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

Should you visit Nanjing or Fraser Island?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Nanjing or Fraser Island? 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 Fraser Island?

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.

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 The Best Historical Tours in China, The Best 10-Day Tours in China, The Best Water Sports Tour Packages in Australia, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Australia.


Which place is cheaper, Fraser Island or Nanjing?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Nanjing is $96, while the average daily cost in Fraser Island is $206. 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 Fraser Island in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Nanjing $46
    Fraser Island $102
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Nanjing $92
    Fraser Island $204
Compare Hotels in Nanjing and Fraser Island

Looking for a hotel in Nanjing 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 Nanjing


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.
    Nanjing $38
    Fraser Island $92

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nanjing

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Nanjing:

  • Huangshan Tunxi International Airport Private Arrival Transfer to City Area: $20
  • [Airport transfer] Nanjing Lukou International Airport ⇔ Nanjing city transfer ☆ High reputation for service! <Charter charter>: $27
  • Private Arrival Transfer to Nanjing City from Railway Station : $32
  • Nanjing Railway Station Private Transfer from City Center: $32
  • Nanjing Lukou International Airport (NKG) to Nanjing - Arrival Private Transfer : $33
  • Private Transfer between Nanjing Olympic Stadium and City Hotel: $33
  • Private Departure Transfer:City Hotel to Nanjing Any Railway Station: $34
  • Nanjing Railway Station Private Arrival Transfer to City Hotels: $35
  • Nanjing Airport (NKG) to Nanjing - Arrival Private Transfer : $36
  • Tangshan Hot Spring Resorts Private Transfer from Nanjing Railway Station: $44
  • Nanjing Lukou International Airport Private Arrival Transfer to City Center: $45
  • Private Departure Transfer from Nanjing City Center to Lukou Int'l Airport: $45

Is it cheaper to fly into Nanjing or Fraser Island?

Prices for flights to both Fraser Island 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 day
    Nanjing $28
    Fraser Island $47

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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Nanjing $9.27
    Fraser Island $44

Tours and Activities in Nanjing

Here are a few actual costs in Nanjing for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Flexible Private Nanjing Independent Tour : $63
  • Nanjing Self-Guided Day Tour with Private Car and Driver Service: $70
  • Nanjing Private English Tour Guide Service: $75
  • Private Amazing Nanjing City Day Tour in Your Way: $75
  • Nanjing Professional English Tour Guide Service: $91
  • Half-Day Nanjing Purple Mountain Private Tour in Your Way: $94
  • Yangzhou Self-Guided Tour from Nanjing with Private Car and Driver Service : $94
  • Half-Day Nanjing City Private Flexible Tour : $109
  • 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
  • Nanjing Private Night Tour: Confucian Temple Area, Ming City Wall, Laomendong: $116
  • Nanjing Private Flexible Day Tour with Ancient and Modern History: $119

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: $52
  • Hervey Bay Ultimate Whale Watching Cruise: $72
  • Hervey Bay: Best Value Half Day Whale Watching Cruise : $79
  • Hervey Bay Whale Watching Cruise: $98
  • Hervey Bay: Half Day Whale watching & Island Stop Tour: $109
  • Remote K'gari (Fraser Island) & Whale Experience: $164
  • Remote Fraser Island Experience: $164
  • K'gari (Fraser Island) Day Tour: $180
  • K'gari/2-Day Tagalong Tour from Hervey Bay: $340

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Nanjing $9.46
    Fraser Island $20


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nanjing and Fraser Island, we can see that Fraser Island is more expensive. And not only is Nanjing much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Nanjing 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 Nanjing would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nanjing 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 Nanjing.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Nanjing Expensive? and Is Fraser Island Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Nanjing 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 Nanjing has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Nanjing or Fraser Island in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Nanjing and Fraser Island. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Fraser Island because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

Nanjing is a little warmer than Fraser Island in the summer. The daily temperature in Nanjing averages around 28°C (83°F) in July, and Fraser Island fluctuates around 26°C (78°F)in January.

Fraser Island receives a lot of rain in the summer. Nanjing gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Nanjing usually receives around the same amount of rain as Fraser Islandin January. Nanjing gets 174 mm (6.9 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
    Nanjing 28°C (83°F) 
    Fraser Island 26°C (78°F)

Should I visit Nanjing or Fraser Island in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Nanjing as well as Fraser Island. Additionally, the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Fraser Island this time of year.

In the autumn, Nanjing is cooler than Fraser Island. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Nanjing in October average around 17°C (63°F), and Fraser Island averages at about 22°C (72°F)in April.

Nanjing usually gets less rain in October than Fraser Islandin April. Nanjing gets 44 mm (1.7 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
    Nanjing 17°C (63°F) 
    Fraser Island 22°C (72°F)

Should I visit Nanjing or Fraser Island in the Winter?

Both Fraser Island and Nanjing are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Fraser Island for the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Nanjing in the winter. In January, Nanjing is generally much colder than Fraser Islandin July. Daily temperatures in Nanjing average around 3°C (37°F), and Fraser Island fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

In January, Nanjing usually receives less rain than Fraser Islandin July. Nanjing gets 27 mm (1.1 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
    Nanjing 3°C (37°F) 
    Fraser Island 15°C (59°F)

Should I visit Nanjing or Fraser Island in the Spring?

Both Fraser Island and Nanjing during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Fraser Island in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

Nanjing is cooler than Fraser Island in the spring. The daily temperature in Nanjing averages around 15°C (60°F) in April, and Fraser Island fluctuates around 21°C (71°F)in October.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Nanjing. Nanjing usually gets more rain in April than Fraser Islandin October. Nanjing gets 101 mm (4 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
    Nanjing 15°C (60°F) 
    Fraser Island 21°C (71°F)

Typical Weather for Fraser Island and Nanjing

Nanjing Fraser Island
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 3°C (37°F) 27 mm (1.1 in) 26°C (78°F) 164 mm (6.5 in)
Feb 4°C (40°F) 52 mm (2 in) 25°C (78°F) 163 mm (6.4 in)
Mar 9°C (48°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 24°C (76°F) 134 mm (5.3 in)
Apr 15°C (60°F) 101 mm (4 in) 22°C (72°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
May 21°C (69°F) 88 mm (3.5 in) 19°C (66°F) 78 mm (3.1 in)
Jun 25°C (77°F) 114 mm (4.5 in) 16°C (61°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Jul 28°C (83°F) 174 mm (6.9 in) 15°C (59°F) 59 mm (2.3 in)
Aug 28°C (83°F) 158 mm (6.2 in) 16°C (61°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Sep 23°C (74°F) 105 mm (4.1 in) 19°C (65°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)
Oct 17°C (63°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) 21°C (71°F) 75 mm (2.9 in)
Nov 11°C (52°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 23°C (74°F) 106 mm (4.2 in)
Dec 5°C (41°F) 25 mm (1 in) 25°C (77°F) 134 mm (5.3 in)