A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Shenzhen vs. Fraser Island for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Shenzhen or Fraser Island?

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 Fraser Island 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 Fraser Island?

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.

Fraser Island

Fraser Island, located off Australia's eastern Queensland coast, is the world's largest sand island. It is best known as a camping and ecotourism destination, with a number of panoramic viewpoints, beaches, lakes, and freshwater pools. Hervey Bay, a beachside city on the nearby mainland, is a primary gateway to the island.

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.


Which place is cheaper, Fraser Island or Shenzhen?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Shenzhen Prices
    China Prices
    Fraser Island Prices
    Australia Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Shenzhen $140
    Fraser Island $243

The average daily cost (per person) in Shenzhen is $140, while the average daily cost in Fraser Island is $243. 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 Fraser Island in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Shenzhen $91
    Fraser Island $102
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Shenzhen $182
    Fraser Island $204
Compare Hotels in Shenzhen and Fraser Island

Looking for a hotel in Shenzhen or Fraser Island? 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.

Hotels in Shenzhen


Hotels in Fraser Island


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Shenzhen $15
    Fraser Island $93

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

Is it cheaper to fly into Shenzhen or Fraser Island?

Prices for flights to both Fraser Island 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 day
    Shenzhen $35
    Fraser Island $83

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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Shenzhen $17
    Fraser Island $45

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 Fraser Island

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Fraser Island are as follows:

  • 2 Hours Hervey Bay Funset Cruise: $53
  • Fraser Experience Shared Full Day Guided Tour: $208
  • Hervey Bay Ultimate Whale Watching Cruise: $80
  • Hervey Bay Whale Watching Cruise: $104
  • Hervey Bay to K'gari/Fraser Island 2-Day Tour (Beach House): $370
  • Hervey Bay: Best Value Half Day Whale Watching Cruise: $80
  • Hervey Bay: Half Day Whale watching & Island Stop Tour: $111
  • K'gari (Fraser Island) All Inclusive Day Tour: $175
  • K'gari (Fraser Island) Small Group 4WD Adventure - From Noosa: $201
  • K'gari (Fraser Island) Small Group Day Tour - From Rainbow Beach: $188
  • Remote Fraser Island Experience: $174
  • Remote K'gari (Fraser Island) & Whale Experience: $174

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Shenzhen $19
    Fraser Island $21

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 Fraser Island, we can see that Fraser Island 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 Fraser Island 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 Fraser Island would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Fraser Island 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 Fraser Island Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Shenzhen or Fraser Island?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Fraser Island 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 Fraser Island in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Shenzhen as well as Fraser Island. Also, many travelers come to Fraser Island for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Shenzhen is generally a little warmer than Fraser Islandin January. Daily temperatures in Shenzhen average around 30°C (85°F), and Fraser Island fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

It's quite rainy in Fraser Island. Shenzhen receives a lot of rain in the summer. Shenzhen usually gets more rain in July than Fraser Islandin January. Shenzhen gets 323 mm (12.7 in) of rain, while Fraser Island receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Shenzhen 30°C (85°F) 
    Fraser Island 26°C (78°F)

Should I visit Shenzhen or Fraser Island in the Autumn?

Both Fraser Island and Shenzhen are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Fraser Island in the autumn for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.

Shenzhen is a little warmer than Fraser Island in the autumn. The daily temperature in Shenzhen averages around 26°C (78°F) in October, and Fraser Island fluctuates around 22°C (72°F)in April.

It's quite rainy in Shenzhen. In October, Shenzhen usually receives more rain than Fraser Islandin April. Shenzhen gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Fraser Island receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Shenzhen 26°C (78°F) 
    Fraser Island 22°C (72°F)

Should I visit Shenzhen or Fraser Island in the Winter?

Both Fraser Island and Shenzhen during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Fraser Island for the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Shenzhen is around the same temperature as Fraser Island. Typically, the winter temperatures in Shenzhen in January average around 16°C (60°F), and Fraser Island averages at about 15°C (59°F)in July.

Shenzhen usually gets less rain in January than Fraser Islandin July. Shenzhen gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Fraser Island receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Shenzhen 16°C (60°F) 
    Fraser Island 15°C (59°F)

Should I visit Shenzhen or Fraser Island in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Shenzhen and Fraser Island. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Fraser Island because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Shenzhen is generally around the same temperature as Fraser Islandin October. Daily temperatures in Shenzhen average around 23°C (73°F), and Fraser Island fluctuates around 21°C (71°F).

Shenzhen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Shenzhen usually receives more rain than Fraser Islandin October. Shenzhen gets 154 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Fraser Island receives 75 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Shenzhen 23°C (73°F) 
    Fraser Island 21°C (71°F)

Typical Weather for Fraser Island and Shenzhen

Shenzhen Fraser Island
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 16°C (60°F) 26 mm (1 in) 26°C (78°F) 164 mm (6.5 in)
Feb 16°C (61°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 25°C (78°F) 163 mm (6.4 in)
Mar 19°C (66°F) 67 mm (2.6 in) 24°C (76°F) 134 mm (5.3 in)
Apr 23°C (73°F) 154 mm (6.1 in) 22°C (72°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
May 27°C (80°F) 325 mm (12.8 in) 19°C (66°F) 78 mm (3.1 in)
Jun 29°C (83°F) 382 mm (15 in) 16°C (61°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Jul 30°C (85°F) 323 mm (12.7 in) 15°C (59°F) 59 mm (2.3 in)
Aug 29°C (85°F) 393 mm (15.5 in) 16°C (61°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Sep 28°C (83°F) 300 mm (11.8 in) 19°C (65°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)
Oct 26°C (78°F) 143 mm (5.6 in) 21°C (71°F) 75 mm (2.9 in)
Nov 21°C (70°F) 35 mm (1.4 in) 23°C (74°F) 106 mm (4.2 in)
Dec 17°C (63°F) 27 mm (1.1 in) 25°C (77°F) 134 mm (5.3 in)