Which place is cheaper, Airlie Beach or Hongcun?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Hongcun or Airlie Beach?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Hongcun and Airlie Beach can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Hongcun or Airlie Beach?
Hongcun
When you picture ancient China, you likely picture old cobblestone streets, white homes with pointed black roofs and a slight air of mysticism in the surroundings. This is Hongcun.
The backdrop for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is not usually on the top of many traveler's lists. This isn't a bustling tourist town with guides offering to show you the sights or carts peddling the latest tacky souvenir. It's a quiet village where you'll see the real Chinese culture. The homes along the complex water canals air their fish in their windows to preserve it for their family dinners. There is no bowing to tourism here.
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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, The Best Adventure Tours to China, The Best Adventure Tours to Australia, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Australia.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHongcun $52Airlie Beach $141
The average daily cost (per person) in Hongcun is $52, 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 Hongcun and Airlie Beach in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHongcun $23Airlie Beach $58
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHongcun $46Airlie Beach $116
Compare Hotels in Hongcun and Airlie Beach
Looking for a hotel in Hongcun 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.Hongcun $12Airlie Beach $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Airlie Beach
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Airlie Beach:
- Whitsunday: Prosperpine Airport to Airlie Beach Transfer: $16
- One Way Only - Airport Transfer share shuttle service: $17
- Airport Transfers - Return (round fare) share shuttle service: $28
- Return Transfer PPP Airport Shute Harbour / Renta Yacht / Freedom Shores: $32
- South Molle Island Camping Transfer: $47
- South Molle Island Camping Transfer: $59
- Whitehaven Beach Club Transfers from Airlie Beach: $92
- Crayfish Beach Hook Island Camping Transfer: $139
- Private Transfer to Whitsunday Coast Airport: $314
Is it cheaper to fly into Hongcun or Airlie Beach?
Prices for flights to both Airlie Beach and Hongcun 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 dayHongcun $19Airlie Beach $32
Typical Food Prices in Hongcun
Some typical examples of dining costs in Hongcun are as follows:
-
Lunch for Two$4.83
-
Breakfast of Dumplings$2.07
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.Hongcun $17Airlie Beach $160
Typical Entertainment Prices in Hongcun
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Hongcun are as follows:
-
Two Entrance Tickets$29
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 dayHongcun $14Airlie Beach $8.99
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hongcun and Airlie Beach, we can see that Airlie Beach is more expensive. And not only is Hongcun much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Hongcun 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 Hongcun would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hongcun 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 Hongcun.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hongcun Expensive? and Is Airlie Beach Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Hongcun 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 Hongcun has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Hongcun or Airlie Beach in the Summer?
Both Airlie Beach and Hongcun are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Airlie Beach for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Hongcun is a little warmer than Airlie Beach. Typically, the summer temperatures in Hongcun in July average around 29°C (85°F), and Airlie Beach averages at about 26°C (79°F)in January.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Airlie Beach. It's quite rainy in Hongcun. In July, Hongcun usually receives less rain than Airlie Beachin January. Hongcun gets 185 mm (7.3 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 331 mm (13 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryHongcun 29°C (85°F)Airlie Beach 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Hongcun or Airlie Beach in the Autumn?
Both Airlie Beach and Hongcun during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Airlie Beach in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Hongcun is generally cooler than Airlie Beachin April. Daily temperatures in Hongcun average around 19°C (65°F), and Airlie Beach fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
Airlie Beach gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Hongcun usually gets less rain in October than Airlie Beachin April. Hongcun gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilHongcun 19°C (65°F)Airlie Beach 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Hongcun or Airlie Beach in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Hongcun and Airlie Beach. Furthermore, most visitors come to Airlie Beach for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.
Hongcun can get quite cold in the winter. Hongcun is much colder than Airlie Beach in the winter. The daily temperature in Hongcun averages around 4°C (40°F) in January, and Airlie Beach fluctuates around 16°C (62°F)in July.
In January, Hongcun usually receives around the same amount of rain as Airlie Beachin July. Hongcun gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyHongcun 4°C (40°F)Airlie Beach 16°C (62°F)
Should I visit Hongcun or Airlie Beach in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Hongcun as well as Airlie Beach. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Airlie Beach because of the beaches and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Hongcun is cooler than Airlie Beach. Typically, the spring temperatures in Hongcun in April average around 17°C (62°F), and Airlie Beach averages at about 23°C (73°F)in October.
Hongcun receives a lot of rain in the spring. Hongcun usually gets more rain in April than Airlie Beachin October. Hongcun gets 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberHongcun 17°C (62°F)Airlie Beach 23°C (73°F)
Typical Weather for Airlie Beach and Hongcun
| Hongcun | Airlie Beach | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 4°C (40°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 331 mm (13 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (42°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 377 mm (14.8 in) |
| Mar | 10°C (51°F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 312 mm (12.3 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (62°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| May | 22°C (71°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 26°C (78°F) | 235 mm (9.2 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 185 mm (7.3 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 121 mm (4.7 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (65°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (55°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Dec | 7°C (44°F) | 36 mm (1.4 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.