A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Yichang vs. Surfers Paradise for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Yichang or Surfers Paradise?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Yichang or Surfers Paradise, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Yichang or Surfers Paradise?

Yichang

Yichang, China is an ancient city situated on the northern bank of the Yangtze River in central China. The city is located just below the famed Three Gorges Dam and is a popular ending point for many Yangtze River cruises. Yichang offers beautiful natural scenery and ancient relics from the Three Kingdom Period.

Yichang experiences cool, rainy, winters and hot, humid, summers. Temperatures tend to stay in the 40's Fahrenheit during winter and the 80's in the summer. Spring, Summer, and Autumn are fantastic times to visit, although if you prefer to beat the heat, stay away during late summer!

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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Beijing, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Lhasa, The Best Contiki Tours to Australia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Australia.


Which place is cheaper, Surfers Paradise or Yichang?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Yichang is $58, while the average daily cost in Surfers Paradise is $104. 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 Yichang and Surfers Paradise in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Yichang $24
    Surfers Paradise $66
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Yichang $48
    Surfers Paradise $132
Compare Hotels in Yichang and Surfers Paradise

Looking for a hotel in Yichang 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.

Hotels in Yichang


Hotels in Surfers Paradise


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Yichang $14
    Surfers Paradise $11

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: $14
  • Private Transfer from Gold Coast Airport - Surfers Paradise: $50
  • Luxury Private Transfer between Gold Coast Airport and Gold Coast city (1-7pax) : $89
  • Private Transfer from Brisbane Airports to Surfers Paradise: $106
  • Gold Coast Airport Transfers Corporate Chauffeurs Gold Coast: $119
  • All-Inclusive Dolphin & Tangalooma Wrecks Day Cruise (Gold Coast Transfer): $149
  • Private Transfer to Brisbane/BNE Airport from Gold Coast/OOL Airport( 1-7 pax): $229
  • Gold Coast Hot Air Balloon + Winery Breakfast + Return Transfers: $291

Is it cheaper to fly into Yichang or Surfers Paradise?

Prices for flights to both Surfers Paradise and Yichang 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 day
    Yichang $21
    Surfers Paradise $26

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: $78

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Yichang $18
    Surfers Paradise $23

Tours and Activities in Yichang

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Yichang are as follows:

  • From Yichang to Chongqing: 5-Day Cruise with Meals: $761
  • Private Day Tour in Yichang to Sanyou Cave and Sanxia Waterfall : $239
  • Private Tour: Essence of Yichang Day Tour: $165
  • Yichang Tourist Center to Yichang Sanxia Airport (YIH): $53
  • Yichang hotel/Sanxia Tourist Center/Maoping pier to Zhangjiajie: $290

Typical Entertainment Prices in Surfers Paradise

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Surfers Paradise's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Surf Lesson
    $78

Tours and Activities in Surfers Paradise

For Surfers Paradise, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Skip the Line:Wax Museum Ticket-World in Wax & Guided Tour of Chamber of Horrors: $22
  • Gold Coast Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing Cruise Day Pass: $30
  • Gold Coast 1.5-Hour Sightseeing River Cruise from Surfers Paradise: $30
  • Gold Coast Afternoon River Cruise: $32
  • Guided Gold Coast Amphibious Bus Tour: $33
  • Gold Coast Quack'rDuck Amphibious Tour from Surfers Paradise: $33
  • Gold Coast City Lights Cruise: $37
  • Tropical Fruit World Farm Full Tour : $37
  • Surfers Paradise Sunset Kayak Tour: $46
  • Paradise SUP Tour: $47
  • Half-Day Whale Watching and Canal Cruise from Surfers Paradise: $52
  • Catch a Crab Tour with Optional Seafood Lunch: $53

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Yichang $14
    Surfers Paradise $11


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Yichang and Surfers Paradise, we can see that Surfers Paradise is more expensive. And not only is Yichang much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Yichang 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 Yichang would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Yichang 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 Yichang.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Yichang Expensive? and Is Surfers Paradise Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Yichang or Surfers Paradise?

Yichang has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Surfers Paradise. When comparing the sizes of Yichang 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 Yichang 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 Yichang has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Yichang or Surfers Paradise in the Summer?

Both Surfers Paradise and Yichang during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Surfers Paradise this time of year.

In July, Yichang is generally a little warmer than Surfers Paradisein January. Daily temperatures in Yichang average around 29°C (85°F), and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

In Surfers Paradise, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Yichang. In the summer, Yichang often gets less sunshine than Surfers Paradisein January. Yichang gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Surfers Paradise receives 256 hours of full sun.

Surfers Paradise gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Yichang. Yichang usually gets more rain in July than Surfers Paradisein January. Yichang gets 229 mm (9 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Yichang 29°C (85°F) 
    Surfers Paradise 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Yichang or Surfers Paradise in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Yichang and Surfers Paradise. Furthermore, many travelers come to Surfers Paradise for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

Yichang is cooler than Surfers Paradise in the autumn. The daily temperature in Yichang averages around 20°C (67°F) in October, and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 22°C (71°F)in April.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Surfers Paradise this time of the year. Yichang usually receives less sunshine than Surfers Paradise during autumn. Yichang gets 134 hours of sunny skies, while Surfers Paradise receives 214 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Surfers Paradise receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Yichang usually receives less rain than Surfers Paradisein April. Yichang gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Yichang 20°C (67°F) 
    Surfers Paradise 22°C (71°F)

Should I visit Yichang or Surfers Paradise in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Yichang as well as Surfers Paradise. Additionally, many visitors come to Surfers Paradise in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Yichang is much colder than Surfers Paradise. Typically, the winter temperatures in Yichang in January average around 6°C (43°F), and Surfers Paradise averages at about 15°C (59°F)in July.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Surfers Paradise. In the winter, Yichang often gets less sunshine than Surfers Paradisein July. Yichang gets 92 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Surfers Paradise receives 226 hours of full sun.

Yichang usually gets less rain in January than Surfers Paradisein July. Yichang gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Yichang 6°C (43°F) 
    Surfers Paradise 15°C (59°F)

Should I visit Yichang or Surfers Paradise in the Spring?

Both Surfers Paradise and Yichang are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Surfers Paradise for the beaches during these months.

In April, Yichang is generally cooler than Surfers Paradisein October. Daily temperatures in Yichang average around 18°C (65°F), and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).

It's quite sunny in Surfers Paradise. Yichang usually receives less sunshine than Surfers Paradise during spring. Yichang gets 129 hours of sunny skies, while Surfers Paradise receives 259 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Surfers Paradise. In April, Yichang usually receives less rain than Surfers Paradisein October. Yichang gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Yichang 18°C (65°F) 
    Surfers Paradise 21°C (69°F)

Typical Weather for Surfers Paradise and Yichang

Yichang Surfers Paradise
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 6°C (43°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 25°C (77°F) 167 mm (6.6 in)
Feb 8°C (46°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 25°C (77°F) 157 mm (6.2 in)
Mar 12°C (54°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 24°C (75°F) 140 mm (5.5 in)
Apr 18°C (65°F) 95 mm (3.7 in) 22°C (71°F) 101 mm (4 in)
May 23°C (73°F) 124 mm (4.9 in) 19°C (66°F) 91 mm (3.6 in)
Jun 27°C (80°F) 151 mm (5.9 in) 16°C (61°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Jul 29°C (85°F) 229 mm (9 in) 15°C (59°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Aug 29°C (85°F) 197 mm (7.8 in) 16°C (61°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Sep 25°C (76°F) 122 mm (4.8 in) 18°C (65°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Oct 20°C (67°F) 87 mm (3.4 in) 21°C (69°F) 103 mm (4 in)
Nov 14°C (57°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 23°C (73°F) 118 mm (4.6 in)
Dec 8°C (47°F) 22 mm (0.9 in) 24°C (76°F) 129 mm (5.1 in)