Which place is cheaper, Airlie Beach or Hefei?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Hefei or Airlie Beach?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Hefei or Airlie Beach? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Hefei or Airlie Beach?
Hefei
While most would consider the city of Hefei a pass-through destination, there are plenty of things to see in the capital city of China's Anhui province.
Airlie Beach
Airlie Beach, in Queensland, offers the closest port to the Whitsunday Islands on the Great Barrier Reef. It's a small town of only 25,000 and has grown out of the area's popularity as a tourist destination. It's main industry remains tourism and, as such, there are many venues set up to accommodate travelers hoping to make trips to the Whitsunday Islands and the Outer Great Barrier Reef. The town has the feel of a vacation destination. While in the past Airlie Beach appealed specifically to the backpacker crowd, it's popularity has spread and now there are facilities catering to all travel types. The area has become more commercialized and there are plenty of large resorts to choose from. Even so, you'll still find no shortage of affordable accommodation around town.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to China, The Best Sightseeing Tours in China, The Best Adventure Tours to Australia, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Australia.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHefei $62Airlie Beach $141
The average daily cost (per person) in Hefei is $62, while the average daily cost in Airlie Beach is $141. 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 Hefei and Airlie Beach in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHefei $28Airlie Beach $58
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHefei $56Airlie Beach $116
Compare Hotels in Hefei and Airlie Beach
Looking for a hotel in Hefei or Airlie Beach? 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: Airlie Beach Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hefei $17Airlie Beach $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Airlie Beach
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Airlie Beach:
- Private Transfer to Whitsunday Coast Airport: $314
- Airport Transfers - Return (round fare) share shuttle service: $28
- Crayfish Beach Hook Island Camping Transfer: $139
- One Way Only - Airport Transfer share shuttle service: $17
- Return Transfer PPP Airport Shute Harbour / Renta Yacht / Freedom Shores: $32
- South Molle Island Camping Transfer: $59
- South Molle Island Camping Transfer: $47
- Whitehaven Beach Club Transfers from Airlie Beach: $92
- Whitsunday: Prosperpine Airport to Airlie Beach Transfer: $16
Is it cheaper to fly into Hefei or Airlie Beach?
Prices for flights to both Airlie Beach and Hefei 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 dayHefei $21Airlie Beach $32
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Airlie Beach
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Airlie Beach.
- 3-Hour Sunset Segway Tour with Dinner: $72
- Whitsundays Segway Sunset and Boardwalk Tour with Dinner: $83
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hefei $19Airlie Beach $160
Tours and Activities in Airlie Beach
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Airlie Beach are as follows:
- Private Airlie Beach Tuk-Tuk Tours: $20
- 2-Hour Sunset Cruise with Sparkling Wine: $45
- Airlie Beach Sunset Cruise : $46
- Whisper Cruises - One-Hour Turtle Spotting Bay Cruise: $46
- Sundowner Sunset Cruise Airlie Beach: $46
- Airlie Beach sightseeing Tour: $50
- Airlie Beach Trike Tours: $50
- Whitsundays Sunset Sailing Cruise: $53
- Glass-Bottom Boat Tour: $58
- 2 Hour Airlie Beach Sunset Cruise: $59
- Airlie Beach Glass Bottom Boat Tour: $59
- 1 hour Mimosa Morning Turtle Spotting Cruise: $59
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayHefei $11Airlie Beach $8.99
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hefei and Airlie Beach, we can see that Airlie Beach is more expensive. And not only is Hefei much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Hefei is in Asia and Airlie Beach 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 Hefei would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hefei 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 Airlie Beach would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Airlie Beach than you might in Hefei.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hefei Expensive? and Is Airlie Beach Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Hefei or Airlie Beach?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Airlie Beach is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Hefei has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Hefei or Airlie Beach in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Hefei and Airlie Beach. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Airlie Beach because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Hefei is generally around the same temperature as Airlie Beachin January. Daily temperatures in Hefei average around 29°C (83°F), and Airlie Beach fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
Airlie Beach receives a lot of rain in the summer. Hefei gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Hefei usually receives less rain than Airlie Beachin January. Hefei gets 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 331 mm (13 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryHefei 29°C (83°F)Airlie Beach 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Hefei or Airlie Beach in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Hefei as well as Airlie Beach. Additionally, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Airlie Beach this time of year.
Hefei is cooler than Airlie Beach in the autumn. The daily temperature in Hefei averages around 18°C (64°F) in October, and Airlie Beach fluctuates around 23°C (73°F)in April.
It's quite rainy in Airlie Beach. Hefei usually gets less rain in October than Airlie Beachin April. Hefei gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilHefei 18°C (64°F)Airlie Beach 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Hefei or Airlie Beach in the Winter?
Both Airlie Beach and Hefei are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Airlie Beach for the shopping scene and the cuisine.
It's quite cold in Hefei in the winter. In the winter, Hefei is much colder than Airlie Beach. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hefei in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Airlie Beach averages at about 16°C (62°F)in July.
In January, Hefei usually receives less rain than Airlie Beachin July. Hefei gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyHefei 3°C (38°F)Airlie Beach 16°C (62°F)
Should I visit Hefei or Airlie Beach in the Spring?
Both Airlie Beach and Hefei during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Airlie Beach in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.
In April, Hefei is generally cooler than Airlie Beachin October. Daily temperatures in Hefei average around 16°C (61°F), and Airlie Beach fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
Hefei usually gets more rain in April than Airlie Beachin October. Hefei gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberHefei 16°C (61°F)Airlie Beach 23°C (73°F)
Typical Weather for Airlie Beach and Hefei
| Hefei | Airlie Beach | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (38°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 331 mm (13 in) |
| Feb | 5°C (40°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 377 mm (14.8 in) |
| Mar | 10°C (50°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 312 mm (12.3 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (61°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| May | 22°C (71°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (78°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (74°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Oct | 18°C (64°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 11°C (53°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Dec | 5°C (42°F) | 25 mm (1 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.