Which place is cheaper, Fraser Island or Qingdao?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Qingdao or Fraser Island?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Qingdao or Fraser Island, 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 Fraser Island?
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.
Fraser Island
Fraser Island, located off Australia's eastern Queensland coast, is the world's largest sand island. It is best known as a camping and ecotourism destination, with a number of panoramic viewpoints, beaches, lakes, and freshwater pools. Hervey Bay, a beachside city on the nearby mainland, is a primary gateway to the island.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in China, The Best Luxury Tours to China, The Best Water Sports Tour Packages in Australia, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Australia.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayQingdao $58Fraser Island $206
The average daily cost (per person) in Qingdao is $58, while the average daily cost in Fraser Island is $206. 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 Fraser Island in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personQingdao $26Fraser Island $102
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomQingdao $52Fraser Island $204
Compare Hotels in Qingdao and Fraser Island
Looking for a hotel in Qingdao or Fraser Island? 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.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Qingdao $12Fraser Island $92
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Qingdao or Fraser Island?
Prices for flights to both Fraser Island 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 dayQingdao $20Fraser Island $47
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Qingdao $20Fraser Island $44
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
Tours and Activities in Fraser Island
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Fraser Island are as follows:
- 2 Hours Hervey Bay Funset Cruise: $52
- Hervey Bay Ultimate Whale Watching Cruise: $72
- Hervey Bay Whale Watching Cruise: $99
- Hervey Bay: Best Value Half Day Whale Watching Cruise : $79
- Hervey Bay: Half Day Whale watching & Island Stop Tour: $109
- K'gari (Fraser Island) Day Tour: $180
- K'gari/2-Day Tagalong Tour from Hervey Bay: $340
- Remote Fraser Island Experience: $164
- Remote K'gari (Fraser Island) & Whale Experience: $165
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayQingdao $14Fraser Island $20
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Qingdao and Fraser Island, we can see that Fraser Island 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 Fraser Island 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 Fraser Island would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Fraser Island 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 Fraser Island Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Qingdao or Fraser Island?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Fraser Island 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 Fraser Island in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Qingdao as well as Fraser Island. Additionally, many visitors come to Fraser Island in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Qingdao is generally around the same temperature as Fraser Islandin January. Daily temperatures in Qingdao average around 25°C (77°F), and Fraser Island fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
It's quite rainy in Fraser Island. Qingdao receives a lot of rain in the summer. Qingdao usually gets more rain in July than Fraser Islandin January. Qingdao gets 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Fraser Island receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryQingdao 25°C (77°F)Fraser Island 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Qingdao or Fraser Island in the Autumn?
Both Fraser Island and Qingdao are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Fraser Island for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
Qingdao is cooler than Fraser Island in the autumn. The daily temperature in Qingdao averages around 17°C (62°F) in October, and Fraser Island fluctuates around 22°C (72°F)in April.
In October, Qingdao usually receives less rain than Fraser Islandin April. Qingdao gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Fraser Island receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilQingdao 17°C (62°F)Fraser Island 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Qingdao or Fraser Island in the Winter?
Both Fraser Island and Qingdao during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Fraser Island because of the cuisine.
Qingdao can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Qingdao is much colder than Fraser Island. Typically, the winter temperatures in Qingdao in January average around -0°C (32°F), and Fraser Island averages at about 15°C (59°F)in July.
Qingdao usually gets less rain in January than Fraser Islandin July. Qingdao gets 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Fraser Island receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyQingdao -0°C (32°F)Fraser Island 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Qingdao or Fraser Island in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Qingdao and Fraser Island. Also, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Fraser Island this time of year.
In April, Qingdao is generally much colder than Fraser Islandin October. Daily temperatures in Qingdao average around 12°C (53°F), and Fraser Island fluctuates around 21°C (71°F).
In April, Qingdao usually receives less rain than Fraser Islandin October. Qingdao gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Fraser Island receives 75 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberQingdao 12°C (53°F)Fraser Island 21°C (71°F)
Typical Weather for Fraser Island and Qingdao
| Qingdao | Fraser Island | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -0°C (32°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Feb | 1°C (34°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (53°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| May | 17°C (62°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 162 mm (6.4 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Oct | 17°C (62°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 21°C (71°F) | 75 mm (2.9 in) |
| Nov | 10°C (49°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 106 mm (4.2 in) |
| Dec | 3°C (37°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 134 mm (5.3 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.