A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Tianjin vs. Katoomba for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Tianjin or Katoomba?

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

Should I visit Tianjin or Katoomba? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Tianjin or Katoomba?

Tianjin

Tianjin is a large metropolis on the north east coast of China. This ancient city, which dates back to prehistoric times, is one of five National Central Cities of China and is rich in culture and history. Tianjin is most famous for its beautiful walking streets and history of European concession territories.

Tianjin experiences hot and humid summers, with temperatures reaching 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Winters are cool and dry with temperatures around 15° (F). Spring and Autumn tend to be the best times to visit as weather is a little more mild, although Spring has a tendency to be a little rainy.

Katoomba

Designated an UNESCO World Heritage site in 2000, the Blue Mountains are located just west of Sydney in the highlands of New South Wales, Australia.

This area can be generally expensive, but is on par with other destinations in Australia and around Sydney. Plenty of luxury places can be found here that cost more than average, but plenty of cheaper places to stay can be found here, too. Expect to pay for various activities such as tours and entrance fees, too.

The landscape is sprawling with majestic scenery over a rugged terrain of steep cliffs, forests, waterfalls, and villages. Whether you come to hike, climb, bike, or drive to the scenic viewpoints, a curtain of tranquility falls upon the mountains in a blue haze from which they get their name.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in China, The Best Cultural Tours in China, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Australia, and The Best Scuba Diving Tours in Australia.


Which place is cheaper, Katoomba or Tianjin?

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 Tianjin is $92, while the average daily cost in Katoomba is $148. 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 Tianjin and Katoomba in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Tianjin $35
    Katoomba $78
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Tianjin $70
    Katoomba $156
Compare Hotels in Tianjin and Katoomba

Looking for a hotel in Tianjin or Katoomba? 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 Tianjin


Hotels in Katoomba


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: Katoomba Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Tianjin $37
    Katoomba $50

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tianjin

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

  • [Airport Transfer] Tianjin Airport ⇔ Tianjin City Transfer ☆ High reputation for service <Charter charter>: $13
  • Tianjin Binhai Airport(TSN) to Tianjin - Arrival Private Transfer: $24
  • Tianjin Binhai International Airport Private Arrival Transfer to City Area : $29
  • Tianjin Cruise Port Private Transfer to Binhai Railway Station: $32
  • Tianjin Railway Station Private Transfer to Cruise Port: $32
  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Tianjin Binhai International Airport (TSN): $39
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Tianjin Binhai International Airport (TSN) to Hotel: $39
  • Tianjin Airport (TSN) to Tianjin RoundTrip Private Transfer: $48
  • Tianjin Cruise Port Transfer To Tianjin Airport one way private transfer: $50
  • Private Tianjin Transfer to Xingang International Cruise Port from City Hotels: $60
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Tianjin Cruise Port to Train Stations (Tianjin/Tanggu): $63
  • Private Transfer from Tianjin Cruise Port to Tianjin City Hotels: $73

Is it cheaper to fly into Tianjin or Katoomba?

Prices for flights to both Katoomba and Tianjin 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
    Tianjin $36
    Katoomba $30

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Tianjin $10
    Katoomba $54

Tours and Activities in Tianjin

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

  • Tianjin International Cruise Home Port to Beijing Airport/City Tr: $119
  • Guided Day Tour to Tianjin Downtown with Lunch: $148
  • Private Tianjin City Night Tour with Haihe River Cruise: $176
  • 5-Hour Private Tianjin Shopping Tour from Tianjin Cruise Port: $179
  • Tianjin Cruise Port To Beijing Capital Airport With the English Speaking Driver: $187
  • Private Tianjin City Highlight Day Tour: $188
  • Tianjin Port-up To Beijing City Self-Guide Tour and Drop-off at Beijing Hotel: $192
  • 4-Hour Tianjin Shore Excursion to Shijia Mansion with Bullet Train Experience: $210
  • Tianjin Shore Excursion: Huangyaguan Great Wall Private Day Tour: $214
  • Tianjin Private Walking Tour Guided by a Lady Worked in Europe: $215
  • Private Tianjin Shopping Tour: $218
  • All-inclusive Day Tour: China House, Five Avenues, Ancient Street & Tianjin Eye: $224

Tours and Activities in Katoomba

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

  • Blue Mountains Day Tour with Wildlife and Scenic World: $101
  • Army Truck Adventures - 3 Hour Guided Tour: $100
  • Army Truck Adventures - 90 Minute Guided Tour: $66
  • Beauty of the Blue Mountains Private Tour: $853
  • Blue Labyrinth PRIVATE Tour: Sydney Blue Mountains by E-Bike : $251
  • Blue Mountains 1-Hour Trike Tour of Three Sisters: $109
  • Blue Mountains 3 Hour Army Truck Adventures: $99
  • Blue Mountains 90 Minute Army Truck Adventures: $65
  • Blue Mountains Day Tour With Bushwalks, Waterfalls & Featherdale: $126
  • Blue Mountains Day Tour with Scenic World and Wildlife Park Entry: $118
  • Blue Mountains Full Day Guided Tour : $221
  • Blue Mountains Hop On Hop Off Tour: $73

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Tianjin $11
    Katoomba -


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

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


Which is Bigger, Tianjin or Katoomba?

Tianjin has a larger population, and is about 200 times larger than the population of Katoomba. When comparing the sizes of Tianjin and Katoomba, 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 Tianjin or Katoomba?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Katoomba is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Tianjin has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Tianjin or Katoomba in the Summer?

Both Katoomba and Tianjin during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Katoomba because of the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Tianjin is a little warmer than Katoomba in the summer. The daily temperature in Tianjin averages around 27°C (80°F) in July, and Katoomba fluctuates around 24°C (74°F)in January.

In Katoomba, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Tianjin. In the summer, Tianjin often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Katoombain January. Tianjin gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Katoomba receives 236 hours of full sun.

Katoomba gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Tianjin. Tianjin usually gets more rain in July than Katoombain January. Tianjin gets 185 mm (7.3 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 105 mm (4.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Tianjin 27°C (80°F) 
    Katoomba 24°C (74°F)

Should I visit Tianjin or Katoomba in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Tianjin and Katoomba. Furthermore, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Katoomba this time of year.

In the autumn, Tianjin is cooler than Katoomba. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Tianjin in October average around 15°C (58°F), and Katoomba averages at about 18°C (65°F)in April.

In Tianjin, it's very sunny this time of the year. Tianjin usually receives more sunshine than Katoomba during autumn. Tianjin gets 227 hours of sunny skies, while Katoomba receives 195 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Tianjin usually receives less rain than Katoombain April. Tianjin gets 21 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Tianjin 15°C (58°F) 
    Katoomba 18°C (65°F)

Should I visit Tianjin or Katoomba in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Tianjin as well as Katoomba. Additionally, many travelers come to Katoomba for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Tianjin in the winter. In January, Tianjin is generally much colder than Katoombain July. Daily temperatures in Tianjin average around -3°C (27°F), and Katoomba fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Katoomba. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tianjin this time of the year. In the winter, Tianjin often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Katoombain July. Tianjin gets 201 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Katoomba receives 208 hours of full sun.

Tianjin usually gets less rain in January than Katoombain July. Tianjin gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Tianjin -3°C (27°F) 
    Katoomba 11°C (51°F)

Should I visit Tianjin or Katoomba in the Spring?

Both Katoomba and Tianjin are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Katoomba in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

Tianjin is cooler than Katoomba in the spring. The daily temperature in Tianjin averages around 14°C (58°F) in April, and Katoomba fluctuates around 18°C (64°F)in October.

It's quite sunny in Katoomba. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tianjin. Tianjin usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Katoomba during spring. Tianjin gets 247 hours of sunny skies, while Katoomba receives 240 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Tianjin usually receives less rain than Katoombain October. Tianjin gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Tianjin 14°C (58°F) 
    Katoomba 18°C (64°F)

Typical Weather for Katoomba and Tianjin

Tianjin Katoomba
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -3°C (27°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 24°C (74°F) 105 mm (4.1 in)
Feb -1°C (31°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 23°C (74°F) 96 mm (3.8 in)
Mar 6°C (43°F) 9 mm (0.3 in) 22°C (71°F) 96 mm (3.8 in)
Apr 14°C (58°F) 25 mm (1 in) 18°C (65°F) 79 mm (3.1 in)
May 21°C (69°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 14°C (58°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Jun 25°C (77°F) 68 mm (2.7 in) 12°C (53°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Jul 27°C (80°F) 185 mm (7.3 in) 11°C (51°F) 34 mm (1.3 in)
Aug 26°C (79°F) 155 mm (6.1 in) 12°C (54°F) 59 mm (2.3 in)
Sep 21°C (70°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 15°C (59°F) 42 mm (1.6 in)
Oct 15°C (58°F) 21 mm (0.8 in) 18°C (64°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
Nov 6°C (43°F) 11 mm (0.4 in) 20°C (68°F) 89 mm (3.5 in)
Dec -1°C (31°F) 4 mm (0.2 in) 23°C (73°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)