A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Qingdao vs. Coffs Harbour for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Qingdao or Coffs Harbour?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Qingdao or Coffs Harbour, 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 Coffs Harbour?

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.

Coffs Harbour

Coffs Harbour is in New South Wales between Brisbane and Sydney. Historically, Coffs Harbour has been a popular vacation destination among families, particularly Australian families. Most visitors today are families that are carrying on a longstanding tradition and bringing their children to the holiday destination of their childhood. You'll also find backpackers who spend up to a week here, dividing the trip between Sydney and Brisbane. The area has a well established tourist infrastructure that is not as trendy as that in Byron Bay, but it remains a wonderful community to visit if you're not looking for the party atmosphere.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in China, The Best Luxury Tours to China, The Best Adventure Tours to Australia, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Australia.


Which place is cheaper, Coffs Harbour or Qingdao?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Qingdao is $58, while the average daily cost in Coffs Harbour is $135. 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 Coffs Harbour in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Qingdao $26
    Coffs Harbour $63
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Qingdao $52
    Coffs Harbour $126
Compare Hotels in Qingdao and Coffs Harbour

Looking for a hotel in Qingdao or Coffs Harbour? 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 Qingdao


Hotels in Coffs Harbour


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: Coffs Harbour Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Qingdao $12
    Coffs Harbour $22

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): $83
  • Qingdao Private Transfer from Qingdao Airport (TAO) to central Qingdao: $83
  • 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 Departure Transfer: City Hotel to Qingdao Railway Station : $36

Is it cheaper to fly into Qingdao or Coffs Harbour?

Prices for flights to both Coffs Harbour 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Qingdao $20
    Coffs Harbour $51

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Qingdao $20
    Coffs Harbour $41

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
  • All-Inclusive Private Day Tour: Qingdao Highlights with Lunch: $285
  • Laoshan Mountain Full Day Private Activity Tour: $224
  • 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 day tour with lunch& round way cable car: $240
  • Private Qingdao Laoshan half day tour with one bottle of Tsingdao beer as gift: $199
  • 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
  • Qingdao Private Tour: City Highlights and Laoshan Mountain with Lunch+Cable Car: $268
  • Qingdao Shore Excursion: Private Full Day Laoshan Mountain Sightseeing Tour: $207
  • Qingdao private half day tour with Tsingdao Beer Lunch : $202

Typical Entertainment Prices in Coffs Harbour

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


  • Surfing Museum (for 2)
    $7.14

Tours and Activities in Coffs Harbour

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

  • Coastal Adventure: $126
  • Coffs Harbour Whale Watch Experience: $63
  • Daytime Kayak Eco Tour of New South Wales: $40
  • Rainforest & Waterfall Experience: $126
  • Sunset Experience: $77
  • Sunset Kayak Eco Tour with Marine Scientist: $40

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Qingdao $14
    Coffs Harbour $8.34


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Qingdao and Coffs Harbour, we can see that Coffs Harbour 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 Coffs Harbour 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 Coffs Harbour would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Coffs Harbour 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 Coffs Harbour Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Qingdao or Coffs Harbour?

Qingdao has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Coffs Harbour. When comparing the sizes of Qingdao and Coffs Harbour, 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 Coffs Harbour?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Coffs Harbour 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 Coffs Harbour in the Summer?

Both Coffs Harbour and Qingdao are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Coffs Harbour for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Qingdao is around the same temperature as Coffs Harbour. Typically, the summer temperatures in Qingdao in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Coffs Harbour averages at about 23°C (74°F)in January.

It's quite sunny in Coffs Harbour. Qingdao usually receives less sunshine than Coffs Harbour during summer. Qingdao gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Coffs Harbour receives 237 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Coffs Harbour. It's quite rainy in Qingdao. In July, Qingdao usually receives more rain than Coffs Harbourin January. Qingdao gets 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Coffs Harbour receives 187 mm (7.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Qingdao 25°C (77°F) 
    Coffs Harbour 23°C (74°F)

Should I visit Qingdao or Coffs Harbour in the Autumn?

Both Coffs Harbour and Qingdao during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Coffs Harbour in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Qingdao is generally cooler than Coffs Harbourin April. Daily temperatures in Qingdao average around 17°C (62°F), and Coffs Harbour fluctuates around 20°C (67°F).

In Coffs Harbour, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Qingdao. In the autumn, Qingdao often gets more sunshine than Coffs Harbourin April. Qingdao gets 220 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Coffs Harbour receives 203 hours of full sun.

Coffs Harbour gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Qingdao usually gets less rain in October than Coffs Harbourin April. Qingdao gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Coffs Harbour receives 215 mm (8.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Qingdao 17°C (62°F) 
    Coffs Harbour 20°C (67°F)

Should I visit Qingdao or Coffs Harbour in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Qingdao and Coffs Harbour. Furthermore, most visitors come to Coffs Harbour for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Qingdao can get quite cold in the winter. Qingdao is much colder than Coffs Harbour in the winter. The daily temperature in Qingdao averages around -0°C (32°F) in January, and Coffs Harbour fluctuates around 13°C (55°F)in July.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Coffs Harbour this time of the year. Qingdao usually receives less sunshine than Coffs Harbour during winter. Qingdao gets 185 hours of sunny skies, while Coffs Harbour receives 219 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Qingdao usually receives less rain than Coffs Harbourin July. Qingdao gets 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Coffs Harbour receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Qingdao -0°C (32°F) 
    Coffs Harbour 13°C (55°F)

Should I visit Qingdao or Coffs Harbour in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Qingdao as well as Coffs Harbour. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Coffs Harbour because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Qingdao is much colder than Coffs Harbour. Typically, the spring temperatures in Qingdao in April average around 12°C (53°F), and Coffs Harbour averages at about 19°C (66°F)in October.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Coffs Harbour. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Qingdao this time of the year. In the spring, Qingdao often gets less sunshine than Coffs Harbourin October. Qingdao gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Coffs Harbour receives 257 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Coffs Harbour. Qingdao usually gets less rain in April than Coffs Harbourin October. Qingdao gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Coffs Harbour receives 103 mm (4.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Qingdao 12°C (53°F) 
    Coffs Harbour 19°C (66°F)

Typical Weather for Coffs Harbour and Qingdao

Qingdao Coffs Harbour
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -0°C (32°F) 11 mm (0.4 in) 23°C (74°F) 187 mm (7.4 in)
Feb 1°C (34°F) 12 mm (0.5 in) 23°C (73°F) 195 mm (7.7 in)
Mar 6°C (43°F) 21 mm (0.8 in) 22°C (72°F) 241 mm (9.5 in)
Apr 12°C (53°F) 37 mm (1.5 in) 20°C (67°F) 215 mm (8.5 in)
May 17°C (62°F) 51 mm (2 in) 17°C (62°F) 177 mm (7 in)
Jun 21°C (70°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 14°C (58°F) 125 mm (4.9 in)
Jul 25°C (77°F) 211 mm (8.3 in) 13°C (55°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Aug 26°C (79°F) 162 mm (6.4 in) 14°C (57°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
Sep 22°C (72°F) 99 mm (3.9 in) 16°C (62°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Oct 17°C (62°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 19°C (66°F) 103 mm (4.1 in)
Nov 10°C (49°F) 28 mm (1.1 in) 20°C (69°F) 136 mm (5.4 in)
Dec 3°C (37°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 22°C (72°F) 143 mm (5.6 in)