Which place is cheaper, Cairns or Shenyang?
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 Shenyang or Cairns?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Shenyang or Cairns? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Shenyang or Cairns?
Shenyang
Shenyang, China is the capital, and largest, city in the Liaoning Province in northwest China which borders North Korea. Shenyang has a long, imperial, history and is the birthplace of the Qing Dynasty. The city has a blend of beautifully preserved architecture and modern buildings, creating a pleasant atmosphere for exploring!
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 10-Day Tours in China, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in China, The Best 4-Week (1-Month) Tours in Australia, and The Best Budget Tours to Australia.
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Shenyang Prices
China PricesCairns Prices
Australia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayShenyang $85Cairns $116
The average daily cost (per person) in Shenyang is $85, 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 Shenyang and Cairns in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personShenyang $41Cairns $43
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomShenyang $82Cairns $86
Compare Hotels in Shenyang and Cairns
Looking for a hotel in Shenyang 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.Shenyang $20Cairns $12
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 Shenyang or Cairns?
Prices for flights to both Cairns and Shenyang 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 dayShenyang $32Cairns $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.Shenyang $7.81Cairns $37
Tours and Activities in Shenyang
For Shenyang, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Shenyang to Dandong: China North-eastern Border Day Tour: $350
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 dayShenyang $5.91Cairns $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 Shenyang and Cairns, we can see that Cairns is more expensive. And not only is Shenyang much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Shenyang 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 Shenyang would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Shenyang 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 Shenyang.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Shenyang Expensive? and Is Cairns Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Shenyang or Cairns?
Shenyang has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Cairns. When comparing the sizes of Shenyang 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 Shenyang 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 Shenyang has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Shenyang or Cairns in the Summer?
Both Cairns and Shenyang 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 Cairns this time of year.
In the summer, Shenyang is cooler than Cairns. Typically, the summer temperatures in Shenyang in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Cairns averages at about 29°C (84°F)in January.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Cairns. It's quite rainy in Shenyang. In July, Shenyang usually receives less rain than Cairnsin January. Shenyang gets 174 mm (6.9 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 JanuaryShenyang 25°C (77°F)Cairns 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Shenyang or Cairns in the Autumn?
Both Cairns and Shenyang during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many travelers come to Cairns for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.
In October, Shenyang is generally much colder than Cairnsin April. Daily temperatures in Shenyang average around 10°C (51°F), and Cairns fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
Cairns gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Shenyang usually gets less rain in October than Cairnsin April. Shenyang gets 36 mm (1.4 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 AprilShenyang 10°C (51°F)Cairns 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Shenyang or Cairns in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Shenyang and Cairns. Furthermore, many visitors come to Cairns in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Shenyang. Shenyang is much colder than Cairns in the winter. The daily temperature in Shenyang averages around -11°C (13°F) in January, and Cairns fluctuates around 23°C (73°F)in July.
In January, Shenyang usually receives less rain than Cairnsin July. Shenyang gets 8 mm (0.3 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 JulyShenyang -11°C (13°F)Cairns 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Shenyang or Cairns in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Shenyang as well as Cairns. Additionally, most visitors come to Cairns for the beaches during these months.
In the spring, Shenyang is much colder than Cairns. Typically, the spring temperatures in Shenyang in April average around 10°C (50°F), and Cairns averages at about 27°C (80°F)in October.
Shenyang usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Cairnsin October. Shenyang gets 42 mm (1.7 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 OctoberShenyang 10°C (50°F)Cairns 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Cairns and Shenyang
| Shenyang | Cairns | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -11°C (13°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 429 mm (16.9 in) |
| Feb | -7°C (19°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 469 mm (18.5 in) |
| Mar | 1°C (34°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 471 mm (18.5 in) |
| Apr | 10°C (50°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 273 mm (10.8 in) |
| May | 17°C (63°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 62 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 153 mm (6 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (64°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Oct | 10°C (51°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Nov | 1°C (34°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Dec | -7°C (19°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.