Which place is cheaper, Nadi (Port Denarau) or Surfers Paradise?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Surfers Paradise or Nadi (Port Denarau)?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Surfers Paradise or Nadi (Port Denarau), 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 Nadi (Port Denarau)?
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.
Nadi (Port Denarau)
Nadi, pronounced "Nandi", is a city and transportation hub in the Fijian islands. It is on one of the main islands, Viti Levu, and has a population of about 42,000. Many inhabitants are Indian as well as Fijian, and the largest temple in the Southern hemisphere is located in the city center. It must be noted that Nadi and surrounding areas aren't known for the beaches. This is more of a cultural destination or starting point for your trip to Fiji. For the best beaches, you will want to venture out to the other, smaller, islands.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to Australia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Australia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySurfers Paradise $104Nadi (Port Denarau) $164
The average daily cost (per person) in Surfers Paradise is $104, while the average daily cost in Nadi (Port Denarau) is $164. 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 Surfers Paradise and Nadi (Port Denarau) in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSurfers Paradise $66Nadi (Port Denarau) $103
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSurfers Paradise $132Nadi (Port Denarau) $206
Compare Hotels in Surfers Paradise and Nadi (Port Denarau)
Looking for a hotel in Surfers Paradise or Nadi (Port Denarau)? 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: Nadi (Port Denarau) Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Surfers Paradise $11Nadi (Port Denarau) $8.74
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Surfers Paradise
Also for Surfers Paradise, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Gold Coast Theme Parks: Shared Hotel Transfers: $14
- Private Transfer from Gold Coast Airport - Surfers Paradise: $50
- Private Transfer from Brisbane Airports to Surfers Paradise: $106
- All-Inclusive Dolphin & Tangalooma Wrecks Day Cruise (Gold Coast Transfer): $149
- Private Transfer to Brisbane/BNE Airport from Gold Coast/OOL Airport( 1-7 pax): $229
- Gold Coast Hot Air Balloon + Winery Breakfast + Return Transfers: $293
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nadi (Port Denarau)
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Nadi (Port Denarau):
- Zip line Fiji ex Fiji Marriot w/private transfer dropoff Nadi Airport or resort : $169
- Treetops Zipline Tour with Drop off Transfer to Nadi Airport: $128
- Shuttle transfer to Nadi Airport : $49
- Shared Transfer To Nadi Airport from Denarau Resorts: $9.01
- Shared Shuttle Departure Transfers - Denarau,Wailoaloa & Nadi to Nadi Airport: $11
- Roundtrip Transfer Nadi Int Airport -Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay(CFC APPROVED): $57
- Round-trip Nadi Int Airport - Denarau Hotels (Private Transfer): $27
- Round-Trip Transfer -Nadi Airport - Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay: $54
- Round trip Transfer Airport to Coral Coast /Denarau Hotels : $55
- Round Trip Transfer -Nadi Airport to Intercontinental Resort : $61
- Round Trip Private Transfer From Nadi Airport To Your Resort : $21
- Private Transfers Nadi Airport-Outrigger Resorts/Crow's Nest Resort/ Bedarra Inn: $83
Is it cheaper to fly into Surfers Paradise or Nadi (Port Denarau)?
Prices for flights to both Nadi (Port Denarau) 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
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Food Meals for one daySurfers Paradise $26Nadi (Port Denarau) $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:
- Buffet Dinner Sightseeing Cruise: $78
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nadi (Port Denarau)
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Nadi (Port Denarau).
- Robinson Crusoe Sunset Cruise Including Dinner, Cultural Show & Transfers: $121
- Super Saver Combo: Tivua Island Day Cruise + Sunset Dinner Cruise in Fiji: $184
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Surfers Paradise $23Nadi (Port Denarau) $32
Typical Entertainment Prices in Surfers Paradise
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Surfers Paradise's activities, tours, and tickets:
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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: $53
- Catch a Crab Tour with Optional Seafood Lunch: $53
Tours and Activities in Nadi (Port Denarau)
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Nadi (Port Denarau) are as follows:
- ''Coral Coast Adventure: Biausevu Waterfall & Natadola Beach !'': $144
- "Coral Coast Cultural Tour: Pottery, Kava, Meke, Dunes & Temple'': $105
- 16 Lines Zipline, Cave and Mud Spa Combo Tour with Lunch in Fiji: $164
- 6 Hours Giant Zipline Adventure Park in Fiji: $90
- Authentic Fijian Day Tour: $83
- Barefoot Kuata Day Cruise from Denarau: $130
- Biausevu Waterfall Tour (Sigatoka) : $100
- Biausevu Waterfall with New Dawn Tours Fiji: $82
- CFC Hot Spring Mud Pool,Garden Of Sleeping Giant And Village Visit Half Day Tour: $104
- Colo-i-Suva Waterfall Tour (Suva): $99
- Coral Coast Heritage Tour: $157
- Coral Coast Sightseeing & Pottery Village Tour: $80
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySurfers Paradise $11Nadi (Port Denarau) $11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Surfers Paradise and Nadi (Port Denarau), we can see that Nadi (Port Denarau) 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 Nadi (Port Denarau) would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nadi (Port Denarau) than you might in Surfers Paradise.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Surfers Paradise Expensive? and Is Nadi (Port Denarau) Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Surfers Paradise or Nadi (Port Denarau)?
Nadi (Port Denarau) has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Surfers Paradise. When comparing the sizes of Surfers Paradise and Nadi (Port Denarau), 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.
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.