A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Taiyuan vs. Gold Coast for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Taiyuan or Gold Coast?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Taiyuan and Gold Coast. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Taiyuan or Gold Coast?

Taiyuan

With sleek architectural designs and blossoming businesses, this metropolis is simply brimming with invigorating excitement and once-in-a-lifetime entertainment. Despite its glimmering skyscrapers and gorgeous fountains, Taiyuan, China has an extensive history of nearly 2,500 years. During ancient China, Taiyuan, or the "Dragon City," was a major military town. Presently, this city is now one of China's most important industrial cities, producing more than half of the national coal mining output. Taiyuan is both the capital and largest city of the Shanxi province of North China. It is bounded by mountains on three of its sides, allowing this great city to be surrounded by fantastic views of its landscape. Besides its economic significance, Taiyuan also achieves tourist significance due to its plethora of landmarks and sights. Some of these attractions include Jinci Temple, Forest Park, Mengshan Giant Buddha, and Shanxi Museum. Taiyuan is also celebrated internationally for holding their annual Shanxi Taiyuan International Folk Arts Festival, a celebration held in September that hosts exhibition of fine arts, painting, paper-cutting, sculpture, drama, acrobatic and the culture of costume. With such a great deal to do in such a limited window of time, it is best to make the most Taiyuan while you visit!

Gold Coast

The Gold Coast is one of Australia's premier destinations. Famous for gorgeous beaches, warm weather, watersports, and plenty of activities for all ages, millions of tourists from Australia as well as everywhere in the world flock to this region every year. With beaches, national parks, theme parks, shopping and dining, nice resorts, boating, fishing, diving, theme parks and more, the Gold Coast offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to China, The Best Tours for Seniors to China, The Best Honeymoon Tours in Australia, and The Best Photography Tours in Australia.


Which place is cheaper, Gold Coast or Taiyuan?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Taiyuan is $106, while the average daily cost in Gold Coast is $119. 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 Taiyuan and Gold Coast in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Taiyuan $43
    Gold Coast $55
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Taiyuan $86
    Gold Coast $110
Compare Hotels in Taiyuan and Gold Coast

Looking for a hotel in Taiyuan or Gold Coast? 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 Taiyuan


Hotels in Gold Coast


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.
    Taiyuan $48
    Gold Coast $23

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Gold Coast

Also for Gold Coast, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Gold Coast Airport Arrival Transfer to Byron Bay: $140
  • Gold Coast Airport Transfer: Gold Coast to Airport OOL in Luxury Car: $139
  • Departure Private Transfer: Gold Coast to Airport OOL in Luxury Van: $132
  • From Gold Coast : Australia Zoo Transfer and Entry Ticket: $132
  • Brisbane and Gold Coast Personal Airport Private Transfer: $121
  • Arrival Transfer: Airport OOL to Gold Coast by Business Car: $112
  • Gold Coast Airport Transfer: Gold Coast to Airport OOL in Business Car: $108
  • Departure Private Transfer: Gold Coast to Airport OOL in Business Car: $108
  • Gold Coast to Byron Bay scenic One Way Transfer: $81
  • Private Gold Coast Airport Arrival Transfer: $74
  • Chill Out at Byron Bay Bus Transfer: $72
  • Private Transfer from Gold Coast Airport - Surfers Paradise: $50

Is it cheaper to fly into Taiyuan or Gold Coast?

Prices for flights to both Gold Coast and Taiyuan 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
    Taiyuan $36
    Gold Coast $47

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Gold Coast

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

  • Australian Outback Spectacular Dinner & Show: $79
  • Gold Coast Buffet Dinner Sightseeing Cruise: $87
  • Gold Coast Private Sunset Sailing Charter w/ dinner & drinks: $310

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Taiyuan $15
    Gold Coast $19

Tours and Activities in Gold Coast

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Gold Coast.

  • 1.5 hr Jet Ski Safari tour to South Stradbroke Island!: $201
  • 2 Hour Ultimate Learn to Surf Adventure: $44
  • 2 Hours Dolphin Kayaking & Snorkeling Tour on the Broadwater: $58
  • 2-Day Dreamworld and SkyPoint Admission Ticket: $87
  • 2.5 hr Jet Ski Safaris tour - Ultimate Adventure + island stop: $268
  • 3-Day Unlimited Dreamworld, WhiteWater World & SkyPoint Ticket: $107
  • Aquaduck Gold Coast 1 hour City and River Tour: $39
  • Barefoot Luxury Mount Tamborine Winery Tour from Gold Coast: $221
  • Best of Private Walking Tour with a Local: $107
  • Book Private Tour for Banff-Yoho-Kootenay & Jasper Parks: $682
  • Brisbane: Springbrook 7 Waterfalls and Natural Bridge Tour: $125
  • Brisbane: Winery Tour with Tastings and 2-Course Lunch: $198

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Taiyuan $6.41
    Gold Coast $5.23

Sample the Local Flavors in Gold Coast

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Gold Coast:

  • Tamborine Mountain Distillery Tour & Tasting: $17
  • Granddad Jack's Distillery Gin Tasting & Talk: $43
  • Queensland Distillery Tour: $76
  • Craft Distillery and Brewery Tour on Gold Coast: $77
  • Sirromet Wine Tasting and Blending Workshop for 2: $84
  • Craft Your Own Spirit at Tamborine Mountain Distillery: $124
  • Wine, Distillery & Rainforest Day Tour: $151
  • Private Bespoke Hinterland Heritage Wine Tour: $161
  • Tamborine Mountain Wine Tour with 2-Course Lunch: $165
  • Full-Day Guided Wine Tour in Mt Tamborine From Gold Coast : $168
  • Luxury Wine Tour with Gourmet Lunch & Distillery: $198
  • Gold Coast and Craft Brewery VIP Tour from Brisbane: $959


When comparing the travel costs between Taiyuan and Gold Coast, we can see that Gold Coast is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Taiyuan is in Asia and Gold Coast is in Pacific, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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


Which is Bigger, Taiyuan or Gold Coast?

Taiyuan has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Gold Coast. When comparing the sizes of Taiyuan and Gold Coast, 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.