A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Guangzhou vs. Noosa Heads for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Guangzhou or Noosa Heads?

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 Noosa Heads can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Guangzhou or Noosa Heads?

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.

Noosa Heads

A town and suburb located on Queensland, Australia's Sunshine Coast, Noosa is best known as a destination of pleasant weather, beautiful beachside scenery, shopping, dining, and outdoor adventure. Some of the top attractions of the area include Noosa National Park and Sunshine Beach.

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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Australia, and The Best Contiki Tours to Australia.


Which place is cheaper, Noosa Heads or Guangzhou?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Guangzhou is $89, while the average daily cost in Noosa Heads is $110. 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 Noosa Heads in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Guangzhou $57
    Noosa Heads $58
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Guangzhou $114
    Noosa Heads $116
Compare Hotels in Guangzhou and Noosa Heads

Looking for a hotel in Guangzhou or Noosa Heads? 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 Guangzhou


Hotels in Noosa Heads


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: Noosa Heads Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Guangzhou $14
    Noosa Heads $17

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guangzhou

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guangzhou:

  • Guangzhou Airport to Hotel: Private Transfer for up to 15 Pax: $170
  • Pearl River Night Cruise with Private Transfers in Guangzhou: $129
  • Guangzhou Baiyun Airport Chauffeur Service, To Dongguan Transfer: $120
  • Guangzhou Airport to Hotel: Private Transfer for up to 5 pax: $120
  • Private Guided Guangzhou Pearl River Cruise Tour With Hotel Transfer: $109
  • Zhuhai City Private Arrival Transfer from Guangzhou Baiyun Int'l Airport : $108
  • Private Transfer between Guangzhou and Shenzhen City Area: $104
  • Private Arrival Transfer in English-speaking: Airport to Hotel: $99
  • Guangzhou Night Pearl River Cruise VIP Seating with Private Transfer: $96
  • Private Transfer from Guangzhou Baiyun Airport to Guangzhou Hotel: $88
  • Guangzhou Private Transfer from Guangzhou central to Guangzhou Airport (CAN): $86
  • Guangzhou Private Transfer from Guangzhou Airport (CAN) to central Guangzhou: $86

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Noosa Heads

Also for Noosa Heads, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Australia Zoo Transfer from Noosa, Coolum, Marcoola & Twin Waters: $79
  • Brisbane Airport Departure shuttle Transfer from Sunshine Coast Hotels/addresses: $55
  • Eumundi Markets Bus Transfer from Noosa, Noosaville & Mooloolaba: $32
  • Premium Airport/ Cruise Terminal Transfers: $234
  • Private Morning Transfer From Noosa to Rainbow Beach: $89
  • Private Transfer from Noosa to Sunshine Coast Airport up to 3 pax: $102
  • Private Transfer from Sunshine Coast Airport to Hotels 11 pax: $218
  • Private Transfers from Sunshine Coast Airport to Noosa (4pax): $99
  • Private Transfers from Sunshine Coast Airport to Noosa (6pax): $116
  • Private Transfers from Sunshine Coast Airport to Noosa (8pax): $129
  • Sunshine Coast Airport Departure Transfer from Hotels: $18
  • Sunshine Coast and Noosa Eumundi Markets Bus Transfer: $32

Is it cheaper to fly into Guangzhou or Noosa Heads?

Prices for flights to both Noosa Heads 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Guangzhou $19
    Noosa Heads $33

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 Noosa Heads

For Noosa Heads, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Cooking Classes on Witta Maleny Sunshine Coast: $119

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Guangzhou $18
    Noosa Heads $40

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 Noosa Heads

For Noosa Heads, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Surf Lesson
    $42
  • Sea Kayak Tour (for 2)
    $84
  • Sunset Cruise (for 2)
    $13

Tours and Activities in Noosa Heads

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Noosa Heads.

  • 2 Hours Sunset Experience on Noosa River: $21
  • The Original 1-Hour Mooloolaba Canal Cruise: $23
  • Maleny Botanic Gardens Bird Aviary Experience Ticket: $28
  • Sunset Cruise Mooloolaba: $30
  • River Cruise on Historical Vessel: $32
  • Aquaduck Sunshine Coast - 1hr Mooloolaba Amphibious Tour: $33
  • 1 Hour Self Guided Water Bike Tour of the Noosa River: $33
  • Seafood Lunch Cruise: $43
  • River to River, Land and Sea E-bike Tour in Brisbane: $46
  • Bushtucker Cruise: $50
  • Sunset Tour with Live Music: $50
  • Noosa Oceanrider - Adventure Tour: $52

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Guangzhou $14
    Noosa Heads $10

Sample the Local Flavors in Noosa Heads

Also in Noosa Heads, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Eumundi Market and Distillery Experience Market Days Wednesday & Saturday: $92
  • Sunshine Coast Brewery Tour with Lunch: $162
  • Hinterland Cheese & Wine Tasting Tour - with 2 course lunch included: $165
  • Sunshine Coast & Noosa Scenic Food & Wine Tour Inc. Lunch: $182
  • Noosa Hinterland Tour with Gourmet Lunch, Wine Tasting & Everglades Lake: $191
  • Noosa Hinterland Drinks Tour- visit 2 distilleries, a winery and a brewery : $195
  • Noosa Hinterland Drinks Private Tour with Gin, Beer, Mead & Wine Tastings: $277


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

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


Which is Bigger, Guangzhou or Noosa Heads?

Guangzhou has a larger population, and is about 320 times larger than the population of Noosa Heads. When comparing the sizes of Guangzhou and Noosa Heads, 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 Noosa Heads?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Noosa Heads 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 Noosa Heads in the Summer?

Both Noosa Heads and Guangzhou during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Noosa Heads in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Guangzhou is a little warmer than Noosa Heads. Typically, the summer temperatures in Guangzhou in July average around 29°C (84°F), and Noosa Heads averages at about 20°C (67°F)in January.

Noosa Heads gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Guangzhou. Guangzhou usually gets more rain in July than Noosa Headsin January. Guangzhou gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Noosa Heads receives 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Guangzhou 29°C (84°F) 
    Noosa Heads 20°C (67°F)

Should I visit Guangzhou or Noosa Heads in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Guangzhou and Noosa Heads. Furthermore, most visitors come to Noosa Heads for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Guangzhou is generally much warmer than Noosa Headsin April. Daily temperatures in Guangzhou average around 25°C (76°F), and Noosa Heads fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

In October, Guangzhou usually receives more rain than Noosa Headsin April. Guangzhou gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Noosa Heads receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Guangzhou 25°C (76°F) 
    Noosa Heads 14°C (58°F)

Should I visit Guangzhou or Noosa Heads in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Guangzhou as well as Noosa Heads. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Noosa Heads because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Guangzhou is much warmer than Noosa Heads in the winter. The daily temperature in Guangzhou averages around 14°C (58°F) in January, and Noosa Heads fluctuates around 7°C (44°F)in July.

Guangzhou usually gets less rain in January than Noosa Headsin July. Guangzhou gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Noosa Heads receives 57 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Guangzhou 14°C (58°F) 
    Noosa Heads 7°C (44°F)

Should I visit Guangzhou or Noosa Heads in the Spring?

Both Noosa Heads and Guangzhou are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Noosa Heads this time of year.

In the spring, Guangzhou is much warmer than Noosa Heads. Typically, the spring temperatures in Guangzhou in April average around 22°C (72°F), and Noosa Heads averages at about 14°C (57°F)in October.

It's quite rainy in Guangzhou. In April, Guangzhou usually receives more rain than Noosa Headsin October. Guangzhou gets 182 mm (7.2 in) of rain, while Noosa Heads receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Guangzhou 22°C (72°F) 
    Noosa Heads 14°C (57°F)

Typical Weather for Noosa Heads and Guangzhou

Guangzhou Noosa Heads
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 14°C (58°F) 43 mm (1.7 in) 20°C (67°F) 109 mm (4.3 in)
Feb 15°C (59°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 19°C (67°F) 88 mm (3.5 in)
Mar 18°C (65°F) 85 mm (3.4 in) 18°C (64°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
Apr 22°C (72°F) 182 mm (7.2 in) 14°C (58°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
May 26°C (79°F) 284 mm (11.2 in) 11°C (52°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 258 mm (10.1 in) 8°C (46°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)
Jul 29°C (84°F) 228 mm (9 in) 7°C (44°F) 57 mm (2.3 in)
Aug 29°C (84°F) 221 mm (8.7 in) 8°C (46°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Sep 28°C (82°F) 172 mm (6.8 in) 11°C (51°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Oct 25°C (76°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 14°C (57°F) 76 mm (3 in)
Nov 20°C (68°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 16°C (61°F) 92 mm (3.6 in)
Dec 16°C (61°F) 24 mm (0.9 in) 19°C (66°F) 117 mm (4.6 in)