Which place is cheaper, Katoomba or Harbin?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Harbin or Katoomba?
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 Katoomba can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Harbin or Katoomba?
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.
Katoomba
Designated an UNESCO World Heritage site in 2000, the Blue Mountains are located just west of Sydney in the highlands of New South Wales, Australia.
This area can be generally expensive, but is on par with other destinations in Australia and around Sydney. Plenty of luxury places can be found here that cost more than average, but plenty of cheaper places to stay can be found here, too. Expect to pay for various activities such as tours and entrance fees, too.
The landscape is sprawling with majestic scenery over a rugged terrain of steep cliffs, forests, waterfalls, and villages. Whether you come to hike, climb, bike, or drive to the scenic viewpoints, a curtain of tranquility falls upon the mountains in a blue haze from which they get their name.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in China, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Australia, and The Best Scuba Diving Tours in Australia.
-
Harbin Prices
China PricesKatoomba Prices
Australia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHarbin $66Katoomba $148
The average daily cost (per person) in Harbin is $66, while the average daily cost in Katoomba is $148. 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 Katoomba in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHarbin $21Katoomba $78
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHarbin $42Katoomba $156
Compare Hotels in Harbin and Katoomba
Looking for a hotel in Harbin or Katoomba? 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: Katoomba Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Harbin $1.52Katoomba $50
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 Katoomba?
Prices for flights to both Katoomba 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 $24Katoomba $30
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
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Harbin $53Katoomba $54
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
Tours and Activities in Katoomba
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Katoomba are as follows:
- Blue Mountains Day Tour with Wildlife and Scenic World: $101
- Army Truck Adventures - 3 Hour Guided Tour: $100
- Army Truck Adventures - 90 Minute Guided Tour: $66
- Beauty of the Blue Mountains Private Tour: $853
- Blue Labyrinth PRIVATE Tour: Sydney Blue Mountains by E-Bike : $251
- Blue Mountains 1-Hour Trike Tour of Three Sisters: $109
- Blue Mountains 3 Hour Army Truck Adventures: $99
- Blue Mountains 90 Minute Army Truck Adventures: $65
- Blue Mountains Day Tour With Bushwalks, Waterfalls & Featherdale: $126
- Blue Mountains Day Tour with Scenic World and Wildlife Park Entry: $118
- Blue Mountains Full Day Guided Tour : $221
- Blue Mountains Hop On Hop Off Tour: $73
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayHarbin $7.96Katoomba -
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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Harbin and Katoomba, we can see that Katoomba 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 Katoomba 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 Katoomba would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Katoomba 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 Katoomba Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Harbin or Katoomba?
Harbin has a larger population, and is about 170 times larger than the population of Katoomba. When comparing the sizes of Harbin and Katoomba, 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 Katoomba?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Katoomba 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 Katoomba in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Harbin as well as Katoomba. Also, most visitors come to Katoomba for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Harbin is generally around the same temperature as Katoombain January. Daily temperatures in Harbin average around 24°C (75°F), and Katoomba fluctuates around 24°C (74°F).
It's quite rainy in Katoomba. Harbin receives a lot of rain in the summer. Harbin usually gets more rain in July than Katoombain January. Harbin gets 153 mm (6 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 105 mm (4.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryHarbin 24°C (75°F)Katoomba 24°C (74°F)
Should I visit Harbin or Katoomba in the Autumn?
Both Katoomba and Harbin are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Katoomba because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.
Harbin is much colder than Katoomba in the autumn. The daily temperature in Harbin averages around 7°C (44°F) in October, and Katoomba fluctuates around 18°C (65°F)in April.
In October, Harbin usually receives less rain than Katoombain April. Harbin gets 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilHarbin 7°C (44°F)Katoomba 18°C (65°F)
Should I visit Harbin or Katoomba in the Winter?
Both Katoomba and Harbin during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Katoomba this time of year.
The weather in Harbin can be very cold. In the winter, Harbin is much colder than Katoomba. Typically, the winter temperatures in Harbin in January average around -18°C (-0°F), and Katoomba averages at about 11°C (51°F)in July.
Harbin usually gets less rain in January than Katoombain July. Harbin gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyHarbin -18°C (-0°F)Katoomba 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Harbin or Katoomba in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Harbin and Katoomba. Furthermore, many travelers come to Katoomba for the small town charm and the natural beauty.
In April, Harbin is generally much colder than Katoombain October. Daily temperatures in Harbin average around 8°C (46°F), and Katoomba fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
In April, Harbin usually receives less rain than Katoombain October. Harbin gets 21 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberHarbin 8°C (46°F)Katoomba 18°C (64°F)
Typical Weather for Katoomba and Harbin
| Harbin | Katoomba | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -18°C (-0°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Feb | -14°C (7°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
| Mar | -3°C (26°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
| Apr | 8°C (46°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| May | 15°C (60°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (75°F) | 153 mm (6 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Sep | 16°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 42 mm (1.6 in) |
| Oct | 7°C (44°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Nov | -4°C (24°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Dec | -14°C (7°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 70 mm (2.8 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.