Which place is cheaper, Noosa Heads or Yangshuo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Yangshuo or Noosa Heads?
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 Noosa Heads can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Yangshuo or Noosa Heads?
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.
Noosa Heads
A town and suburb located on Queensland, Australia's Sunshine Coast, Noosa is best known as a destination of pleasant weather, beautiful beachside scenery, shopping, dining, and outdoor adventure. Some of the top attractions of the area include Noosa National Park and Sunshine Beach.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to China, The Best Tours for Seniors to China, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Australia, and The Best Contiki Tours to Australia.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayYangshuo $72Noosa Heads $110
The average daily cost (per person) in Yangshuo is $72, while the average daily cost in Noosa Heads is $110. 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 Noosa Heads in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personYangshuo $25Noosa Heads $58
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomYangshuo $50Noosa Heads $116
Compare Hotels in Yangshuo and Noosa Heads
Looking for a hotel in Yangshuo or Noosa Heads? 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: Noosa Heads Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Yangshuo $42Noosa Heads $17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Yangshuo
Also for Yangshuo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Xingping hotel to Longsheng hotel: $107
- Visit 100% primitive cave with Transfer: $97
- Private Impression Sanjie Liu Evening Show with Hotel Transfer: $88
- Private Transfer from Yangshuo hotel to Longsheng hotel: $85
- Liusanjie Light Show with Round way private transfer from Xingping hotel: $69
- Yangshuo Via Ferrata with Round way private transfer from Yangshuo hotel: $56
- Private Transfer from Yangshuo hotel to Guilin hotel: $37
- Private Transfer from Yangshuo(Xingping) Train Station to Yangshuo Hotel: $21
- Private Transfer from Xingping hotel to Yangshuo hotel: $21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Noosa Heads
Also for Noosa Heads, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Premium Airport/ Cruise Terminal Transfers: $234
- Private Transfer from Sunshine Coast Airport to Hotels 11 pax: $218
- Private Transfers from Sunshine Coast Airport to Noosa (8pax): $129
- Private Transfers from Sunshine Coast Airport to Noosa (6pax): $116
- Private Transfer from Noosa to Sunshine Coast Airport up to 3 pax: $102
- Private Transfers from Sunshine Coast Airport to Noosa (4pax): $99
- Private Morning Transfer From Noosa to Rainbow Beach: $89
- Australia Zoo Transfer from Noosa, Coolum, Marcoola & Twin Waters: $79
- Brisbane Airport Departure shuttle Transfer from Sunshine Coast Hotels/addresses: $55
- Sunshine Coast and Noosa Eumundi Markets Bus Transfer: $32
- Eumundi Markets Bus Transfer from Noosa, Noosaville & Mooloolaba: $32
- Sunshine Coast Airport Departure Transfer from Hotels: $18
Is it cheaper to fly into Yangshuo or Noosa Heads?
Prices for flights to both Noosa Heads 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
-
Food Meals for one dayYangshuo $19Noosa Heads $33
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Yangshuo
For Yangshuo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Yangshuo Full Day Tour: Cooking class, River boat, Light Show: $259
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Noosa Heads
For Noosa Heads, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cooking Classes on Witta Maleny Sunshine Coast: $119
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Yangshuo $23Noosa Heads $40
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 - Yangshuo Bike Tour: $80
- 1-Day Guilin City Tour with the Daxu Town and Yao Mountain from Yangshuo: $187
- 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 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 Noosa Heads
For Noosa Heads, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
-
Surf Lesson$42
-
Sea Kayak Tour (for 2)$84
-
Sunset Cruise (for 2)$13
Tours and Activities in Noosa Heads
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Noosa Heads.
- 1 Hour Self Guided Water Bike Tour of the Noosa River: $33
- 2 Hours Sunset Experience on Noosa River: $21
- Aquaduck Sunshine Coast - 1hr Mooloolaba Amphibious Tour: $33
- Australia Zoo, Glass House Mountains Tour Combo: $184
- Brisbane Airport and Cruise Terminal to Sunshine Coast 11 pax: $261
- Bushtucker Cruise: $50
- Epic Kayak With Dolphins & Wildlife - 4WD Beach Adventure Noosa: $106
- Everglades Explorer - Noosa Everglades Tour: $98
- Fliteboard eFoil Experience for Two People in Noosaville: $297
- Glass House Mountains Tour with Lunch, Lookouts, and Nature Walks: $171
- Maleny Botanic Gardens Bird Aviary Experience Ticket: $28
- Mooloolaba Whale Watching Cruise: $56
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayYangshuo $33Noosa Heads $10
Sample the Local Flavors in Noosa Heads
Also in Noosa Heads, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Eumundi Market and Distillery Experience Market Days Wednesday & Saturday: $92
- Sunshine Coast Brewery Tour with Lunch: $162
- Hinterland Cheese & Wine Tasting Tour - with 2 course lunch included: $165
- Sunshine Coast & Noosa Scenic Food & Wine Tour Inc. Lunch: $182
- Noosa Hinterland Tour with Gourmet Lunch, Wine Tasting & Everglades Lake: $191
- Noosa Hinterland Drinks Tour- visit 2 distilleries, a winery and a brewery : $195
- Noosa Hinterland Drinks Private Tour with Gin, Beer, Mead & Wine Tastings: $277
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Yangshuo and Noosa Heads, we can see that Noosa Heads 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 Noosa Heads 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 Noosa Heads would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Noosa Heads 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 Noosa Heads Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Yangshuo or Noosa Heads?
Yangshuo has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Noosa Heads. When comparing the sizes of Yangshuo and Noosa Heads, 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 Noosa Heads?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Noosa Heads 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 Noosa Heads in the Summer?
Both Noosa Heads and Yangshuo are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Noosa Heads in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.
Yangshuo is much warmer than Noosa Heads in the summer. The daily temperature in Yangshuo averages around 30°C (86°F) in July, and Noosa Heads fluctuates around 20°C (67°F)in January.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Noosa Heads. It's quite rainy in Yangshuo. In July, Yangshuo usually receives more rain than Noosa Headsin January. Yangshuo gets 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain, while Noosa Heads receives 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryYangshuo 30°C (86°F)Noosa Heads 20°C (67°F)
Should I visit Yangshuo or Noosa Heads in the Autumn?
Both Noosa Heads and Yangshuo during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Noosa Heads for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In the autumn, Yangshuo is much warmer than Noosa Heads. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Yangshuo in October average around 23°C (73°F), and Noosa Heads averages at about 14°C (58°F)in April.
Yangshuo usually gets more rain in October than Noosa Headsin April. Yangshuo gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Noosa Heads receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilYangshuo 23°C (73°F)Noosa Heads 14°C (58°F)
Should I visit Yangshuo or Noosa Heads in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Yangshuo and Noosa Heads. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Noosa Heads because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Yangshuo is generally a little warmer than Noosa Headsin July. Daily temperatures in Yangshuo average around 10°C (49°F), and Noosa Heads fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).
In January, Yangshuo usually receives around the same amount of rain as Noosa Headsin July. Yangshuo gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Noosa Heads receives 57 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyYangshuo 10°C (49°F)Noosa Heads 7°C (44°F)
Should I visit Yangshuo or Noosa Heads in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Yangshuo as well as Noosa Heads. Additionally, the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Noosa Heads this time of year.
Yangshuo is a little warmer than Noosa Heads in the spring. The daily temperature in Yangshuo averages around 20°C (68°F) in April, and Noosa Heads fluctuates around 14°C (57°F)in October.
Yangshuo receives a lot of rain in the spring. Yangshuo usually gets more rain in April than Noosa Headsin October. Yangshuo gets 263 mm (10.3 in) of rain, while Noosa Heads receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberYangshuo 20°C (68°F)Noosa Heads 14°C (57°F)
Typical Weather for Noosa Heads and Yangshuo
| Yangshuo | Noosa Heads | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 10°C (49°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 109 mm (4.3 in) |
| Feb | 11°C (51°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Mar | 15°C (59°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Apr | 20°C (68°F) | 263 mm (10.3 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| May | 25°C (77°F) | 334 mm (13.2 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 320 mm (12.6 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 57 mm (2.3 in) |
| Aug | 30°C (86°F) | 168 mm (6.6 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
| Nov | 17°C (63°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (53°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 117 mm (4.6 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.