Which place is cheaper, Airlie Beach or Guilin?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Guilin or Airlie Beach?
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 Guilin and Airlie Beach can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Guilin or Airlie Beach?
Guilin
Guilin is a city in Southern China situated on the west bank of the Li River with Hunan to the north. Its name means, "Forest of Sweet Osmanthus," owing to the large number of fragrant Sweet Osmanthus trees located in the city. Products like tea, sugar, and wine, can be made from the tree and are found in many shops throughout Guilin. A popular tourist destination, the city is renowned for its scenery of karst topography with unique mountains jutting out of the urban landscape.
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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, The Best Historical Tours in China, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Australia, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Australia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGuilin $69Airlie Beach $148
The average daily cost (per person) in Guilin is $69, 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 Guilin and Airlie Beach in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGuilin $35Airlie Beach $61
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGuilin $70Airlie Beach $122
Compare Hotels in Guilin and Airlie Beach
Looking for a hotel in Guilin 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.
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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Guilin $5.92Airlie Beach $20
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Guilin
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Guilin are as follows:
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Taxi$2.84
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guilin
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guilin:
- Private Departure Transfer from Hotel to Guilin Train Stations: $17
- [Airport Transfer] Haikou Airport ⇔ Haikou City Transfer ☆ High reputation for service! <Charter charter> *: $23
- Private Arrival Transfer: Guilin International Airport (KWL) to Downtown Hotel: $25
- Private Departure Transfer: Downtown Guilin Hotel to Airport (KWL): $25
- Private Airport Transfer:Guilin Hotel to Guilin Liangjiang International Airport: $35
- Private Transfer from Guilin hotel to Yangshuo hotel: $37
- Transfer from Guilin Hotels to Yangshuo Town: $37
- Guilin Railway stations Transfer Service: $37
- Transfer from Guilin Liangjiang Airport to Guilin City Center: $41
- Private Guilin Airport Transfer to Yangshuo: $42
- Private Airport Transfer: Guilin Liangjiang Airport to Yangshuo Hotel: $45
- Private Arrival Transfer: Guilin International Airport (KWL) to Yangshuo: $49
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Airlie Beach
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Airlie Beach:
- Private Transfer to Whitsunday Coast Airport: $327
- Transfer from Whitsunday Coast Airport: $17
- Airport Transfers - Return (round fare) share shuttle service: $29
- One Way Only - Airport Transfer share shuttle service: $17
- Return Transfer PPP Airport Shute Harbour / Renta Yacht / Freedom Shores: $33
- Roundtrip KIA Transfer from Whitsunday Coast Airport: $237
- South Molle Island Camping Transfer: $61
- Whitsunday: Prosperpine Airport to Airlie Beach Transfer: $17
Is it cheaper to fly into Guilin or Airlie Beach?
Prices for flights to both Airlie Beach and Guilin 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 dayGuilin $23Airlie Beach $34
Typical Food Prices in Guilin
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Guilin:
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Fresh Coconut Drink$1.42
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guilin
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Guilin.
- Half day Yangshuo Cooking lesson Small Group Tour: $62
- Full-Day Li-River with the 4 Star Luxury Boat VIP Room and Yangshuo Cooking Tour: $286
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Guilin $28Airlie Beach $169
Typical Entertainment Prices in Guilin
Here are a few typical costs in Guilin for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Entrance to the Caves$17
Tours and Activities in Guilin
Here are a few actual costs in Guilin for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Guilin Four lakes night cruise with the English speaking driver from Guilin hotel: $47
- Guilin City Center Walking Group Tour at Night for Three Hours: $50
- Kayaking Adventure with Local Guide: $52
- One Day Private Longji Rice Terraces with Minority village tour: $52
- Half-Day Self-Guided Yangshuo Xianggong Hill Sunrise Tour: $52
- Guilin Classic Li River Day Tour with Xianggong Hill : $55
- Private Full-Day City Tour with Fubo Hill: $61
- Full-Day Guilin Essence and Lifestyle Walking Tour: $69
- 1-DAY Private Longji Rice Terraces and Minority Villages Tour: $70
- 1-DAy Private Guilin -Li River Cruise-Yangshuo Highlights tour: $70
- Yangshuo Old Town and 3 star Li River Cruise from Guilin: $72
- Half/Full day Yangshuo Cuiping hill Sunset Private Tour: $73
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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGuilin $5.88Airlie Beach $9.49
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Guilin and Airlie Beach, we can see that Airlie Beach is more expensive. And not only is Guilin much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Guilin 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 Guilin would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Guilin 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 Guilin.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Guilin Expensive? and Is Airlie Beach Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Guilin 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 Guilin has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Guilin or Airlie Beach in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Guilin and Airlie Beach. Furthermore, most visitors come to Airlie Beach for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
Guilin is a little warmer than Airlie Beach in the summer. The daily temperature in Guilin averages around 30°C (86°F) in July, and Airlie Beach fluctuates around 26°C (79°F)in January.
Airlie Beach receives a lot of rain in the summer. Guilin gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Guilin usually receives less rain than Airlie Beachin January. Guilin gets 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 331 mm (13 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryGuilin 30°C (86°F)Airlie Beach 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Guilin or Airlie Beach in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Guilin as well as Airlie Beach. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Airlie Beach because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Guilin is around the same temperature as Airlie Beach. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Guilin in October average around 23°C (73°F), and Airlie Beach averages at about 23°C (73°F)in April.
It's quite rainy in Airlie Beach. Guilin usually gets less rain in October than Airlie Beachin April. Guilin gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilGuilin 23°C (73°F)Airlie Beach 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Guilin or Airlie Beach in the Winter?
Both Airlie Beach and Guilin are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, the shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Airlie Beach this time of year.
In January, Guilin is generally much colder than Airlie Beachin July. Daily temperatures in Guilin average around 10°C (49°F), and Airlie Beach fluctuates around 16°C (62°F).
In January, Guilin usually receives more rain than Airlie Beachin July. Guilin gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyGuilin 10°C (49°F)Airlie Beach 16°C (62°F)
Should I visit Guilin or Airlie Beach in the Spring?
Both Airlie Beach and Guilin during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Airlie Beach for the beaches and the natural beauty.
Guilin is cooler than Airlie Beach in the spring. The daily temperature in Guilin averages around 20°C (68°F) in April, and Airlie Beach fluctuates around 23°C (73°F)in October.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Guilin. Guilin usually gets more rain in April than Airlie Beachin October. Guilin gets 263 mm (10.3 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberGuilin 20°C (68°F)Airlie Beach 23°C (73°F)
Typical Weather for Airlie Beach and Guilin
| Guilin | Airlie Beach | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 10°C (49°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 331 mm (13 in) |
| Feb | 11°C (51°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 377 mm (14.8 in) |
| Mar | 15°C (59°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 312 mm (12.3 in) |
| Apr | 20°C (68°F) | 263 mm (10.3 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| May | 25°C (77°F) | 334 mm (13.2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 320 mm (12.6 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Aug | 30°C (86°F) | 168 mm (6.6 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 17°C (63°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (53°F) | 47 mm (1.9 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.