A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Hangzhou vs. Fraser Island for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Hangzhou or Fraser Island?

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 Fraser Island. 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 Fraser Island?

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.

Fraser Island

Fraser Island, located off Australia's eastern Queensland coast, is the world's largest sand island. It is best known as a camping and ecotourism destination, with a number of panoramic viewpoints, beaches, lakes, and freshwater pools. Hervey Bay, a beachside city on the nearby mainland, is a primary gateway to the island.

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.


Which place is cheaper, Fraser Island or Hangzhou?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Hangzhou is $80, while the average daily cost in Fraser Island is $243. 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 Fraser Island in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Hangzhou $24
    Fraser Island $102
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Hangzhou $48
    Fraser Island $204
Compare Hotels in Hangzhou and Fraser Island

Looking for a hotel in Hangzhou or Fraser Island? 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.

Hotels in Hangzhou


Hotels in Fraser Island


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.


Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Hangzhou $8.24
    Fraser Island $93
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Hangzhou

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Hangzhou:


  • 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

Is it cheaper to fly into Hangzhou or Fraser Island?

Prices for flights to both Fraser Island 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Hangzhou $31
    Fraser Island $83
Typical Food Prices in Hangzhou

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Hangzhou:


  • Breakfast Pastries
    $2.38
  • 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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Hangzhou $20
    Fraser Island $45

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
  • A Local Breakfast Experience and TCM visit: $46
  • Hangzhou Bites: Local Guided Market Tour: $49
  • The Key to Zhejiang Culture – Guided Museum Tour: $53
  • 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
  • Zuiyi Hangzhou Impression West Lake Show Ticket: $75
  • Skip the Line Impression West Lake VIP Seat Ticket: $75
  • Jiaxing Wuzhen East and West Day Tour from Hangzhou: $80

Tours and Activities in Fraser Island

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Fraser Island are as follows:

  • 2 Hours Hervey Bay Funset Cruise: $53
  • Hervey Bay: Best Value Half Day Whale Watching Cruise: $80
  • Hervey Bay Ultimate Whale Watching Cruise: $80
  • Hervey Bay Whale Watching Cruise: $104
  • Hervey Bay: Half Day Whale watching & Island Stop Tour: $111
  • Remote K'gari (Fraser Island) & Whale Experience: $174
  • Remote Fraser Island Experience: $174
  • K'gari (Fraser Island) All Inclusive Day Tour: $175
  • K'gari (Fraser Island) Small Group Day Tour - From Rainbow Beach: $188
  • K'gari (Fraser Island) Small Group 4WD Adventure - From Noosa: $201
  • Fraser Experience Shared Full Day Guided Tour: $208
  • Hervey Bay to K'gari/Fraser Island 2-Day Tour (Beach House): $370

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Hangzhou $10
    Fraser Island $21


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hangzhou and Fraser Island, we can see that Fraser Island 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 Fraser Island 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 Fraser Island would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Fraser Island 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 Fraser Island Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Hangzhou or Fraser Island?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Fraser Island 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 Fraser Island in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Hangzhou and Fraser Island. Also, the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Fraser Island this time of year.

Hangzhou is a little warmer than Fraser Island in the summer. The daily temperature in Hangzhou averages around 29°C (85°F) in July, and Fraser Island fluctuates around 26°C (78°F)in January.

Fraser Island 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 Fraser Islandin January. Hangzhou gets 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Fraser Island receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Hangzhou 29°C (85°F) 
    Fraser Island 26°C (78°F)

Should I visit Hangzhou or Fraser Island in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Hangzhou as well as Fraser Island. Also, many travelers come to Fraser Island for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Hangzhou is cooler than Fraser Island. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hangzhou in October average around 19°C (66°F), and Fraser Island averages at about 22°C (72°F)in April.

Hangzhou usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Fraser Islandin April. Hangzhou gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Fraser Island receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Hangzhou 19°C (66°F) 
    Fraser Island 22°C (72°F)

Should I visit Hangzhou or Fraser Island in the Winter?

Both Fraser Island and Hangzhou are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Fraser Island in the winter for the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Hangzhou. In January, Hangzhou is generally much colder than Fraser Islandin July. Daily temperatures in Hangzhou average around 5°C (41°F), and Fraser Island fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

In January, Hangzhou usually receives around the same amount of rain as Fraser Islandin July. Hangzhou gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Fraser Island receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Hangzhou 5°C (41°F) 
    Fraser Island 15°C (59°F)

Should I visit Hangzhou or Fraser Island in the Spring?

Both Fraser Island and Hangzhou during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Fraser Island for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

Hangzhou is cooler than Fraser Island in the spring. The daily temperature in Hangzhou averages around 16°C (61°F) in April, and Fraser Island fluctuates around 21°C (71°F)in October.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Hangzhou. Hangzhou usually gets more rain in April than Fraser Islandin October. Hangzhou gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Fraser Island receives 75 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Hangzhou 16°C (61°F) 
    Fraser Island 21°C (71°F)

Typical Weather for Fraser Island and Hangzhou

Hangzhou Fraser Island
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 5°C (41°F) 59 mm (2.3 in) 26°C (78°F) 164 mm (6.5 in)
Feb 6°C (42°F) 88 mm (3.4 in) 25°C (78°F) 163 mm (6.4 in)
Mar 10°C (50°F) 115 mm (4.5 in) 24°C (76°F) 134 mm (5.3 in)
Apr 16°C (61°F) 130 mm (5.1 in) 22°C (72°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
May 21°C (70°F) 159 mm (6.3 in) 19°C (66°F) 78 mm (3.1 in)
Jun 25°C (77°F) 185 mm (7.3 in) 16°C (61°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Jul 29°C (85°F) 129 mm (5.1 in) 15°C (59°F) 59 mm (2.3 in)
Aug 29°C (84°F) 145 mm (5.7 in) 16°C (61°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Sep 24°C (76°F) 171 mm (6.7 in) 19°C (65°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)
Oct 19°C (66°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 21°C (71°F) 75 mm (2.9 in)
Nov 13°C (56°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 23°C (74°F) 106 mm (4.2 in)
Dec 7°C (45°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 25°C (77°F) 134 mm (5.3 in)