Which place is cheaper, Surfers Paradise or Xiamen?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Xiamen or Surfers Paradise?
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 Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise?
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.
Surfers Paradise
A tourist mecca, Surfers Paradise is one of the most popular travel destinations along Australia's famed Gold Coast. The beach stretches for miles and there is an endless supply of almost constant parties. You'll find high rise apartments lined up along the shore and plenty of shopping areas, restaurants, nightclubs, and bars. Travelers from around the world visit the area, and it's a right of passage for Australia's teens to vacation in or near Surfers Paradise. For many travelers, Surfers Paradise comes across as little more than a mass marketed, over commercialized, party destination, but for others it is a vacation dream. Prices are highly inflated so you have to keep your whits about you to avoid being ripped off. Surfers Paradise is a destination of extremes and it conjures up extreme emotions in many travelers, be it positive or negative.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, The Best Historical Tours in China, The Best Luxury Tours to Australia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Australia.
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Xiamen Prices
China PricesSurfers Paradise Prices
Australia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayXiamen $84Surfers Paradise $124
The average daily cost (per person) in Xiamen is $84, while the average daily cost in Surfers Paradise is $124. 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 Surfers Paradise in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personXiamen $31Surfers Paradise $67
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomXiamen $62Surfers Paradise $134
Compare Hotels in Xiamen and Surfers Paradise
Looking for a hotel in Xiamen or Surfers Paradise? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Xiamen $6.08Surfers Paradise $11
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 Surfers Paradise
Also for Surfers Paradise, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Gold Coast Theme Parks: Shared Hotel Transfers: $15
Is it cheaper to fly into Xiamen or Surfers Paradise?
Prices for flights to both Surfers Paradise 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 $46Surfers Paradise $45
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Surfers Paradise
For Surfers Paradise, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Buffet Dinner Sightseeing Cruise: $85
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Xiamen $16Surfers Paradise $24
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 Surfers Paradise
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Surfers Paradise's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Surf Lesson$79
Tours and Activities in Surfers Paradise
For Surfers Paradise, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Catch a Crab Tour with Optional Seafood Lunch: $63
- Evening Rainforest & Glow Worm Tour from Gold Coast: $80
- Glow Worms + Day/Night Rainforest & Waterfalls Experience: $133
- Gold Coast Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing Cruise 1 Day Pass: $30
- Gold Coast Quack'rDuck Amphibious Tour from Surfers Paradise: $37
- Gold Coast: 360-Degree High-Speed Jet Boat Adventure: $39
- Gold Coast: Springbrook 7 Waterfalls and Natural Bridge Day Tour: $120
- HOTA: Gold Coast Home of the Arts Cruise & Dine Experience Pass: $27
- Kangaroos & Koalas in the Wild - Private Nature Experience: $227
- Kangaroos and Mountain Views Day Tour from Gold Coast: $80
- Lamington National Park, O'Reilly's & Vineyard Tour: $86
- Natural Bridge Glow Worm Night Tour from Gold Coast: $60
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayXiamen $17Surfers Paradise $11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Xiamen and Surfers Paradise, we can see that Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Xiamen or Surfers Paradise?
Xiamen has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Surfers Paradise. When comparing the sizes of Xiamen and Surfers Paradise, 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 Surfers Paradise?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise in the Summer?
Both Surfers Paradise and Xiamen are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Surfers Paradise because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
Xiamen is a little warmer than Surfers Paradise in the summer. The daily temperature in Xiamen averages around 30°C (86°F) in July, and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 25°C (77°F)in January.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Surfers Paradise. It's quite rainy in Xiamen. In July, Xiamen usually receives less rain than Surfers Paradisein January. Xiamen gets 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryXiamen 30°C (86°F)Surfers Paradise 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Xiamen or Surfers Paradise in the Autumn?
Both Surfers Paradise and Xiamen during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Surfers Paradise this time of year.
In the autumn, Xiamen is a little warmer than Surfers Paradise. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Xiamen in October average around 25°C (77°F), and Surfers Paradise averages at about 22°C (71°F)in April.
Surfers Paradise gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Xiamen usually gets less rain in October than Surfers Paradisein April. Xiamen gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilXiamen 25°C (77°F)Surfers Paradise 22°C (71°F)
Should I visit Xiamen or Surfers Paradise in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Xiamen and Surfers Paradise. Furthermore, many travelers come to Surfers Paradise for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Xiamen is generally around the same temperature as Surfers Paradisein July. Daily temperatures in Xiamen average around 14°C (58°F), and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
In January, Xiamen usually receives less rain than Surfers Paradisein July. Xiamen gets 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyXiamen 14°C (58°F)Surfers Paradise 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Xiamen or Surfers Paradise in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Xiamen as well as Surfers Paradise. Additionally, many visitors come to Surfers Paradise in the spring for the beaches.
Xiamen is around the same temperature as Surfers Paradise in the spring. The daily temperature in Xiamen averages around 20°C (69°F) in April, and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 21°C (69°F)in October.
It's quite rainy in Surfers Paradise. Xiamen receives a lot of rain in the spring. Xiamen usually gets more rain in April than Surfers Paradisein October. Xiamen gets 147 mm (5.8 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberXiamen 20°C (69°F)Surfers Paradise 21°C (69°F)
Typical Weather for Surfers Paradise and Xiamen
| Xiamen | Surfers Paradise | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 14°C (58°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Feb | 14°C (57°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 157 mm (6.2 in) |
| Mar | 16°C (61°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Apr | 20°C (69°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| May | 24°C (76°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.7 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Aug | 30°C (85°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (77°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 103 mm (4 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (69°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Dec | 16°C (61°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 129 mm (5.1 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.