Which place is cheaper, Torquay or Harbin?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Harbin or Torquay?
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 Torquay can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Harbin or Torquay?
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.
Torquay
Located on the eastern end of the Great Ocean Road, Torquay is a seaside town of Victoria famous for its surfing and beaches. Surf town through and through, it is also the headquarters for the Quiksilver and Rip Curl surf gear companies, and home to the Rip Curl Easter Pro, the world's longest running surf contest held on Bells Beach.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in China, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, The Best Budget Tours to Australia, and The Best Luxury Tours to Australia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHarbin $54Torquay $86
The average daily cost (per person) in Harbin is $54, while the average daily cost in Torquay is $86. 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 Torquay in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHarbin $21Torquay $39
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHarbin $42Torquay $78
Compare Hotels in Harbin and Torquay
Looking for a hotel in Harbin or Torquay? 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 $1.49Torquay $39
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
- Harbin City Car Transfer Service with Driver: $168
- Private Full Day Transfer Service to Harbin Top Winter Attractions: $168
- Shared Night Transfer Service to Harbin Ice and Snow World: $85
- Harbin Taiping Airport Chauffeur Service , Harbin Airport Transfer,Pick up: $78
- Private HRB Airport Departure Transfer from Harbin City Hotel: $70
- Private HRB Airport Arrival Transfer to Harbin City Hotel: $70
- Private Arrival Transfer from Harbin West Railway Station to Harbin City Hotel: $65
- Harbin Airport (HRB) : Private Arrival Transfer with Meet & Greet Service: $32
- Harbin Airport Chauffeur Service, Harbin Airport Transfer: $27
- Private Departure Transfer:City Hotel to Any Harbin Railway Station : $25
Is it cheaper to fly into Harbin or Torquay?
Prices for flights to both Torquay 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 $14Torquay $25
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Harbin $52Torquay $11
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
- 2-Day Harbin City Private Tour in Your Way in Winter Season: $280
- 4-Hour Private Tour of the Largest Indoor Ice and Snow Paradise: $136
- From Amazing Day Trip Including tickets: $400
- Full Day Private Tour to Harbin Ice and Snow Festival: $250
- Group Tour to Harbin Ice and Snow World plus Sun Island Snow Sculpture Festival: $298
- Harbin City Group Tour including Crossing Songhua River by Ropeway and Ice Swimming Show: $290
- 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
- Private City Tour of Harbin: $360
- Private Half Day City Tour including Russian Town and Harbin Ropeway Ride: $150
Tours and Activities in Torquay
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Torquay.
- Fraser Island & Dolphin Sailing Adventure: $73
- Hervey Bay Whale Watching Experience: $94
- K'gari (Fraser Island) West Coast Half Day Cruise from Hervey Bay: $93
- Milbi Sunset Cruise with Champagne and Prawns: $52
- Spirit of Hervey Bay Whale Watching Cruise: $92
- Three-Quarter Day Hervey Bay Premium Whale Watching Cruise: $119
- Turtle Discovery & Great Sandy Marine Park Adventure: $83
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHarbin $7.83Torquay $7.42
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Harbin and Torquay, we can see that Torquay 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 Torquay 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 Torquay would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Torquay 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 Torquay Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Harbin or Torquay?
Harbin has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Torquay. When comparing the sizes of Harbin and Torquay, 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 Torquay?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Torquay 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 Torquay in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Harbin and Torquay. Furthermore, many travelers come to Torquay for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.
Harbin is around the same temperature as Torquay in the summer. The daily temperature in Harbin averages around 24°C (75°F) in July, and Torquay fluctuates around 26°C (78°F)in January.
Torquay receives a lot of rain in the summer. Harbin gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Harbin usually receives around the same amount of rain as Torquayin January. Harbin gets 153 mm (6 in) of rain, while Torquay receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryHarbin 24°C (75°F)Torquay 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Harbin or Torquay in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Harbin as well as Torquay. Additionally, many visitors come to Torquay in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Harbin is much colder than Torquay. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Harbin in October average around 7°C (44°F), and Torquay averages at about 22°C (72°F)in April.
Harbin usually gets less rain in October than Torquayin April. Harbin gets 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Torquay receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilHarbin 7°C (44°F)Torquay 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Harbin or Torquay in the Winter?
Both Torquay and Harbin are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Torquay for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Harbin can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Harbin is generally much colder than Torquayin July. Daily temperatures in Harbin average around -18°C (-0°F), and Torquay fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
In January, Harbin usually receives less rain than Torquayin July. Harbin gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Torquay receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyHarbin -18°C (-0°F)Torquay 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Harbin or Torquay in the Spring?
Both Torquay and Harbin during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Torquay because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.
Harbin is much colder than Torquay in the spring. The daily temperature in Harbin averages around 8°C (46°F) in April, and Torquay fluctuates around 21°C (71°F)in October.
Harbin usually gets less rain in April than Torquayin October. Harbin gets 21 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Torquay receives 75 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberHarbin 8°C (46°F)Torquay 21°C (71°F)
Typical Weather for Torquay and Harbin
| Harbin | Torquay | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -18°C (-0°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Feb | -14°C (7°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) |
| Mar | -3°C (26°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) |
| Apr | 8°C (46°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| May | 15°C (60°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (75°F) | 153 mm (6 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 16°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Oct | 7°C (44°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 21°C (71°F) | 75 mm (2.9 in) |
| Nov | -4°C (24°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 106 mm (4.2 in) |
| Dec | -14°C (7°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 134 mm (5.3 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.