A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Hefei vs. Katoomba for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Hefei or Katoomba?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Hefei or Katoomba? 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 Katoomba?

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.

Katoomba

Designated an UNESCO World Heritage site in 2000, the Blue Mountains are located just west of Sydney in the highlands of New South Wales, Australia.

This area can be generally expensive, but is on par with other destinations in Australia and around Sydney. Plenty of luxury places can be found here that cost more than average, but plenty of cheaper places to stay can be found here, too. Expect to pay for various activities such as tours and entrance fees, too.

The landscape is sprawling with majestic scenery over a rugged terrain of steep cliffs, forests, waterfalls, and villages. Whether you come to hike, climb, bike, or drive to the scenic viewpoints, a curtain of tranquility falls upon the mountains in a blue haze from which they get their name.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to China, The Best Sightseeing Tours in China, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Australia, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Australia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hefei and Katoomba, we can see that Katoomba 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 Katoomba 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 Katoomba would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Katoomba 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 Katoomba Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Hefei or Katoomba?

Hefei has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Katoomba. When comparing the sizes of Hefei and Katoomba, 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 Hefei or Katoomba?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Katoomba 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 Katoomba in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Hefei and Katoomba. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Katoomba because of the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Hefei is generally a little warmer than Katoombain January. Daily temperatures in Hefei average around 29°C (83°F), and Katoomba fluctuates around 24°C (74°F).

Katoomba receives a lot of rain in the summer. Hefei gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Hefei usually receives more rain than Katoombain January. Hefei gets 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 105 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Hefei or Katoomba in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Hefei as well as Katoomba. Additionally, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Katoomba this time of year.

Hefei is around the same temperature as Katoomba in the autumn. The daily temperature in Hefei averages around 18°C (64°F) in October, and Katoomba fluctuates around 18°C (65°F)in April.

Hefei usually gets less rain in October than Katoombain April. Hefei gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hefei or Katoomba in the Winter?

Both Katoomba and Hefei are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Katoomba for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Hefei in the winter. In the winter, Hefei is much colder than Katoomba. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hefei in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Katoomba averages at about 11°C (51°F)in July.

In January, Hefei usually receives less rain than Katoombain July. Hefei gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Hefei or Katoomba in the Spring?

Both Katoomba and Hefei during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Katoomba in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In April, Hefei is generally around the same temperature as Katoombain October. Daily temperatures in Hefei average around 16°C (61°F), and Katoomba fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

Hefei usually gets more rain in April than Katoombain October. Hefei gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Katoomba and Hefei