Which place is cheaper, Airlie Beach or Harbin?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Harbin or Airlie Beach?
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 Harbin and Airlie Beach can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Harbin or Airlie Beach?
Harbin
Harbin, China is the northernmost major city in the country, with a population of over 10 million. Harbin was founded in 1897 by Russia, which has resulted in a lot of Russian influence throughout the city and many Russian citizens. The city is most famous for their annual International Snow and Ice Festival, a two-month-long festival running from January through February of each year.
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 2-Week Tours in China, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, The Best Adventure Tours to Australia, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Australia.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHarbin $54Airlie Beach $141
The average daily cost (per person) in Harbin is $54, while the average daily cost in Airlie Beach 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 Harbin and Airlie Beach in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHarbin $21Airlie Beach $58
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHarbin $42Airlie Beach $116
Compare Hotels in Harbin and Airlie Beach
Looking for a hotel in Harbin 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
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Harbin $1.49Airlie Beach $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Harbin
Also for Harbin, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Departure Transfer:City Hotel to Any Harbin Railway Station : $25
- Harbin Airport Chauffeur Service, Harbin Airport Transfer: $27
- Harbin Airport (HRB) : Private Arrival Transfer with Meet & Greet Service: $32
- Private Arrival Transfer from Harbin West Railway Station to Harbin City Hotel: $65
- Private HRB Airport Departure Transfer from Harbin City Hotel: $70
- Private HRB Airport Arrival Transfer to Harbin City Hotel: $70
- Harbin Taiping Airport Chauffeur Service , Harbin Airport Transfer,Pick up: $78
- Shared Night Transfer Service to Harbin Ice and Snow World: $85
- Harbin City Car Transfer Service with Driver: $168
- Private Full Day Transfer Service to Harbin Top Winter Attractions: $168
- Shared Transfer Service to Ice and Snow World, Sun Island Snow Festival: $250
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Airlie Beach
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Airlie Beach:
- Whitsunday: Prosperpine Airport to Airlie Beach Transfer: $16
- Whitehaven Beach Club Transfers from Airlie Beach: $92
- South Molle Island Camping Transfer: $59
- South Molle Island Camping Transfer: $47
- Return Transfer PPP Airport Shute Harbour / Renta Yacht / Freedom Shores: $32
- One Way Only - Airport Transfer share shuttle service: $17
- Crayfish Beach Hook Island Camping Transfer: $139
- Airport Transfers - Return (round fare) share shuttle service: $28
- Private Transfer to Whitsunday Coast Airport: $314
Is it cheaper to fly into Harbin or Airlie Beach?
Prices for flights to both Airlie Beach and Harbin 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 dayHarbin $14Airlie Beach $32
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Harbin
For Harbin, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Half-Day Private Harbin Beer Museum and Food Tour Including Harbin Beer1900: $157
- 4-Hour Private Night Tour to Harbin Ice and Snow World with Dinner Options: $261
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: $72
- Whitsundays Segway Sunset and Boardwalk Tour with Dinner: $83
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Harbin $52Airlie Beach $160
Tours and Activities in Harbin
For Harbin, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1-Day Harbin Private Tour: $130
- 4-Hour Private Tour of the Largest Indoor Ice and Snow Paradise: $136
- Private Half Day City Tour including Russian Town and Harbin Ropeway Ride: $150
- Harbin City Guided Tour to Zhongyang Street and Sophia Church: $180
- Small Group Night Tour to Harbin Ice and Snow World: $198
- Harbin Ice Festival New Year Eve Countdown Group Tour on December 31: $200
- Harbin City Private Day Tour in Your Way in Winter Season: $200
- Small Group Tour to Harbin Siberian Park Tiger: $200
- Private Harbin Ice Festival Night Tour: $209
- Songhua River Boat Tour and Food Experience in Harbin: $230
- Full Day Private Tour to Harbin Ice and Snow Festival: $250
- 2-Day Harbin City Private Tour in Your Way in Winter Season: $280
Tours and Activities in Airlie Beach
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Airlie Beach are as follows:
- 1 hour Mimosa Morning Turtle Spotting Cruise: $59
- 1-Day Whitsunday Islands Cruise: Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet: $140
- 2 Hour Airlie Beach Sunset Cruise: $59
- Airlie Beach Glass Bottom Boat Tour: $59
- Airlie Beach Jet Ski Tour: $105
- Airlie Beach Sunset Cruise : $46
- Airlie Beach Trike Tours: $50
- Airlie Beach sightseeing Tour: $50
- 2-Hour Sunset Cruise with Sparkling Wine: $45
- Adults-Only Whitehaven Beach Sailing Tour: $182
- Airlie Adventure Jet Ski Tour: $163
- Glass-Bottom Boat Tour: $58
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayHarbin $7.83Airlie Beach $8.99
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Harbin and Airlie Beach, we can see that Airlie Beach is more expensive. And not only is Harbin much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Harbin 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 Harbin would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Harbin 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 Harbin.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Harbin Expensive? and Is Airlie Beach Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Harbin 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 Harbin has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Harbin or Airlie Beach in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Harbin as well as Airlie Beach. Also, most visitors come to Airlie Beach for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Harbin is generally around the same temperature as Airlie Beachin January. Daily temperatures in Harbin average around 24°C (75°F), and Airlie Beach fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
It's quite rainy in Airlie Beach. Harbin receives a lot of rain in the summer. Harbin usually gets less rain in July than Airlie Beachin January. Harbin gets 153 mm (6 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 331 mm (13 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryHarbin 24°C (75°F)Airlie Beach 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Harbin or Airlie Beach in the Autumn?
Both Airlie Beach and Harbin are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Airlie Beach because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Harbin is much colder than Airlie Beach in the autumn. The daily temperature in Harbin averages around 7°C (44°F) in October, and Airlie Beach fluctuates around 23°C (73°F)in April.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Airlie Beach. In October, Harbin usually receives less rain than Airlie Beachin April. Harbin gets 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilHarbin 7°C (44°F)Airlie Beach 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Harbin or Airlie Beach in the Winter?
Both Airlie Beach and Harbin during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Airlie Beach this time of year.
The weather in Harbin can be very cold. In the winter, Harbin is much colder than Airlie Beach. Typically, the winter temperatures in Harbin in January average around -18°C (-0°F), and Airlie Beach averages at about 16°C (62°F)in July.
Harbin usually gets less rain in January than Airlie Beachin July. Harbin gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyHarbin -18°C (-0°F)Airlie Beach 16°C (62°F)
Should I visit Harbin or Airlie Beach in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Harbin and Airlie Beach. Furthermore, many travelers come to Airlie Beach for the beaches and the natural beauty.
In April, Harbin is generally much colder than Airlie Beachin October. Daily temperatures in Harbin average around 8°C (46°F), and Airlie Beach fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
In April, Harbin usually receives less rain than Airlie Beachin October. Harbin gets 21 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberHarbin 8°C (46°F)Airlie Beach 23°C (73°F)
Typical Weather for Airlie Beach and Harbin
| Harbin | Airlie Beach | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -18°C (-0°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 331 mm (13 in) |
| Feb | -14°C (7°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 377 mm (14.8 in) |
| Mar | -3°C (26°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 312 mm (12.3 in) |
| Apr | 8°C (46°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| May | 15°C (60°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (75°F) | 153 mm (6 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| Sep | 16°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Oct | 7°C (44°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | -4°C (24°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Dec | -14°C (7°F) | 5 mm (0.2 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.