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

Should you visit Shijiazhuang or Surfers Paradise?

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 Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise?

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.

Surfers Paradise

A tourist mecca, Surfers Paradise is one of the most popular travel destinations along Australia's famed Gold Coast. The beach stretches for miles and there is an endless supply of almost constant parties. You'll find high rise apartments lined up along the shore and plenty of shopping areas, restaurants, nightclubs, and bars. Travelers from around the world visit the area, and it's a right of passage for Australia's teens to vacation in or near Surfers Paradise. For many travelers, Surfers Paradise comes across as little more than a mass marketed, over commercialized, party destination, but for others it is a vacation dream. Prices are highly inflated so you have to keep your whits about you to avoid being ripped off. Surfers Paradise is a destination of extremes and it conjures up extreme emotions in many travelers, be it positive or negative.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in China, The Best 10-Day Tours in China, The Best Contiki Tours to Australia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Australia.


Which place is cheaper, Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise is $104. 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 Surfers Paradise in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Shijiazhuang $44
    Surfers Paradise $66
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Shijiazhuang $88
    Surfers Paradise $132
Compare Hotels in Shijiazhuang and Surfers Paradise

Looking for a hotel in Shijiazhuang or Surfers Paradise? 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 Surfers Paradise


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.
    Shijiazhuang $27
    Surfers Paradise $11

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Surfers Paradise

Also for Surfers Paradise, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • All-Inclusive Dolphin & Tangalooma Wrecks Day Cruise (Gold Coast Transfer): $149
  • Gold Coast Airport Transfers Corporate Chauffeurs Gold Coast: $119
  • Gold Coast Hot Air Balloon + Winery Breakfast + Return Transfers: $291
  • Gold Coast Theme Parks: Shared Hotel Transfers: $14
  • Luxury Private Transfer between Gold Coast Airport and Gold Coast city (1-7pax) : $89
  • Private Transfer from Brisbane Airports to Surfers Paradise: $106
  • Private Transfer from Gold Coast Airport - Surfers Paradise: $50
  • Private Transfer to Brisbane/BNE Airport from Gold Coast/OOL Airport( 1-7 pax): $229

Is it cheaper to fly into Shijiazhuang or Surfers Paradise?

Prices for flights to both Surfers Paradise 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
    Surfers Paradise $26

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Surfers Paradise

For Surfers Paradise, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Buffet Dinner Sightseeing Cruise: $78

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Shijiazhuang $4.34
    Surfers Paradise $23

Typical Entertainment Prices in Surfers Paradise

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Surfers Paradise's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Surf Lesson
    $78

Tours and Activities in Surfers Paradise

For Surfers Paradise, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Skip the Line:Wax Museum Ticket-World in Wax & Guided Tour of Chamber of Horrors: $22
  • Gold Coast Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing Cruise Day Pass: $30
  • Gold Coast 1.5-Hour Sightseeing River Cruise from Surfers Paradise: $30
  • Gold Coast Afternoon River Cruise: $32
  • Guided Gold Coast Amphibious Bus Tour: $33
  • Gold Coast Quack'rDuck Amphibious Tour from Surfers Paradise: $33
  • Gold Coast City Lights Cruise: $37
  • Tropical Fruit World Farm Full Tour : $37
  • Surfers Paradise Sunset Kayak Tour: $46
  • Paradise SUP Tour: $47
  • Half-Day Whale Watching and Canal Cruise from Surfers Paradise: $52
  • Catch a Crab Tour with Optional Seafood Lunch: $53

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Shijiazhuang $5.13
    Surfers Paradise $11


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Shijiazhuang and Surfers Paradise, we can see that Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Shijiazhuang or Surfers Paradise?

Shijiazhuang has a larger population, and is about 110 times larger than the population of Surfers Paradise. When comparing the sizes of Shijiazhuang and Surfers Paradise, 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 Shijiazhuang or Surfers Paradise?

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

The summer brings many poeple to Shijiazhuang as well as Surfers Paradise. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Surfers Paradise because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Shijiazhuang is around the same temperature as Surfers Paradise. Typically, the summer temperatures in Shijiazhuang in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Surfers Paradise averages at about 25°C (77°F)in January.

It's quite rainy in Surfers Paradise. Shijiazhuang receives a lot of rain in the summer. Shijiazhuang usually gets less rain in July than Surfers Paradisein January. Shijiazhuang gets 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Shijiazhuang 27°C (81°F) 
    Surfers Paradise 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Shijiazhuang or Surfers Paradise in the Autumn?

Both Surfers Paradise and Shijiazhuang are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Surfers Paradise this time of year.

In October, Shijiazhuang is generally cooler than Surfers Paradisein April. Daily temperatures in Shijiazhuang average around 15°C (59°F), and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Surfers Paradise. In October, Shijiazhuang usually receives less rain than Surfers Paradisein April. Shijiazhuang gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Shijiazhuang 15°C (59°F) 
    Surfers Paradise 22°C (71°F)

Should I visit Shijiazhuang or Surfers Paradise in the Winter?

Both Surfers Paradise and Shijiazhuang during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many travelers come to Surfers Paradise for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Shijiazhuang in the winter. Shijiazhuang is much colder than Surfers Paradise in the winter. The daily temperature in Shijiazhuang averages around -2°C (29°F) in January, and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 15°C (59°F)in July.

Shijiazhuang usually gets less rain in January than Surfers Paradisein July. Shijiazhuang gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Shijiazhuang -2°C (29°F) 
    Surfers Paradise 15°C (59°F)

Should I visit Shijiazhuang or Surfers Paradise in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Shijiazhuang and Surfers Paradise. Furthermore, many visitors come to Surfers Paradise in the spring for the beaches.

In the spring, Shijiazhuang is cooler than Surfers Paradise. Typically, the spring temperatures in Shijiazhuang in April average around 15°C (60°F), and Surfers Paradise averages at about 21°C (69°F)in October.

Surfers Paradise receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Shijiazhuang usually receives less rain than Surfers Paradisein October. Shijiazhuang gets 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Shijiazhuang 15°C (60°F) 
    Surfers Paradise 21°C (69°F)

Typical Weather for Surfers Paradise and Shijiazhuang

Shijiazhuang Surfers Paradise
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -2°C (29°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 25°C (77°F) 167 mm (6.6 in)
Feb 1°C (33°F) 9 mm (0.3 in) 25°C (77°F) 157 mm (6.2 in)
Mar 8°C (46°F) 12 mm (0.5 in) 24°C (75°F) 140 mm (5.5 in)
Apr 15°C (60°F) 23 mm (0.9 in) 22°C (71°F) 101 mm (4 in)
May 21°C (71°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 19°C (66°F) 91 mm (3.6 in)
Jun 26°C (79°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 16°C (61°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 137 mm (5.4 in) 15°C (59°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Aug 26°C (79°F) 156 mm (6.1 in) 16°C (61°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Sep 21°C (70°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 18°C (65°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Oct 15°C (59°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 21°C (69°F) 103 mm (4 in)
Nov 7°C (45°F) 16 mm (0.6 in) 23°C (73°F) 118 mm (4.6 in)
Dec 1°C (33°F) 4 mm (0.2 in) 24°C (76°F) 129 mm (5.1 in)