A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Pyeongchang vs. Surfers Paradise for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Pyeongchang or Surfers Paradise?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Pyeongchang or Surfers Paradise, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Pyeongchang or Surfers Paradise?

Pyeongchang

Pyeongchang is a county of South Korea situated in the Taebaek Mountains in Gangwon Province. A popular location for winter sports, it was chosen as the host city for the 2018 Winter Olympics. Other attractions include Buddhist temples, parks, villages, and natural scenery.

Surfers Paradise

A tourist mecca, Surfers Paradise is one of the most popular travel destinations along Australia's famed Gold Coast. The beach stretches for miles and there is an endless supply of almost constant parties. You'll find high rise apartments lined up along the shore and plenty of shopping areas, restaurants, nightclubs, and bars. Travelers from around the world visit the area, and it's a right of passage for Australia's teens to vacation in or near Surfers Paradise. For many travelers, Surfers Paradise comes across as little more than a mass marketed, over commercialized, party destination, but for others it is a vacation dream. Prices are highly inflated so you have to keep your whits about you to avoid being ripped off. Surfers Paradise is a destination of extremes and it conjures up extreme emotions in many travelers, be it positive or negative.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Seoul, The Best 10-Day Tours from Seoul, The Best Luxury Tours to Australia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Australia.


Which place is cheaper, Surfers Paradise or Pyeongchang?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Pyeongchang is $133, while the average daily cost in Surfers Paradise is $124. 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 Pyeongchang and Surfers Paradise in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Pyeongchang $61
    Surfers Paradise $67
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Pyeongchang $122
    Surfers Paradise $134
Compare Hotels in Pyeongchang and Surfers Paradise

Looking for a hotel in Pyeongchang or Surfers Paradise? 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 Pyeongchang


Hotels in Surfers Paradise


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: Pyeongchang Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Pyeongchang $24
    Surfers Paradise $11

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Surfers Paradise

Also for Surfers Paradise, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Gold Coast Theme Parks: Shared Hotel Transfers: $15

Is it cheaper to fly into Pyeongchang or Surfers Paradise?

Prices for flights to both Surfers Paradise and Pyeongchang 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
    Pyeongchang $47
    Surfers Paradise $45

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Surfers Paradise

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

  • Buffet Dinner Sightseeing Cruise: $85

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Pyeongchang $50
    Surfers Paradise $24

Tours and Activities in Pyeongchang

For Pyeongchang, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Alpensia 2D1N Ski Lift Tour: $141
  • Balwangsan Cable Car & Samyang Ranch One Day Tour: $78

Typical Entertainment Prices in Surfers Paradise

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Surfers Paradise's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Surf Lesson
    $79

Tours and Activities in Surfers Paradise

For Surfers Paradise, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Catch a Crab Tour with Optional Seafood Lunch: $63
  • Evening Rainforest & Glow Worm Tour from Gold Coast: $80
  • Glow Worms + Day/Night Rainforest & Waterfalls Experience: $133
  • Gold Coast Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing Cruise 1 Day Pass: $30
  • Gold Coast Quack'rDuck Amphibious Tour from Surfers Paradise: $37
  • Gold Coast: 360-Degree High-Speed Jet Boat Adventure: $39
  • Gold Coast: Springbrook 7 Waterfalls and Natural Bridge Day Tour: $120
  • HOTA: Gold Coast Home of the Arts Cruise & Dine Experience Pass: $27
  • Kangaroos & Koalas in the Wild - Private Nature Experience: $227
  • Kangaroos and Mountain Views Day Tour from Gold Coast: $80
  • Lamington National Park, O'Reilly's & Vineyard Tour: $86
  • Natural Bridge Glow Worm Night Tour from Gold Coast: $60

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Pyeongchang $8.69
    Surfers Paradise $11


When comparing the travel costs between Pyeongchang and Surfers Paradise, we can see that Pyeongchang 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 Pyeongchang is in Asia and Surfers Paradise 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 Pyeongchang Expensive? and Is Surfers Paradise Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Pyeongchang or Surfers Paradise?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Surfers Paradise is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Pyeongchang has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Pyeongchang or Surfers Paradise in the Summer?

Both Surfers Paradise and Pyeongchang are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Surfers Paradise this time of year.

In July, Pyeongchang is generally around the same temperature as Surfers Paradisein January. Daily temperatures in Pyeongchang average around 24°C (76°F), and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

It's quite sunny in Surfers Paradise. Pyeongchang usually receives less sunshine than Surfers Paradise during summer. Pyeongchang gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Surfers Paradise receives 256 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Surfers Paradise. It's quite rainy in Pyeongchang. In July, Pyeongchang usually receives more rain than Surfers Paradisein January. Pyeongchang gets 217 mm (8.5 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Pyeongchang 24°C (76°F) 
    Surfers Paradise 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Pyeongchang or Surfers Paradise in the Autumn?

Both Surfers Paradise and Pyeongchang during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many travelers come to Surfers Paradise for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

Pyeongchang is cooler than Surfers Paradise in the autumn. The daily temperature in Pyeongchang averages around 15°C (60°F) in October, and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 22°C (71°F)in April.

In Surfers Paradise, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Pyeongchang often gets less sunshine than Surfers Paradisein April. Pyeongchang gets 185 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Surfers Paradise receives 214 hours of full sun.

Surfers Paradise gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Pyeongchang. Pyeongchang usually gets more rain in October than Surfers Paradisein April. Pyeongchang gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Pyeongchang 15°C (60°F) 
    Surfers Paradise 22°C (71°F)

Should I visit Pyeongchang or Surfers Paradise in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Pyeongchang and Surfers Paradise. Furthermore, many visitors come to Surfers Paradise in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Pyeongchang. In the winter, Pyeongchang is much colder than Surfers Paradise. Typically, the winter temperatures in Pyeongchang in January average around 0°C (33°F), and Surfers Paradise averages at about 15°C (59°F)in July.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Surfers Paradise this time of the year. Pyeongchang usually receives less sunshine than Surfers Paradise during winter. Pyeongchang gets 190 hours of sunny skies, while Surfers Paradise receives 226 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Pyeongchang usually receives less rain than Surfers Paradisein July. Pyeongchang gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Pyeongchang 0°C (33°F) 
    Surfers Paradise 15°C (59°F)

Should I visit Pyeongchang or Surfers Paradise in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Pyeongchang as well as Surfers Paradise. Additionally, most visitors come to Surfers Paradise for the beaches during these months.

In April, Pyeongchang is generally much colder than Surfers Paradisein October. Daily temperatures in Pyeongchang average around 12°C (54°F), and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Surfers Paradise. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Pyeongchang this time of the year. In the spring, Pyeongchang often gets less sunshine than Surfers Paradisein October. Pyeongchang gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Surfers Paradise receives 259 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Surfers Paradise. Pyeongchang usually gets less rain in April than Surfers Paradisein October. Pyeongchang gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Pyeongchang 12°C (54°F) 
    Surfers Paradise 21°C (69°F)

Typical Weather for Surfers Paradise and Pyeongchang

Pyeongchang Surfers Paradise
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 0°C (33°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 25°C (77°F) 167 mm (6.6 in)
Feb 1°C (35°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 25°C (77°F) 157 mm (6.2 in)
Mar 6°C (42°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 24°C (75°F) 140 mm (5.5 in)
Apr 12°C (54°F) 77 mm (3 in) 22°C (71°F) 101 mm (4 in)
May 18°C (64°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 19°C (66°F) 91 mm (3.6 in)
Jun 21°C (69°F) 111 mm (4.4 in) 16°C (61°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Jul 24°C (76°F) 217 mm (8.5 in) 15°C (59°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Aug 25°C (77°F) 262 mm (10.3 in) 16°C (61°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Sep 20°C (68°F) 216 mm (8.5 in) 18°C (65°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Oct 15°C (60°F) 112 mm (4.4 in) 21°C (69°F) 103 mm (4 in)
Nov 9°C (49°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 23°C (73°F) 118 mm (4.6 in)
Dec 3°C (38°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 24°C (76°F) 129 mm (5.1 in)