Which place is cheaper, Wollongong 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 Wollongong?
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 Wollongong can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Harbin or Wollongong?
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.
Wollongong
Wollongong is south of Sydney in New South Wales. It is also the third largest city in the state. Wollongong has a unique geography in that it is only six kilometers wide at its widest point and is forty kilometers long. It is squeezed in between the mountains and the ocean and in the process of growth, has swallowed several coastal towns between Dapto and Port Kembla. Wollongong is home to the University of Wollongong and has a diverse population that includes people of Serbian, Croatian, Italian, and Turkish descent among other nationalities. The influence of these cultures is obvious in the city's restaurant and entertainment options. Throughout the city you'll find some wonderful beaches with few crowds and some decent surfing opportunities.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in China, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Australia, and The Best Water Sports Tour Packages in Australia.
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Harbin Prices
China PricesWollongong Prices
Australia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHarbin $66Wollongong $144
The average daily cost (per person) in Harbin is $66, while the average daily cost in Wollongong is $144. 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 Wollongong in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHarbin $21Wollongong $65
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHarbin $42Wollongong $130
Compare Hotels in Harbin and Wollongong
Looking for a hotel in Harbin or Wollongong? 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: Wollongong Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Harbin $1.52Wollongong $39
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Harbin
Also for Harbin, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Harbin Volga Manor Private Transfer Service with Entry Tickets: $300
- Shared Transfer Service to Ice and Snow World, Sun Island Snow Festival: $250
- Private Full Day Transfer Service to Harbin Top Winter Attractions: $198
- Harbin Ice Festival Tickets and Transfer Service : $148
- 4 Hour Private Transfer to Sun Island Snow Sculptures: $100
- Private Departure Transfer to Harbin North Railway Station from Harbin City: $100
- Harbin Catholic Church Car Transfer Service: $80
- 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 Taiping Airport Chauffeur Service, Harbin Airport Transfer, Pick up.: $59
- Harbin Airport (HRB) : Private Arrival Transfer with Meet & Greet Service: $32
Is it cheaper to fly into Harbin or Wollongong?
Prices for flights to both Wollongong 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 $24Wollongong $53
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 Wollongong
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Wollongong:
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Lunch$7.85
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Harbin $53Wollongong $22
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
Tours and Activities in Wollongong
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Wollongong.
- From Sydney: Jervis Bay Tour with Beach, Koalas & Kangaroos: $145
- Sydney: Kiama Costal Private Day Tour with Local Experiences: $562
- Sydney: Private South Coast, Highlands and Kiama Tour: $906
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHarbin $7.96Wollongong $18
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 Wollongong, we can see that Wollongong 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 Wollongong 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 Wollongong would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Wollongong 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 Wollongong Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Harbin or Wollongong?
Harbin has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Wollongong. When comparing the sizes of Harbin and Wollongong, 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 Wollongong?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Wollongong 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 Wollongong in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Harbin and Wollongong. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Wollongong because of the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Harbin is around the same temperature as Wollongong. Typically, the summer temperatures in Harbin in July average around 24°C (75°F), and Wollongong averages at about 23°C (74°F)in January.
Harbin gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Harbin usually receives more rain than Wollongongin January. Harbin gets 153 mm (6 in) of rain, while Wollongong receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryHarbin 24°C (75°F)Wollongong 23°C (74°F)
Should I visit Harbin or Wollongong in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Harbin as well as Wollongong. Additionally, the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene are the main draw to Wollongong this time of year.
In October, Harbin is generally much colder than Wollongongin April. Daily temperatures in Harbin average around 7°C (44°F), and Wollongong fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
Harbin usually gets less rain in October than Wollongongin April. Harbin gets 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Wollongong receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilHarbin 7°C (44°F)Wollongong 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Harbin or Wollongong in the Winter?
Both Wollongong and Harbin are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Wollongong for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
It's quite cold in Harbin in the winter. Harbin is much colder than Wollongong in the winter. The daily temperature in Harbin averages around -18°C (-0°F) in January, and Wollongong fluctuates around 10°C (50°F)in July.
In January, Harbin usually receives less rain than Wollongongin July. Harbin gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Wollongong receives 47 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyHarbin -18°C (-0°F)Wollongong 10°C (50°F)
Should I visit Harbin or Wollongong in the Spring?
Both Wollongong and Harbin during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Wollongong in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.
In the spring, Harbin is much colder than Wollongong. Typically, the spring temperatures in Harbin in April average around 8°C (46°F), and Wollongong averages at about 17°C (63°F)in October.
Harbin usually gets less rain in April than Wollongongin October. Harbin gets 21 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Wollongong receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberHarbin 8°C (46°F)Wollongong 17°C (63°F)
Typical Weather for Wollongong and Harbin
| Harbin | Wollongong | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -18°C (-0°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) |
| Feb | -14°C (7°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) |
| Mar | -3°C (26°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 139 mm (5.5 in) |
| Apr | 8°C (46°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| May | 15°C (60°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (75°F) | 153 mm (6 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 47 mm (1.8 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Sep | 16°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Oct | 7°C (44°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
| Nov | -4°C (24°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| Dec | -14°C (7°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 54 mm (2.1 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.