Which place is cheaper, Whitsundays or Perth?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Perth or Whitsundays?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Perth and Whitsundays can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Perth or Whitsundays?
Perth
Capital of Western Australia, Perth is a city that sits where the Swan River meets the sea, and given its ocean side location there is plenty to see and do on the water and beyond. Spend a day on Perth's sandy beaches or get lost in its parks and gardens, sail down the river or enjoy the city's history and culture visiting museums and historic sites, shopping, dining, and much more.
Whitsundays
Just off the coast of Queensland, Australia is a cluster of 74 different islands. These islands, the Whitsunday Islands, welcome over a half a million visitors every year to see one of the Seven Wonders of the World - the Great Barrier Reef.
As one of the most famous destinations in the world, it's not uncommon to see expensive yachts sailing around among the private ferries. Most of the islands are designated as national parks with access to snorkeling and diving in the coral reefs, or just to lay in the sand on the famous Whitehaven Beach.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Australia, The Best Walking Tours in Australia, The Best Eco Tours in Australia, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Australia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPerth $136Whitsundays $137
The average daily cost (per person) in Perth is $136, while the average daily cost in Whitsundays is $137. 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 Perth and Whitsundays in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPerth $78Whitsundays $71
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPerth $156Whitsundays $142
Compare Hotels in Perth and Whitsundays
Looking for a hotel in Perth or Whitsundays? 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: Perth Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Perth $26Whitsundays $57
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Perth
Also for Perth, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Ballooning in the Avon Valley plus Transfer from Perth, breakfast: $267
- Perth Airport transfer Private Chauffeur: $117
- Departure Private Transfer: Perth City to Perth Airport PER in Business Car: $78
- Perth city to Perth Airport (PER) - Departure Private Transfer: $33
- Private Transfer from Fremantle Cruise Port to Perth Airport(PER): $33
- Private Transfer from Fremantle Cruise Port to Perth city hotels: $33
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Whitsundays
Also for Whitsundays, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Whitsunday Islands: Whitehaven Beach Camping Transfer: $127
Is it cheaper to fly into Perth or Whitsundays?
Prices for flights to both Whitsundays and Perth 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 dayPerth $37Whitsundays $31
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Perth
For Perth, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Half-Day Smokin' BBQ Food Tour: $82
- Perth Swan River Dinner Cruise: $117
- Pinnacles Sunset Dinner and Stargazing Experience a Small Group Tour: $120
- The 10 Tastings of Perth With Locals: Private Food Tour : $163
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Perth $14Whitsundays $26
Tours and Activities in Perth
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Perth.
- 1 Day Margaret River Sightseeing Tour from Perth: $136
- 1/2 day Swan Valley Wine Cheese & Chocolate Tour Inc Afternoon Cruise to Perth: $89
- 2 Hours Whale Watching Tour in Fremantle: $51
- Adventure Rottnest Tour with Ferry & Adventure Cruise: $111
- Cliffs and Caves Kayak Tour in Swan River: $61
- Design Your Own Tour Experience: $274
- Discover Rottnest with Ferry & Bus Tour: $105
- Dolphin and Sealion, Seafood Snorkel Adventure: $103
- Dwellingup Trains, Trails & Woodfired Delights Full Day Tour: $105
- Educational Whale Watching Tour from Augusta or Perth: $65
- Experience Rottnest with Ferry & Bike Hire: $82
- Explore Fabulous Fremantle: Self-Guided Audio Tour: $16
Tours and Activities in Whitsundays
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Whitsundays.
- Daydream Island: Great Barrier Reef Adventure Cruise: $200
- From Daydream Is.: Whitsundays & Whitehaven Half-Day Cruise: $94
- Whitsundays Camira Sailing Adventure from Daydream Island: $153
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPerth $7.71Whitsundays $13
Sample the Local Flavors in Perth
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Perth:
- Half Day Swan Valley Wine Tour: $65
- Small-Group Gin Distillery Tour in Perth: $93
- Half-Day Swan Valley Winery & Brewery: $134
- Swan Valley River Cruise and Wine Tasting Day Trip from Perth: $136
- Swan Valley Perth Brewery Tour - Premium Small Group Tour: $137
- VIP Swan Valley Wine Tour - Premium Small Group Wine & Gourmet Experience: $137
- Swan Valley Food & Wine Tour: $216
When comparing the travel costs between Perth and Whitsundays, we can see that Whitsundays 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. Since both cities are in Pacific, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Perth Expensive? and Is Whitsundays Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Perth or Whitsundays?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.
Should I visit Perth or Whitsundays in the Summer?
Both Whitsundays and Perth are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Perth for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
Perth is around the same temperature as Whitsundays in the summer. The daily temperature in Perth averages around 25°C (76°F) in January, and Whitsundays fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
It's quite sunny in Whitsundays. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Perth. Perth usually receives more sunshine than Whitsundays during summer. Perth gets 331 hours of sunny skies, while Whitsundays receives 285 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Whitsundays. In January, Perth usually receives less rain than Whitsundays. Perth gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 331 mm (13 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JanuaryPerth 25°C (76°F)Whitsundays 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Perth or Whitsundays in the Autumn?
Both Whitsundays and Perth during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Perth because of the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Perth is cooler than Whitsundays. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Perth in April average around 19°C (67°F), and Whitsundays averages at about 23°C (73°F).
In Whitsundays, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Perth. In the autumn, Perth often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Whitsundays. Perth gets 219 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Whitsundays receives 207 hours of full sun.
Whitsundays gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Perth usually gets less rain in April than Whitsundays. Perth gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures AprilPerth 19°C (67°F)Whitsundays 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Perth or Whitsundays in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Perth and Whitsundays. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Perth this time of year.
In July, Perth is generally cooler than Whitsundays. Daily temperatures in Perth average around 13°C (55°F), and Whitsundays fluctuates around 16°C (62°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Whitsundays this time of the year. Perth usually receives less sunshine than Whitsundays during winter. Perth gets 166 hours of sunny skies, while Whitsundays receives 226 hours of full sun in the winter.
Perth gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Perth usually receives more rain than Whitsundays. Perth gets 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JulyPerth 13°C (55°F)Whitsundays 16°C (62°F)
Should I visit Perth or Whitsundays in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Perth as well as Whitsundays. Many travelers come to Perth for the beaches.
Perth is cooler than Whitsundays in the spring. The daily temperature in Perth averages around 17°C (62°F) in October, and Whitsundays fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Whitsundays. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Perth this time of the year. In the spring, Perth often gets less sunshine than Whitsundays. Perth gets 273 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Whitsundays receives 298 hours of full sun.
Perth usually gets more rain in October than Whitsundays. Perth gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures OctoberPerth 17°C (62°F)Whitsundays 23°C (73°F)
Typical Weather for Whitsundays and Perth
| Perth | Whitsundays | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (76°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 331 mm (13 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 377 mm (14.8 in) |
| Mar | 23°C (73°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 312 mm (12.3 in) |
| Apr | 19°C (67°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| May | 16°C (61°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 14°C (58°F) | 201 mm (7.9 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jul | 13°C (55°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Aug | 13°C (56°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| Sep | 15°C (58°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Oct | 17°C (62°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 19°C (67°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Dec | 22°C (72°F) | 8 mm (0.3 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.