Which place is cheaper, Cairns or Yangshuo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Yangshuo or Cairns?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Yangshuo and Cairns can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Yangshuo or Cairns?
Yangshuo
A county of the city, Guilin, Yangshuo is located in a region famous for its karst topography. Surrounded by jagged mountain peaks and bordered on one side by the Li River, Yangshuo has become a popular home base for tourists looking to explore the region's natural wonders. Backpackers and tourists, both foreign and domestic, come to Yangshuo every year making it a city of many cultures. Most locals are even able to speak English, which is fairly uncommon for Chinese cities.
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 Budget Tours to China, The Best Tours for Seniors to China, The Best Contiki Tours to Australia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Australia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayYangshuo $72Cairns $94
The average daily cost (per person) in Yangshuo is $72, while the average daily cost in Cairns is $94. 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 Yangshuo and Cairns in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personYangshuo $25Cairns $43
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomYangshuo $50Cairns $86
Compare Hotels in Yangshuo and Cairns
Looking for a hotel in Yangshuo 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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Yangshuo $42Cairns $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Yangshuo
Also for Yangshuo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Yangshuo Rock Climbing with Hotel Transfer (3 hours): $69
- Private Transfer from Yangshuo(Xingping) Train Station to Yangshuo Hotel: $21
- Private Transfer from Yangshuo hotel to Guilin hotel: $37
- Private Transfer from Yangshuo Train Station to Yangshuo Hotel: $48
- Private Transfer from Xingping hotel to Yangshuo hotel: $21
- Private Transfer from Xingping hotel to Longsheng hotel: $107
- Private Impression Sanjie Liu Evening Show with Hotel Transfer: $88
- Private Departure Transfer: Yangshuo to Guilin Train Stations: $49
- Private Departure Transfer: Yangshuo to Guilin International Airport (KWL): $49
- Impression Liu Sanjie - Ticket Booking (including Round-trip Transfer): $75
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cairns
Also for Cairns, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Hot Air Balloon Flight with Transfers: $653
- Cairns to Mission Beach (ONE WAY) Private Transfer 1 to 6 pax: $277
- Cairns Airport(CNS) to Port Douglas - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $268
- Mercedes-Benz S Class Transfers Cairns Airport - Port Douglas : $254
- Luxury Van, Private Transfer, Cairns Airport - Port Douglas.: $254
- Cairns Airport(CNS) to Cairns City - Round-Trip Private Transfer : $247
- Cairns Airport (CNS): Private Transfer to Cairns city hotels: $241
- IMAX Private Transfer 7 Guests Cairns Airport to Hotels in Port Douglas : $225
- Cairns Airport Private Transfers: $184
- Cairns Airport to Luxury Transfers Port Douglas: $170
- Cairns Airport (CNS): Private Transfer to Palm Cove hotels: $168
- Cairns Airport (CNS): Transfer to Port Douglas hotels: $168
Is it cheaper to fly into Yangshuo or Cairns?
Prices for flights to both Cairns and Yangshuo 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 dayYangshuo $19Cairns $28
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Yangshuo
For Yangshuo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- 3-Hour Yangshuo Cooking Class with Yangshuo Town Shopping: $138
- Yangshuo Full Day Tour: Cooking class, River boat, Light Show: $259
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cairns
For Cairns, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cairns Luxury Catamaran Harbor and Dinner Cruise: $85
- Night at the Aquarium Guided Tour & 2 Course Dinner: $91
- Guided Twilight Tour with 3-Course Dinner: $117
- City Sights Tour with Evening Dinner Cruise: $149
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Yangshuo $23Cairns $37
Tours and Activities in Yangshuo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Yangshuo.
- Longji Rice Terraces Day Tour from Yangshuo hotel: $181
- Yangshuo Helicopter Tour from Yangshuo hotel: $149
- 1 Day - Yangshuo Bike Tour: $80
- 1-Day Longji Rice Terraces hiking tour from Guilin/Yangshuo hotel: $188
- 1-Day Tour: Yangshuo Yulong Bamboo Boat and Ruyi Peak Cable Car: $149
- 2 Day - Longji Rice Terraces - Sunrise Hiking Tour: $280
- Full-Day Li-River Tour from Yangshuo to Yangdi With the English Speaking Driver: $159
- Full-day Tour: Longji Rice Terraces & Minority Villages: $146
- Full/Half-Day Yangshuo Xianggong Hill Sunrise Private Tour: $136
- Guilin Highlight Sightseeing Private Day City Tour: $139
- Guilin Tea plantation and Longji Rice Terraces Day Tour from Yangshuo hotel: $181
- Guilin Yangshuo Day tour from Guangzhou by Round Way Bullet Train: $212
Typical Entertainment Prices in Cairns
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Cairns's activities, tours, and tickets:
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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): $43
- 3B Daintree Rainforest, Mossman Gorge, Crocodile Wildlife Cruise: $188
- Atherton Tablelands, Waterfalls and Rainforest Tour from Cairns: $98
- Atherton Tablelands: Lakes, Waterfalls, Rainforest Day Tour: $97
- Authentic Indigenous Cultural Tour Including Scenic River Cruise: $92
- Barron Gorge and Kuranda National Park Half Day Rainforest and Waterfall 4WD Tour from Cairns: $120
- Cairns 4WD Rainforest Waterfall Tour Including a GBR Island Tour: $242
- Cairns Aquarium General Admission & Coral Conservation Tour: $52
- Cairns Aquarium General Admission Ticket: $34
- Cairns Aquarium Turtle Hospital and City Sightseeing Tour: $116
- Cairns Aquarium and small group City Sightseeing Tour: $125
- Cairns Botanic Gardens: Mushroom Photography Tour: $44
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayYangshuo $33Cairns $13
Sample the Local Flavors in Cairns
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Cairns:
- Cairns Brewery Tours: $139
- From Atherton Tablelands Food and Wine Tasting Tour: $160
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Yangshuo and Cairns, we can see that Cairns is more expensive. And not only is Yangshuo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Yangshuo 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 Yangshuo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Yangshuo 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 Yangshuo.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Yangshuo Expensive? and Is Cairns Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Yangshuo or Cairns?
Yangshuo has a larger population, and is about 95% larger than the population of Cairns. When comparing the sizes of Yangshuo 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 Yangshuo 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 Yangshuo has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Yangshuo or Cairns in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Yangshuo and Cairns. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Cairns because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Yangshuo is around the same temperature as Cairns. Typically, the summer temperatures in Yangshuo in July average around 30°C (86°F), and Cairns averages at about 29°C (84°F)in January.
Cairns receives a lot of rain in the summer. Yangshuo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Yangshuo usually receives less rain than Cairnsin January. Yangshuo gets 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 429 mm (16.9 in) of rain each month for the summer. Also, November to March is the rainy season in Cairns.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryYangshuo 30°C (86°F)Cairns 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Yangshuo or Cairns in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Yangshuo as well as Cairns. Also, the hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Cairns this time of year.
In October, Yangshuo is generally cooler than Cairnsin April. Daily temperatures in Yangshuo average around 23°C (73°F), and Cairns fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
It's quite rainy in Cairns. Yangshuo usually gets less rain in October than Cairnsin April. Yangshuo gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 273 mm (10.8 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, April to October in Cairns is the dry season.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilYangshuo 23°C (73°F)Cairns 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Yangshuo or Cairns in the Winter?
Both Cairns and Yangshuo are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Cairns for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Yangshuo is much colder than Cairns in the winter. The daily temperature in Yangshuo averages around 10°C (49°F) in January, and Cairns fluctuates around 23°C (73°F)in July.
In January, Yangshuo usually receives more rain than Cairnsin July. Yangshuo gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyYangshuo 10°C (49°F)Cairns 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Yangshuo or Cairns in the Spring?
Both Cairns and Yangshuo during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Cairns in the spring for the beaches.
In the spring, Yangshuo is cooler than Cairns. Typically, the spring temperatures in Yangshuo in April average around 20°C (68°F), and Cairns averages at about 27°C (80°F)in October.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Yangshuo. Yangshuo usually gets more rain in April than Cairnsin October. Yangshuo gets 263 mm (10.3 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year. April to October is the dry season in Cairns. November to March is the rainy season in Cairns.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberYangshuo 20°C (68°F)Cairns 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Cairns and Yangshuo
| Yangshuo | Cairns | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 10°C (49°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 429 mm (16.9 in) |
| Feb | 11°C (51°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 469 mm (18.5 in) |
| Mar | 15°C (59°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 471 mm (18.5 in) |
| Apr | 20°C (68°F) | 263 mm (10.3 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 273 mm (10.8 in) |
| May | 25°C (77°F) | 334 mm (13.2 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 320 mm (12.6 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 62 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Aug | 30°C (86°F) | 168 mm (6.6 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Nov | 17°C (63°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (53°F) | 47 mm (1.9 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.