A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Harbin vs. Byron Bay for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Harbin or Byron Bay?

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 Byron Bay can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Harbin or Byron Bay?

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.

Byron Bay

South of Brisbane, off the Pacific Highway, is the coastal town of Byron Bay. It is close to Cape Byron, which is the easternmost point in mainland Australia. Byron Bay makes its way onto most traveler's itineraries because of its wonderful beach activities. The area is world famous for its waves, making it popular with surfers, but it also has incredible scuba diving, whale watching, and a generally relaxed atmosphere. The area continues to rise in popularity with travelers and as such, amenities and facilities are popping up everywhere.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in China, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, The Best Walking Tours in Australia, and The Best Eco Tours in Australia.


Which place is cheaper, Byron Bay or Harbin?

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 Harbin is $66, while the average daily cost in Byron Bay is $175. 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 Byron Bay in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Harbin $21
    Byron Bay $67
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Harbin $42
    Byron Bay $134
Compare Hotels in Harbin and Byron Bay

Looking for a hotel in Harbin or Byron Bay? 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 Harbin


Hotels in Byron Bay


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: Byron Bay Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Harbin $1.52
    Byron Bay $32

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Harbin

Also for Harbin, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Harbin Airport (HRB) : Private Arrival Transfer with Meet & Greet Service: $32
  • Harbin Taiping Airport Chauffeur Service, Harbin Airport Transfer, Pick up.: $59
  • 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 Catholic Church Car Transfer Service: $80
  • 4 Hour Private Transfer to Sun Island Snow Sculptures: $100
  • Private Departure Transfer to Harbin North Railway Station from Harbin City: $100
  • Harbin Ice Festival Tickets and Transfer Service : $148
  • Private Full Day Transfer Service to Harbin Top Winter Attractions: $198
  • Shared Transfer Service to Ice and Snow World, Sun Island Snow Festival: $250
  • Harbin Volga Manor Private Transfer Service with Entry Tickets: $300

Is it cheaper to fly into Harbin or Byron Bay?

Prices for flights to both Byron Bay 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 day
    Harbin $24
    Byron Bay $83

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Harbin

For Harbin, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Dinner Show with Costumes and Performances: $29
  • Harbin Cultural Tour at Zhongyang Dajie to Baluoke with Dinner: $80
  • Central Street, Baluoke Village, and Dinner Tour: $90
  • Harbin Dumpling Cooking Class: $154
  • Hot Spring Experience with Hot Pot Dinner in Harbin: $300

Typical Food Prices in Byron Bay

Some typical examples of dining costs in Byron Bay are as follows:


  • Dinner at Olivo (for 2)
    $59

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Byron Bay

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Byron Bay.

  • Bangalow Native Bush Food Tour: $50

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Harbin $53
    Byron Bay $36

Tours and Activities in Harbin

For Harbin, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Harbin Ice and Snow World Ticket Booking: $51
  • Half Day Tour for Harbin Guandong Ancient Lane and Wood Sculpture Museum: $104
  • Harbin Summer Indoor Ice and Snow World Tour: $136
  • Harbin Ice Lantern Show and Center Street Tour: $150
  • Private Half Day Tour Harbin ConfucianTemple and Temple of Bliss (Jile Si): $157
  • 1-Day Harbin Private Tour: $168
  • Harbin City Guided Tour to Zhongyang Street and Sophia Church: $180
  • Private Half Day City Tour including Russian Town and Harbin Ropeway Ride: $198
  • Small Group Night Tour to Harbin Ice and Snow World: $199
  • Harbin City Private Day Tour in Your Way in Winter Season: $200
  • Harbin Ice Festival New Year Eve Countdown Group Tour on December 31: $200
  • Private Half Day Tour to Unit 731 Museum and Sites in Harbin: $218

Typical Entertainment Prices in Byron Bay

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Byron Bay are as follows:


  • Buddha Gardens Spa (for 2)
    $124
  • Surf Lesson
    $43

Tours and Activities in Byron Bay

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Byron Bay are as follows:

  • Tandem Skydive Experience : $288
  • Beyond Byron Hinterland Tour: $147
  • Brisbane: Byron Bay Day Tour - Lighthouse Sunset & The Farm: $125
  • Broken Head Aboriginal Tour: $50
  • Broken Head Aboriginal Tour: $50
  • Byron Bay Dolphin Tour - Ocean Safari: $64
  • Byron Bay Half-Day Tour: $65
  • Byron Bay Lighthouse Aboriginal Tour: $65
  • Byron Bay Lighthouse Aboriginal Tour: $67
  • Byron Bay Private Bike Tour : $50
  • Byron Bay Wild Koala Tour: $85
  • Byron Bay and Burleigh Heads Private Tour from Brisbane: $959

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Harbin $7.96
    Byron Bay $14

Sample the Local Flavors in Harbin

Also in Harbin, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Half-Day Private Harbin Beer Museum and Brewery Tour: $250

Sample the Local Flavors in Byron Bay

Also in Byron Bay, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Arvo Session Brewery and Distillery Tour: $99
  • Afternoon Brewery and Distillery session : $104
  • Full-Day Brewery and Distillery Tour with Lunch: $136
  • Full Barrel Brewery and Distillery tour: $138


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


Which is Bigger, Harbin or Byron Bay?

Harbin has a larger population, and is about 480 times larger than the population of Byron Bay. When comparing the sizes of Harbin and Byron Bay, 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 Harbin or Byron Bay?

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

The summer brings many poeple to Harbin as well as Byron Bay. Also, many visitors come to Byron Bay in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Harbin is around the same temperature as Byron Bay in the summer. The daily temperature in Harbin averages around 24°C (75°F) in July, and Byron Bay fluctuates around 23°C (74°F)in January.

It's quite rainy in Byron Bay. Harbin receives a lot of rain in the summer. Harbin usually gets more rain in July than Byron Bayin January. Harbin gets 153 mm (6 in) of rain, while Byron Bay receives 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Harbin 24°C (75°F) 
    Byron Bay 23°C (74°F)

Should I visit Harbin or Byron Bay in the Autumn?

Both Byron Bay and Harbin are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Byron Bay for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Harbin is much colder than Byron Bay. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Harbin in October average around 7°C (44°F), and Byron Bay averages at about 20°C (69°F)in April.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Byron Bay. In October, Harbin usually receives less rain than Byron Bayin April. Harbin gets 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Byron Bay receives 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Harbin 7°C (44°F) 
    Byron Bay 20°C (69°F)

Should I visit Harbin or Byron Bay in the Winter?

Both Byron Bay and Harbin during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Byron Bay because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Harbin can be very cold during winter. In January, Harbin is generally much colder than Byron Bayin July. Daily temperatures in Harbin average around -18°C (-0°F), and Byron Bay fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

Harbin usually gets less rain in January than Byron Bayin July. Harbin gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Byron Bay receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Harbin -18°C (-0°F) 
    Byron Bay 14°C (58°F)

Should I visit Harbin or Byron Bay in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Harbin and Byron Bay. Furthermore, the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Byron Bay this time of year.

Harbin is much colder than Byron Bay in the spring. The daily temperature in Harbin averages around 8°C (46°F) in April, and Byron Bay fluctuates around 19°C (67°F)in October.

In April, Harbin usually receives less rain than Byron Bayin October. Harbin gets 21 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Byron Bay receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Harbin 8°C (46°F) 
    Byron Bay 19°C (67°F)

Typical Weather for Byron Bay and Harbin

Harbin Byron Bay
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -18°C (-0°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 23°C (74°F) 140 mm (5.5 in)
Feb -14°C (7°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 24°C (74°F) 133 mm (5.2 in)
Mar -3°C (26°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 23°C (73°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)
Apr 8°C (46°F) 21 mm (0.8 in) 20°C (69°F) 133 mm (5.2 in)
May 15°C (60°F) 37 mm (1.5 in) 18°C (64°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)
Jun 21°C (70°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 15°C (59°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Jul 24°C (75°F) 153 mm (6 in) 14°C (58°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Aug 22°C (72°F) 116 mm (4.6 in) 15°C (59°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
Sep 16°C (60°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 17°C (63°F) 32 mm (1.2 in)
Oct 7°C (44°F) 23 mm (0.9 in) 19°C (67°F) 90 mm (3.5 in)
Nov -4°C (24°F) 8 mm (0.3 in) 21°C (70°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Dec -14°C (7°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 22°C (72°F) 118 mm (4.6 in)


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