is $56, while the average daily cost in Gold Coast is $98. 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 Datong and Gold Coast in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDatong $23Gold Coast $55
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDatong $46Gold Coast $110
Compare Hotels in Datong and Gold Coast
Looking for a hotel in Datong or Gold Coast? 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
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Datong $12Gold Coast $23
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Datong
Also for Datong, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Flexible Private Transfer Service from Datong to Pingyao with Sightseeing Stops: $225
- Private One Way Transfer from Datong to Beijing : $211
- Chengdu: Private Round-Trip Transfer to Leshan Budda: $128
- Private Round-Trip Transfer Service to Hanging Temple and Hengshan from Datong: $118
- Dunhuang Private Round Trip Transfer to Jiayuguan and Xuanbi Great Wall : $100
- Private Round-Trip Transfer to Hanging Temple: $98
- Datong Hanging Temple Private Transfer from Hotel or Station: $69
- Transfer from Datong Railway Stations to Hotels in City Center: $35
- Private Transfer Service from Yungang Airport to Datong Hotel: $29
- Datong Yungang Airport Chauffeur Service , to Datong Transfer: $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Gold Coast
Also for Gold Coast, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From Tandem Skydive Byron Bay with Transfers: $240
- Tangalooma Snorkel the Wrecks Cruise Transfers: $154
- Tangalooma Marine Discovery Day Cruise Transfers: $147
- Tangalooma Desert Safari Day Cruise Transfers: $147
- Private Gold Coast Airport Arrival Transfer to Byron Bay: $137
- Arrival Transfer: Airport OOL to Gold Coast by Luxury Van: $127
- Gold Coast Airport Transfer: Airport OOL to Gold Coast in Luxury Car: $127
- Gold Coast Airport Transfer: Gold Coast to Airport OOL in Luxury Car: $127
- Departure Private Transfer: Gold Coast to Airport OOL in Luxury Van: $127
- Gold Coast Airport Transfer: Airport OOL to Gold Coast in Luxury Van: $126
- Gold Coast Airport Transfer: Gold Coast to Airport OOL in Luxury Van: $126
- Tangalooma Beach Day Cruise with Bus Transfers: $114
Is it cheaper to fly into Datong or Gold Coast?
Prices for flights to both Gold Coast and Datong 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 dayDatong $20Gold Coast $27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Gold Coast
For Gold Coast, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Australian Outback Spectacular Dinner & Show: $72
- Gold Coast Buffet Dinner Sightseeing Cruise: $79
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Datong $25Gold Coast $19
Tours and Activities in Datong
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Datong.
- 1-Day Pingyao tour from Datong and ends of Beijing or Xi'an by Bullet Train: $267
- 1-Day Private Tour: Datong Highlights with the Lunch: $215
- 2-Day Private Datong Tour:Hanging Temple, Yugang Grottoes,Wooden Pagoda and More: $298
- 4-8 hours Private Datong Great Wall Tour: $99
- All Inclusive Datong Private Day Tour to Hanging Temple and Yungang Grottoes : $268
- All Inclusive Datong Private Tour to Hanging Temple and Yingxian Wooden Pagoda: $238
- All Inclusive Private Day Tour to Hanging Temple at Hengshan from Datong : $188
- All-Inclusive Private Day Tour to Wooden Pagoda and Hanging Temple from Datong: $220
- All-Inclusive Private Tour to Yungang Grottoes and Hanging Temple from Datong: $220
- Datong Classic Day Tour: $135
- Datong Day Tour to Yungang Grottoes and Hanging Temple: $203
- Datong Hanging Temple Wooden Pagoda Self-guided Tour by Car: $95
Tours and Activities in Gold Coast
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Gold Coast.
- 1.5 hr Jet Ski Safari tour to South Stradbroke Island!: $184
- 2 Hours Dolphin Kayaking & Snorkeling Tour on the Broadwater: $50
- 2.5 hr Jet Ski Safaris tour - Ultimate Adventure + island stop: $264
- 2.5-Hour Ultimate Learn to Surf Adventure: $43
- 2.5hr Gold Coast Kayaking & snorkelling tour: $52
- 3-Day Ticket: Dreamworld with WhiteWaterWorld & SkyPoint: $97
- Aquaduck Gold Coast 1 hour City and River Tour: $36
- Arro Jet Boating Experience, Surfers Paradise Gold Coast: $52
- Breakfast sailing cruise includes snacks & drinks: $79
- Brisbane: Winery Tour with Tastings and 2-Course Lunch: $150
- Broadwater Morning Cruise: $39
- Broadwater Morning Cruise with Spirit of Gold Coast: $39
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayDatong $12Gold Coast $5.19
Sample the Local Flavors in Gold Coast
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Gold Coast:
- Tamborine Mountain: Wine Tasting Tour with 2-Course Lunch: $124
- Full-Day Guided Wine Tour in Mt Tamborine From Gold Coast : $132
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Datong and Gold Coast, we can see that Gold Coast is more expensive. And not only is Datong much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Datong is in Asia and Gold Coast 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 Datong would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Datong 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 Gold Coast would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Gold Coast than you might in Datong.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Datong Expensive? and Is Gold Coast Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Datong or Gold Coast?
Datong has a larger population, and is about 99% larger than the population of Gold Coast. When comparing the sizes of Datong and Gold Coast, 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.
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.