Which place is cheaper, Cairns or Hangzhou?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Hangzhou or Cairns?
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 Cairns. 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 Cairns?
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.
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 Adventure Tours to China, The Best Sightseeing Tours in China, The Best Luxury Tours to Australia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Australia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHangzhou $67Cairns $100
The average daily cost (per person) in Hangzhou is $67, while the average daily cost in Cairns is $100. 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 Cairns in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHangzhou $24Cairns $45
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHangzhou $48Cairns $90
Compare Hotels in Hangzhou and Cairns
Looking for a hotel in Hangzhou 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.Hangzhou $8.34Cairns $13
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$0.57
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hangzhou
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hangzhou:
- Wuzhen Water Town Self-Guided Tour with Private Transfer from Hangzhou : $87
- Wuzhen & Xitang Water Town Self-Guided Tour with Private Transfer from Hangzhou: $97
- Water Town and West Lake Sightseeing with Hangzhou Hotel or Railway Station Transfer: $217
- VIP Seated Enduring Memories of Hangzhou Show with Private Transfer: $83
- Skip the Line: Impression West Lake Show VIP Seat Ticket with Pick-up Transfer: $82
- Skip the Line: Impression West Lake Show Ticket with Pick-up Transfer: $72
- Private Transfer to Yiwu City from Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport: $125
- Private Transfer to Yellow Mountain from Hangzhou: $196
- Private Transfer to Wuzhen Water Town from Hangzhou: $88
- Private Transfer to Suzhou City from Hangzhou: $113
- Private Transfer to Shanghai Pudong Airport from Hangzhou: $129
- Private Transfer to Mogan Mountian from Hangzhou: $85
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cairns
Also for Cairns, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Affordable Private Transfer from Cairns Airport to Port Douglas: $114
- Airport Transfer - Cairns Airport to City: $61
- Airport Transfer - Cairns Airport to Northern Beaches: $61
- Airport Transfer - Cairns City to Airport: $61
- Airport Transfer - Northern Beaches to Cairns Airport: $77
- Airport Transfers between Cairns Airport and Cairns City: $14
- Airport Transfers between Cairns Airport and Palm Cove: $21
- Cairns Airport (CNS) Arrival Transfer (CNS Airport to Cairns Hotels or Address): $151
- Cairns Airport (CNS) to Cairns hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $126
- Cairns Airport (CNS) to Palm Cove - Round-Trip Private Transfer : $103
- Cairns Airport (CNS) to Port Douglas - Arrival Private Transfer: $138
- Cairns Airport (CNS): Private Transfer to Cairns Cruise Port: $164
Is it cheaper to fly into Hangzhou or Cairns?
Prices for flights to both Cairns 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 $18Cairns $29
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$2.41
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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
- Private Amazing Hangzhou Airport Layover Tour with Lunch or Dinner Option : $170
- Wuzhen Ancient Water Town Private Night Tour from Hangzhou with Dinner Option: $185
- Xitang Water Town Private Night Tour from Hangzhou with Dinner: $203
- Hangzhou Private Tour to Wuzhen Water Town with Lunch or Dinner: $213
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cairns
For Cairns, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Dinner Cruise Experience: $88
- Cairns Luxury Catamaran Harbor and Dinner Cruise: $90
- Night at the Aquarium Guided Tour & 2 Course Dinner: $99
- Guided Twilight Tour with 3-Course Dinner: $122
- City Sights Tour with Evening Dinner Cruise: $156
- Small-Group Afternoon Cairns City Tour with Harbour Dinner Cruise: $167
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hangzhou $21Cairns $39
Tours and Activities in Hangzhou
Here are a few actual costs in Hangzhou for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 1-day Village Tea Picking, Roasting & Serving Guided Private Tour from Hangzhou : $244
- 2-Day Live-in Temple Buddhist Monk Mediation Experience from Hangzhou: $252
- 3 days tour Shanghai Huangshan & Hangzhou by bullet trains: $830
- 4-Hour Hangzhou City Private Customized Tour with Options: $112
- 4-Hour Hangzhou Highlights Tour of Lingyin Temple and West Lake: $188
- 4-Hour Hangzhou Summit and Former Residence of Xueyan Hu Private Tour: $141
- 5 hours Hangzhou Tour Itinerary: $159
- A Depth-Tour to Explore Xixi Wetland Park including Fishing experience: $205
- All Inclusive Tour of Lingyin Temple and Pagoda of Six Harmonies: $199
- All-inclusive Customized Hangzhou Private Day Tour: $216
- Authentic Hangzhou Longjing Tea Culture Experience Tour : $53
- Best Price: Impression West Lake Show Ticket: $59
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$38
Tours and Activities in Cairns
For Cairns, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Koalas and Creatures Entry Ticket: $14
- Cairns Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
- Kuranda Koala Gardens General Entry Ticket: $15
- Cairns Self-Guided Audio Tour: $16
- Cairns Pub & Club Tour: $28
- Entry Ticket at Historic Village Herberton: $29
- Hartley's Crocodile Adventures General Entry Ticket: $31
- Cairns Koalas and Creatures Entry Ticket with Koala Photo: $36
- Cairns Aquarium General Admission Ticket: $39
- Sightseeing River Boat Safari with Soft Drinks: $44
- Sunset River Cruise with Snack and Drinks: $44
- Rusty's Market Foodlovers Tour: $45
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHangzhou $11Cairns $14
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: $146
- From Atherton Tablelands Food and Wine Tasting Tour: $167
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hangzhou and Cairns, we can see that Cairns 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 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 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 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 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 Cairns Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hangzhou or Cairns?
Hangzhou has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Cairns. When comparing the sizes of Hangzhou 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 Hangzhou 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 Hangzhou has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Hangzhou or Cairns in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Hangzhou as well as Cairns. Additionally, many travelers come to Cairns for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Hangzhou is around the same temperature as Cairns. Typically, the summer temperatures in Hangzhou in July average around 29°C (85°F), and Cairns averages at about 29°C (84°F)in January.
It's quite rainy in Cairns. Hangzhou receives a lot of rain in the summer. Hangzhou usually gets less rain in July than Cairnsin January. Hangzhou gets 129 mm (5.1 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 JanuaryHangzhou 29°C (85°F)Cairns 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Hangzhou or Cairns in the Autumn?
Both Cairns and Hangzhou are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Cairns in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.
In October, Hangzhou is generally cooler than Cairnsin April. Daily temperatures in Hangzhou average around 19°C (66°F), and Cairns fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Cairns. In October, Hangzhou usually receives less rain than Cairnsin April. Hangzhou gets 90 mm (3.5 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 AprilHangzhou 19°C (66°F)Cairns 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Hangzhou or Cairns in the Winter?
Both Cairns and Hangzhou during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Cairns for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Hangzhou can get quite cold in the winter. Hangzhou is much colder than Cairns in the winter. The daily temperature in Hangzhou averages around 5°C (41°F) in January, and Cairns fluctuates around 23°C (73°F)in July.
Hangzhou usually gets more rain in January than Cairnsin July. Hangzhou gets 59 mm (2.3 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 JulyHangzhou 5°C (41°F)Cairns 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Hangzhou or Cairns in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Hangzhou and Cairns. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Cairns because of the beaches.
In the spring, Hangzhou is much colder than Cairns. Typically, the spring temperatures in Hangzhou in April average around 16°C (61°F), and Cairns averages at about 27°C (80°F)in October.
Hangzhou gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Hangzhou usually receives more rain than Cairnsin October. Hangzhou gets 130 mm (5.1 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 OctoberHangzhou 16°C (61°F)Cairns 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Cairns and Hangzhou
| Hangzhou | Cairns | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 5°C (41°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 429 mm (16.9 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (42°F) | 88 mm (3.4 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 469 mm (18.5 in) |
| Mar | 10°C (50°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 471 mm (18.5 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (61°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 273 mm (10.8 in) |
| May | 21°C (70°F) | 159 mm (6.3 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (77°F) | 185 mm (7.3 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 62 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (76°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (56°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Dec | 7°C (45°F) | 49 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.