A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Hongcun vs. Fraser Island for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Hongcun or Fraser Island?

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 Fraser Island 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 Fraser Island?

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.

Fraser Island

Fraser Island, located off Australia's eastern Queensland coast, is the world's largest sand island. It is best known as a camping and ecotourism destination, with a number of panoramic viewpoints, beaches, lakes, and freshwater pools. Hervey Bay, a beachside city on the nearby mainland, is a primary gateway to the island.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, The Best Adventure Tours to China, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Australia, and The Best Honeymoon Tours in Australia.


Which place is cheaper, Fraser Island or Hongcun?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Hongcun is $67, while the average daily cost in Fraser Island is $243. 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 Fraser Island in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Hongcun $23
    Fraser Island $102
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Hongcun $46
    Fraser Island $204
Compare Hotels in Hongcun and Fraser Island

Looking for a hotel in Hongcun or Fraser Island? 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.

Hotels in Hongcun


Hotels in Fraser Island


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.
    Hongcun $12
    Fraser Island $93

Is it cheaper to fly into Hongcun or Fraser Island?

Prices for flights to both Fraser Island 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 day
    Hongcun $33
    Fraser Island $83
Typical Food Prices in Hongcun

Some typical examples of dining costs in Hongcun are as follows:


  • Lunch for Two
    $4.91
  • Breakfast of Dumplings
    $2.10

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Hongcun $17
    Fraser Island $45
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 Fraser Island

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Fraser Island are as follows:

  • 2 Hours Hervey Bay Funset Cruise: $53
  • Hervey Bay: Best Value Half Day Whale Watching Cruise: $80
  • Hervey Bay Ultimate Whale Watching Cruise: $80
  • Hervey Bay Whale Watching Cruise: $104
  • Hervey Bay: Half Day Whale watching & Island Stop Tour: $111
  • Remote K'gari (Fraser Island) & Whale Experience: $173
  • Remote Fraser Island Experience: $173
  • K'gari (Fraser Island) All Inclusive Day Tour: $174
  • K'gari (Fraser Island) Small Group Day Tour - From Rainbow Beach: $186
  • K'gari (Fraser Island) Small Group 4WD Adventure - From Noosa: $201
  • Fraser Experience Shared Full Day Guided Tour: $208
  • Hervey Bay to K'gari/Fraser Island 2-Day Tour (Beach House): $369

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Hongcun $14
    Fraser Island $21


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



When is the best time to visit Hongcun or Fraser Island?

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

Both Fraser Island and Hongcun are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Fraser Island for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Hongcun is generally a little warmer than Fraser Islandin January. Daily temperatures in Hongcun average around 29°C (85°F), and Fraser Island fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Fraser Island. It's quite rainy in Hongcun. In July, Hongcun usually receives more rain than Fraser Islandin January. Hongcun gets 185 mm (7.3 in) of rain, while Fraser Island receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Hongcun 29°C (85°F) 
    Fraser Island 26°C (78°F)

Should I visit Hongcun or Fraser Island in the Autumn?

Both Fraser Island and Hongcun during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Fraser Island in the autumn for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.

Hongcun is cooler than Fraser Island in the autumn. The daily temperature in Hongcun averages around 19°C (65°F) in October, and Fraser Island fluctuates around 22°C (72°F)in April.

Hongcun usually gets less rain in October than Fraser Islandin April. Hongcun gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Fraser Island receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Hongcun 19°C (65°F) 
    Fraser Island 22°C (72°F)

Should I visit Hongcun or Fraser Island in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Hongcun and Fraser Island. Furthermore, most visitors come to Fraser Island for the cuisine during these months.

Hongcun can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Hongcun is much colder than Fraser Island. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hongcun in January average around 4°C (40°F), and Fraser Island averages at about 15°C (59°F)in July.

In January, Hongcun usually receives less rain than Fraser Islandin July. Hongcun gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Fraser Island receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Hongcun 4°C (40°F) 
    Fraser Island 15°C (59°F)

Should I visit Hongcun or Fraser Island in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Hongcun as well as Fraser Island. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Fraser Island because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Hongcun is generally cooler than Fraser Islandin October. Daily temperatures in Hongcun average around 17°C (62°F), and Fraser Island fluctuates around 21°C (71°F).

Hongcun receives a lot of rain in the spring. Hongcun usually gets more rain in April than Fraser Islandin October. Hongcun gets 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Fraser Island receives 75 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Hongcun 17°C (62°F) 
    Fraser Island 21°C (71°F)

Typical Weather for Fraser Island and Hongcun

Hongcun Fraser Island
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 4°C (40°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) 26°C (78°F) 164 mm (6.5 in)
Feb 6°C (42°F) 68 mm (2.7 in) 25°C (78°F) 163 mm (6.4 in)
Mar 10°C (51°F) 117 mm (4.6 in) 24°C (76°F) 134 mm (5.3 in)
Apr 17°C (62°F) 170 mm (6.7 in) 22°C (72°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
May 22°C (71°F) 189 mm (7.4 in) 19°C (66°F) 78 mm (3.1 in)
Jun 26°C (78°F) 235 mm (9.2 in) 16°C (61°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Jul 29°C (85°F) 185 mm (7.3 in) 15°C (59°F) 59 mm (2.3 in)
Aug 29°C (84°F) 121 mm (4.7 in) 16°C (61°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Sep 24°C (75°F) 95 mm (3.7 in) 19°C (65°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)
Oct 19°C (65°F) 74 mm (2.9 in) 21°C (71°F) 75 mm (2.9 in)
Nov 13°C (55°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 23°C (74°F) 106 mm (4.2 in)
Dec 7°C (44°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 25°C (77°F) 134 mm (5.3 in)