Which place is cheaper, Cairns or Shenzhen?
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 Shenzhen or Cairns?
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 Cairns 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 Cairns?
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.
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 Sightseeing Tours in China, The Best Cultural Tours in China, The Best 4-Week (1-Month) Tours in Australia, and The Best Budget Tours to Australia.
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Shenzhen Prices
China PricesCairns Prices
Australia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayShenzhen $140Cairns $116
The average daily cost (per person) in Shenzhen is $140, 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 Shenzhen and Cairns in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personShenzhen $91Cairns $43
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomShenzhen $182Cairns $86
Compare Hotels in Shenzhen and Cairns
Looking for a hotel in Shenzhen 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.Shenzhen $15Cairns $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Shenzhen
Also for Shenzhen, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- shenzhen airport private transfer: $31
- [Airport Transfer] Shenzhen Airport 送 迎 Shenzhen City Transfer High reputation for service! : $32
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Hong Kong HTL-APT (HKG): $78
- Transfer Hong Kong Airport to Hong Kong by Luxury Van or Sedan: $112
- Stress-Free Hong Kong Airport Transfer to HK downtown: Meet&Greet: $57
- Private Transfers to/from Bao'an Airport(SZX): $20
- Shenzhen Private Transfer from Shenzhen central to Shenzhen Bao'an Airport (SZX): $86
- Shenzhen Private Transfer from Shenzhen Bao'an Airport (SZX) to central Shenzhen: $86
- Shenzhen Private Transfer and Ongoing Travel Assistance: $39
- Shenzhen Customized Local Tour with Transfer : $299
- Shenzhen Baoan Airport to Shenzhen Hotel Private Transfer: $73
- Shenzhen Bao'an Airport Private Arrival Transfer to City Center: $49
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 transfer between Cairns City Hotel and Airport: $20
- 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: $160
- Private Transfer from Cairns Cruise Port to Port Douglas hotels: $179
- Private Transfer from Cairns Cruise Port to Cairns Airport (CNS): $86
- Private Transfer from Cairns City Hotels to Cairns Cruise Port: $72
- Private Transfer from Cairns Airport (CNS) to Port Douglas Port: $160
- Private Transfer from Cairns Airport (CNS) to Cairns Cruise Port: $86
- Private Transfer From Cairns Cruise Port to Cairns City Hotels: $72
Is it cheaper to fly into Shenzhen or Cairns?
Prices for flights to both Cairns 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
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Food Meals for one dayShenzhen $35Cairns $49
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 Cairns
For Cairns, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Ancient Egypt Night Tour with optional 2 Course Dinner: $67
- Ancient Egypt Sunset Tour with optional 3 Course Dinner : $67
- 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.Shenzhen $17Cairns $37
Tours and Activities in Shenzhen
For Shenzhen, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Custom private tour of Hong Kong Island - Half day: $228
- Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car Ticket in Hong Kong: $24
- Seat-in-Coach: Macau Day Tour with Simple Lunch from Hong Kong: $185
- Shenzhen Self-Guided Flexible Tour with Private Car and Driver : $87
- (Private class) Hong Kong gourmet baking experience class: Hong Kong-style egg tart + custard mooncake: $89
- 4-Hour Private Hong Kong Layover Tour: $280
- 4-Hour Small Group Kowloon Sightseeing Tour: $103
- Aberdeen Fishing Village Private Tour by Minivan: $232
- Aberdeen fisherman cultural tour+dim sum by local: $140
- Afternoon Hiking Tour Sharp Island Geopark: $40
- Aqua Luna: Symphony of Lights Cruise in Hong Kong: $49
- Best Seller: VIP Lantau Tai O Tour Priority Cable Car, Big Buddha: $95
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
- 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
- Afternoon & Evening Tour of Paronella Park: $167
- All Inclusive Day Tour to Frankland Islands Great Barrier Reef: $168
- All Inclusive Great Barrier Reef Cruise w optional Scuba Diving : $178
- 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 dayShenzhen $19Cairns $13
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
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
- Cairns Brewery Tours: $148
- From Atherton Tablelands Food and Wine Tasting Tour: $169
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Shenzhen and Cairns, we can see that Shenzhen is more expensive. And not only is Cairns much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Shenzhen 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 Cairns would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cairns 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 Shenzhen would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Shenzhen than you might in Cairns.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Shenzhen Expensive? and Is Cairns Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Shenzhen or Cairns?
Shenzhen has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Cairns. When comparing the sizes of Shenzhen 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 Shenzhen 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 Shenzhen has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Shenzhen or Cairns in the Summer?
Both Cairns and Shenzhen are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Cairns in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
Shenzhen is around the same temperature as Cairns in the summer. The daily temperature in Shenzhen averages around 30°C (85°F) in July, and Cairns fluctuates around 29°C (84°F)in January.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Cairns. It's quite rainy in Shenzhen. In July, Shenzhen usually receives less rain than Cairnsin January. Shenzhen gets 323 mm (12.7 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 JanuaryShenzhen 30°C (85°F)Cairns 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Shenzhen or Cairns in the Autumn?
Both Cairns and Shenzhen during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Cairns for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.
In the autumn, Shenzhen is around the same temperature as Cairns. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Shenzhen in October average around 26°C (78°F), and Cairns averages at about 27°C (80°F)in April.
Cairns gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Shenzhen. Shenzhen usually gets less rain in October than Cairnsin April. Shenzhen gets 143 mm (5.6 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 AprilShenzhen 26°C (78°F)Cairns 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Shenzhen or Cairns in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Shenzhen and Cairns. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Cairns because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Shenzhen is generally cooler than Cairnsin July. Daily temperatures in Shenzhen average around 16°C (60°F), and Cairns fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
In January, Shenzhen usually receives less rain than Cairnsin July. Shenzhen gets 26 mm (1 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 JulyShenzhen 16°C (60°F)Cairns 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Shenzhen or Cairns in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Shenzhen as well as Cairns. Also, the beaches are the main draw to Cairns this time of year.
Shenzhen is cooler than Cairns in the spring. The daily temperature in Shenzhen averages around 23°C (73°F) in April, and Cairns fluctuates around 27°C (80°F)in October.
Shenzhen receives a lot of rain in the spring. Shenzhen usually gets more rain in April than Cairnsin October. Shenzhen gets 154 mm (6.1 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 OctoberShenzhen 23°C (73°F)Cairns 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Cairns and Shenzhen
| Shenzhen | Cairns | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 16°C (60°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 429 mm (16.9 in) |
| Feb | 16°C (61°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 469 mm (18.5 in) |
| Mar | 19°C (66°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 471 mm (18.5 in) |
| Apr | 23°C (73°F) | 154 mm (6.1 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 273 mm (10.8 in) |
| May | 27°C (80°F) | 325 mm (12.8 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (83°F) | 382 mm (15 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 62 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (85°F) | 323 mm (12.7 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (85°F) | 393 mm (15.5 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 300 mm (11.8 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (78°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (70°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Dec | 17°C (63°F) | 27 mm (1.1 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.