Which place is cheaper, Cairns or Qingdao?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Qingdao or Cairns?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Qingdao or Cairns, 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 Cairns?
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.
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 Cultural Tours in China, The Best Luxury Tours to China, The Best 4-Week (1-Month) Tours in Australia, and The Best Budget Tours to Australia.
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Qingdao Prices
China PricesCairns Prices
Australia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayQingdao $73Cairns $116
The average daily cost (per person) in Qingdao is $73, while the average daily cost in Cairns is $116. 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 Cairns in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personQingdao $27Cairns $43
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomQingdao $54Cairns $86
Compare Hotels in Qingdao and Cairns
Looking for a hotel in Qingdao 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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Qingdao $12Cairns $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Qingdao
Also for Qingdao, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Qingdao Railway Station Depature Transfer from City Hotels: $36
- Qingdao Railway Station Arrival Transfer to City Hotel: $36
- Qingdao Private Transfer from Qingdao central to Qingdao Airport (TAO): $53
- Qingdao Private Transfer from Qingdao Airport (TAO) to central Qingdao: $54
- Qingdao Northern Railway Station Arrival Private One-Way Transfer: $42
- Qingdao Liuting Airport Transfer Service by Minivan: $86
- Qingdao Cruise Port Departure Transfer from City Hotels: $36
- Private Qingdao Airport Arrival Transfer to City Hotels: $80
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cairns
Also for Cairns, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shuttle Bus Transfer - Kuranda to Cairns City: $20
- Shared Transfer Between Cairns and Port Douglas: $87
- Private Transfers - Cairns Airport to Palm Cove: $96
- Private Transfers - Cairns Airport to Cairns City: $69
- Private Transfer from Cairns hotels to Port Douglas Cruise Port: $161
- Private Transfer from Cairns Cruise Port to Port Douglas hotels: $180
- Private Transfer from Cairns Cruise Port to Cairns Airport (CNS): $87
- Private Transfer from Cairns City Hotels to Cairns Cruise Port: $72
- Private Transfer from Cairns Airport (CNS) to Port Douglas Port: $161
- Private Transfer from Cairns Airport (CNS) to Cairns Cruise Port: $87
- Private Transfer From Cairns Cruise Port to Cairns City Hotels: $72
- Private Transfer - Cairns Airport to/from Cairns CBD : $77
Is it cheaper to fly into Qingdao or Cairns?
Prices for flights to both Cairns 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 $35Cairns $49
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cairns
For Cairns, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Ancient Egypt Sunset Tour with optional 3 Course Dinner : $66
- Ancient Egypt Night Tour with optional 2 Course Dinner: $66
- Dinner Cruise Experience: $92
- Cairns Catamaran Harbour and Dinner Cruise: $93
- Night at the Aquarium Guided Tour & 2 Course Dinner: $96
- Aquarium Guided Twilight Tour with 3-Course Dinner: $118
- Ancient Egypt Sunset Tour with 3 Course Dinner in Cairns: $124
- Ancient Egypt Night Tour with 2 Course Dinner in Cairns: $124
- City Sights Tour with Evening Dinner Cruise: $171
- Small-Group Afternoon Cairns City Tour with Harbour Dinner Cruise: $174
- Paronella Park Rainforest Full-Day Tour with Dinner: $66,130
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Qingdao $20Cairns $37
Tours and Activities in Qingdao
For Qingdao, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Private Qingdao Essentials Tour: City Highlights and Beer Museum: $216
- Alternative City Tour with Navy Museum, Beer Street and TV Tower, Lunch Included: $200
- German Era Tour of Old Town Qingdao with Lunch and Beer Museum: $200
- Half Day Tour and Trek to Fushan Mountain: $170
- Laoshan Mountain Full Day Private Activity Tour: $224
- Private Qingdao Historic architectural day tour with Tsingdao beer during Lunch: $245
- Private Qingdao Laoshan day tour with lunch& round way cable car: $240
- Private Qingdao Laoshan half day tour with one bottle of Tsingdao beer as gift: $199
- Private Qingdao highlights city tour with Lunch and Qingdao beer: $175
- Qingdao After Dark: 4-Hour Illumination Tour with Options: $150
- Qingdao Discover Tour to the Mount Laoshan and Tasting Famous Local Beer: $248
- Qingdao Private Day Tour to Laoshan Mountain with Lunch and Cable Car: $238
Typical Entertainment Prices in Cairns
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Cairns's activities, tours, and tickets:
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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:
- Kuranda Rainforestation Nature Park Ticket (BNP): $47
- 1 Hour Jetski Tour Cairns: $134
- 2 Days Tour on Atherton Tablelands and Cape Tribbin: $288
- 2-Day Daintree & Outback Tour from Cairns & Port Douglas: $261
- 2-Day Paronella Park & Tablelands Tour+Cape Tribulation Tour: $324
- 2-Day Waterfall and Daintree Tour: $191
- 30 min Jetski Tour Cairns: $74
- All Inclusive Day Tour to Frankland Islands Great Barrier Reef: $168
- All Inclusive Waterfalls and Rainforest Tour from Cairns : $120
- Ancient Egypt Night Tour in the heart of Cairns: $65
- Ancient Egypt Sunset Tour in the heart of Cairns: $65
- Atherton Tablelands: Lakes, Waterfalls, Rainforest Day Tour: $112
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayQingdao $14Cairns $13
Sample the Local Flavors in Cairns
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Cairns:
- Cairns Party Bus Pub Crawl Night Out Experience: $44
- From Atherton Tablelands Food and Wine Tasting Tour: $169
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Qingdao and Cairns, we can see that Cairns 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 Cairns 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 Cairns would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cairns 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 Cairns Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Qingdao or Cairns?
Qingdao has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Cairns. When comparing the sizes of Qingdao 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 Qingdao 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 Qingdao has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Qingdao or Cairns in the Summer?
Both Cairns and Qingdao are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Cairns for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
Qingdao is cooler than Cairns in the summer. The daily temperature in Qingdao averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Cairns fluctuates around 29°C (84°F)in January.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Cairns. It's quite rainy in Qingdao. In July, Qingdao usually receives less rain than Cairnsin January. Qingdao gets 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 429 mm (16.9 in) of rain each month for the summer. The rainy season in Cairns is November to March.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryQingdao 25°C (77°F)Cairns 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Qingdao or Cairns in the Autumn?
Both Cairns and Qingdao during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Cairns because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Qingdao is much colder than Cairns. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Qingdao in October average around 17°C (62°F), and Cairns averages at about 27°C (80°F)in April.
Cairns gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Qingdao usually gets less rain in October than Cairnsin April. Qingdao gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 273 mm (10.8 in) of rain this time of the year. April to October is the dry season in Cairns.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilQingdao 17°C (62°F)Cairns 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Qingdao or Cairns in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Qingdao and Cairns. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Cairns this time of year.
The weather in Qingdao can be very cold. In January, Qingdao is generally much colder than Cairnsin July. Daily temperatures in Qingdao average around -0°C (32°F), and Cairns fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
In January, Qingdao usually receives less rain than Cairnsin July. Qingdao gets 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyQingdao -0°C (32°F)Cairns 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Qingdao or Cairns in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Qingdao as well as Cairns. Additionally, many travelers come to Cairns for the beaches.
Qingdao is much colder than Cairns in the spring. The daily temperature in Qingdao averages around 12°C (53°F) in April, and Cairns fluctuates around 27°C (80°F)in October.
Qingdao usually gets less rain in April than Cairnsin October. Qingdao gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, April to October in Cairns is the dry season. November to March in Cairns is the rainy season.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberQingdao 12°C (53°F)Cairns 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Cairns and Qingdao
| Qingdao | Cairns | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -0°C (32°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 429 mm (16.9 in) |
| Feb | 1°C (34°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 469 mm (18.5 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 471 mm (18.5 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (53°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 273 mm (10.8 in) |
| May | 17°C (62°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 62 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 162 mm (6.4 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Oct | 17°C (62°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Nov | 10°C (49°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Dec | 3°C (37°F) | 10 mm (0.4 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.