Which place is cheaper, Surfers Paradise or Harbin?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Harbin or Surfers Paradise?
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 Surfers Paradise can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Harbin or Surfers Paradise?
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.
Surfers Paradise
A tourist mecca, Surfers Paradise is one of the most popular travel destinations along Australia's famed Gold Coast. The beach stretches for miles and there is an endless supply of almost constant parties. You'll find high rise apartments lined up along the shore and plenty of shopping areas, restaurants, nightclubs, and bars. Travelers from around the world visit the area, and it's a right of passage for Australia's teens to vacation in or near Surfers Paradise. For many travelers, Surfers Paradise comes across as little more than a mass marketed, over commercialized, party destination, but for others it is a vacation dream. Prices are highly inflated so you have to keep your whits about you to avoid being ripped off. Surfers Paradise is a destination of extremes and it conjures up extreme emotions in many travelers, be it positive or negative.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in China, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, The Best Luxury Tours to Australia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Australia.
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Harbin Prices
China PricesSurfers Paradise Prices
Australia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHarbin $66Surfers Paradise $124
The average daily cost (per person) in Harbin is $66, while the average daily cost in Surfers Paradise is $124. 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 Surfers Paradise in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHarbin $21Surfers Paradise $67
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHarbin $42Surfers Paradise $134
Compare Hotels in Harbin and Surfers Paradise
Looking for a hotel in Harbin or Surfers Paradise? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Harbin $1.52Surfers Paradise $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Harbin
Also for Harbin, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shared Transfer Service to Ice and Snow World, Sun Island Snow Festival: $250
- Private HRB Airport Departure Transfer from Harbin City Hotel: $70
- Private HRB Airport Arrival Transfer to Harbin City Hotel: $70
- Private Full Day Transfer Service to Harbin Top Winter Attractions: $198
- Private Departure Transfer to Harbin North Railway Station from Harbin City: $100
- Private Arrival Transfer from Harbin West Railway Station to Harbin City Hotel: $65
- Harbin Volga Manor Private Transfer Service with Entry Tickets: $300
- Harbin Taiping Airport Chauffeur Service, Harbin Airport Transfer, Pick up.: $59
- Harbin Ice Festival Tickets and Transfer Service : $148
- Harbin Catholic Church Car Transfer Service: $80
- Harbin Airport (HRB) : Private Arrival Transfer with Meet & Greet Service: $32
- 4 Hour Private Transfer to Sun Island Snow Sculptures: $100
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Surfers Paradise
Also for Surfers Paradise, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Gold Coast Theme Parks: Shared Hotel Transfers: $15
Is it cheaper to fly into Harbin or Surfers Paradise?
Prices for flights to both Surfers Paradise 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
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Food Meals for one dayHarbin $24Surfers Paradise $45
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Surfers Paradise
For Surfers Paradise, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Buffet Dinner Sightseeing Cruise: $85
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Harbin $53Surfers Paradise $24
Tours and Activities in Harbin
For Harbin, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Harbin Igloos Hot Pot Private Tour: $300
- Private Night Tour to Harbin Ice Festival: $261
- 1-Day Harbin Private Tour: $168
- 2-Day Harbin City Private Tour in Your Way in Winter Season: $280
- All-Inclusive Harbin City History and Local Culture Private Day Tour: $300
- Group Tour to Harbin Ice and Snow World plus Sun Island Snow Sculpture Festival: $298
- Half Day Tour for Harbin Guandong Ancient Lane and Wood Sculpture Museum: $104
- Half-Day Private Old Harbin Street Walking Tour with Meal: $300
- Harbin City Guided Tour to Zhongyang Street and Sophia Church: $180
- 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
- Harbin Ice Lantern Show and Center Street Tour: $150
Typical Entertainment Prices in Surfers Paradise
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Surfers Paradise's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Surf Lesson$79
Tours and Activities in Surfers Paradise
For Surfers Paradise, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Catch a Crab Tour with Optional Seafood Lunch: $63
- Evening Rainforest & Glow Worm Tour from Gold Coast: $80
- Glow Worms + Day/Night Rainforest & Waterfalls Experience: $133
- Gold Coast Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing Cruise 1 Day Pass: $30
- Gold Coast Quack'rDuck Amphibious Tour from Surfers Paradise: $37
- Gold Coast: 360-Degree High-Speed Jet Boat Adventure: $39
- Gold Coast: Springbrook 7 Waterfalls and Natural Bridge Day Tour: $120
- HOTA: Gold Coast Home of the Arts Cruise & Dine Experience Pass: $27
- Kangaroos & Koalas in the Wild - Private Nature Experience: $227
- Kangaroos and Mountain Views Day Tour from Gold Coast: $80
- Lamington National Park, O'Reilly's & Vineyard Tour: $86
- Natural Bridge Glow Worm Night Tour from Gold Coast: $60
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHarbin $7.96Surfers Paradise $11
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 Surfers Paradise, we can see that Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Harbin or Surfers Paradise?
Harbin has a larger population, and is about 170 times larger than the population of Surfers Paradise. When comparing the sizes of Harbin and Surfers Paradise, 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 Surfers Paradise?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise in the Summer?
Both Surfers Paradise and Harbin are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Surfers Paradise for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Harbin is around the same temperature as Surfers Paradise. Typically, the summer temperatures in Harbin in July average around 24°C (75°F), and Surfers Paradise averages at about 25°C (77°F)in January.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Surfers Paradise. It's quite rainy in Harbin. In July, Harbin usually receives less rain than Surfers Paradisein January. Harbin gets 153 mm (6 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryHarbin 24°C (75°F)Surfers Paradise 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Harbin or Surfers Paradise in the Autumn?
Both Surfers Paradise and Harbin during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Surfers Paradise in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.
In October, Harbin is generally much colder than Surfers Paradisein April. Daily temperatures in Harbin average around 7°C (44°F), and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).
Surfers Paradise gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Harbin usually gets less rain in October than Surfers Paradisein April. Harbin gets 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilHarbin 7°C (44°F)Surfers Paradise 22°C (71°F)
Should I visit Harbin or Surfers Paradise in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Harbin and Surfers Paradise. Furthermore, most visitors come to Surfers Paradise for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Harbin can get quite cold in the winter. Harbin is much colder than Surfers Paradise in the winter. The daily temperature in Harbin averages around -18°C (-0°F) in January, and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 15°C (59°F)in July.
In January, Harbin usually receives less rain than Surfers Paradisein July. Harbin gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyHarbin -18°C (-0°F)Surfers Paradise 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Harbin or Surfers Paradise in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Harbin as well as Surfers Paradise. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Surfers Paradise because of the beaches.
In the spring, Harbin is much colder than Surfers Paradise. Typically, the spring temperatures in Harbin in April average around 8°C (46°F), and Surfers Paradise averages at about 21°C (69°F)in October.
It's quite rainy in Surfers Paradise. Harbin usually gets less rain in April than Surfers Paradisein October. Harbin gets 21 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberHarbin 8°C (46°F)Surfers Paradise 21°C (69°F)
Typical Weather for Surfers Paradise and Harbin
| Harbin | Surfers Paradise | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -18°C (-0°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Feb | -14°C (7°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 157 mm (6.2 in) |
| Mar | -3°C (26°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Apr | 8°C (46°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| May | 15°C (60°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (75°F) | 153 mm (6 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 16°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Oct | 7°C (44°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 103 mm (4 in) |
| Nov | -4°C (24°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Dec | -14°C (7°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 129 mm (5.1 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.