Which place is cheaper, Cairns or Nanjing?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Nanjing or Cairns?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Nanjing or Cairns? 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: Nanjing or Cairns?
Nanjing
Nanjing is the capital city of the Jiangsu Province on the central eastern coast of China, just north of Shanghai. This historically and culturally rich city lies at the lower end of the Yangtze river, resulting in lush and scenic landscapes. Nanjing is well-known for having many popular historical sites, some of which have been listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Cairns
Most travelers go to Cairns specifically to visit Great Barrier Reef. The city itself is surprisingly large and cosmopolitan with a population of approximately 140,000. The city's economy is almost exclusively based on tourism, although you will find some jobs centered around agriculture, or more specifically sugar cane, bananas, coffee, tea, wine, and some tropical fruits. The city itself is surrounded by rainforest and makes a great base for exploring Kuranda, with the Barron Gorge National Park and the Daintree offering a quieter tropical getaway than Cairns.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in China, The Best 10-Day Tours in China, The Best Contiki Tours to Australia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Australia.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNanjing $96Cairns $94
The average daily cost (per person) in Nanjing is $96, while the average daily cost in Cairns is $94. 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 Nanjing and Cairns in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNanjing $46Cairns $43
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNanjing $92Cairns $86
Compare Hotels in Nanjing and Cairns
Looking for a hotel in Nanjing or Cairns? 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: Cairns Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nanjing $38Cairns $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nanjing
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Nanjing:
- Zhenjiang Private Transfer Service from Nanjing City or Lukou Airport : $78
- Yangzhou Private Transfer Service from Nanjing City or Lukou Airport : $80
- Tangshan Hot Spring Resorts Private Transfer from Nanjing Railway Station: $44
- Private Transfer to Yangzhou City from Nanjing Lukou Airport : $109
- Private Transfer to Nanjing Railway Station from Lukou Airport : $45
- Private Transfer to Gaochun City from Nanjing Lukou Airport: $88
- Private Transfer to Gaochun City from Nanjing : $88
- Private Transfer between Nanjing Olympic Stadium and City Hotel: $33
- Private Transfer between Nanjing Jinniuhu Wild Animal Park and City Hotels: $62
- Private Transfer Between Tangshan Hot Spring Resort and Nanjing Lukou Airport: $49
- Private Round Trip Transfer to Zhenjiang from Nanjing: $94
- Private Round Trip Transfer to Yangzhou Attractions from Nanjing: $89
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cairns
Also for Cairns, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfer - Cairns Airport to City: $58
- Airport Transfer - Cairns Airport to Northern Beaches: $59
- Airport Transfer - Cairns City to Airport: $58
- Airport Transfer - Northern Beaches to Cairns Airport: $73
- Airport Transfers between Cairns Airport and Cairns City: $14
- Airport Transfers between Cairns Airport and Palm Cove: $21
- Cairns Airport (CNS) Arrival Transfer (CNS Airport to Cairns Hotels or Address): $147
- Cairns Airport (CNS) to Cairns hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $123
- Cairns Airport (CNS) to Palm Cove - Round-Trip Private Transfer : $100
- Cairns Airport (CNS) to Port Douglas - Arrival Private Transfer: $134
- Cairns Airport (CNS): Private Transfer to Cairns Cruise Port: $159
- Cairns Airport (CNS): Private Transfer to Cairns city hotels: $241
Is it cheaper to fly into Nanjing or Cairns?
Prices for flights to both Cairns and Nanjing 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 dayNanjing $28Cairns $28
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nanjing
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Nanjing.
- 3-Hour Nanjing Authentic Local Food Tour by Public Transportation: $93
- Flexible Private Nanjing City Night Tour with Dinner Option : $112
- Nanjing City Private Night Tour with Qinghuai River Cruise and Dinner Option: $114
- Nanjing Tangshan Mountain Hot Spring Experience and Hot Pot Dinner: $175
- Private Amazing Nanjing Airport Layover Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $181
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cairns
For Cairns, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cairns Luxury Catamaran Harbor and Dinner Cruise: $85
- Night at the Aquarium Guided Tour & 2 Course Dinner: $91
- Guided Twilight Tour with 3-Course Dinner: $117
- City Sights Tour with Evening Dinner Cruise: $149
- Small-Group Afternoon Cairns City Tour with Harbour Dinner Cruise: $156
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Nanjing $9.27Cairns $37
Tours and Activities in Nanjing
Here are a few actual costs in Nanjing for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Half-Day Nanjing City Private Flexible Tour : $109
- 2-Day Unlimited Nanjing Private Flexible Tour with Lunch Option : $295
- 4-Hour Nanjing City Private Tailor-Made Tour in Your Way : $109
- 4-Hour Nanjing Private Tour: Xiaoling Tomb, Ming City Wall and Memorial Hall : $115
- All Inclusive Amazing Nanjing City Highlights Private Day Tour: $193
- All Inclusive Nanjing City Private Day Tour with Tailor-Made Highlights: $213
- All-inclusive Customized Nanjing Layover Tour: $201
- Beijing Great Wall Tour from Nanjing by Bullet Train with Private Car Service: $282
- Flexible Private Nanjing City Highlights Day Tour: $164
- Flexible Private Nanjing Independent Tour : $63
- Flexible Zhenjiang Private Day Tour from Nanjing: $197
- Half Day Nanjing City Private Flexible Tour with Night River Cruise: $165
Typical Entertainment Prices in Cairns
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Cairns's activities, tours, and tickets:
-
Scuba Diving$36
Tours and Activities in Cairns
For Cairns, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Skip the Line: Cairns Museum Single Admission Ticket: $9.93
- Cairns Pub & Club Tour: $26
- Entry Ticket at Historic Village Herberton: $28
- Cairns History Walking Tour: $28
- Hartley's Crocodile Adventures General Entry Ticket: $30
- Cairns Aquarium General Admission Ticket: $34
- Sightseeing River Boat Safari with Soft Drinks: $36
- Sunset River Cruise with Snack and Drinks: $42
- Rusty's Market Foodlovers Tour: $43
- Cairns Botanic Gardens: Mushroom Photography Tour: $44
- Full Day Tour by Myroo X Deluxe Coach to Mission Beach: $46
- Aquarium Entry Ticket and Turtle Rehabilitation Tour: $47
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayNanjing $9.46Cairns $13
Sample the Local Flavors in Cairns
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Cairns:
- From Atherton Tablelands Food and Wine Tasting Tour: $160
When comparing the travel costs between Nanjing and Cairns, we can see that Nanjing is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Nanjing is in Asia and Cairns is in Pacific, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Nanjing Expensive? and Is Cairns Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Nanjing or Cairns?
Nanjing has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Cairns. When comparing the sizes of Nanjing and Cairns, 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 Nanjing or Cairns?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Cairns is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Nanjing has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Nanjing or Cairns in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Nanjing as well as Cairns. Also, the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Cairns this time of year.
In the summer, Nanjing is around the same temperature as Cairns. Typically, the summer temperatures in Nanjing in July average around 28°C (83°F), and Cairns averages at about 29°C (84°F)in January.
It's quite rainy in Cairns. Nanjing receives a lot of rain in the summer. Nanjing usually gets less rain in July than Cairnsin January. Nanjing gets 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 429 mm (16.9 in) of rain this time of the year. November to March in Cairns is the rainy season.
-
Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryNanjing 28°C (83°F)Cairns 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Nanjing or Cairns in the Autumn?
Both Cairns and Nanjing are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Cairns for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.
In October, Nanjing is generally much colder than Cairnsin April. Daily temperatures in Nanjing average around 17°C (63°F), and Cairns fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Cairns. In October, Nanjing usually receives less rain than Cairnsin April. Nanjing gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 273 mm (10.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Cairns is April to October.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilNanjing 17°C (63°F)Cairns 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Nanjing or Cairns in the Winter?
Both Cairns and Nanjing during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Cairns in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Nanjing. Nanjing is much colder than Cairns in the winter. The daily temperature in Nanjing averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Cairns fluctuates around 23°C (73°F)in July.
Nanjing usually gets less rain in January than Cairnsin July. Nanjing gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyNanjing 3°C (37°F)Cairns 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Nanjing or Cairns in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Nanjing and Cairns. Furthermore, most visitors come to Cairns for the beaches during these months.
In the spring, Nanjing is much colder than Cairns. Typically, the spring temperatures in Nanjing in April average around 15°C (60°F), and Cairns averages at about 27°C (80°F)in October.
Nanjing gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Nanjing usually receives more rain than Cairnsin October. Nanjing gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring. April to October in Cairns is the dry season. Also, November to March is the rainy season in Cairns.
-
Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberNanjing 15°C (60°F)Cairns 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Cairns and Nanjing
| Nanjing | Cairns | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (37°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 429 mm (16.9 in) |
| Feb | 4°C (40°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 469 mm (18.5 in) |
| Mar | 9°C (48°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 471 mm (18.5 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (60°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 273 mm (10.8 in) |
| May | 21°C (69°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (77°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 62 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (74°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Oct | 17°C (63°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Nov | 11°C (52°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Dec | 5°C (41°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 211 mm (8.3 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.