Which place is cheaper, Katoomba or Guilin?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Guilin or Katoomba?
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 Katoomba can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Guilin or Katoomba?
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.
Katoomba
Designated an UNESCO World Heritage site in 2000, the Blue Mountains are located just west of Sydney in the highlands of New South Wales, Australia.
This area can be generally expensive, but is on par with other destinations in Australia and around Sydney. Plenty of luxury places can be found here that cost more than average, but plenty of cheaper places to stay can be found here, too. Expect to pay for various activities such as tours and entrance fees, too.
The landscape is sprawling with majestic scenery over a rugged terrain of steep cliffs, forests, waterfalls, and villages. Whether you come to hike, climb, bike, or drive to the scenic viewpoints, a curtain of tranquility falls upon the mountains in a blue haze from which they get their name.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, The Best Historical Tours in China, The Best 10-Day Tours in Australia, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Australia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGuilin $69Katoomba $141
The average daily cost (per person) in Guilin is $69, while the average daily cost in Katoomba is $141. 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 Katoomba in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGuilin $35Katoomba $82
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGuilin $70Katoomba $164
Compare Hotels in Guilin and Katoomba
Looking for a hotel in Guilin or Katoomba? 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: Katoomba Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Guilin $5.92Katoomba $52
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 Arrival Transfer: Guilin Train Stations to Downtown Hotel: $17
- 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 Airport Transfer: Guilin Liangjiang International Aiport to Guilin Hotel: $35
- Guilin Railway stations Transfer Service: $37
- Transfer from Guilin Hotels to Yangshuo Town: $37
- Private Transfer from Guilin hotel to Yangshuo hotel: $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 Train Stations to Yangshuo: $49
Is it cheaper to fly into Guilin or Katoomba?
Prices for flights to both Katoomba 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 $23Katoomba $18
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Guilin $28Katoomba $56
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 Guilin -Li River Cruise-Yangshuo Highlights tour: $70
- 1-DAY Private Longji Rice Terraces and Minority Villages Tour: $70
- Guilin Tour Guide Service : $72
- Yangshuo Old Town and 3 star Li River Cruise from Guilin: $72
Tours and Activities in Katoomba
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Katoomba are as follows:
- Blue Mountains Hop On Hop Off Tour: $34
- Blue Mountains BarNSW Local Produce Tasting Experience: $39
- Blue Mountains 90 Minute Army Truck Adventures: $67
- Army Truck Adventures - 90 Minute Guided Tour: $68
- Blue Mountains: Private Guided Interpretive Hiking Tour: $84
- Blue Mountains 3 Hour Army Truck Adventures: $101
- Army Truck Adventures - 3 Hour Guided Tour: $102
- Blue Mountains 1-Hour Trike Tour of Three Sisters: $111
- Small-Group Blue Mountains Tour with Bush Walks and Featherdale Wildlife Park: $120
- Half-Day Abseiling Adventure in Blue Mountains National Park: $120
- 4Hrs at Wolgan Valley Birdwatching Experience: $134
- Truffle Hunt and Taste Experience in Oberon, NSW Australia: $151
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGuilin $5.88Katoomba -
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Guilin and Katoomba, we can see that Katoomba 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 Katoomba 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 Katoomba would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Katoomba 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 Katoomba Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Guilin or Katoomba?
Guilin has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Katoomba. When comparing the sizes of Guilin and Katoomba, 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 Katoomba?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Katoomba 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 Katoomba in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Guilin and Katoomba. Furthermore, most visitors come to Katoomba for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
Guilin is a little warmer than Katoomba in the summer. The daily temperature in Guilin averages around 30°C (86°F) in July, and Katoomba fluctuates around 24°C (74°F)in January.
Katoomba receives a lot of rain in the summer. Guilin gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Guilin usually receives more rain than Katoombain January. Guilin gets 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 105 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryGuilin 30°C (86°F)Katoomba 24°C (74°F)
Should I visit Guilin or Katoomba in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Guilin as well as Katoomba. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Katoomba because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Guilin is a little warmer than Katoomba. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Guilin in October average around 23°C (73°F), and Katoomba averages at about 18°C (65°F)in April.
Guilin usually gets more rain in October than Katoombain April. Guilin gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilGuilin 23°C (73°F)Katoomba 18°C (65°F)
Should I visit Guilin or Katoomba in the Winter?
Both Katoomba and Guilin are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Katoomba this time of year.
In January, Guilin is generally around the same temperature as Katoombain July. Daily temperatures in Guilin average around 10°C (49°F), and Katoomba fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
In January, Guilin usually receives more rain than Katoombain July. Guilin gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyGuilin 10°C (49°F)Katoomba 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Guilin or Katoomba in the Spring?
Both Katoomba and Guilin during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Katoomba for the small town charm and the natural beauty.
Guilin is a little warmer than Katoomba in the spring. The daily temperature in Guilin averages around 20°C (68°F) in April, and Katoomba fluctuates around 18°C (64°F)in October.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Guilin. Guilin usually gets more rain in April than Katoombain October. Guilin gets 263 mm (10.3 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberGuilin 20°C (68°F)Katoomba 18°C (64°F)
Typical Weather for Katoomba and Guilin
| Guilin | Katoomba | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 10°C (49°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Feb | 11°C (51°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
| Mar | 15°C (59°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
| Apr | 20°C (68°F) | 263 mm (10.3 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| May | 25°C (77°F) | 334 mm (13.2 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 320 mm (12.6 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Aug | 30°C (86°F) | 168 mm (6.6 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 42 mm (1.6 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Nov | 17°C (63°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (53°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 70 mm (2.8 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.