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

Should you visit Hongcun or Noosa Heads?

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 Noosa Heads 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 Noosa Heads?

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.

Noosa Heads

A town and suburb located on Queensland, Australia's Sunshine Coast, Noosa is best known as a destination of pleasant weather, beautiful beachside scenery, shopping, dining, and outdoor adventure. Some of the top attractions of the area include Noosa National Park and Sunshine Beach.

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 Contiki Tours to Australia.


Which place is cheaper, Noosa Heads or Hongcun?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Hongcun is $52, while the average daily cost in Noosa Heads is $110. 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 Noosa Heads in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Hongcun $23
    Noosa Heads $58
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Hongcun $46
    Noosa Heads $116
Compare Hotels in Hongcun and Noosa Heads

Looking for a hotel in Hongcun or Noosa Heads? 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 Noosa Heads


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: Noosa Heads Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Hongcun $12
    Noosa Heads $17

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Noosa Heads

Also for Noosa Heads, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Sunshine Coast Airport Departure Transfer from Hotels: $18
  • Sunshine Coast and Noosa Eumundi Markets Bus Transfer: $32
  • Eumundi Markets Bus Transfer from Noosa, Noosaville & Mooloolaba: $32
  • Brisbane Airport Departure shuttle Transfer from Sunshine Coast Hotels/addresses: $55
  • Australia Zoo Transfer from Noosa, Coolum, Marcoola & Twin Waters: $79
  • Private Morning Transfer From Noosa to Rainbow Beach: $89
  • Private Transfers from Sunshine Coast Airport to Noosa (4pax): $99
  • Private Transfer from Noosa to Sunshine Coast Airport up to 3 pax: $102
  • Private Transfers from Sunshine Coast Airport to Noosa (6pax): $116
  • Private Transfers from Sunshine Coast Airport to Noosa (8pax): $129
  • Private Transfer from Sunshine Coast Airport to Hotels 11 pax: $218
  • Premium Airport/ Cruise Terminal Transfers: $234

Is it cheaper to fly into Hongcun or Noosa Heads?

Prices for flights to both Noosa Heads 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 $19
    Noosa Heads $33
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 Noosa Heads

For Noosa Heads, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Cooking Classes on Witta Maleny Sunshine Coast: $119

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Hongcun $17
    Noosa Heads $40
Typical Entertainment Prices in Hongcun

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Hongcun are as follows:


  • Two Entrance Tickets
    $29

Typical Entertainment Prices in Noosa Heads

For Noosa Heads, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Surf Lesson
    $42
  • Sea Kayak Tour (for 2)
    $84
  • Sunset Cruise (for 2)
    $13

Tours and Activities in Noosa Heads

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Noosa Heads.

  • 2 Hours Sunset Experience on Noosa River: $21
  • The Original 1-Hour Mooloolaba Canal Cruise: $23
  • Maleny Botanic Gardens Bird Aviary Experience Ticket: $28
  • Sunset Cruise Mooloolaba: $30
  • River Cruise on Historical Vessel: $32
  • Aquaduck Sunshine Coast - 1hr Mooloolaba Amphibious Tour: $33
  • 1 Hour Self Guided Water Bike Tour of the Noosa River: $33
  • Seafood Lunch Cruise: $43
  • River to River, Land and Sea E-bike Tour in Brisbane: $46
  • Bushtucker Cruise: $50
  • Sunset Tour with Live Music: $50
  • Noosa Oceanrider - Adventure Tour: $52

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Hongcun $14
    Noosa Heads $10

Sample the Local Flavors in Noosa Heads

Also in Noosa Heads, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Eumundi Market and Distillery Experience Market Days Wednesday & Saturday: $92
  • Sunshine Coast Brewery Tour with Lunch: $162
  • Hinterland Cheese & Wine Tasting Tour - with 2 course lunch included: $165
  • Sunshine Coast & Noosa Scenic Food & Wine Tour Inc. Lunch: $182
  • Noosa Hinterland Tour with Gourmet Lunch, Wine Tasting & Everglades Lake: $191
  • Noosa Hinterland Drinks Tour- visit 2 distilleries, a winery and a brewery : $195
  • Noosa Hinterland Drinks Private Tour with Gin, Beer, Mead & Wine Tastings: $277


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



When is the best time to visit Hongcun or Noosa Heads?

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

The summer brings many poeple to Hongcun as well as Noosa Heads. Also, the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Noosa Heads this time of year.

In July, Hongcun is generally a little warmer than Noosa Headsin January. Daily temperatures in Hongcun average around 29°C (85°F), and Noosa Heads fluctuates around 20°C (67°F).

It's quite rainy in Noosa Heads. Hongcun receives a lot of rain in the summer. Hongcun usually gets more rain in July than Noosa Headsin January. Hongcun gets 185 mm (7.3 in) of rain, while Noosa Heads receives 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Hongcun 29°C (85°F) 
    Noosa Heads 20°C (67°F)

Should I visit Hongcun or Noosa Heads in the Autumn?

Both Noosa Heads and Hongcun are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Noosa Heads for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

Hongcun is a little warmer than Noosa Heads in the autumn. The daily temperature in Hongcun averages around 19°C (65°F) in October, and Noosa Heads fluctuates around 14°C (58°F)in April.

In October, Hongcun usually receives more rain than Noosa Headsin April. Hongcun gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Noosa Heads receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Hongcun 19°C (65°F) 
    Noosa Heads 14°C (58°F)

Should I visit Hongcun or Noosa Heads in the Winter?

Both Noosa Heads and Hongcun during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Noosa Heads in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Hongcun. In the winter, Hongcun is much colder than Noosa Heads. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hongcun in January average around 4°C (40°F), and Noosa Heads averages at about 7°C (44°F)in July.

Hongcun usually gets less rain in January than Noosa Headsin July. Hongcun gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Noosa Heads receives 57 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Hongcun 4°C (40°F) 
    Noosa Heads 7°C (44°F)

Should I visit Hongcun or Noosa Heads in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Hongcun and Noosa Heads. Furthermore, most visitors come to Noosa Heads for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Hongcun is generally a little warmer than Noosa Headsin October. Daily temperatures in Hongcun average around 17°C (62°F), and Noosa Heads fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

Hongcun gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Hongcun usually receives more rain than Noosa Headsin October. Hongcun gets 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Noosa Heads receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Hongcun 17°C (62°F) 
    Noosa Heads 14°C (57°F)

Typical Weather for Noosa Heads and Hongcun

Hongcun Noosa Heads
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 4°C (40°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) 20°C (67°F) 109 mm (4.3 in)
Feb 6°C (42°F) 68 mm (2.7 in) 19°C (67°F) 88 mm (3.5 in)
Mar 10°C (51°F) 117 mm (4.6 in) 18°C (64°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
Apr 17°C (62°F) 170 mm (6.7 in) 14°C (58°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
May 22°C (71°F) 189 mm (7.4 in) 11°C (52°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Jun 26°C (78°F) 235 mm (9.2 in) 8°C (46°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)
Jul 29°C (85°F) 185 mm (7.3 in) 7°C (44°F) 57 mm (2.3 in)
Aug 29°C (84°F) 121 mm (4.7 in) 8°C (46°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Sep 24°C (75°F) 95 mm (3.7 in) 11°C (51°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Oct 19°C (65°F) 74 mm (2.9 in) 14°C (57°F) 76 mm (3 in)
Nov 13°C (55°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 16°C (61°F) 92 mm (3.6 in)
Dec 7°C (44°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 19°C (66°F) 117 mm (4.6 in)