A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Xiamen vs. Byron Bay for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Xiamen or Byron Bay?

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 Byron Bay 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 Byron Bay?

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.

Byron Bay

South of Brisbane, off the Pacific Highway, is the coastal town of Byron Bay. It is close to Cape Byron, which is the easternmost point in mainland Australia. Byron Bay makes its way onto most traveler's itineraries because of its wonderful beach activities. The area is world famous for its waves, making it popular with surfers, but it also has incredible scuba diving, whale watching, and a generally relaxed atmosphere. The area continues to rise in popularity with travelers and as such, amenities and facilities are popping up everywhere.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, The Best Historical Tours in China, The Best Walking Tours in Australia, and The Best Eco Tours in Australia.


Which place is cheaper, Byron Bay or Xiamen?

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 Xiamen is $84, while the average daily cost in Byron Bay is $175. 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 Byron Bay in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Xiamen $31
    Byron Bay $67
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Xiamen $62
    Byron Bay $134
Compare Hotels in Xiamen and Byron Bay

Looking for a hotel in Xiamen or Byron Bay? 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 Xiamen


Hotels in Byron Bay


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: Byron Bay Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Xiamen $6.08
    Byron Bay $32

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 Xiamen North Railway Station to City Area: $19
  • Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport Chauffeur Service ,Xiamen Airport Transfer: $25
  • Private Xiamen Gaoqi Airport Arrival Transfer to City Area: $30
  • Private Xiamen Gaoqi Airport Departure Transfer from City Areas: $33
  • Private Transfer Service between Xiamen and Anxi : $89
  • Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster : $89
  • Private Transfer Between Xiamen City and HongKeng Hakka Tulou Cluster: $89
  • Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Hui'an county in Quanzhou: $89
  • Private Transfer to Tianluokeng and HekengHakka Tulou fromXiamen: $90
  • Private Transfer to Gaobei Tulou and Yunshuiyao Village from Xiamen City: $98
  • Private Transfer to Tianluokeng Tulou and Hekeng Hakka Tulou from Xiamen City : $98

Is it cheaper to fly into Xiamen or Byron Bay?

Prices for flights to both Byron Bay 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Xiamen $46
    Byron Bay $83

Typical Food Prices in Byron Bay

Some typical examples of dining costs in Byron Bay are as follows:


  • Dinner at Olivo (for 2)
    $59

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Byron Bay

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Byron Bay.

  • Bangalow Native Bush Food Tour: $50

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Xiamen $16
    Byron Bay $36

Tours and Activities in Xiamen

For Xiamen, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Sailing & Sea Experience.: $22
  • Quanzhou Kaiyuan Temple & Luoyang Bridge Tour: $70
  • Xiamen Private English Tour Guide Service: $93
  • Xiamen Private Half Day Tour of Gulangyu Island and Shuzhuang Garden: $97
  • A Night Tour to Xiamen Gulang Island: $100
  • 4-Hour Xiamen Private Local Food Market Experience: $103
  • 4-hour Xiamen Private Flexible Tour in Your Way: $115
  • 4-Hour Xiamen Private Shore Excursion Tour in Your Way: $121
  • Shanghai Metro Tour: $127
  • Xiamen Layover Day Tour-Gulangyu,Shuzhuang Garden And Piano Museum: $132
  • Xiamen Half-Day Private Tour include Gulang Yu Island and Garden : $135
  • Tour Guide and Car: Private Day Tour to Yunshuiyao Ancient Village from Xiamen: $140

Typical Entertainment Prices in Byron Bay

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Byron Bay are as follows:


  • Buddha Gardens Spa (for 2)
    $124
  • Surf Lesson
    $43

Tours and Activities in Byron Bay

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

  • Tandem Skydive Experience : $280
  • Beyond Byron Hinterland Tour: $147
  • Brisbane: Byron Bay Day Tour - Lighthouse Sunset & The Farm: $125
  • Broken Head Aboriginal Tour: $50
  • Broken Head Aboriginal Tour: $50
  • Byron Bay Dolphin Tour - Ocean Safari: $64
  • Byron Bay Half-Day Tour: $65
  • Byron Bay Lighthouse Aboriginal Tour: $66
  • Byron Bay Lighthouse Aboriginal Tour: $65
  • Byron Bay Private Bike Tour : $50
  • Byron Bay Wild Koala Tour: $85
  • Byron Bay and Burleigh Heads Private Tour from Brisbane: $959

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Xiamen $17
    Byron Bay $14

Sample the Local Flavors in Byron Bay

Also in Byron Bay, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Arvo Session Brewery and Distillery Tour: $99
  • Afternoon Brewery and Distillery session : $104
  • Full-Day Brewery and Distillery Tour with Lunch: $136
  • Full Barrel Brewery and Distillery tour: $137


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Xiamen and Byron Bay, we can see that Byron Bay 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 Byron Bay 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 Byron Bay would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Byron Bay 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 Byron Bay Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Xiamen or Byron Bay?

Xiamen has a larger population, and is about 90 times larger than the population of Byron Bay. When comparing the sizes of Xiamen and Byron Bay, 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 Xiamen or Byron Bay?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Byron Bay 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 Byron Bay in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Xiamen as well as Byron Bay. Also, the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Byron Bay this time of year.

In July, Xiamen is generally a little warmer than Byron Bayin January. Daily temperatures in Xiamen average around 30°C (86°F), and Byron Bay fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

It's quite rainy in Byron Bay. Xiamen receives a lot of rain in the summer. Xiamen usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Byron Bayin January. Xiamen gets 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Byron Bay receives 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Xiamen 30°C (86°F) 
    Byron Bay 23°C (74°F)

Should I visit Xiamen or Byron Bay in the Autumn?

Both Byron Bay and Xiamen are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Byron Bay for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

Xiamen is a little warmer than Byron Bay in the autumn. The daily temperature in Xiamen averages around 25°C (77°F) in October, and Byron Bay fluctuates around 20°C (69°F)in April.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Byron Bay. In October, Xiamen usually receives less rain than Byron Bayin April. Xiamen gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Byron Bay receives 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Xiamen 25°C (77°F) 
    Byron Bay 20°C (69°F)

Should I visit Xiamen or Byron Bay in the Winter?

Both Byron Bay and Xiamen during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Byron Bay in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Xiamen is around the same temperature as Byron Bay. Typically, the winter temperatures in Xiamen in January average around 14°C (58°F), and Byron Bay averages at about 14°C (58°F)in July.

Xiamen usually gets less rain in January than Byron Bayin July. Xiamen gets 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Byron Bay receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Xiamen 14°C (58°F) 
    Byron Bay 14°C (58°F)

Should I visit Xiamen or Byron Bay in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Xiamen and Byron Bay. Furthermore, most visitors come to Byron Bay for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Xiamen is generally around the same temperature as Byron Bayin October. Daily temperatures in Xiamen average around 20°C (69°F), and Byron Bay fluctuates around 19°C (67°F).

Xiamen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Xiamen usually receives more rain than Byron Bayin October. Xiamen gets 147 mm (5.8 in) of rain, while Byron Bay receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Xiamen 20°C (69°F) 
    Byron Bay 19°C (67°F)

Typical Weather for Byron Bay and Xiamen

Xiamen Byron Bay
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 14°C (58°F) 37 mm (1.4 in) 23°C (74°F) 140 mm (5.5 in)
Feb 14°C (57°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 24°C (74°F) 133 mm (5.2 in)
Mar 16°C (61°F) 99 mm (3.9 in) 23°C (73°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)
Apr 20°C (69°F) 147 mm (5.8 in) 20°C (69°F) 133 mm (5.2 in)
May 24°C (76°F) 152 mm (6 in) 18°C (64°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)
Jun 27°C (81°F) 197 mm (7.7 in) 15°C (59°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Jul 30°C (86°F) 140 mm (5.5 in) 14°C (58°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Aug 30°C (85°F) 149 mm (5.9 in) 15°C (59°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
Sep 28°C (83°F) 116 mm (4.6 in) 17°C (63°F) 32 mm (1.2 in)
Oct 25°C (77°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 19°C (67°F) 90 mm (3.5 in)
Nov 21°C (69°F) 37 mm (1.4 in) 21°C (70°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Dec 16°C (61°F) 25 mm (1 in) 22°C (72°F) 118 mm (4.6 in)