Which place is cheaper, Airlie Beach or Xi'an?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Xi'an 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 Xi'an 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: Xi'an or Airlie Beach?
Xi'an
Xi'an is an ancient city in the Shaanxi Province in China. Today it is most notable as the location of the Terracotta Warriors, but for visitors who choose to linger, there is so much more to see and do in the area. The city itself is more than 3,000 years old and for about one thousand years, through 13 dynasties and 73 emperors, it was the capital. Because of its rich history there are many historical ruins and a strong culture in the city. Today the city is a pleasant place to visit, although much of it's influence and power has dwindled. The city has both cosmopolitan and modern areas as well as historic and culturally rich areas. The neighborhoods are diverse and by exploring the city in depth you can learn a little more about what China really has to offer.
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 10-Day Tours in China, The Best One Week (7-Day) 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 dayXi'an $94Airlie Beach $141
The average daily cost (per person) in Xi'an is $94, 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 Xi'an and Airlie Beach in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personXi'an $60Airlie Beach $58
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomXi'an $120Airlie Beach $116
Compare Hotels in Xi'an and Airlie Beach
Looking for a hotel in Xi'an 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.Xi'an $12Airlie Beach $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Xi'an
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Xi'an:
- Xi'an Airport Transfer: $17
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Xi'an Central Train Station: $21
- Private Departure Transfer to Xi'an International Airport from City Hotels: $22
- Private Transfer from Xi'an hotel to Xi'an train station: $27
- Airport Transfer] Xi'an Airport Xi'an City Transfer High reputation for service! : $27
- Xi'an Terracotta Army Tickets with Optional Guide/Transfer: $28
- Xian City to Xian Xianyang Airport (XIY) - Departure Private Transfer: $28
- Private Airport Transfer:Xi'an Xianyang International Airport to Xi'an Hotel: $29
- Private Airport Transfer: Xi'an Hotel to Xianyang International Airport: $29
- Xi’an Railway Station Private Arrival Transfer to City Area: $29
- Xi’an Railway Station Private Departure Transfer from City Area: $29
- Xi’an Xianyang International Airport Private Departure Transfer from City Area : $29
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Airlie Beach
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Airlie Beach:
- Private Transfer to Whitsunday Coast Airport: $314
- Airport Transfers - Return (round fare) share shuttle service: $28
- Crayfish Beach Hook Island Camping Transfer: $139
- One Way Only - Airport Transfer share shuttle service: $17
- Return Transfer PPP Airport Shute Harbour / Renta Yacht / Freedom Shores: $32
- South Molle Island Camping Transfer: $59
- South Molle Island Camping Transfer: $47
- Whitehaven Beach Club Transfers from Airlie Beach: $92
- Whitsunday: Prosperpine Airport to Airlie Beach Transfer: $16
Is it cheaper to fly into Xi'an or Airlie Beach?
Prices for flights to both Airlie Beach and Xi'an 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 dayXi'an $12Airlie Beach $32
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Xi'an
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Xi'an.
- Skip the Line: Xi'an Tang Dynasty Show Ticket & Dumpling Dinner or Royal Banquet: $32
- Dinner and Show of Tang Dynasty Palace in Xian: $40
- Private Home Cooking Class:Dumpling Cooking Class Tour in Xi'an: $50
- Xi'an Twilight Sightseeing and Food Tour: $51
- Tang Dynasty Dinner Show: $55
- Xi'an Vegetarian Food Tour: $60
- Xi'an Food Tour by Tuk Tuk: $62
- Private Xi'an Food Tour: $65
- Private Xi’an Night & Food Tour by Tuk Tuk and Public Transportation: $67
- Xi'an Evening Food Tour by TukTuk: $69
- 4 Hours Food Tours in Xi'an: $72
- 3-Hour Biang Biang Noodles Cooking Class in Xi'an: $75
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.Xi'an $35Airlie Beach $160
Tours and Activities in Xi'an
Here are a few actual costs in Xi'an for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Xi'an Virtual Tour: Emperor Qin Shi Huang and His Terracotta Army: $15
- Xi'an: Terracotta Warriors Group Walking Tour(NO Shopping): $26
- Terra-cotta Warriors Entrance Ticket with Optional Guided Service: $26
- Terracotta Warriors 5-Hour Private Tour w/ Optional Pickup Point: $26
- Terracotta Army Ticket: $28
- Group Bus Tour to Terracotta Warriors with Hotel Pickup & Lunch: $35
- Terracotta Warriors Tickets Booking: $35
- Tang Dynasty Palace Show Tickets Booking: $37
- Terra-cotta Warriors Ticket with Optional Car & Guided Service: $38
- Xi'an City Wall: Guided Tour with Cycling Option: $43
- Xi'an Religions Tour: $45
- Guided Leisure Walking Tour to Muslim Quarter in Xi'an: $46
Tours and Activities in Airlie Beach
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Airlie Beach are as follows:
- Private Airlie Beach Tuk-Tuk Tours: $20
- 2-Hour Sunset Cruise with Sparkling Wine: $45
- Airlie Beach Sunset Cruise : $46
- Whisper Cruises - One-Hour Turtle Spotting Bay Cruise: $46
- Sundowner Sunset Cruise Airlie Beach: $46
- Airlie Beach sightseeing Tour: $50
- Airlie Beach Trike Tours: $50
- Whitsundays Sunset Sailing Cruise: $53
- Glass-Bottom Boat Tour: $58
- 2 Hour Airlie Beach Sunset Cruise: $59
- Airlie Beach Glass Bottom Boat Tour: $59
- 1 hour Mimosa Morning Turtle Spotting Cruise: $59
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayXi'an $7.23Airlie Beach $8.99
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Xi'an and Airlie Beach, we can see that Airlie Beach is more expensive. And not only is Xi'an much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Xi'an 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 Xi'an would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Xi'an 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 Xi'an.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Xi'an Expensive? and Is Airlie Beach Expensive?.
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.