A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Wuhu vs. Airlie Beach for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Wuhu or Airlie Beach?

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 Wuhu and Airlie Beach. 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: Wuhu or Airlie Beach?

Wuhu

The city of Wuhu is located in the southeast of the Anhui province of China. It lies on the south bank of the Yangtze River, and about 74 miles from the capital city of Hefei. It is made of floodplains, terraces and low hills, and its plentiful water supply makes it the perfect spot for fish and rice production.

The area has a subtropical climate with a humid monsoon season. When planning your trip, remember that the rainy season is from spring to early winter with the heaviest rainfall from mid-June to early July. So the best trips will be in autumn when it is nice and cool, and the chrysanthemums are in bloom.

Airlie Beach

Airlie Beach, in Queensland, offers the closest port to the Whitsunday Islands on the Great Barrier Reef. It's a small town of only 25,000 and has grown out of the area's popularity as a tourist destination. It's main industry remains tourism and, as such, there are many venues set up to accommodate travelers hoping to make trips to the Whitsunday Islands and the Outer Great Barrier Reef. The town has the feel of a vacation destination. While in the past Airlie Beach appealed specifically to the backpacker crowd, it's popularity has spread and now there are facilities catering to all travel types. The area has become more commercialized and there are plenty of large resorts to choose from. Even so, you'll still find no shortage of affordable accommodation around town.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Lhasa, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Shanghai, The Best Adventure Tours to Australia, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Australia.


Which place is cheaper, Airlie Beach or Wuhu?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Wuhu is $86, while the average daily cost in Airlie Beach is $141. 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 Wuhu and Airlie Beach in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Wuhu $30
    Airlie Beach $58
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Wuhu $60
    Airlie Beach $116
Compare Hotels in Wuhu and Airlie Beach

Looking for a hotel in Wuhu or Airlie Beach? 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 Wuhu


Hotels in Airlie Beach


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: Airlie Beach Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Wuhu $26
    Airlie Beach $19

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Airlie Beach

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Airlie Beach:

  • Whitsunday: Prosperpine Airport to Airlie Beach Transfer: $16
  • One Way Only - Airport Transfer share shuttle service: $17
  • Airport Transfers - Return (round fare) share shuttle service: $28
  • Return Transfer PPP Airport Shute Harbour / Renta Yacht / Freedom Shores: $32
  • South Molle Island Camping Transfer: $47
  • South Molle Island Camping Transfer: $59
  • Whitehaven Beach Club Transfers from Airlie Beach: $92
  • Crayfish Beach Hook Island Camping Transfer: $139
  • Private Transfer to Whitsunday Coast Airport: $314

Is it cheaper to fly into Wuhu or Airlie Beach?

Prices for flights to both Airlie Beach and Wuhu 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
    Wuhu $39
    Airlie Beach $32

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Airlie Beach

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Airlie Beach.

  • 3-Hour Sunset Segway Tour with Dinner: $72
  • Whitsundays Segway Sunset and Boardwalk Tour with Dinner: $83

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Wuhu $18
    Airlie Beach $160

Tours and Activities in Airlie Beach

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

  • Private Airlie Beach Tuk-Tuk Tours: $20
  • 2-Hour Sunset Cruise with Sparkling Wine: $45
  • Airlie Beach Sunset Cruise : $46
  • Whisper Cruises - One-Hour Turtle Spotting Bay Cruise: $46
  • Sundowner Sunset Cruise Airlie Beach: $46
  • Airlie Beach sightseeing Tour: $50
  • Airlie Beach Trike Tours: $50
  • Whitsundays Sunset Sailing Cruise: $53
  • Glass-Bottom Boat Tour: $58
  • 2 Hour Airlie Beach Sunset Cruise: $59
  • Airlie Beach Glass Bottom Boat Tour: $59
  • 1 hour Mimosa Morning Turtle Spotting Cruise: $59

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Wuhu $8.08
    Airlie Beach $8.99


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

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



When is the best time to visit Wuhu or Airlie Beach?

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

Should I visit Wuhu or Airlie Beach in the Summer?

Both Airlie Beach and Wuhu are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Airlie Beach this time of year.

In the summer, Wuhu is around the same temperature as Airlie Beach. Typically, the summer temperatures in Wuhu in July average around 28°C (83°F), and Airlie Beach averages at about 26°C (79°F)in January.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Airlie Beach. It's quite rainy in Wuhu. In July, Wuhu usually receives less rain than Airlie Beachin January. Wuhu gets 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 331 mm (13 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Wuhu 28°C (83°F) 
    Airlie Beach 26°C (79°F)

Should I visit Wuhu or Airlie Beach in the Autumn?

Both Airlie Beach and Wuhu during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many travelers come to Airlie Beach for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Wuhu is generally cooler than Airlie Beachin April. Daily temperatures in Wuhu average around 17°C (63°F), and Airlie Beach fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

Airlie Beach gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Wuhu usually gets less rain in October than Airlie Beachin April. Wuhu gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Wuhu 17°C (63°F) 
    Airlie Beach 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Wuhu or Airlie Beach in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Wuhu and Airlie Beach. Furthermore, many visitors come to Airlie Beach in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Wuhu. Wuhu is much colder than Airlie Beach in the winter. The daily temperature in Wuhu averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Airlie Beach fluctuates around 16°C (62°F)in July.

In January, Wuhu usually receives less rain than Airlie Beachin July. Wuhu gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Wuhu 3°C (37°F) 
    Airlie Beach 16°C (62°F)

Should I visit Wuhu or Airlie Beach in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Wuhu as well as Airlie Beach. Additionally, most visitors come to Airlie Beach for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Wuhu is cooler than Airlie Beach. Typically, the spring temperatures in Wuhu in April average around 15°C (60°F), and Airlie Beach averages at about 23°C (73°F)in October.

Wuhu receives a lot of rain in the spring. Wuhu usually gets more rain in April than Airlie Beachin October. Wuhu gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Wuhu 15°C (60°F) 
    Airlie Beach 23°C (73°F)

Typical Weather for Airlie Beach and Wuhu

Wuhu Airlie Beach
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 3°C (37°F) 27 mm (1.1 in) 26°C (79°F) 331 mm (13 in)
Feb 4°C (40°F) 52 mm (2 in) 26°C (78°F) 377 mm (14.8 in)
Mar 9°C (48°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 25°C (77°F) 312 mm (12.3 in)
Apr 15°C (60°F) 101 mm (4 in) 23°C (73°F) 143 mm (5.6 in)
May 21°C (69°F) 88 mm (3.5 in) 20°C (68°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)
Jun 25°C (77°F) 114 mm (4.5 in) 17°C (63°F) 57 mm (2.2 in)
Jul 28°C (83°F) 174 mm (6.9 in) 16°C (62°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Aug 28°C (83°F) 158 mm (6.2 in) 18°C (65°F) 27 mm (1.1 in)
Sep 23°C (74°F) 105 mm (4.1 in) 20°C (68°F) 15 mm (0.6 in)
Oct 17°C (63°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) 23°C (73°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Nov 11°C (52°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 25°C (77°F) 107 mm (4.2 in)
Dec 5°C (41°F) 25 mm (1 in) 26°C (78°F) 191 mm (7.5 in)