Which place is cheaper, Airlie Beach or Shenzhen?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Shenzhen or Airlie Beach?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Shenzhen and Airlie Beach can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Shenzhen or Airlie Beach?
Shenzhen
Located in the Guangdong Province of southeastern China, Shenzhen is a metropolis that connects Hong Kong to China's mainland. It is one of China's most populous cities, inhabited by vast array of people from other Chinese regions. It is perhaps best known for it shopping, collection of amusement parks, green parks, museums and galleries, and a few historic sites. It is on UNESCO's Creative Cities list.
Airlie Beach
Airlie Beach, in Queensland, offers the closest port to the Whitsunday Islands on the Great Barrier Reef. It's a small town of only 25,000 and has grown out of the area's popularity as a tourist destination. It's main industry remains tourism and, as such, there are many venues set up to accommodate travelers hoping to make trips to the Whitsunday Islands and the Outer Great Barrier Reef. The town has the feel of a vacation destination. While in the past Airlie Beach appealed specifically to the backpacker crowd, it's popularity has spread and now there are facilities catering to all travel types. The area has become more commercialized and there are plenty of large resorts to choose from. Even so, you'll still find no shortage of affordable accommodation around town.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in China, The Best Cultural Tours in China, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Australia, and The Best Honeymoon Tours in Australia.
-
Shenzhen Prices
China PricesAirlie Beach Prices
Australia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayShenzhen $140Airlie Beach $165
The average daily cost (per person) in Shenzhen is $140, while the average daily cost in Airlie Beach is $165. 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 Shenzhen and Airlie Beach in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personShenzhen $91Airlie Beach $59
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomShenzhen $182Airlie Beach $118
Compare Hotels in Shenzhen and Airlie Beach
Looking for a hotel in Shenzhen or Airlie Beach? 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: Airlie Beach Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Shenzhen $15Airlie Beach $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Shenzhen
Also for Shenzhen, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfers to/from Bao'an Airport(SZX): $20
- shenzhen airport private transfer: $31
- [Airport Transfer] Shenzhen Airport 送 迎 Shenzhen City Transfer High reputation for service! : $32
- A One-Way Disneyland Pick-Up Transfer to Hong Kong Hotel: $33
- Private Transfer in Shenzhen with English Service: $35
- A One-Way Hotel Pick-Up Transfer to Hong Kong Disneyland: $36
- Shenzhen Private Transfer and Ongoing Travel Assistance: $39
- Hong Kong Airport (HKG) to Hong Kong - Arrival Private Transfer: $45
- Private Departure Transfer from Hong Kong to Hong Kong Airport: $45
- Private Transfer - Hong Kong Airport (HKG) to Kai Tak Cruise Port: $47
- Private Transfer - Kai Tak Cruise Port to Hong Kong Airport (HKG): $47
- Shenzhen Bao'an Airport Private Arrival Transfer to City Center: $49
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Airlie Beach
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Airlie Beach:
- Whitsundays: Airport Transfer to/from Airlie Beach: $16
- Private Transfer to/from Whitsunday Coast Airport: $148
- Private Transfer to/from Shute Harbour: $134
- One Way Airport Transfer: Proserpine-Airlie Beach (or vice versa): $17
- Established Return Airport Transfer Proserpine to Airlie Beach: $28
- Airport Transfer to Shute Harbour / Renta Yacht / Freedom Shores: $32
- Transfer from Whitsunday Coast Airport: $17
Is it cheaper to fly into Shenzhen or Airlie Beach?
Prices for flights to both Airlie Beach and Shenzhen 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 dayShenzhen $35Airlie Beach $55
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Shenzhen
For Shenzhen, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Hong Kong Street Food Tour with Locals - Dim Sum, Wonton & more: $53
- Wet market tour & cooking class with local mum: $98
- Explore Hong Kong: Mid-Autumn Festival Food Tour: $103
- Discover Hong Kong’s Hidden Eats on a Tin Hau Food Tour: $109
- Small-Group Hong Kong Island Food Tour: $116
- Traditional Chinese Pun Choi cooking class in Hong Kong: $146
- Private Food Tour in Hong Kong: $148
- Hong Kong Street Food Tour with Local Guide: $149
- The 10 Tastings of Hong Kong With Locals: Private Street Food Tour : $176
- Hong Kong Private & Personalized Food Tour with a Local: $177
- Asian Favorites Cooking Class in Hong Kong (4-Course Meal): $184
- Hong Kong Style Noodles Cooking Class (Includes 4-Course Meal): $184
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Airlie Beach
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Airlie Beach.
- 3-Hour Sunset Segway Tour with Dinner: $82
- Whitsundays Segway Sunset and Boardwalk Tour with Dinner: $83
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Shenzhen $17Airlie Beach $161
Tours and Activities in Shenzhen
For Shenzhen, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Introduction to Hong Kong: Central Tip Based Walking Tour: $2.64
- Day in the life of a Hong Konger: Kowloon Tip Based Walking Tour: $2.64
- Between Two Systems: Hong Kong's Living History Tip Based Tour: $2.64
- Hong kong City Tour w/ Entry Fees & Lunch (2024) | 150+ booked: $2.64
- Hong Kong Observation Wheel Ticket: $5.45
- Hong Kong Airport Express Ticket: $10
- Hong Kong Peak Tram and Sky Terrace 428 Tickets (Optional): $13
- Monopoly Dreams Hong Kong Entry Ticket: $13
- Hong Kong Airport Express Train Tickets(Avoid Heavy Traffic): $15
- Hong Kong Airport Express E-Ticket : $15
- The Victoria Peak Tram Ticket | Hong Kong: $15
- Hong Kong Palace Museum Ticket: $17
Tours and Activities in Airlie Beach
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Airlie Beach are as follows:
- Airlie Beach Glass Bottom Boat Guided Night Tour: $66
- Airlie Beach Glass Bottom Boat Tour: $59
- Airlie Beach Jet Ski Tours: $164
- Airlie Beach Sunset Cruise : $46
- Airlie Beach Trike Tours: $50
- #1 Sightseeing Explorer 3hr tour.: $62
- 2-Hour Sunset Cruise with Sparkling Wine: $45
- Adults-Only Whitehaven Beach Sailing Tour: $187
- Airlie Adventure Jet Ski Tour: $170
- BYOB Sunset Sail in Style Catamaran Cruise: $72
- Glass-Bottom Boat Tour: $59
- Great Barrier Reef & Whitehaven Beach Tour: $209
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayShenzhen $19Airlie Beach $9.06
Sample the Local Flavors in Shenzhen
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Shenzhen:
- Hong Kong Pub Crawl at Lan Kwai Fong (LKF): $46
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Shenzhen and Airlie Beach, we can see that Airlie Beach is more expensive. And not only is Shenzhen much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Shenzhen is in Asia and Airlie Beach 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 Shenzhen would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Shenzhen 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 Airlie Beach would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Airlie Beach than you might in Shenzhen.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Shenzhen Expensive? and Is Airlie Beach Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Shenzhen or Airlie Beach?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Airlie Beach is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Shenzhen has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Shenzhen or Airlie Beach in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Shenzhen as well as Airlie Beach. Also, many travelers come to Airlie Beach for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Shenzhen is a little warmer than Airlie Beach. Typically, the summer temperatures in Shenzhen in July average around 30°C (85°F), and Airlie Beach averages at about 26°C (79°F)in January.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Airlie Beach. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Shenzhen this time of the year. In the summer, Shenzhen often gets less sunshine than Airlie Beachin January. Shenzhen gets 231 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Airlie Beach receives 285 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Airlie Beach. Shenzhen receives a lot of rain in the summer. Shenzhen usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Airlie Beachin January. Shenzhen gets 323 mm (12.7 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 331 mm (13 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryShenzhen 30°C (85°F)Airlie Beach 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Shenzhen or Airlie Beach in the Autumn?
Both Airlie Beach and Shenzhen are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Airlie Beach in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Shenzhen is generally a little warmer than Airlie Beachin April. Daily temperatures in Shenzhen average around 26°C (78°F), and Airlie Beach fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
It's quite sunny in Airlie Beach. Shenzhen usually receives less sunshine than Airlie Beach during autumn. Shenzhen gets 190 hours of sunny skies, while Airlie Beach receives 207 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Airlie Beach. It's quite rainy in Shenzhen. In October, Shenzhen usually receives around the same amount of rain as Airlie Beachin April. Shenzhen gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilShenzhen 26°C (78°F)Airlie Beach 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Shenzhen or Airlie Beach in the Winter?
Both Airlie Beach and Shenzhen during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Airlie Beach for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.
Shenzhen is around the same temperature as Airlie Beach in the winter. The daily temperature in Shenzhen averages around 16°C (60°F) in January, and Airlie Beach fluctuates around 16°C (62°F)in July.
In Airlie Beach, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Shenzhen often gets less sunshine than Airlie Beachin July. Shenzhen gets 140 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Airlie Beach receives 226 hours of full sun.
Shenzhen usually gets less rain in January than Airlie Beachin July. Shenzhen gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyShenzhen 16°C (60°F)Airlie Beach 16°C (62°F)
Should I visit Shenzhen or Airlie Beach in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Shenzhen and Airlie Beach. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Airlie Beach because of the beaches and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Shenzhen is around the same temperature as Airlie Beach. Typically, the spring temperatures in Shenzhen in April average around 23°C (73°F), and Airlie Beach averages at about 23°C (73°F)in October.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Airlie Beach this time of the year. Shenzhen usually receives less sunshine than Airlie Beach during spring. Shenzhen gets 95 hours of sunny skies, while Airlie Beach receives 298 hours of full sun in the spring.
Shenzhen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Shenzhen usually receives more rain than Airlie Beachin October. Shenzhen gets 154 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberShenzhen 23°C (73°F)Airlie Beach 23°C (73°F)
Typical Weather for Airlie Beach and Shenzhen
| Shenzhen | Airlie Beach | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 16°C (60°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 331 mm (13 in) |
| Feb | 16°C (61°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 377 mm (14.8 in) |
| Mar | 19°C (66°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 312 mm (12.3 in) |
| Apr | 23°C (73°F) | 154 mm (6.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| May | 27°C (80°F) | 325 mm (12.8 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (83°F) | 382 mm (15 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (85°F) | 323 mm (12.7 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (85°F) | 393 mm (15.5 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 300 mm (11.8 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (78°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (70°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Dec | 17°C (63°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 191 mm (7.5 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.