Which place is cheaper, Whitsundays or Harbin?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Harbin or Whitsundays?
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 Whitsundays can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Harbin or Whitsundays?
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.
Whitsundays
Just off the coast of Queensland, Australia is a cluster of 74 different islands. These islands, the Whitsunday Islands, welcome over a half a million visitors every year to see one of the Seven Wonders of the World - the Great Barrier Reef.
As one of the most famous destinations in the world, it's not uncommon to see expensive yachts sailing around among the private ferries. Most of the islands are designated as national parks with access to snorkeling and diving in the coral reefs, or just to lay in the sand on the famous Whitehaven 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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Australia, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Australia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHarbin $54Whitsundays $132
The average daily cost (per person) in Harbin is $54, while the average daily cost in Whitsundays is $132. 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 Whitsundays in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHarbin $21Whitsundays $69
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHarbin $42Whitsundays $138
Compare Hotels in Harbin and Whitsundays
Looking for a hotel in Harbin or Whitsundays? 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 $1.49Whitsundays $55
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Whitsundays
Also for Whitsundays, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Whitsunday Islands: Whitehaven Beach Camping Transfer: $124
Is it cheaper to fly into Harbin or Whitsundays?
Prices for flights to both Whitsundays 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 $14Whitsundays $30
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 Whitsundays
For Whitsundays, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Hamilton Island: Whitsundays Sunset BBQ Dinner Cruise: $98
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Harbin $52Whitsundays $25
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 Whitsundays
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Whitsundays.
- Airlie Beach: Private Guided 2-Night Yacht Sailing Cruise: $4,941
- Daydream Island: Great Barrier Reef Adventure Cruise: $195
- From Daydream Is.: Whitsundays & Whitehaven Half-Day Cruise: $91
- Whitsundays Camira Sailing Adventure from Daydream Island: $150
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHarbin $7.83Whitsundays $12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Harbin and Whitsundays, we can see that Whitsundays 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 Whitsundays 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 Whitsundays would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Whitsundays 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 Whitsundays Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Harbin or Whitsundays?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Whitsundays 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 Whitsundays in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Harbin and Whitsundays.
In July, Harbin is generally around the same temperature as Whitsundaysin January. Daily temperatures in Harbin average around 24°C (75°F), and Whitsundays fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
Whitsundays receives a lot of rain in the summer. Harbin gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Harbin usually receives less rain than Whitsundaysin January. Harbin gets 153 mm (6 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 331 mm (13 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryHarbin 24°C (75°F)Whitsundays 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Harbin or Whitsundays in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Harbin as well as Whitsundays.
Harbin is much colder than Whitsundays in the autumn. The daily temperature in Harbin averages around 7°C (44°F) in October, and Whitsundays fluctuates around 23°C (73°F)in April.
It's quite rainy in Whitsundays. Harbin usually gets less rain in October than Whitsundaysin April. Harbin gets 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilHarbin 7°C (44°F)Whitsundays 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Harbin or Whitsundays in the Winter?
Both Whitsundays and Harbin are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.
It's quite cold in Harbin in the winter. In the winter, Harbin is much colder than Whitsundays. Typically, the winter temperatures in Harbin in January average around -18°C (-0°F), and Whitsundays averages at about 16°C (62°F)in July.
In January, Harbin usually receives less rain than Whitsundaysin July. Harbin gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyHarbin -18°C (-0°F)Whitsundays 16°C (62°F)
Should I visit Harbin or Whitsundays in the Spring?
Both Whitsundays and Harbin during the spring are popular places to visit.
In April, Harbin is generally much colder than Whitsundaysin October. Daily temperatures in Harbin average around 8°C (46°F), and Whitsundays fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
Harbin usually gets less rain in April than Whitsundaysin October. Harbin gets 21 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberHarbin 8°C (46°F)Whitsundays 23°C (73°F)
Typical Weather for Whitsundays and Harbin
| Harbin | Whitsundays | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.