Which place is cheaper, Airlie Beach or Hangzhou?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Hangzhou or Airlie Beach?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Hangzhou and Airlie Beach. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Hangzhou or Airlie Beach?
Hangzhou
Hangzhou is a city in Eastern China, about an hour by train from Shanghai, renowned for its historic relics and natural beauty. Each year it attracts more than 20 million tourists who come to see what the city has to offer. Set amongst the natural scenery of lakes and mountains, Hangzhou is modern city that coexists with the old. Historic pagodas and cultural sites built around the central lake sit like they belong amidst the skyscrapers and bustling markets of today.
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 Adventure Tours to China, The Best Sightseeing Tours in China, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Australia, and The Best Honeymoon Tours in Australia.
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Hangzhou Prices
China PricesAirlie Beach Prices
Australia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHangzhou $80Airlie Beach $165
The average daily cost (per person) in Hangzhou is $80, while the average daily cost in Airlie Beach is $165. 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 Hangzhou and Airlie Beach in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHangzhou $24Airlie Beach $59
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHangzhou $48Airlie Beach $118
Compare Hotels in Hangzhou and Airlie Beach
Looking for a hotel in Hangzhou 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.Hangzhou $8.24Airlie Beach $19
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Hangzhou
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Hangzhou:
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Local Bus for Two$0.56
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hangzhou
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hangzhou:
- Private Transfer between Hangzhou Songcheng Park and City Area: $23
- Private Transfer to Impression West Lake show in Hangzhou: $27
- Hangzhou Private Transfer: City Hotels to Railway Station: $28
- [Airport Transfer] Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport ⇔ Hangzhou City Transfer ☆ High reputation for service! <Charter charter>: $29
- Hangzhou Railway Station Private Arrival Transfer to City Area : $29
- Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport Private Arrival Transfer to City Area : $29
- Hangzhou Xiaoshan Int'l Airport Private Departure Transfer from City Area : $29
- Hangzhou Downtown transfer to Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport: $35
- Private Arrival Transfer from Hangzhou Train Station to Hangzhou Downtown Hotel: $39
- Private Hangzhou Airport Transfer from Railway Station: $41
- Private Hangzhou Airport Transfer to City Hotels or Railway Station: $41
- Private Hangzhou Airport Transfer from Xixi Wetland Resorts and Hotels: $43
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Airlie Beach
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Airlie Beach:
- Transfer from Whitsunday Coast Airport: $17
- Airport Transfer to Shute Harbour / Renta Yacht / Freedom Shores: $32
- Established Return Airport Transfer Proserpine to Airlie Beach: $28
- One Way Airport Transfer: Proserpine-Airlie Beach (or vice versa): $17
- Private Transfer to/from Shute Harbour: $134
- Private Transfer to/from Whitsunday Coast Airport: $148
- Whitsundays: Airport Transfer to/from Airlie Beach: $16
Is it cheaper to fly into Hangzhou or Airlie Beach?
Prices for flights to both Airlie Beach and Hangzhou 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 dayHangzhou $31Airlie Beach $55
Typical Food Prices in Hangzhou
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Hangzhou:
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Breakfast Pastries$2.38
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Pizza Hut Lunch$11
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hangzhou
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Hangzhou.
- All Inclusive Night Tour with Impression West Lake Show VIP Ticket and Dinner: $117
- Hangzhou One Day Local Food Tour: $124
- Private Amazing Hangzhou Airport Layover Tour with Lunch or Dinner Option : $170
- Xitang Water Town Private Night Tour from Hangzhou with Dinner: $203
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: $82
- Whitsundays Segway Sunset and Boardwalk Tour with Dinner: $83
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hangzhou $20Airlie Beach $161
Tours and Activities in Hangzhou
Here are a few actual costs in Hangzhou for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Fei Lai Peak (Lingyin Temple) E-Ticket: $12
- Hangzhou Ghost Market Adventure: Antique Hunt & Bargain Tour: $40
- The Key to Zhejiang Culture – Guided Museum Tour: $45
- A Local Breakfast Experience and TCM visit: $46
- Hangzhou Bites: Local Guided Market Tour: $49
- Authentic Hangzhou Longjing Tea Culture Experience Tour : $53
- Best Price: Impression West Lake Show Ticket: $59
- Skip the Line: Impression West Lake Show Ticket: $65
- Zhejiang University Guided Campus Tour: $65
- Skip the Line Impression West Lake VIP Seat Ticket: $75
- Zuiyi Hangzhou Impression West Lake Show Ticket: $75
- Jiaxing Wuzhen East and West Day Tour from Hangzhou: $80
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: $20
- 2-Hour Sunset Cruise with Sparkling Wine: $45
- Roundtrip Tour to Cedar Creek.: $45
- Sundowner Sunset Cruise Airlie Beach: $46
- Whisper Cruises - One-Hour Turtle Spotting Bay Cruise: $46
- Airlie Beach Sunset Cruise : $46
- Airlie Beach Trike Tours: $50
- Whitsundays Sunset Sailing Cruise: $57
- Glass-Bottom Boat Tour: $59
- Airlie Beach Glass Bottom Boat Tour: $59
- #1 Sightseeing Explorer 3hr tour.: $62
- Half Day Turtle Tour Sea Kayaking Adventure: $65
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHangzhou $10Airlie Beach $9.06
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hangzhou and Airlie Beach, we can see that Airlie Beach is more expensive. And not only is Hangzhou much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Hangzhou 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 Hangzhou would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hangzhou 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 Hangzhou.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hangzhou Expensive? and Is Airlie Beach Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Hangzhou 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 Hangzhou has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Hangzhou or Airlie Beach in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Hangzhou and Airlie Beach. Also, the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Airlie Beach this time of year.
In July, Hangzhou is generally a little warmer than Airlie Beachin January. Daily temperatures in Hangzhou average around 29°C (85°F), and Airlie Beach fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
Airlie Beach receives a lot of rain in the summer. Hangzhou gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Hangzhou usually receives less rain than Airlie Beachin January. Hangzhou gets 129 mm (5.1 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 JanuaryHangzhou 29°C (85°F)Airlie Beach 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Hangzhou or Airlie Beach in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Hangzhou as well as Airlie Beach. Also, many travelers come to Airlie Beach for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Hangzhou is cooler than Airlie Beach in the autumn. The daily temperature in Hangzhou averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Airlie Beach fluctuates around 23°C (73°F)in April.
It's quite rainy in Airlie Beach. Hangzhou usually gets less rain in October than Airlie Beachin April. Hangzhou gets 90 mm (3.5 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 AprilHangzhou 19°C (66°F)Airlie Beach 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Hangzhou or Airlie Beach in the Winter?
Both Airlie Beach and Hangzhou are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Airlie Beach in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Hangzhou. In the winter, Hangzhou is much colder than Airlie Beach. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hangzhou in January average around 5°C (41°F), and Airlie Beach averages at about 16°C (62°F)in July.
In January, Hangzhou usually receives more rain than Airlie Beachin July. Hangzhou gets 59 mm (2.3 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 JulyHangzhou 5°C (41°F)Airlie Beach 16°C (62°F)
Should I visit Hangzhou or Airlie Beach in the Spring?
Both Airlie Beach and Hangzhou during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Airlie Beach for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.
In April, Hangzhou is generally cooler than Airlie Beachin October. Daily temperatures in Hangzhou average around 16°C (61°F), and Airlie Beach fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Hangzhou. Hangzhou usually gets more rain in April than Airlie Beachin October. Hangzhou gets 130 mm (5.1 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 OctoberHangzhou 16°C (61°F)Airlie Beach 23°C (73°F)
Typical Weather for Airlie Beach and Hangzhou
| Hangzhou | Airlie Beach | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 5°C (41°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 331 mm (13 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (42°F) | 88 mm (3.4 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 377 mm (14.8 in) |
| Mar | 10°C (50°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 312 mm (12.3 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (61°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| May | 21°C (70°F) | 159 mm (6.3 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (77°F) | 185 mm (7.3 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (76°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (56°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Dec | 7°C (45°F) | 49 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.