Which place is cheaper, Airlie Beach or Longsheng?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Longsheng or Airlie Beach?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Longsheng and Airlie Beach. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Longsheng or Airlie Beach?
Longsheng
A county of the city, Guilin, Longsheng is a hub of several ethnic cultures that thrive on farming and tourism. It is located about 50 or so miles north of the Guilin city center. The region is perhaps most known for the Dragon's Backbone Rice Terraces located in Heping Township. These, along with many other natural features like hot springs, waterfalls, and meadows are a few of the main attractions that draw visitors to Longsheng.
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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLongsheng $78Airlie Beach $141
The average daily cost (per person) in Longsheng is $78, 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 Longsheng and Airlie Beach in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLongsheng $20Airlie Beach $58
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLongsheng $40Airlie Beach $116
Compare Hotels in Longsheng and Airlie Beach
Looking for a hotel in Longsheng 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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Longsheng $41Airlie Beach $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Airlie Beach
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Airlie Beach:
- Private Transfer to Whitsunday Coast Airport: $314
- Crayfish Beach Hook Island Camping Transfer: $139
- Whitehaven Beach Club Transfers from Airlie Beach: $92
- South Molle Island Camping Transfer: $59
- South Molle Island Camping Transfer: $47
- Return Transfer PPP Airport Shute Harbour / Renta Yacht / Freedom Shores: $32
- Airport Transfers - Return (round fare) share shuttle service: $28
- One Way Only - Airport Transfer share shuttle service: $17
- Whitsunday: Prosperpine Airport to Airlie Beach Transfer: $16
Is it cheaper to fly into Longsheng or Airlie Beach?
Prices for flights to both Airlie Beach and Longsheng 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
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Food Meals for one dayLongsheng $35Airlie Beach $32
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Longsheng $8.38Airlie Beach $160
Tours and Activities in Airlie Beach
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Airlie Beach are as follows:
- 1 hour Mimosa Morning Turtle Spotting Cruise: $59
- 1-Day Whitsunday Islands Cruise: Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet: $140
- 2 Hour Airlie Beach Sunset Cruise: $59
- Airlie Beach Glass Bottom Boat Tour: $59
- Airlie Beach Jet Ski Tour: $105
- Airlie Beach Sunset Cruise : $46
- Airlie Beach Trike Tours: $50
- Airlie Beach sightseeing Tour: $50
- 2-Hour Sunset Cruise with Sparkling Wine: $45
- Adults-Only Whitehaven Beach Sailing Tour: $182
- Airlie Adventure Jet Ski Tour: $163
- Glass-Bottom Boat Tour: $58
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLongsheng $7.89Airlie Beach $8.99
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Longsheng and Airlie Beach, we can see that Airlie Beach is more expensive. And not only is Longsheng much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Longsheng 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 Longsheng would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Longsheng 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 Longsheng.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Longsheng Expensive? and Is Airlie Beach Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Longsheng 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 Longsheng has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Longsheng or Airlie Beach in the Summer?
Both Airlie Beach and Longsheng during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Airlie Beach this time of year.
In July, Longsheng is generally a little warmer than Airlie Beachin January. Daily temperatures in Longsheng average around 30°C (86°F), and Airlie Beach fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
Airlie Beach gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Longsheng. Longsheng usually gets less rain in July than Airlie Beachin January. Longsheng gets 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 331 mm (13 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryLongsheng 30°C (86°F)Airlie Beach 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Longsheng or Airlie Beach in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Longsheng and Airlie Beach. Also, many travelers come to Airlie Beach for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Longsheng is around the same temperature as Airlie Beach in the autumn. The daily temperature in Longsheng averages around 23°C (73°F) in October, and Airlie Beach fluctuates around 23°C (73°F)in April.
Airlie Beach receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Longsheng usually receives less rain than Airlie Beachin April. Longsheng gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilLongsheng 23°C (73°F)Airlie Beach 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Longsheng or Airlie Beach in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Longsheng as well as Airlie Beach. Also, many visitors come to Airlie Beach in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.
In the winter, Longsheng is much colder than Airlie Beach. Typically, the winter temperatures in Longsheng in January average around 10°C (49°F), and Airlie Beach averages at about 16°C (62°F)in July.
Longsheng usually gets more rain in January than Airlie Beachin July. Longsheng gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyLongsheng 10°C (49°F)Airlie Beach 16°C (62°F)
Should I visit Longsheng or Airlie Beach in the Spring?
Both Airlie Beach and Longsheng are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Airlie Beach for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.
In April, Longsheng is generally cooler than Airlie Beachin October. Daily temperatures in Longsheng average around 20°C (68°F), and Airlie Beach fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
It's quite rainy in Longsheng. In April, Longsheng usually receives more rain than Airlie Beachin October. Longsheng gets 263 mm (10.3 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberLongsheng 20°C (68°F)Airlie Beach 23°C (73°F)
Typical Weather for Airlie Beach and Longsheng
| Longsheng | Airlie Beach | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 10°C (49°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 331 mm (13 in) |
| Feb | 11°C (51°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 377 mm (14.8 in) |
| Mar | 15°C (59°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 312 mm (12.3 in) |
| Apr | 20°C (68°F) | 263 mm (10.3 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| May | 25°C (77°F) | 334 mm (13.2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 320 mm (12.6 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Aug | 30°C (86°F) | 168 mm (6.6 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 17°C (63°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (53°F) | 47 mm (1.9 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.