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

Should you visit Xiamen or Fraser Island?

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 Fraser Island 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 Fraser Island?

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.

Fraser Island

Fraser Island, located off Australia's eastern Queensland coast, is the world's largest sand island. It is best known as a camping and ecotourism destination, with a number of panoramic viewpoints, beaches, lakes, and freshwater pools. Hervey Bay, a beachside city on the nearby mainland, is a primary gateway to the island.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, The Best Historical Tours in China, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Australia, and The Best Honeymoon Tours in Australia.


Which place is cheaper, Fraser Island 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 Fraser Island is $243. 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 Fraser Island in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Xiamen $31
    Fraser Island $102
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Xiamen $62
    Fraser Island $204
Compare Hotels in Xiamen and Fraser Island

Looking for a hotel in Xiamen or Fraser Island? 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 Fraser Island


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.


Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Xiamen $6.08
    Fraser Island $93

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 Fraser Island?

Prices for flights to both Fraser Island 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
    Fraser Island $83

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Xiamen $16
    Fraser Island $45

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

Tours and Activities in Fraser Island

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Fraser Island are as follows:

  • 2 Hours Hervey Bay Funset Cruise: $53
  • Fraser Experience Shared Full Day Guided Tour: $208
  • Hervey Bay Ultimate Whale Watching Cruise: $80
  • Hervey Bay Whale Watching Cruise: $104
  • Hervey Bay to K'gari/Fraser Island 2-Day Tour (Beach House): $370
  • Hervey Bay: Best Value Half Day Whale Watching Cruise: $80
  • Hervey Bay: Half Day Whale watching & Island Stop Tour: $111
  • K'gari (Fraser Island) All Inclusive Day Tour: $174
  • K'gari (Fraser Island) Small Group 4WD Adventure - From Noosa: $201
  • K'gari (Fraser Island) Small Group Day Tour - From Rainbow Beach: $186
  • Remote Fraser Island Experience: $173
  • Remote K'gari (Fraser Island) & Whale Experience: $173

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Xiamen $17
    Fraser Island $21


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



When is the best time to visit Xiamen or Fraser Island?

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

The summer brings many poeple to Xiamen as well as Fraser Island. Also, many travelers come to Fraser Island for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Xiamen is generally a little warmer than Fraser Islandin January. Daily temperatures in Xiamen average around 30°C (86°F), and Fraser Island fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

It's quite rainy in Fraser Island. Xiamen receives a lot of rain in the summer. Xiamen usually gets less rain in July than Fraser Islandin January. Xiamen gets 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Fraser Island receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Xiamen 30°C (86°F) 
    Fraser Island 26°C (78°F)

Should I visit Xiamen or Fraser Island in the Autumn?

Both Fraser Island and Xiamen are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Fraser Island in the autumn for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.

Xiamen is a little warmer than Fraser Island in the autumn. The daily temperature in Xiamen averages around 25°C (77°F) in October, and Fraser Island fluctuates around 22°C (72°F)in April.

In October, Xiamen usually receives less rain than Fraser Islandin April. Xiamen gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Fraser Island receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Xiamen 25°C (77°F) 
    Fraser Island 22°C (72°F)

Should I visit Xiamen or Fraser Island in the Winter?

Both Fraser Island and Xiamen during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Fraser Island for the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Xiamen is around the same temperature as Fraser Island. Typically, the winter temperatures in Xiamen in January average around 14°C (58°F), and Fraser Island averages at about 15°C (59°F)in July.

Xiamen usually gets less rain in January than Fraser Islandin July. Xiamen gets 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Fraser Island receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Xiamen 14°C (58°F) 
    Fraser Island 15°C (59°F)

Should I visit Xiamen or Fraser Island in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Xiamen and Fraser Island. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Fraser Island because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Xiamen is generally around the same temperature as Fraser Islandin October. Daily temperatures in Xiamen average around 20°C (69°F), and Fraser Island fluctuates around 21°C (71°F).

Xiamen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Xiamen usually receives more rain than Fraser Islandin October. Xiamen gets 147 mm (5.8 in) of rain, while Fraser Island receives 75 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Xiamen 20°C (69°F) 
    Fraser Island 21°C (71°F)

Typical Weather for Fraser Island and Xiamen

Xiamen Fraser Island
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 14°C (58°F) 37 mm (1.4 in) 26°C (78°F) 164 mm (6.5 in)
Feb 14°C (57°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 25°C (78°F) 163 mm (6.4 in)
Mar 16°C (61°F) 99 mm (3.9 in) 24°C (76°F) 134 mm (5.3 in)
Apr 20°C (69°F) 147 mm (5.8 in) 22°C (72°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
May 24°C (76°F) 152 mm (6 in) 19°C (66°F) 78 mm (3.1 in)
Jun 27°C (81°F) 197 mm (7.7 in) 16°C (61°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Jul 30°C (86°F) 140 mm (5.5 in) 15°C (59°F) 59 mm (2.3 in)
Aug 30°C (85°F) 149 mm (5.9 in) 16°C (61°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Sep 28°C (83°F) 116 mm (4.6 in) 19°C (65°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)
Oct 25°C (77°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 21°C (71°F) 75 mm (2.9 in)
Nov 21°C (69°F) 37 mm (1.4 in) 23°C (74°F) 106 mm (4.2 in)
Dec 16°C (61°F) 25 mm (1 in) 25°C (77°F) 134 mm (5.3 in)