Which place is cheaper, Airlie Beach or Xiamen?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Xiamen or Airlie Beach?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Xiamen and Airlie Beach can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Xiamen or Airlie Beach?
Xiamen
Xiamen is a coastal city in the Fujian Province of China and has been a major port city and gateway to China for centuries. This vibrant and modern city was named the most livable city in the world in 2002 and one of the first cities to be named a Special Economic Zone. Xiamen is best known for being home to Gulangyu Island, a beautiful island full of historic colonial buildings and lovely walking paths.
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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, The Best Historical Tours in China, The Best Adventure Tours to Australia, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Australia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayXiamen $64Airlie Beach $141
The average daily cost (per person) in Xiamen is $64, 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 Xiamen and Airlie Beach in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personXiamen $30Airlie Beach $58
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomXiamen $60Airlie Beach $116
Compare Hotels in Xiamen and Airlie Beach
Looking for a hotel in Xiamen 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.
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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Xiamen $5.98Airlie Beach $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Xiamen
Also for Xiamen, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Arrival Transfer from Gaoqi Airport to Xiamen City Hotel: $10
- Private Transfer from Railway Station to Xiamen City: $10
- Private Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport Transfers in Xiamen City: $12
- Xiamen North Railway Station Private Transfer from City Area: $19
- Private Transfer from Xiamen North Railway Station to City Area: $19
- Xiamen Gaoqi Airport Private Transfer to Local Railway Station : $19
- Private Xiamen Gaoqi Airport Arrival Transfer to City Area: $30
- Private Transfer between Riyue Gu Hotspring Resort and Xiamen City : $32
- Private Xiamen Gaoqi Airport Departure Transfer from City Areas: $33
- Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport Chauffeur Service ,Xiamen Airport Transfer: $47
- Private Transfer From Xiamen City to Quanzhou City: $79
- Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Hua’an Earth Building: $89
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Airlie Beach
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Airlie Beach:
- Whitsunday: Prosperpine Airport to Airlie Beach Transfer: $16
- Whitehaven Beach Club Transfers from Airlie Beach: $92
- South Molle Island Camping Transfer: $59
- South Molle Island Camping Transfer: $47
- Return Transfer PPP Airport Shute Harbour / Renta Yacht / Freedom Shores: $32
- One Way Only - Airport Transfer share shuttle service: $17
- Crayfish Beach Hook Island Camping Transfer: $139
- Airport Transfers - Return (round fare) share shuttle service: $28
- Private Transfer to Whitsunday Coast Airport: $314
Is it cheaper to fly into Xiamen or Airlie Beach?
Prices for flights to both Airlie Beach and Xiamen 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 dayXiamen $26Airlie 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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Xiamen $16Airlie Beach $160
Tours and Activities in Xiamen
For Xiamen, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Xiamen Private English Tour Guide Service: $93
- Private Xiamen Half Day Tour to Gulangyu Island and the Hi Heaven Villa: $97
- Xiamen Private Half Day Tour of Gulangyu Island and Shuzhuang Garden: $97
- A Night Tour to Xiamen Gulang Island: $100
- Flexible Xiamen Private Half Day Tour to Experience Xiamen Botanical Garden: $105
- Private Xiamen Sea Food Market & Zhongshan Road Shopping and Eating Experience: $107
- Flexible Xiamen Private Half Day Tour with Meal Option: $109
- Flexible Private Half-Day Tour to Visit the Top Attraction Xiamen Yuanbo Garden: $110
- Day Tour to Admire the Panorama of Gulangyu Island and Visit the Precious Birds: $110
- 4-hour Xiamen Private Flexible Tour in Your Way: $113
- Xiamen Half-Day Private Tour include Gulang Yu Island and Garden : $119
- 4-Hour Xiamen Private Shore Excursion Tour in Your Way: $121
Tours and Activities in Airlie Beach
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Airlie Beach are as follows:
- 1 hour Mimosa Morning Turtle Spotting Cruise: $59
- 1-Day Whitsunday Islands Cruise: Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet: $140
- 2 Hour Airlie Beach Sunset Cruise: $59
- Airlie Beach Glass Bottom Boat Tour: $59
- Airlie Beach Jet Ski Tour: $105
- Airlie Beach Sunset Cruise : $46
- Airlie Beach Trike Tours: $50
- Airlie Beach sightseeing Tour: $50
- 2-Hour Sunset Cruise with Sparkling Wine: $45
- Adults-Only Whitehaven Beach Sailing Tour: $182
- Airlie Adventure Jet Ski Tour: $163
- Glass-Bottom Boat Tour: $58
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayXiamen $17Airlie Beach $8.99
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Xiamen and Airlie Beach, we can see that Airlie Beach is more expensive. And not only is Xiamen much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Xiamen 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 Xiamen would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Xiamen 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 Xiamen.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Xiamen Expensive? and Is Airlie Beach Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Xiamen 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 Xiamen has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Xiamen or Airlie Beach in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Xiamen as well as Airlie Beach. Also, many travelers come to Airlie Beach for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Xiamen is a little warmer than Airlie Beach. Typically, the summer temperatures in Xiamen in July average around 30°C (86°F), and Airlie Beach averages at about 26°C (79°F)in January.
It's quite rainy in Airlie Beach. Xiamen receives a lot of rain in the summer. Xiamen usually gets less rain in July than Airlie Beachin January. Xiamen gets 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 331 mm (13 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryXiamen 30°C (86°F)Airlie Beach 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Xiamen or Airlie Beach in the Autumn?
Both Airlie Beach and Xiamen are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Airlie Beach in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Xiamen is generally around the same temperature as Airlie Beachin April. Daily temperatures in Xiamen average around 25°C (77°F), and Airlie Beach fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Airlie Beach. In October, Xiamen usually receives less rain than Airlie Beachin April. Xiamen gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilXiamen 25°C (77°F)Airlie Beach 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Xiamen or Airlie Beach in the Winter?
Both Airlie Beach and Xiamen during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Airlie Beach for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.
Xiamen is cooler than Airlie Beach in the winter. The daily temperature in Xiamen averages around 14°C (58°F) in January, and Airlie Beach fluctuates around 16°C (62°F)in July.
Xiamen usually gets less rain in January than Airlie Beachin July. Xiamen gets 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyXiamen 14°C (58°F)Airlie Beach 16°C (62°F)
Should I visit Xiamen or Airlie Beach in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Xiamen and Airlie Beach. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Airlie Beach because of the beaches and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Xiamen is cooler than Airlie Beach. Typically, the spring temperatures in Xiamen in April average around 20°C (69°F), and Airlie Beach averages at about 23°C (73°F)in October.
Xiamen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Xiamen usually receives more rain than Airlie Beachin October. Xiamen gets 147 mm (5.8 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberXiamen 20°C (69°F)Airlie Beach 23°C (73°F)
Typical Weather for Airlie Beach and Xiamen
| Xiamen | Airlie Beach | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 14°C (58°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 331 mm (13 in) |
| Feb | 14°C (57°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 377 mm (14.8 in) |
| Mar | 16°C (61°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 312 mm (12.3 in) |
| Apr | 20°C (69°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| May | 24°C (76°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.7 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Aug | 30°C (85°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (77°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (69°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Dec | 16°C (61°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 191 mm (7.5 in) |
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.