Which place is cheaper, Newcastle or Qingdao?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Qingdao or Newcastle?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Qingdao or Newcastle, 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 Newcastle?
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.
Newcastle
Newcastle is 150 kilometers north of Sydney in New South Wales. It is also the second largest city in the state, and serves as a central point to explore the area's beaches, wineries, and beautiful natural landscape. North of the city is Stockton beach, which has many miles of isolated, beautiful beaches, stretching all the way up to Nelson Bay. The wineries are inland to the west and have some of Australia's finest wine which you can taste. If you want to see rainforests, you can head northwest to Barrington Tops National Park, which has great rainforests and freshwater streams. You may even get to see a platypus. The city also has the country's oldest sea port. In the past the city's economy was centered around the steel industry, but today the University of Newcastle is one of the area's most important employers.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in China, The Best Luxury Tours to China, The Best Contiki Tours to Australia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Australia.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayQingdao $58Newcastle $91
The average daily cost (per person) in Qingdao is $58, while the average daily cost in Newcastle is $91. 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 Newcastle in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personQingdao $26Newcastle $44
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomQingdao $52Newcastle $88
Compare Hotels in Qingdao and Newcastle
Looking for a hotel in Qingdao or Newcastle? 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: Newcastle Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Qingdao $12Newcastle $8.34
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 Newcastle
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Newcastle:
- Private Transfer from Newcastle Port to Newcastle city hotels: $28
- Private Transfer from Newcastle Port to Newcastle Airport (NTL): $29
- Private Transfer from Newcastle Cruise Port to Sydney City Hotels: $88
- Private Transfer from Newcastle City Hotels to Newcastle Port: $28
- Private Transfer from Newcastle Airport (NTL) to Newcastle Port: $29
- Private Transfer - Newcastle Cruise Port to Sydney Airport (SYD): $88
- Tandem Beach Skydive with Optional Transfers: $248
- Bimbadgen Lunch Tour with Helicopter Transfers: $751
- Newcastle to Newcastle Airport (NTL) - Departure Private Transfer: $26
- Newcastle Airport (NTL) to Newcastle - Arrival Private Transfer: $26
Is it cheaper to fly into Qingdao or Newcastle?
Prices for flights to both Newcastle 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 $20Newcastle $35
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Qingdao $20Newcastle $15
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 Newcastle
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Newcastle are as follows:
- 3- Hour Wine and Harvest the Hunter Horse Tour in Pokolbin: $92
- 3-Hour Hunter Valley Scenic Helicopter Tour Including 3-Course Lunch from Cessnock: $254
- Architecture, Street Art & Hidden Secrets Walking Tour of Newcastle: $33
- Audrey Wilkinson Vineyard - Sweet Indulgence Experience: $37
- Audrey Wilkinson Vineyard: Fromage and Fortified Wine Experience: $50
- Award Winning Full Day Wine and Food Experience: $150
- Eat And Drink Newcastle History Walking Tour: $60
- Family Pass: Fighter World Museum Admission Ticket: $30
- From Hunter Valley Beer & Wine Group Tour: $163
- Full Day Tour in Country Towns, Rivers and Aussie Farm: $159
- Helicopter Tour of Hunter Valley in New South Wales with Lunch: $281
- Humpback Whale Encounter Tour from Newcastle: $83
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayQingdao $14Newcastle $10
Sample the Local Flavors in Newcastle
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Newcastle:
- Cael’s Gate Wine Tasting in Broke: $5.32
- Boutique Wine Tasting Experience in Pokolbin: $6.60
- Ivanhoe Wines: Trip Advisor Seated Wine Tasting Masterclass: $9.91
- Tulloch Wines - Wine Tasting paired with Local Handmade Chocolates: $20
- 30-Minute Distillery Guided Tour in Carrington : $23
- Cheese and Wine Tasting Experience in Pokolbin: $26
- Tintilla Estate: Wine Tasting with a Meat and Cheese Platter: $26
- Tulloch Wines Hunter Heroes Wine Tasting with Local Cheese & Charcuterie Board: $33
- Tulloch Wines- Mystery Wine Tasting Experience with Local Cheese and Charcuterie: $33
- Premium Wine Tasting Experience in Pokolbin: $50
- Snapshot Half Day Hunter Valley Wine Tour: $72
- Hunter Valley Wine Tour from the Hunter with Wine Craft Beer Cheese Chocolate: $102
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Qingdao and Newcastle, we can see that Newcastle 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 Newcastle 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 Newcastle would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Newcastle 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 Newcastle Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Qingdao or Newcastle?
Qingdao has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Newcastle. When comparing the sizes of Qingdao and Newcastle, 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 Newcastle?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Newcastle 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 Newcastle in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Qingdao as well as Newcastle. Additionally, most visitors come to Newcastle for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
Qingdao is a little warmer than Newcastle in the summer. The daily temperature in Qingdao averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Newcastle fluctuates around 22°C (72°F)in January.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Newcastle. In the summer, Qingdao often gets less sunshine than Newcastlein January. Qingdao gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Newcastle receives 232 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Newcastle. Qingdao receives a lot of rain in the summer. Qingdao usually gets more rain in July than Newcastlein January. Qingdao gets 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Newcastle receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryQingdao 25°C (77°F)Newcastle 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Qingdao or Newcastle in the Autumn?
Both Newcastle and Qingdao are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Newcastle because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Qingdao is cooler than Newcastle. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Qingdao in October average around 17°C (62°F), and Newcastle averages at about 19°C (67°F)in April.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Qingdao. Qingdao usually receives more sunshine than Newcastle during autumn. Qingdao gets 220 hours of sunny skies, while Newcastle receives 199 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Newcastle. In October, Qingdao usually receives less rain than Newcastlein April. Qingdao gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Newcastle receives 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilQingdao 17°C (62°F)Newcastle 19°C (67°F)
Should I visit Qingdao or Newcastle in the Winter?
Both Newcastle and Qingdao during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Newcastle this time of year.
The weather in Qingdao can be very cold. In January, Qingdao is generally much colder than Newcastlein July. Daily temperatures in Qingdao average around -0°C (32°F), and Newcastle fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
In Newcastle, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Qingdao often gets less sunshine than Newcastlein July. Qingdao gets 185 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Newcastle receives 206 hours of full sun.
Qingdao usually gets less rain in January than Newcastlein July. Qingdao gets 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Newcastle receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyQingdao -0°C (32°F)Newcastle 13°C (55°F)
Should I visit Qingdao or Newcastle in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Qingdao and Newcastle. Also, many travelers come to Newcastle for the beaches and the activities around the city.
Qingdao is much colder than Newcastle in the spring. The daily temperature in Qingdao averages around 12°C (53°F) in April, and Newcastle fluctuates around 18°C (64°F)in October.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Newcastle this time of the year. In Qingdao, it's very sunny this time of the year. Qingdao usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Newcastle during spring. Qingdao gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Newcastle receives 237 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Qingdao usually receives less rain than Newcastlein October. Qingdao gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Newcastle receives 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberQingdao 12°C (53°F)Newcastle 18°C (64°F)
Typical Weather for Newcastle and Qingdao
| Qingdao | Newcastle | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -0°C (32°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Feb | 1°C (34°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 21°C (71°F) | 124 mm (4.9 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (53°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| May | 17°C (62°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 102 mm (4 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 162 mm (6.4 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 17°C (62°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| Nov | 10°C (49°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | 3°C (37°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 82 mm (3.2 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.