A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Shijiazhuang vs. Airlie Beach for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Shijiazhuang 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 Shijiazhuang 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: Shijiazhuang or Airlie Beach?

Shijiazhuang

Shijiazhuang is the capital city of Hebei Province in China. It is a fairly young city, acting as the regional transport hub and economic center, though there are a few sights worth seeing. The city is also the largest pharmaceutical hub in China, as well as an important center for textile, IT, manufacturing, and chemical industries.

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 Historical Tours in China, The Best 10-Day Tours in China, The Best Adventure Tours to Australia, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Australia.


Which place is cheaper, Airlie Beach or Shijiazhuang?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Shijiazhuang is $77, while the average daily cost in Airlie Beach is $141. 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 Shijiazhuang and Airlie Beach in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Shijiazhuang $44
    Airlie Beach $58
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Shijiazhuang $88
    Airlie Beach $116
Compare Hotels in Shijiazhuang and Airlie Beach

Looking for a hotel in Shijiazhuang 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.

Hotels in Shijiazhuang


Hotels in Airlie Beach


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.
    Shijiazhuang $27
    Airlie Beach $19

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Airlie Beach

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Airlie Beach:

  • Private Transfer to Whitsunday Coast Airport: $314
  • Airport Transfers - Return (round fare) share shuttle service: $28
  • Crayfish Beach Hook Island Camping Transfer: $139
  • One Way Only - Airport Transfer share shuttle service: $17
  • Return Transfer PPP Airport Shute Harbour / Renta Yacht / Freedom Shores: $32
  • South Molle Island Camping Transfer: $59
  • South Molle Island Camping Transfer: $47
  • Whitehaven Beach Club Transfers from Airlie Beach: $92
  • Whitsunday: Prosperpine Airport to Airlie Beach Transfer: $16

Is it cheaper to fly into Shijiazhuang or Airlie Beach?

Prices for flights to both Airlie Beach and Shijiazhuang 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
    Shijiazhuang $18
    Airlie Beach $32

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: $72
  • Whitsundays Segway Sunset and Boardwalk Tour with Dinner: $83

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Shijiazhuang $4.34
    Airlie Beach $160

Tours and Activities in Airlie Beach

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Airlie Beach are as follows:

  • Private Airlie Beach Tuk-Tuk Tours: $20
  • 2-Hour Sunset Cruise with Sparkling Wine: $45
  • Airlie Beach Sunset Cruise : $46
  • Whisper Cruises - One-Hour Turtle Spotting Bay Cruise: $46
  • Sundowner Sunset Cruise Airlie Beach: $46
  • Airlie Beach sightseeing Tour: $50
  • Airlie Beach Trike Tours: $50
  • Whitsundays Sunset Sailing Cruise: $53
  • Glass-Bottom Boat Tour: $58
  • 2 Hour Airlie Beach Sunset Cruise: $59
  • Airlie Beach Glass Bottom Boat Tour: $59
  • 1 hour Mimosa Morning Turtle Spotting Cruise: $59

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Shijiazhuang $5.13
    Airlie Beach $8.99


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Shijiazhuang and Airlie Beach, we can see that Airlie Beach is more expensive. And not only is Shijiazhuang much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Shijiazhuang 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 Shijiazhuang would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Shijiazhuang 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 Shijiazhuang.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Shijiazhuang Expensive? and Is Airlie Beach Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Shijiazhuang 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 Shijiazhuang has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Shijiazhuang or Airlie Beach in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Shijiazhuang and Airlie Beach. Also, many travelers come to Airlie Beach for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Shijiazhuang is generally around the same temperature as Airlie Beachin January. Daily temperatures in Shijiazhuang average around 27°C (81°F), and Airlie Beach fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

Airlie Beach receives a lot of rain in the summer. Shijiazhuang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Shijiazhuang usually receives less rain than Airlie Beachin January. Shijiazhuang gets 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 331 mm (13 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Shijiazhuang 27°C (81°F) 
    Airlie Beach 26°C (79°F)

Should I visit Shijiazhuang or Airlie Beach in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Shijiazhuang as well as Airlie Beach. Also, many visitors come to Airlie Beach in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Shijiazhuang is much colder than Airlie Beach in the autumn. The daily temperature in Shijiazhuang averages around 15°C (59°F) in October, and Airlie Beach fluctuates around 23°C (73°F)in April.

It's quite rainy in Airlie Beach. Shijiazhuang usually gets less rain in October than Airlie Beachin April. Shijiazhuang gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Shijiazhuang 15°C (59°F) 
    Airlie Beach 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Shijiazhuang or Airlie Beach in the Winter?

Both Airlie Beach and Shijiazhuang are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Airlie Beach for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.

Shijiazhuang can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Shijiazhuang is much colder than Airlie Beach. Typically, the winter temperatures in Shijiazhuang in January average around -2°C (29°F), and Airlie Beach averages at about 16°C (62°F)in July.

In January, Shijiazhuang usually receives less rain than Airlie Beachin July. Shijiazhuang gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Shijiazhuang -2°C (29°F) 
    Airlie Beach 16°C (62°F)

Should I visit Shijiazhuang or Airlie Beach in the Spring?

Both Airlie Beach and Shijiazhuang during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Airlie Beach because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Shijiazhuang is generally cooler than Airlie Beachin October. Daily temperatures in Shijiazhuang average around 15°C (60°F), and Airlie Beach fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

Shijiazhuang usually gets less rain in April than Airlie Beachin October. Shijiazhuang gets 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Shijiazhuang 15°C (60°F) 
    Airlie Beach 23°C (73°F)

Typical Weather for Airlie Beach and Shijiazhuang

Shijiazhuang Airlie Beach
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -2°C (29°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 26°C (79°F) 331 mm (13 in)
Feb 1°C (33°F) 9 mm (0.3 in) 26°C (78°F) 377 mm (14.8 in)
Mar 8°C (46°F) 12 mm (0.5 in) 25°C (77°F) 312 mm (12.3 in)
Apr 15°C (60°F) 23 mm (0.9 in) 23°C (73°F) 143 mm (5.6 in)
May 21°C (71°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 20°C (68°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)
Jun 26°C (79°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 17°C (63°F) 57 mm (2.2 in)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 137 mm (5.4 in) 16°C (62°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Aug 26°C (79°F) 156 mm (6.1 in) 18°C (65°F) 27 mm (1.1 in)
Sep 21°C (70°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 20°C (68°F) 15 mm (0.6 in)
Oct 15°C (59°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 23°C (73°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Nov 7°C (45°F) 16 mm (0.6 in) 25°C (77°F) 107 mm (4.2 in)
Dec 1°C (33°F) 4 mm (0.2 in) 26°C (78°F) 191 mm (7.5 in)