Which place is cheaper, Surfers Paradise or Hefei?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Hefei or Surfers Paradise?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Hefei or Surfers Paradise? 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 Surfers Paradise?
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.
Surfers Paradise
A tourist mecca, Surfers Paradise is one of the most popular travel destinations along Australia's famed Gold Coast. The beach stretches for miles and there is an endless supply of almost constant parties. You'll find high rise apartments lined up along the shore and plenty of shopping areas, restaurants, nightclubs, and bars. Travelers from around the world visit the area, and it's a right of passage for Australia's teens to vacation in or near Surfers Paradise. For many travelers, Surfers Paradise comes across as little more than a mass marketed, over commercialized, party destination, but for others it is a vacation dream. Prices are highly inflated so you have to keep your whits about you to avoid being ripped off. Surfers Paradise is a destination of extremes and it conjures up extreme emotions in many travelers, be it positive or negative.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to China, The Best Sightseeing Tours in China, The Best Contiki Tours to Australia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Australia.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHefei $62Surfers Paradise $104
The average daily cost (per person) in Hefei is $62, while the average daily cost in Surfers Paradise is $104. 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 Surfers Paradise in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHefei $28Surfers Paradise $66
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHefei $56Surfers Paradise $132
Compare Hotels in Hefei and Surfers Paradise
Looking for a hotel in Hefei or Surfers Paradise? 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
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hefei $17Surfers Paradise $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Surfers Paradise
Also for Surfers Paradise, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- All-Inclusive Dolphin & Tangalooma Wrecks Day Cruise (Gold Coast Transfer): $149
- Gold Coast Hot Air Balloon + Winery Breakfast + Return Transfers: $293
- Gold Coast Theme Parks: Shared Hotel Transfers: $14
- Private Transfer from Brisbane Airports to Surfers Paradise: $106
- Private Transfer from Gold Coast Airport - Surfers Paradise: $50
- Private Transfer to Brisbane/BNE Airport from Gold Coast/OOL Airport( 1-7 pax): $229
Is it cheaper to fly into Hefei or Surfers Paradise?
Prices for flights to both Surfers Paradise 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 $21Surfers Paradise $26
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Surfers Paradise
For Surfers Paradise, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Buffet Dinner Sightseeing Cruise: $78
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hefei $19Surfers Paradise $23
Typical Entertainment Prices in Surfers Paradise
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Surfers Paradise's activities, tours, and tickets:
-
Surf Lesson$78
Tours and Activities in Surfers Paradise
For Surfers Paradise, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Skip the Line:Wax Museum Ticket-World in Wax & Guided Tour of Chamber of Horrors: $22
- Gold Coast Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing Cruise Day Pass: $30
- Gold Coast 1.5-Hour Sightseeing River Cruise from Surfers Paradise: $30
- Gold Coast Afternoon River Cruise: $32
- Guided Gold Coast Amphibious Bus Tour: $33
- Gold Coast Quack'rDuck Amphibious Tour from Surfers Paradise: $33
- Gold Coast City Lights Cruise: $37
- Tropical Fruit World Farm Full Tour : $37
- Surfers Paradise Sunset Kayak Tour: $46
- Paradise SUP Tour: $47
- Half-Day Whale Watching and Canal Cruise from Surfers Paradise: $53
- Catch a Crab Tour with Optional Seafood Lunch: $53
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayHefei $11Surfers Paradise $11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hefei and Surfers Paradise, we can see that Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hefei or Surfers Paradise?
Hefei has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of Surfers Paradise. When comparing the sizes of Hefei and Surfers Paradise, 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 Surfers Paradise?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Hefei as well as Surfers Paradise. Additionally, many visitors come to Surfers Paradise in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Hefei is a little warmer than Surfers Paradise. Typically, the summer temperatures in Hefei in July average around 29°C (83°F), and Surfers Paradise averages at about 25°C (77°F)in January.
It's quite rainy in Surfers Paradise. Hefei receives a lot of rain in the summer. Hefei usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Surfers Paradisein January. Hefei gets 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryHefei 29°C (83°F)Surfers Paradise 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Hefei or Surfers Paradise in the Autumn?
Both Surfers Paradise and Hefei are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Surfers Paradise for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.
In October, Hefei is generally cooler than Surfers Paradisein April. Daily temperatures in Hefei average around 18°C (64°F), and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Surfers Paradise. In October, Hefei usually receives less rain than Surfers Paradisein April. Hefei gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilHefei 18°C (64°F)Surfers Paradise 22°C (71°F)
Should I visit Hefei or Surfers Paradise in the Winter?
Both Surfers Paradise and Hefei during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Surfers Paradise because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Hefei can be very cold during winter. Hefei is much colder than Surfers Paradise in the winter. The daily temperature in Hefei averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 15°C (59°F)in July.
Hefei usually gets less rain in January than Surfers Paradisein July. Hefei gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyHefei 3°C (38°F)Surfers Paradise 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Hefei or Surfers Paradise in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Hefei and Surfers Paradise. Also, the beaches are the main draw to Surfers Paradise this time of year.
In the spring, Hefei is cooler than Surfers Paradise. Typically, the spring temperatures in Hefei in April average around 16°C (61°F), and Surfers Paradise averages at about 21°C (69°F)in October.
Surfers Paradise receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Hefei usually receives less rain than Surfers Paradisein October. Hefei gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberHefei 16°C (61°F)Surfers Paradise 21°C (69°F)
Typical Weather for Surfers Paradise and Hefei
| Hefei | Surfers Paradise | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (38°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Feb | 5°C (40°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 157 mm (6.2 in) |
| Mar | 10°C (50°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (61°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| May | 22°C (71°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (78°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (74°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Oct | 18°C (64°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 103 mm (4 in) |
| Nov | 11°C (53°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Dec | 5°C (42°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 129 mm (5.1 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.