Which place is cheaper, Cairns or Guilin?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Guilin 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 Guilin and Cairns can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Guilin or Cairns?
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.
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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, The Best Historical 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 dayGuilin $67Cairns $94
The average daily cost (per person) in Guilin is $67, 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 Guilin and Cairns in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGuilin $34Cairns $43
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGuilin $68Cairns $86
Compare Hotels in Guilin and Cairns
Looking for a hotel in Guilin 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.Guilin $5.76Cairns $12
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Guilin
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Guilin are as follows:
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Taxi$2.76
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guilin
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guilin:
- Yangshuo Via Ferrata with Round way private transfer from Guilin hotel: $92
- Private Transfer: Guilin Airport to Yangshuo Hotel: $115
- Private Transfer from Guilin to Zhaoxing and stops at Chengyang Dong Village: $197
- Private Transfer from Guilin to Fenghuang and stops at Chengyang Dong Village: $267
- Private Transfer from Guilin hotel to Yangshuo hotel: $37
- Private Guilin Airport Transfer to Yangshuo: $42
- Private Departure Transfer: Downtown Guilin Hotel to Airport (KWL): $25
- Private Departure Transfer from Hotel to Guilin Train Stations: $17
- Private Arrival Transfer: Guilin International Airport (KWL) to Downtown Hotel: $25
- Private Airport Transfer: Guilin Liangjiang International Aiport to Guilin Hotel: $35
- Four Lakes Night Cruise with Round-trip Transfer: $57
- Guilin liangjiang Airport Chauffeur Service,Guilin Airport Transfer: $57
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 Guilin or Cairns?
Prices for flights to both Cairns 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 $22Cairns $28
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$1.38
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
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.Guilin $28Cairns $37
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:
- 2-Day Self-Guided Guilin Tour with 4 Star Boat, Yangshuo and Longji Terraces : $200
- 1 Day Guilin to Yangshuo with top scenery & culture private tour : $79
- 1 Day Li River Cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo with Private Guide & Driver: $219
- 1 Day Private Tour: Li River Cruise from Guilin & Yangshuo Biking: $169
- 1 Day Yangshuo Countryside Cycling and Yulong bamboo boat Private Tour: $94
- 1 Day Yangshuo private Day Tour with the Scooter: $105
- 1 day Guilin Li River Cruise and Yangshuo Countryside with Scooter Private Tour: $204
- 1-DAY Private Longji Rice Terraces and Minority Villages Tour: $45
- 1-Day Guilin Tour to Reed Flute Cave, Xianggong Hill, Bamboo Boat and Night Show: $89
- 1-Day Guilin Xing'an Ling Canal Private Tour: $183
- 1-Day Longji Terrace Fields-Dazhai village Tour with the English Speaking Driver: $79
- 1-Day Longji Terrace Fields-Pingan village Tour with the English Speaking Driver: $79
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 dayGuilin $5.72Cairns $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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Guilin and Cairns, we can see that Cairns 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 Cairns 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 Cairns would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cairns 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 Cairns Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Guilin or Cairns?
Guilin has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Cairns. When comparing the sizes of Guilin 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 Guilin 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 Guilin has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Guilin or Cairns in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Guilin 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, Guilin is generally around the same temperature as Cairnsin January. Daily temperatures in Guilin average around 30°C (86°F), and Cairns fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
It's quite rainy in Cairns. Guilin receives a lot of rain in the summer. Guilin usually gets less rain in July than Cairnsin January. Guilin gets 206 mm (8.1 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 JanuaryGuilin 30°C (86°F)Cairns 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Guilin or Cairns in the Autumn?
Both Cairns and Guilin 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.
Guilin is cooler than Cairns in the autumn. The daily temperature in Guilin averages around 23°C (73°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, Guilin usually receives less rain than Cairnsin April. Guilin gets 93 mm (3.7 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 AprilGuilin 23°C (73°F)Cairns 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Guilin or Cairns in the Winter?
Both Cairns and Guilin 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, Guilin is much colder than Cairns. Typically, the winter temperatures in Guilin in January average around 10°C (49°F), and Cairns averages at about 23°C (73°F)in July.
Guilin usually gets more rain in January than Cairnsin July. Guilin gets 61 mm (2.4 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 JulyGuilin 10°C (49°F)Cairns 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Guilin or Cairns in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Guilin and Cairns. Furthermore, many visitors come to Cairns in the spring for the beaches.
In April, Guilin is generally cooler than Cairnsin October. Daily temperatures in Guilin average around 20°C (68°F), and Cairns fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
Guilin gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Guilin usually receives more rain than Cairnsin October. Guilin gets 263 mm (10.3 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 OctoberGuilin 20°C (68°F)Cairns 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Cairns and Guilin
| Guilin | Cairns | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 10°C (49°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 429 mm (16.9 in) |
| Feb | 11°C (51°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 469 mm (18.5 in) |
| Mar | 15°C (59°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 471 mm (18.5 in) |
| Apr | 20°C (68°F) | 263 mm (10.3 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 273 mm (10.8 in) |
| May | 25°C (77°F) | 334 mm (13.2 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 320 mm (12.6 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 62 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Aug | 30°C (86°F) | 168 mm (6.6 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Nov | 17°C (63°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (53°F) | 47 mm (1.9 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.