A Travel Price Comparison for Australia Surfers Paradise vs. Byron Bay for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Surfers Paradise or Byron Bay?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Surfers Paradise or Byron Bay, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Surfers Paradise or Byron Bay?

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.

Byron Bay

South of Brisbane, off the Pacific Highway, is the coastal town of Byron Bay. It is close to Cape Byron, which is the easternmost point in mainland Australia. Byron Bay makes its way onto most traveler's itineraries because of its wonderful beach activities. The area is world famous for its waves, making it popular with surfers, but it also has incredible scuba diving, whale watching, and a generally relaxed atmosphere. The area continues to rise in popularity with travelers and as such, amenities and facilities are popping up everywhere.

Which city is cheaper, Byron Bay or Surfers Paradise?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Surfers Paradise is $84, while the average daily cost in Byron Bay is $112. 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Surfers Paradise and Byron Bay in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Surfers Paradise $54
    Byron Bay $54
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Surfers Paradise $108
    Byron Bay $108
Compare Hotels in Surfers Paradise and Byron Bay

Looking for a hotel in Surfers Paradise or Byron Bay? 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 Surfers Paradise


Hotels in Byron Bay


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: Surfers Paradise Hotel Prices and Byron Bay Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Surfers Paradise $9.06
    Byron Bay $26

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Surfers Paradise

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

  • One-Way Shared Transfer to Byron Bay: $30
  • Gold Coast: Airport to Hotel Return Transfer: $33
  • Private Brisbane Airport Departure Transfer From Gold Coast: $177

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Byron Bay

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Byron Bay:

  • Private Byron Bay Transfer to Gold Coast Airport 7am-6pm: $79

Is it cheaper to fly into Surfers Paradise or Byron Bay?

Prices for flights to both Byron Bay and Surfers Paradise 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
    Surfers Paradise $21
    Byron Bay $39

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:

  • Surfers Paradise Sunset Kayak and Dinner: $40
  • Dinner Buffet Cruise on the Gold Coast: $70
  • Gold Coast: Spirits of the Red Sand Aboriginal Show & Dinner: $87

Typical Food prices in Byron Bay

Some typical examples of dining costs in Byron Bay are as follows:


  • Dinner at Olivo (for 2)
    $59

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Byron Bay

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Byron Bay.

  • Mount Warning Sunrise Climb Including Overnight Camping and BBQ Dinner: $166
  • Byron Bay Kayaking with Dolphins and Mount Warning Sunrise Climb Including Overnight Camping and BBQ Dinner: $224
  • Byron Bay Surfing Lesson and Mount Warning Sunrise Climb Including Overnight Camping and BBQ Dinner: $224

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Surfers Paradise $19
    Byron Bay $29
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
    $79

Tours and Activities in Surfers Paradise

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

  • Green Cabs Surfers Paradise Tours: $16
  • Gold Coast Morning Tea Cruise from Surfers Paradise: $18
  • Gold Coast 1.5-Hour Sightseeing River Cruise from Surfers Paradise: $20
  • Gold Coast 1.5-Hour Sightseeing River Cruise from Surfers Paradise: $21
  • Gold Coast Sightseeing Cruise: $23
  • Infinity Attraction in Queensland Admission Ticket: $23
  • Skip the Line:Wax Museum Ticket-World in Wax & Guided Tour of Chamber of Horrors: $25
  • Gold Coast: Aquaduck City Tour and River Cruise: $29
  • Aquaduck Gold Coast 1 hour City and River Tour: $32
  • Gold Coast Quack'rDuck Amphibious Tour from Surfers Paradise: $32
  • Stand Up Paddle Board Tour: $36
  • Private Stand Up Paddle Tour: $46

Typical Entertainment prices in Byron Bay

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Byron Bay are as follows:


  • Buddha Gardens Spa (for 2)
    $125
  • Surf Lesson
    $43

Tours and Activities in Byron Bay

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Byron Bay are as follows:

  • 3-Hour Sea Turtle Snorkeling Experience in Byron Bay: $78
  • 3-Hour Small-Group Byron Bay Tour: $67
  • 5 hour - Byron Bay Cycling Tour + Lunch: $150
  • 5-Hour Byron Bay Introductory Scuba Diving Tour: $170
  • Beyond Byron Hinterland Tour: $134
  • Byron Bay 3-Hour Certified Dive Tour: $119
  • Byron Bay Combo: Hinterland Tour Including Minyon Falls and Kayaking with Dolphins: $182
  • Byron Bay Hinterland Tour Including Rainforest Walk to Minyon Falls: $124
  • Byron Bay Hinterland: National Park and Waterfalls Tour: $122
  • Byron Bay Lighthouse and Hinterland Tour: $74
  • Byron Bay Waves To Waterfalls Adventure Tour: $172
  • Byron Bay Whale Watching Cruise: $87

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Surfers Paradise $9.06
    Byron Bay $11

Sample the Local Flavors in Surfers Paradise

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Surfers Paradise:

  • Private Half Day Wine Tour from Gold Coast to Tamborine Mountain: $119
  • Hipster Sipster Brewery and Distillery Tour: $154

Sample the Local Flavors in Byron Bay

Also in Byron Bay, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Afternoon session Brewery and Distillery tour in Byron Bay: $116
  • Full Barrel Brewery and Distillery tour: $141
  • Byron: Pub, Brewery and Distillery Tour: $172

About these numbers

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Surfers Paradise and Byron Bay, we can see that Byron Bay is more expensive. And not only is Surfers Paradise much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Surfers Paradise would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Surfers Paradise 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 Byron Bay would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Byron Bay than you might in Surfers Paradise.


When is the best time to visit Surfers Paradise or Byron Bay?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.

Should I visit Surfers Paradise or Byron Bay in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Surfers Paradise as well as Byron Bay.

In January, Surfers Paradise is generally around the same temperature as Byron Bay. Temperatures in Surfers Paradise average around 25°C (77°F), and Byron Bay stays around 23°C (74°F).

It's quite rainy in Byron Bay. Surfers Paradise receives a lot of rain in the summer. Surfers Paradise usually gets more rain in January than Byron Bay. Surfers Paradise gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Byron Bay receives 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January
    Surfers Paradise 25°C (77°F) 
    Byron Bay 23°C (74°F)

Should I visit Surfers Paradise or Byron Bay in the Autumn?

Both Byron Bay and Surfers Paradise are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.

Surfers Paradise is around the same temperature as Byron Bay in the autumn. The temperature in Surfers Paradise is usually 22°C (71°F) in April, and Byron Bay stays around 20°C (69°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Byron Bay. It's quite rainy in Surfers Paradise. In April, Surfers Paradise usually receives less rain than Byron Bay. Surfers Paradise gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Byron Bay receives 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April
    Surfers Paradise 22°C (71°F) 
    Byron Bay 20°C (69°F)

Should I visit Surfers Paradise or Byron Bay in the Winter?

Both Byron Bay and Surfers Paradise during the winter are popular places to visit.

In the winter, Surfers Paradise is around the same temperature as Byron Bay. Typically, the winter temperatures in Surfers Paradise in July are around 15°C (59°F), and Byron Bay is about 14°C (58°F).

Surfers Paradise usually gets more rain in July than Byron Bay. Surfers Paradise gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Byron Bay receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July
    Surfers Paradise 15°C (59°F) 
    Byron Bay 14°C (58°F)

Should I visit Surfers Paradise or Byron Bay in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Surfers Paradise and Byron Bay.

In October, Surfers Paradise is generally around the same temperature as Byron Bay. Temperatures in Surfers Paradise average around 21°C (69°F), and Byron Bay stays around 19°C (67°F).

Surfers Paradise gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Surfers Paradise usually receives more rain than Byron Bay. Surfers Paradise gets 103 mm (4 in) of rain, while Byron Bay receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October
    Surfers Paradise 21°C (69°F) 
    Byron Bay 19°C (67°F)

Typical Weather for Byron Bay and Surfers Paradise

Surfers Paradise Byron Bay
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 25°C (77°F) 167 mm (6.6 in) 23°C (74°F) 140 mm (5.5 in)
Feb 25°C (77°F) 157 mm (6.2 in) 24°C (74°F) 133 mm (5.2 in)
Mar 24°C (75°F) 140 mm (5.5 in) 23°C (73°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)
Apr 22°C (71°F) 101 mm (4 in) 20°C (69°F) 133 mm (5.2 in)
May 19°C (66°F) 91 mm (3.6 in) 18°C (64°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)
Jun 16°C (61°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 15°C (59°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Jul 15°C (59°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 14°C (58°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Aug 16°C (61°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 15°C (59°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
Sep 18°C (65°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 17°C (63°F) 32 mm (1.2 in)
Oct 21°C (69°F) 103 mm (4 in) 19°C (67°F) 90 mm (3.5 in)
Nov 23°C (73°F) 118 mm (4.6 in) 21°C (70°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Dec 24°C (76°F) 129 mm (5.1 in) 22°C (72°F) 118 mm (4.6 in)


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Surfers Paradise vs. Byron Bay Travel Comparison

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