Which place is cheaper, Cairns or Guangzhou?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Guangzhou or Cairns?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Guangzhou and Cairns can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Guangzhou or Cairns?
Guangzhou
With a population of more than 12 million, Guangzhou is the third largest city in China after Beijing and Shanghai. Though it has a long history, founded in 214 BC, the city has also many modern attractions, a mix of the old and new with temples and parks as well as skyscrapers and shopping centers. Its location on the Pearl River has contributed to this growth, making Guangzhou a major port and commercial hub.
Cairns
Most travelers go to Cairns specifically to visit Great Barrier Reef. The city itself is surprisingly large and cosmopolitan with a population of approximately 140,000. The city's economy is almost exclusively based on tourism, although you will find some jobs centered around agriculture, or more specifically sugar cane, bananas, coffee, tea, wine, and some tropical fruits. The city itself is surrounded by rainforest and makes a great base for exploring Kuranda, with the Barron Gorge National Park and the Daintree offering a quieter tropical getaway than Cairns.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in China, The Best 2-Week Tours in China, The Best Contiki Tours to Australia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Australia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGuangzhou $89Cairns $94
The average daily cost (per person) in Guangzhou is $89, while the average daily cost in Cairns is $94. 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 Guangzhou and Cairns in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGuangzhou $57Cairns $43
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGuangzhou $114Cairns $86
Compare Hotels in Guangzhou and Cairns
Looking for a hotel in Guangzhou or Cairns? 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: Cairns Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Guangzhou $14Cairns $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guangzhou
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guangzhou:
- Zhuhai City Private Arrival Transfer from Guangzhou Baiyun Int'l Airport : $108
- Private Transfer: Guangzhou Baiyun Airport to Guangzhou Nan Railway Station: $38
- Private Transfer from Guangzhou South Railway Station to Baiyun Airport : $53
- Private Transfer from Guangzhou Int Airport (CAN) to Shekou Port: $68
- Private Transfer from Guangzhou City Center to South Railway Station: $49
- Private Transfer from Guangzhou Baiyun Airport to Guangzhou Hotel: $88
- Private Transfer between Guangzhou and Shenzhen City Area: $104
- Private Transfer between Guangzhou Baiyun Mountain and City Area: $44
- Private Guided Guangzhou Pearl River Cruise Tour With Hotel Transfer: $109
- Private Baiyun Airport Transfer to Guangzhou Railway or East Railway Station: $49
- Private Arrival Transfer in English-speaking: Airport to Hotel: $99
- Pearl River Night Cruise with Private Transfers in Guangzhou: $129
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cairns
Also for Cairns, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfer - Cairns Airport to City: $58
- Airport Transfer - Cairns Airport to Northern Beaches: $59
- Airport Transfer - Northern Beaches to Cairns Airport: $73
- Airport Transfers between Cairns Airport and Cairns City: $14
- Airport Transfers between Cairns Airport and Palm Cove: $20
- Cairns Airport (CNS) Arrival Transfer (CNS Airport to Cairns Hotels or Address): $147
- Cairns Airport (CNS) to Cairns hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $123
- Cairns Airport (CNS) to Palm Cove - Round-Trip Private Transfer : $100
- Cairns Airport (CNS) to Port Douglas - Arrival Private Transfer: $134
- Cairns Airport (CNS): Private Transfer to Cairns Cruise Port: $159
- Cairns Airport (CNS): Private Transfer to Cairns city hotels: $241
- Cairns Airport (CNS): Private Transfer to Palm Cove hotels: $168
Is it cheaper to fly into Guangzhou or Cairns?
Prices for flights to both Cairns and Guangzhou 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 dayGuangzhou $19Cairns $28
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guangzhou
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Guangzhou.
- Guangzhou Evening Food Tour Through Local Neighborhood: $65
- Guangzhou Night View Cruise Tour with Dinner: $90
- Private Guangzhou Night Tour VIP Cruise and Dim-Sum Dinner Option: $146
- 3-Hour Guangzhou Private Cooking Class with Local Market Visit : $165
- Private Guangzhou Night Tour with Canton Tower and Dim-Sum Dinner: $176
- Private Guangzhou Food Tour Michelin Restaurant&Local Food Market: $180
- Private Guangzhou Food Tour Yumcha and Local Food Market Explore: $180
- Guangzhou Private Night Tour: Lychee Bay, Beijing Road, Cruise, Dinner: $204
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cairns
For Cairns, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cairns Luxury Catamaran Harbor and Dinner Cruise: $85
- Night at the Aquarium Guided Tour & 2 Course Dinner: $91
- Guided Twilight Tour with 3-Course Dinner: $117
- City Sights Tour with Evening Dinner Cruise: $149
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Guangzhou $18Cairns $37
Tours and Activities in Guangzhou
Here are a few actual costs in Guangzhou for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Guangzhou Self-Guided Tour with Private Car and Driver Service: $75
- Liuxihe National Forest Park Private Day Tour from Guangzhou: $266
- Private Tour of Foshan: The Ancestral Temple and Other Options from Guangzhou : $167
- 1 Day Historical Guangzhou Layover Tour from Airport: $260
- 4 Hours Half Day Guangzhou Airport Layover Visa-Free Private Tour: $180
- 4-Hour Baiyun Mountain Yuntai Garden Private Guangzhou City Tour: $180
- 5-Hour Sai Kwan Walking Tour with Unique Food Tasting: $72
- AAAAA Top National Natural Preserve Dinghu Mountain Private Tour: $300
- All Inclusive Private Day Tour to Lotus Hill and Shawan Old Town from Guangzhou: $229
- Ancient Foshan Day Tour from Guangzhou: $201
- Best of Guangzhou City Sightseeing: $110
- Big Buddha Mountain Martial Art Culture Countryside Private Tour: $220
Typical Entertainment Prices in Cairns
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Cairns's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Scuba Diving$36
Tours and Activities in Cairns
For Cairns, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Skip the Line: Cairns Museum Single Admission Ticket: $9.91
- Cairns Pub & Club Tour: $26
- Entry Ticket at Historic Village Herberton: $28
- Hartley's Crocodile Adventures General Entry Ticket: $30
- Cairns Aquarium General Admission Ticket: $34
- Sightseeing River Boat Safari with Soft Drinks: $36
- Sunset River Cruise with Snack and Drinks: $42
- Rusty's Market Foodlovers Tour: $43
- Kuranda Rainforestation Nature Park Ticket (BNP): $43
- Cairns Botanic Gardens: Mushroom Photography Tour: $44
- Full Day Tour by Myroo X Deluxe Coach to Mission Beach: $46
- Aquarium Entry Ticket and Turtle Rehabilitation Tour: $47
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGuangzhou $14Cairns $13
Sample the Local Flavors in Cairns
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Cairns:
- Cairns Brewery Tours: $139
- From Atherton Tablelands Food and Wine Tasting Tour: $160
When comparing the travel costs between Guangzhou and Cairns, we can see that Cairns is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Guangzhou is in Asia and Cairns is in Pacific, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Guangzhou Expensive? and Is Cairns Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Guangzhou or Cairns?
Guangzhou has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Cairns. When comparing the sizes of Guangzhou and Cairns, 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 Guangzhou or Cairns?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Cairns is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Guangzhou has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Guangzhou or Cairns in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Guangzhou as well as Cairns. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Cairns because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Guangzhou is generally around the same temperature as Cairnsin January. Daily temperatures in Guangzhou average around 29°C (84°F), and Cairns fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
It's quite rainy in Cairns. Guangzhou receives a lot of rain in the summer. Guangzhou usually gets less rain in July than Cairnsin January. Guangzhou gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 429 mm (16.9 in) of rain this time of the year. November to March in Cairns is the rainy season.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryGuangzhou 29°C (84°F)Cairns 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Guangzhou or Cairns in the Autumn?
Both Cairns and Guangzhou are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Cairns this time of year.
Guangzhou is around the same temperature as Cairns in the autumn. The daily temperature in Guangzhou averages around 25°C (76°F) in October, and Cairns fluctuates around 27°C (80°F)in April.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Cairns. In October, Guangzhou usually receives less rain than Cairnsin April. Guangzhou gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 273 mm (10.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Cairns is April to October.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilGuangzhou 25°C (76°F)Cairns 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Guangzhou or Cairns in the Winter?
Both Cairns and Guangzhou during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many travelers come to Cairns for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Guangzhou is much colder than Cairns. Typically, the winter temperatures in Guangzhou in January average around 14°C (58°F), and Cairns averages at about 23°C (73°F)in July.
Guangzhou usually gets more rain in January than Cairnsin July. Guangzhou gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyGuangzhou 14°C (58°F)Cairns 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Guangzhou or Cairns in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Guangzhou and Cairns. Furthermore, many visitors come to Cairns in the spring for the beaches.
In April, Guangzhou is generally cooler than Cairnsin October. Daily temperatures in Guangzhou average around 22°C (72°F), and Cairns fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
Guangzhou gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Guangzhou usually receives more rain than Cairnsin October. Guangzhou gets 182 mm (7.2 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring. April to October in Cairns is the dry season. Also, November to March is the rainy season in Cairns.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberGuangzhou 22°C (72°F)Cairns 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Cairns and Guangzhou
| Guangzhou | Cairns | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 14°C (58°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 429 mm (16.9 in) |
| Feb | 15°C (59°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 469 mm (18.5 in) |
| Mar | 18°C (65°F) | 85 mm (3.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 471 mm (18.5 in) |
| Apr | 22°C (72°F) | 182 mm (7.2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 273 mm (10.8 in) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 284 mm (11.2 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.1 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 62 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (84°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 221 mm (8.7 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 172 mm (6.8 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (76°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Nov | 20°C (68°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Dec | 16°C (61°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 211 mm (8.3 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.