Which place is cheaper, Cairns or Xiamen?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Xiamen or Cairns?
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 Cairns 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 Cairns?
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.
Cairns
Most travelers go to Cairns specifically to visit Great Barrier Reef. The city itself is surprisingly large and cosmopolitan with a population of approximately 140,000. The city's economy is almost exclusively based on tourism, although you will find some jobs centered around agriculture, or more specifically sugar cane, bananas, coffee, tea, wine, and some tropical fruits. The city itself is surrounded by rainforest and makes a great base for exploring Kuranda, with the Barron Gorge National Park and the Daintree offering a quieter tropical getaway than Cairns.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, The Best Historical Tours in China, The Best 4-Week (1-Month) Tours in Australia, and The Best Budget Tours to Australia.
-
Xiamen Prices
China PricesCairns Prices
Australia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayXiamen $84Cairns $116
The average daily cost (per person) in Xiamen is $84, while the average daily cost in Cairns is $116. 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 Cairns in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personXiamen $31Cairns $43
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomXiamen $62Cairns $86
Compare Hotels in Xiamen and Cairns
Looking for a hotel in Xiamen or Cairns? 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: Cairns Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Xiamen $6.08Cairns $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Xiamen
Also for Xiamen, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport Chauffeur Service ,Xiamen Airport Transfer: $25
- Private Xiamen Gaoqi Airport Departure Transfer from City Areas: $33
- Private Xiamen Gaoqi Airport Arrival Transfer to City Area: $30
- Private Transfer to Tianluokeng and HekengHakka Tulou fromXiamen: $90
- Private Transfer to Tianluokeng Tulou and Hekeng Hakka Tulou from Xiamen City : $98
- Private Transfer to Hongkeng Tulou and Yunshuiyao Village from Xiamen City: $98
- Private Transfer to Gaobei Tulou and Yunshuiyao Village from Xiamen City: $98
- Private Transfer to Gaobei Tulou and Hongkeng Tulou from Xiamen City: $98
- Private Transfer from Xiamen North Railway Station to City Area: $19
- Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster : $89
- Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Hui'an county in Quanzhou: $89
- Private Transfer Service between Xiamen and Anxi : $89
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cairns
Also for Cairns, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shuttle Bus Transfer - Kuranda to Cairns City: $20
- Shared Transfer Between Cairns and Port Douglas: $87
- Private Transfers - Cairns Airport to Palm Cove: $96
- Private Transfers - Cairns Airport to Cairns City: $69
- Private Transfer from Cairns hotels to Port Douglas Cruise Port: $161
- Private Transfer from Cairns Cruise Port to Port Douglas hotels: $180
- Private Transfer from Cairns Cruise Port to Cairns Airport (CNS): $87
- Private Transfer from Cairns City Hotels to Cairns Cruise Port: $72
- Private Transfer from Cairns Airport (CNS) to Port Douglas Port: $161
- Private Transfer from Cairns Airport (CNS) to Cairns Cruise Port: $87
- Private Transfer From Cairns Cruise Port to Cairns City Hotels: $72
- Private Transfer - Cairns Airport to/from Cairns CBD : $77
Is it cheaper to fly into Xiamen or Cairns?
Prices for flights to both Cairns 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 dayXiamen $46Cairns $49
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cairns
For Cairns, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Ancient Egypt Sunset Tour with optional 3 Course Dinner : $66
- Ancient Egypt Night Tour with optional 2 Course Dinner: $66
- Dinner Cruise Experience: $92
- Cairns Catamaran Harbour and Dinner Cruise: $93
- Night at the Aquarium Guided Tour & 2 Course Dinner: $96
- Aquarium Guided Twilight Tour with 3-Course Dinner: $118
- Ancient Egypt Sunset Tour with 3 Course Dinner in Cairns: $124
- Ancient Egypt Night Tour with 2 Course Dinner in Cairns: $124
- City Sights Tour with Evening Dinner Cruise: $171
- Small-Group Afternoon Cairns City Tour with Harbour Dinner Cruise: $174
- Paronella Park Rainforest Full-Day Tour with Dinner: $66,130
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Xiamen $16Cairns $37
Tours and Activities in Xiamen
For Xiamen, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Fujian Tulou Private Day Tour to World Heritage Site Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster: $178
- 4-Hour Xiamen Private Local Food Market Experience: $103
- 4-Hour Xiamen Private Shore Excursion Tour in Your Way: $121
- 4-hour Xiamen Private Flexible Tour in Your Way: $115
- A Night Tour to Xiamen Gulang Island: $100
- Flexible Private Xiamen Layover Tour from Cruise Port or Airport : $155
- Flexible Private Xiamen Layover Tour with Meal: $176
- Flexible Xiamen Private Half Day Tour with Meal Option: $164
- From 3-Day Tulou and Gulangyu Island Tour: $589
- Fujian Hakka Tulou Private Day Tour of Tianluokeng and Daping Lou: $194
- Hakka Tulou Private Day Tour of Yunshuiyao Ancient Village and Hekeng Tulou : $203
- Half-Day Private Tour to Xiamen Gulangyu Island Highlights: $192
Typical Entertainment Prices in Cairns
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Cairns's activities, tours, and tickets:
-
Scuba Diving$36
Tours and Activities in Cairns
For Cairns, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Kuranda Rainforestation Nature Park Ticket (BNP): $47
- 1 Hour Jetski Tour Cairns: $134
- 2 Days Tour on Atherton Tablelands and Cape Tribbin: $288
- 2-Day Daintree & Outback Tour from Cairns & Port Douglas: $261
- 2-Day Paronella Park & Tablelands Tour+Cape Tribulation Tour: $324
- 2-Day Waterfall and Daintree Tour: $191
- 30 min Jetski Tour Cairns: $74
- All Inclusive Day Tour to Frankland Islands Great Barrier Reef: $168
- All Inclusive Waterfalls and Rainforest Tour from Cairns : $120
- Ancient Egypt Night Tour in the heart of Cairns: $65
- Ancient Egypt Sunset Tour in the heart of Cairns: $65
- Atherton Tablelands: Lakes, Waterfalls, Rainforest Day Tour: $112
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayXiamen $17Cairns $13
Sample the Local Flavors in Cairns
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Cairns:
- Cairns Party Bus Pub Crawl Night Out Experience: $44
- From Atherton Tablelands Food and Wine Tasting Tour: $169
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Xiamen and Cairns, we can see that Cairns 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 Cairns 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 Cairns would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cairns 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 Cairns Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Xiamen or Cairns?
Xiamen has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Cairns. When comparing the sizes of Xiamen and Cairns, 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 Cairns?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Cairns 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 Cairns in the Summer?
Both Cairns and Xiamen are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Cairns in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
Xiamen is around the same temperature as Cairns in the summer. The daily temperature in Xiamen averages around 30°C (86°F) in July, and Cairns fluctuates around 29°C (84°F)in January.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Cairns. It's quite rainy in Xiamen. In July, Xiamen usually receives less rain than Cairnsin January. Xiamen gets 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 429 mm (16.9 in) of rain each month for the summer. The rainy season in Cairns is November to March.
-
Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryXiamen 30°C (86°F)Cairns 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Xiamen or Cairns in the Autumn?
Both Cairns and Xiamen during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Cairns for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.
In the autumn, Xiamen is around the same temperature as Cairns. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Xiamen in October average around 25°C (77°F), and Cairns averages at about 27°C (80°F)in April.
Cairns gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Xiamen usually gets less rain in October than Cairnsin April. Xiamen gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 273 mm (10.8 in) of rain this time of the year. April to October is the dry season in Cairns.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilXiamen 25°C (77°F)Cairns 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Xiamen or Cairns in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Xiamen and Cairns. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Cairns because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Xiamen is generally much colder than Cairnsin July. Daily temperatures in Xiamen average around 14°C (58°F), and Cairns fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
In January, Xiamen usually receives around the same amount of rain as Cairnsin July. Xiamen gets 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyXiamen 14°C (58°F)Cairns 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Xiamen or Cairns in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Xiamen as well as Cairns. Also, the beaches are the main draw to Cairns this time of year.
Xiamen is cooler than Cairns in the spring. The daily temperature in Xiamen averages around 20°C (69°F) in April, and Cairns fluctuates around 27°C (80°F)in October.
Xiamen receives a lot of rain in the spring. Xiamen usually gets more rain in April than Cairnsin October. Xiamen gets 147 mm (5.8 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, April to October in Cairns is the dry season. November to March in Cairns is the rainy season.
-
Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberXiamen 20°C (69°F)Cairns 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Cairns and Xiamen
| Xiamen | Cairns | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 14°C (58°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 429 mm (16.9 in) |
| Feb | 14°C (57°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 469 mm (18.5 in) |
| Mar | 16°C (61°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 471 mm (18.5 in) |
| Apr | 20°C (69°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 273 mm (10.8 in) |
| May | 24°C (76°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.7 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 62 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Aug | 30°C (85°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (77°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (69°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Dec | 16°C (61°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 211 mm (8.3 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.