Which place is cheaper, Byron Bay or Qingdao?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Qingdao or Byron Bay?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Qingdao or Byron Bay, 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: Qingdao or Byron Bay?
Qingdao
Qingdao, China, located in the Shandong Province, is a very large city right on the Yellow Sea coast. The city, whose name means "The Green Island" due to it's gorgeous landscapes and interesting geography, was named China's most livable city in 2012. The city is rich in history, having almost become a German territory in 1897 and being occupied by the Japanese during WWI. Evidence of these occupiers is present in much of the architecture around the city, which includes a few Catholic and Protestant churches.
Byron Bay
South of Brisbane, off the Pacific Highway, is the coastal town of Byron Bay. It is close to Cape Byron, which is the easternmost point in mainland Australia. Byron Bay makes its way onto most traveler's itineraries because of its wonderful beach activities. The area is world famous for its waves, making it popular with surfers, but it also has incredible scuba diving, whale watching, and a generally relaxed atmosphere. The area continues to rise in popularity with travelers and as such, amenities and facilities are popping up everywhere.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in China, The Best Luxury Tours to China, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Australia, and The Best Contiki Tours to Australia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayQingdao $58Byron Bay $139
The average daily cost (per person) in Qingdao is $58, while the average daily cost in Byron Bay is $139. 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 Qingdao and Byron Bay in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personQingdao $26Byron Bay $66
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomQingdao $52Byron Bay $132
Compare Hotels in Qingdao and Byron Bay
Looking for a hotel in Qingdao or Byron Bay? 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: Byron Bay Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Qingdao $12Byron Bay $32
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Qingdao
Also for Qingdao, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Departure Transfer: City Hotel to Qingdao Railway Station : $36
- Qingdao Railway Station Depature Transfer from City Hotels: $36
- Qingdao Railway Station Arrival Transfer to City Hotel: $36
- Qingdao Cruise Port Departure Transfer from City Hotels: $36
- Qingdao Northern Railway Station Arrival Private One-Way Transfer: $42
- Qingdao Private Transfer from Qingdao central to Qingdao Airport (TAO): $83
- Qingdao Private Transfer from Qingdao Airport (TAO) to central Qingdao: $83
- Qingdao Liuting Airport Transfer Service by Minivan: $86
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Byron Bay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Byron Bay:
- Byron Bay Tandem Skydive with Transfer Options: $240
Is it cheaper to fly into Qingdao or Byron Bay?
Prices for flights to both Byron Bay and Qingdao 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 dayQingdao $20Byron Bay $47
Typical Food Prices in Byron Bay
Some typical examples of dining costs in Byron Bay are as follows:
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Dinner at Olivo (for 2)$58
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Qingdao $20Byron Bay $35
Tours and Activities in Qingdao
For Qingdao, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Private Qingdao City tour with Lunch and Qingdao beer: $175
- Private Qingdao Historic architectural day tour with Tsingdao beer during Lunch: $190
- Private Qingdao Laoshan half day tour with one bottle of Tsingdao beer as gift: $199
- Qingdao private half day tour with Tsingdao Beer Lunch : $202
- Qingdao Shore Excursion: Private Full Day Laoshan Mountain Sightseeing Tour: $207
- Private Qingdao Essentials Tour: City Highlights and Beer Museum: $216
- Laoshan Mountain Full Day Private Activity Tour: $224
- Qingdao Private Day Tour to Laoshan Mountain with Lunch and Cable Car: $238
- Private Qingdao Laoshan day tour with lunch& round way cable car: $240
- Qingdao Discover Tour to the Mount Laoshan and Tasting Famous Local Beer: $248
- Qingdao Private Tour: City Highlights and Laoshan Mountain with Lunch+Cable Car: $268
- All-Inclusive Private Day Tour: Qingdao Highlights with Lunch: $285
Typical Entertainment Prices in Byron Bay
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Byron Bay are as follows:
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Buddha Gardens Spa (for 2)$123
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Surf Lesson$42
Tours and Activities in Byron Bay
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Byron Bay are as follows:
- 3-Hour Small-Group Byron Bay Tour: $66
- Beyond Byron Hinterland Tour: $132
- Broken Head Aboriginal Tour: $46
- Broken Head Aboriginal Tour: $45
- Brunswick River: Byron Sunset Eco Rainforest River Cruise: $62
- Byron Bay Half-Day Tour: $65
- Byron Bay Hinterland Tour Including Rainforest Walk to Minyon Falls: $112
- Byron Bay Hinterland: National Park and Waterfalls Tour: $110
- Byron Bay Lighthouse and Hinterland Tour: $66
- Byron Bay and Beyond Tour Including Cape Bryon Lighthouse Crystal Castle and Bangalow: $125
- Brunswick Heads Sunset Rainforest Eco-Cruise: $63
- Brunswick River Scenic Kayak Tour: $39
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayQingdao $14Byron Bay $14
Sample the Local Flavors in Byron Bay
Also in Byron Bay, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Arvo Session Brewery and Distillery Tour: $97
- Afternoon Brewery and Distillery session : $99
- Full-Day Brewery and Distillery Tour with Lunch: $127
- Full Barrel Brewery and Distillery tour: $129
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Qingdao and Byron Bay, we can see that Byron Bay is more expensive. And not only is Qingdao much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Qingdao is in Asia and Byron Bay 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 Qingdao would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Qingdao 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 Byron Bay would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Byron Bay than you might in Qingdao.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Qingdao Expensive? and Is Byron Bay Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Qingdao or Byron Bay?
Qingdao has a larger population, and is about 240 times larger than the population of Byron Bay. When comparing the sizes of Qingdao and Byron Bay, 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 Qingdao or Byron Bay?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Byron Bay is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Qingdao has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Qingdao or Byron Bay in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Qingdao as well as Byron Bay. Additionally, many travelers come to Byron Bay for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Qingdao is generally around the same temperature as Byron Bayin January. Daily temperatures in Qingdao average around 25°C (77°F), and Byron Bay fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).
It's quite rainy in Byron Bay. Qingdao receives a lot of rain in the summer. Qingdao usually gets more rain in July than Byron Bayin January. Qingdao gets 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Byron Bay receives 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryQingdao 25°C (77°F)Byron Bay 23°C (74°F)
Should I visit Qingdao or Byron Bay in the Autumn?
Both Byron Bay and Qingdao are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Byron Bay in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.
Qingdao is cooler than Byron Bay in the autumn. The daily temperature in Qingdao averages around 17°C (62°F) in October, and Byron Bay fluctuates around 20°C (69°F)in April.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Byron Bay. In October, Qingdao usually receives less rain than Byron Bayin April. Qingdao gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Byron Bay receives 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilQingdao 17°C (62°F)Byron Bay 20°C (69°F)
Should I visit Qingdao or Byron Bay in the Winter?
Both Byron Bay and Qingdao during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Byron Bay for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Qingdao can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Qingdao is much colder than Byron Bay. Typically, the winter temperatures in Qingdao in January average around -0°C (32°F), and Byron Bay averages at about 14°C (58°F)in July.
Qingdao usually gets less rain in January than Byron Bayin July. Qingdao gets 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Byron Bay receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyQingdao -0°C (32°F)Byron Bay 14°C (58°F)
Should I visit Qingdao or Byron Bay in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Qingdao and Byron Bay. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Byron Bay because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.
In April, Qingdao is generally much colder than Byron Bayin October. Daily temperatures in Qingdao average around 12°C (53°F), and Byron Bay fluctuates around 19°C (67°F).
In April, Qingdao usually receives less rain than Byron Bayin October. Qingdao gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Byron Bay receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberQingdao 12°C (53°F)Byron Bay 19°C (67°F)
Typical Weather for Byron Bay and Qingdao
| Qingdao | Byron Bay | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -0°C (32°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Feb | 1°C (34°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (53°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) |
| May | 17°C (62°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 162 mm (6.4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 32 mm (1.2 in) |
| Oct | 17°C (62°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Nov | 10°C (49°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Dec | 3°C (37°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 118 mm (4.6 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.