Which place is cheaper, Cairns or Yangshuo?
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 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 4-Week (1-Month) Tours in Australia, and The Best Budget Tours to Australia.
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Yangshuo Prices
China PricesCairns Prices
Australia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayYangshuo $86Cairns $116
The average daily cost (per person) in Yangshuo is $86, 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 Yangshuo and Cairns in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personYangshuo $26Cairns $43
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomYangshuo $52Cairns $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 $43Cairns $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Yangshuo
Also for Yangshuo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Yangshuo Via Ferrata with Round way private transfer from Yangshuo hotel: $56
- Yangshuo Via Ferrata with Round way private transfer from Xingping hotel: $67
- Private Yangshuo Transfer from Hotel to Longji terraces Hotel: $96
- Private Transfer from Yangshuo(Xingping) Train Station to Yangshuo Hotel: $21
- Private Transfer from Yangshuo hotel to Guilin hotel: $37
- Private Transfer from Xingping hotel to Longsheng hotel: $107
- Private One Way Transfer Service to Guilin City Hotel or Airport from Yangshuo: $48
- Private Impression Sanjie Liu Evening Show with Hotel Transfer: $88
- Private Departure Transfer: Yangshuo to Guilin Train Stations: $49
- Private Airport Transfer: Yangshuo Hotel to Guilin Liangjiang Airport: $45
- Impression Liu Sanjie - Ticket Booking (including Round-trip Transfer): $62
- Guilin: Li River Cruise with Transfer to Yangshuo: $80
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cairns
Also for Cairns, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Port Douglas Cairns (RETURN TRIP) Private Transfer 1 to 6: $344
- Hot Air Balloon Flight with Transfers: $327
- Cairns to Mission Beach ONE WAY Private Transfer 6 pax: $289
- Cairns Airport to Port Douglas Private Transfer With Return : $269
- Luxury Van, Private Transfer, Cairns Airport - Port Douglas.: $258
- Cairns to Daintree Eco Lodge ONE WAY Private Transfer 6 pax: $255
- Outer Barrier Reef Full Day with transfers from Cairns: $244
- Premium Van, Private Transfer, Cairns Airport - Port Douglas.: $234
- Cairns Airport (CNS) Arrival Transfer (Airport to Port Douglas Hotel or Address): $230
- Private Transfers Cairns Airport to Port Douglas: $206
- Cairns Airport (CNS) to Port Douglas - Arrival Private Transfer: $188
- Cairns Airport Private Transfers: $188
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 $33Cairns $49
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Yangshuo
For Yangshuo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Yangshuo Cooking Class with Market Trip: $45
- Full-day Cultural Experience: Taichi, Cooking & Painting Lessons: $100
- The impression Liu sanjie show and local dinner in town : $145
- Combo Impression Sanjie Liu Show and Authentic Cooking Experience: $199
- 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:
- 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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Yangshuo $24Cairns $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: $170
- 1-Day Guilin City Tour and Ends of Longji Rice Terraces from Yangshuo: $218
- 1-Day Private Yangshuo Bicycle Tour along Ten-Mile Gallery: $119
- 1-Day Terracotta Warriors Tour from Beijing/Chengdu/Shanghai: $497
- All Inclusive Private Hiking Tour in Yangshuo: $84
- Day Tour in Yangshuo and Li River: $155
- Enchanting Li River & Beyond: Cruise, Peaks & Panorama: $293
- Entry Ticket to Liu San Jie Impression Show: $71
- From Guilin: 6-Day Yangtze River Cruise with Excursions: $1,299
- From Guilin: Yangshuo Rock-climbing & River-tracing Tour: $282
- From Xingping River-tracing Half Day Private Tour: $102
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): $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 Great Barrier Reef Cruise w optional Scuba Diving : $178
- 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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayYangshuo $34Cairns $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 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.