Which place is cheaper, Surfers Paradise or Qingdao?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Qingdao or Surfers Paradise?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Qingdao or Surfers Paradise, 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 Surfers Paradise?
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.
Surfers Paradise
A tourist mecca, Surfers Paradise is one of the most popular travel destinations along Australia's famed Gold Coast. The beach stretches for miles and there is an endless supply of almost constant parties. You'll find high rise apartments lined up along the shore and plenty of shopping areas, restaurants, nightclubs, and bars. Travelers from around the world visit the area, and it's a right of passage for Australia's teens to vacation in or near Surfers Paradise. For many travelers, Surfers Paradise comes across as little more than a mass marketed, over commercialized, party destination, but for others it is a vacation dream. Prices are highly inflated so you have to keep your whits about you to avoid being ripped off. Surfers Paradise is a destination of extremes and it conjures up extreme emotions in many travelers, be it positive or negative.
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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayQingdao $58Surfers Paradise $104
The average daily cost (per person) in Qingdao is $58, while the average daily cost in Surfers Paradise is $104. 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 Surfers Paradise in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personQingdao $26Surfers Paradise $66
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomQingdao $52Surfers Paradise $132
Compare Hotels in Qingdao and Surfers Paradise
Looking for a hotel in Qingdao or Surfers Paradise? 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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Qingdao $12Surfers Paradise $11
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Surfers Paradise
Also for Surfers Paradise, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer to Brisbane/BNE Airport from Gold Coast/OOL Airport( 1-7 pax): $229
- Private Transfer from Gold Coast Airport - Surfers Paradise: $50
- Private Transfer from Brisbane Airports to Surfers Paradise: $106
- Luxury Private Transfer between Gold Coast Airport and Gold Coast city (1-7pax) : $89
- Gold Coast Theme Parks: Shared Hotel Transfers: $14
- Gold Coast Hot Air Balloon + Winery Breakfast + Return Transfers: $291
- Gold Coast Airport Transfers Corporate Chauffeurs Gold Coast: $119
- All-Inclusive Dolphin & Tangalooma Wrecks Day Cruise (Gold Coast Transfer): $149
Is it cheaper to fly into Qingdao or Surfers Paradise?
Prices for flights to both Surfers Paradise 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 $20Surfers Paradise $26
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Surfers Paradise
For Surfers Paradise, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Buffet Dinner Sightseeing Cruise: $78
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Qingdao $20Surfers Paradise $23
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 Surfers Paradise
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Surfers Paradise's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Surf Lesson$78
Tours and Activities in Surfers Paradise
For Surfers Paradise, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Evening Rainforest & Glow Worm Experience - Small Group Tour: $79
- 1.5hr Jetski Tour with island stopover - SELF DRIVE - NO LICENCE NEEDED: $185
- 2.5hrs Jetski Tour with island stopover / Self Drive / Surfers Paradise: $259
- Barefoot Luxury Mount Tamborine Winery Tour from Gold Coast: $151
- Body Massage Experience in Gold Coast : $98
- Buffet Lunch Sightseeing Cruise: $59
- Catch a Crab Tour with Optional Seafood Lunch: $53
- Glow Worms - Nocturnal Rainforest/Waterfall Adventure: $72
- Gold Coast 1.5-Hour Sightseeing River Cruise from Surfers Paradise: $30
- Gold Coast City Lights Cruise: $37
- Gold Coast Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing Cruise Day Pass: $30
- Gold Coast Quack'rDuck Amphibious Tour from Surfers Paradise: $33
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayQingdao $14Surfers Paradise $11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Qingdao and Surfers Paradise, we can see that Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Qingdao or Surfers Paradise?
Qingdao has a larger population, and is about 90 times larger than the population of Surfers Paradise. When comparing the sizes of Qingdao and Surfers Paradise, 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 Surfers Paradise?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise in the Summer?
Both Surfers Paradise and Qingdao are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Surfers Paradise this time of year.
Qingdao is around the same temperature as Surfers Paradise in the summer. The daily temperature in Qingdao averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 25°C (77°F)in January.
It's quite sunny in Surfers Paradise. Qingdao usually receives less sunshine than Surfers Paradise during summer. Qingdao gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Surfers Paradise receives 256 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Surfers Paradise. It's quite rainy in Qingdao. In July, Qingdao usually receives more rain than Surfers Paradisein January. Qingdao gets 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryQingdao 25°C (77°F)Surfers Paradise 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Qingdao or Surfers Paradise in the Autumn?
Both Surfers Paradise and Qingdao during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Surfers Paradise for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Qingdao is cooler than Surfers Paradise. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Qingdao in October average around 17°C (62°F), and Surfers Paradise averages at about 22°C (71°F)in April.
In Surfers Paradise, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Qingdao. In the autumn, Qingdao often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Surfers Paradisein April. Qingdao gets 220 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Surfers Paradise receives 214 hours of full sun.
Surfers Paradise gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Qingdao usually gets less rain in October than Surfers Paradisein April. Qingdao gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilQingdao 17°C (62°F)Surfers Paradise 22°C (71°F)
Should I visit Qingdao or Surfers Paradise in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Qingdao and Surfers Paradise. Also, many visitors come to Surfers Paradise in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Qingdao. In January, Qingdao is generally much colder than Surfers Paradisein July. Daily temperatures in Qingdao average around -0°C (32°F), and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Surfers Paradise this time of the year. Qingdao usually receives less sunshine than Surfers Paradise during winter. Qingdao gets 185 hours of sunny skies, while Surfers Paradise receives 226 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Qingdao usually receives less rain than Surfers Paradisein July. Qingdao gets 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyQingdao -0°C (32°F)Surfers Paradise 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Qingdao or Surfers Paradise in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Qingdao as well as Surfers Paradise. Also, most visitors come to Surfers Paradise for the beaches during these months.
Qingdao is much colder than Surfers Paradise in the spring. The daily temperature in Qingdao averages around 12°C (53°F) in April, and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 21°C (69°F)in October.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Surfers Paradise. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Qingdao this time of the year. In the spring, Qingdao often gets less sunshine than Surfers Paradisein October. Qingdao gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Surfers Paradise receives 259 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Surfers Paradise. Qingdao usually gets less rain in April than Surfers Paradisein October. Qingdao gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberQingdao 12°C (53°F)Surfers Paradise 21°C (69°F)
Typical Weather for Surfers Paradise and Qingdao
| Qingdao | Surfers Paradise | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -0°C (32°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Feb | 1°C (34°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 157 mm (6.2 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (53°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| May | 17°C (62°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 162 mm (6.4 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Oct | 17°C (62°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 103 mm (4 in) |
| Nov | 10°C (49°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Dec | 3°C (37°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 129 mm (5.1 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.