Which place is cheaper, Cairns or Shenzhen?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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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 Contiki Tours to Australia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Australia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayShenzhen $123Cairns $94
The average daily cost (per person) in Shenzhen is $123, while the average daily cost in Cairns is $94. 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 $89Cairns $43
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomShenzhen $178Cairns $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:
- [Airport Transfer] Shenzhen Airport 送 迎 Shenzhen City Transfer High reputation for service! : $32
- Transfer Hong Kong to Hong Kong Airport by Luxury Van or Sedan: $112
- Transfer Hong Kong Airport to Hong Kong by Luxury Van or Sedan: $112
- Shenzhen to Shenzhen Airport (SZX) - Departure Private Transfer: $47
- Shenzhen Private Transfer from Shenzhen central to Shenzhen Bao'an Airport (SZX): $79
- Shenzhen Private Transfer from Shenzhen Bao'an Airport (SZX) to central Shenzhen: $79
- Shenzhen Int Airport (SZX) to Shenzhen - Arrival Private Transfer: $47
- Shenzhen Bao'an Airport Private Arrival Transfer to City Center: $49
- Shenzhen Airport (SZX): Private Transfer to/from Shenzhen: $48
- Shenzhen Airport (SZX) to Round Trip Private Transfer: $94
- Shenzhen Airport (SZX) to Guangzhou - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $105
- Private Transfer: Hong Kong City to Hong Kong Airport HKG in Luxury Van: $133
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cairns
Also for Cairns, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shuttle Bus Shared Transfer Cairns City to Port Douglas: $49
- Shuttle Bus Shared Transfer Cairns Airport to Port Douglas: $50
- Shared Shuttle Transfer - Cairns Airport to Port Douglas: $40
- Shared Shuttle Return Transfers (ex Cairns) Transfers Only: $63
- Private Transfers - Cairns Airport to Palm Cove: $78
- Private Transfer from Cairns hotels to Port Douglas Cruise Port: $134
- Private Transfer from Cairns Cruise Port to Port Douglas hotels: $143
- Private Transfer from Cairns Cruise Port to Cairns Airport (CNS): $45
- Private Transfer from Cairns City Hotels to Cairns Cruise Port: $21
- Private Transfer from Cairns Airport to Port Douglas: $109
- Private Transfer from Cairns Airport (CNS) to Port Douglas Port: $134
- Private Transfer from Cairns Airport (CNS) to Cairns Cruise Port: $45
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 $20Cairns $28
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Shenzhen
For Shenzhen, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Vegetarian Food Tour: $77
- Wet market tour & cooking class with local mum: $90
- Hong Kong Food Tour: Sham Shui Po District: $108
- Hong Kong Food Tour: Central and Sheung Wan Districts: $108
- Secret Food Tour With the Locals in Tin Hau Hong Kong w/ Private Tour Option: $109
- Traditional Chinese Pun Choi cooking class in Hong Kong: $112
- Hong Kong Food Tour with a Local: A Feast for Foodies 100% Personalized: $160
- Kowloon Street Food Tour with a Local: 100% Personalized & Private: $160
- The 10 Tastings of Hong Kong With Locals: Private Street Food Tour : $161
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cairns
For Cairns, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cairns Luxury Catamaran Harbor and Dinner Cruise: $85
- Night at the Aquarium Guided Tour & 2 Course Dinner: $91
- Guided Twilight Tour with 3-Course Dinner: $117
- City Sights Tour with Evening Dinner Cruise: $149
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:
- Shenzhen Self-Guided Flexible Tour with Private Car and Driver : $86
- (Private class) Hong Kong gourmet baking experience class: Hong Kong-style egg tart + custard mooncake: $88
- 2.5-Hour Shenzhen City-Village Walking Tour: Back In The 90's & TikTok Influence: $51
- 4-Hour Private Hong Kong Layover Tour: $263
- 4-Hour Small Group Kowloon Sightseeing Tour: $103
- 60 Minutes Virtual Reality Experience in Hong Kong: $37
- A Private Tour of Hong Kong with Mercedes-Benz: $275
- Afternoon Hiking Tour Sharp Island Geopark: $38
- Aqua Luna: Evening Cruise at Victoria Harbour Hong Kong: $40
- Aqua Luna: Symphony of Lights Cruise in Hong Kong: $49
- Authentic Hong Kong Private Tour: $275
- Big Bus Hong Kong Open Top Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour: $50
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): $43
- 3B Daintree Rainforest, Mossman Gorge, Crocodile Wildlife Cruise: $188
- Atherton Tablelands, Waterfalls and Rainforest Tour from Cairns: $98
- Atherton Tablelands: Lakes, Waterfalls, Rainforest Day Tour: $97
- Authentic Indigenous Cultural Tour Including Scenic River Cruise: $92
- Barron Gorge and Kuranda National Park Half Day Rainforest and Waterfall 4WD Tour from Cairns: $120
- Cairns 4WD Rainforest Waterfall Tour Including a GBR Island Tour: $242
- Cairns Aquarium General Admission & Coral Conservation Tour: $52
- Cairns Aquarium General Admission Ticket: $34
- Cairns Aquarium Turtle Hospital and City Sightseeing Tour: $116
- Cairns Aquarium and small group City Sightseeing Tour: $125
- Cairns Botanic Gardens: Mushroom Photography Tour: $44
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayShenzhen $19Cairns $13
Sample the Local Flavors in Cairns
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Cairns:
- Cairns Brewery Tours: $139
- From Atherton Tablelands Food and Wine Tasting Tour: $160
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.