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

Should you visit Wuyuan or Airlie Beach?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Wuyuan and Airlie Beach can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Wuyuan or Airlie Beach?

Wuyuan

Wuyuan, China is a small city in the Jiangxi Province in the south central area of the country. The city acts as a transport hub for the province, with many main bus routes running through it. Wuyuan also acts as the main thoroughfare when traveling to local remote villages in the area. It is best to know some Mandarin as this region does not see many non-Mandarin speaking tourists, which also means you should expect some very friendly attention!

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 Shanghai, The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Australia, and The Best Honeymoon Tours in Australia.


Which place is cheaper, Airlie Beach or Wuyuan?

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 Wuyuan is $73, while the average daily cost in Airlie Beach is $165. 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 Wuyuan and Airlie Beach in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Wuyuan $26
    Airlie Beach $59
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Wuyuan $52
    Airlie Beach $118
Compare Hotels in Wuyuan and Airlie Beach

Looking for a hotel in Wuyuan 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 Wuyuan


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.
    Wuyuan $13
    Airlie Beach $19

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Airlie Beach

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Airlie Beach:

  • Private Transfer to/from Whitsunday Coast Airport: $148
  • Private Transfer to/from Shute Harbour: $134
  • Airport Transfer to Shute Harbour / Renta Yacht / Freedom Shores: $32
  • Established Return Airport Transfer Proserpine to Airlie Beach: $28
  • Transfer from Whitsunday Coast Airport: $17
  • One Way Airport Transfer: Proserpine-Airlie Beach (or vice versa): $17
  • Whitsundays: Airport Transfer to/from Airlie Beach: $16

Is it cheaper to fly into Wuyuan or Airlie Beach?

Prices for flights to both Airlie Beach and Wuyuan 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
    Wuyuan $35
    Airlie Beach $55
Typical Food Prices in Wuyuan

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Wuyuan:


  • Gummy Candy
    $0.28
  • Cookies
    $0.70

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: $82
  • Whitsundays Segway Sunset and Boardwalk Tour with Dinner: $83

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Wuyuan $19
    Airlie Beach $161

Tours and Activities in Airlie Beach

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

  • Airlie Beach Glass Bottom Boat Guided Night Tour: $66
  • Airlie Beach Glass Bottom Boat Tour: $59
  • Airlie Beach Jet Ski Tours: $164
  • Airlie Beach Sunset Cruise : $46
  • Airlie Beach Trike Tours: $50
  • #1 Sightseeing Explorer 3hr tour.: $62
  • 2-Hour Sunset Cruise with Sparkling Wine: $45
  • Adults-Only Whitehaven Beach Sailing Tour: $187
  • Airlie Adventure Jet Ski Tour: $170
  • BYOB Sunset Sail in Style Catamaran Cruise: $72
  • Glass-Bottom Boat Tour: $59
  • Great Barrier Reef & Whitehaven Beach Tour: $209

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Wuyuan $14
    Airlie Beach $9.06


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Wuyuan and Airlie Beach, we can see that Airlie Beach is more expensive. And not only is Wuyuan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Wuyuan 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 Wuyuan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Wuyuan 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 Wuyuan.

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



When is the best time to visit Wuyuan 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 Wuyuan has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Wuyuan or Airlie Beach in the Summer?

Both Airlie Beach and Wuyuan during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Airlie Beach for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Wuyuan is generally a little warmer than Airlie Beachin January. Daily temperatures in Wuyuan average around 30°C (85°F), and Airlie Beach fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

Airlie Beach gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Wuyuan. Wuyuan usually gets less rain in July than Airlie Beachin January. Wuyuan gets 192 mm (7.6 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 331 mm (13 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Wuyuan 30°C (85°F) 
    Airlie Beach 26°C (79°F)

Should I visit Wuyuan or Airlie Beach in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Wuyuan and Airlie Beach. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Airlie Beach because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Wuyuan is cooler than Airlie Beach in the autumn. The daily temperature in Wuyuan averages around 20°C (68°F) in October, and Airlie Beach fluctuates around 23°C (73°F)in April.

Airlie Beach receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Wuyuan usually receives less rain than Airlie Beachin April. Wuyuan gets 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Wuyuan 20°C (68°F) 
    Airlie Beach 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Wuyuan or Airlie Beach in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Wuyuan as well as Airlie Beach. Also, the shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Airlie Beach this time of year.

In the winter, Wuyuan is much colder than Airlie Beach. Typically, the winter temperatures in Wuyuan in January average around 6°C (43°F), and Airlie Beach averages at about 16°C (62°F)in July.

Wuyuan usually gets more rain in January than Airlie Beachin July. Wuyuan gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Wuyuan 6°C (43°F) 
    Airlie Beach 16°C (62°F)

Should I visit Wuyuan or Airlie Beach in the Spring?

Both Airlie Beach and Wuyuan are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Airlie Beach for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Wuyuan is generally cooler than Airlie Beachin October. Daily temperatures in Wuyuan average around 18°C (64°F), and Airlie Beach fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

It's quite rainy in Wuyuan. In April, Wuyuan usually receives more rain than Airlie Beachin October. Wuyuan gets 238 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Wuyuan 18°C (64°F) 
    Airlie Beach 23°C (73°F)

Typical Weather for Airlie Beach and Wuyuan

Wuyuan Airlie Beach
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 6°C (43°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 26°C (79°F) 331 mm (13 in)
Feb 8°C (46°F) 123 mm (4.9 in) 26°C (78°F) 377 mm (14.8 in)
Mar 12°C (54°F) 174 mm (6.8 in) 25°C (77°F) 312 mm (12.3 in)
Apr 18°C (64°F) 238 mm (9.4 in) 23°C (73°F) 143 mm (5.6 in)
May 23°C (73°F) 257 mm (10.1 in) 20°C (68°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)
Jun 26°C (79°F) 270 mm (10.6 in) 17°C (63°F) 57 mm (2.2 in)
Jul 30°C (85°F) 192 mm (7.6 in) 16°C (62°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Aug 30°C (85°F) 107 mm (4.2 in) 18°C (65°F) 27 mm (1.1 in)
Sep 26°C (78°F) 85 mm (3.3 in) 20°C (68°F) 15 mm (0.6 in)
Oct 20°C (68°F) 82 mm (3.2 in) 23°C (73°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Nov 14°C (57°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 25°C (77°F) 107 mm (4.2 in)
Dec 8°C (47°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 26°C (78°F) 191 mm (7.5 in)