A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Zhangjiajie vs. Byron Bay for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Zhangjiajie or Byron Bay?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Zhangjiajie and Byron Bay. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Zhangjiajie or Byron Bay?

Zhangjiajie

Zhangjiajie, China is a picturesque city located in the northwest of the Hunan Province. This ancient city, which dates all the way back to the Stone Age, is famous for being home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Wulingyuan Scenic Area. Zhangjiajie is also known for being a popular filming location and and overall great place to escape the bustling Chinese cities. Zhangjiajie has its own dialect, which is a branch of the Hunan and Southern dialects, so Mandarin does not always translate when trying to speak to locals here.

Byron Bay

South of Brisbane, off the Pacific Highway, is the coastal town of Byron Bay. It is close to Cape Byron, which is the easternmost point in mainland Australia. Byron Bay makes its way onto most traveler's itineraries because of its wonderful beach activities. The area is world famous for its waves, making it popular with surfers, but it also has incredible scuba diving, whale watching, and a generally relaxed atmosphere. The area continues to rise in popularity with travelers and as such, amenities and facilities are popping up everywhere.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in China, The Best 10-Day Tours in China, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Australia, and The Best Contiki Tours to Australia.


Which place is cheaper, Byron Bay or Zhangjiajie?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Zhangjiajie is $63, while the average daily cost in Byron Bay is $139. 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 Zhangjiajie and Byron Bay in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Zhangjiajie $30
    Byron Bay $66
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Zhangjiajie $60
    Byron Bay $132
Compare Hotels in Zhangjiajie and Byron Bay

Looking for a hotel in Zhangjiajie or Byron Bay? 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 Zhangjiajie


Hotels in Byron Bay


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: Byron Bay Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Zhangjiajie $14
    Byron Bay $32

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zhangjiajie

Also for Zhangjiajie, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Zhangjiajie Private Departure Transfer:City Hotel to Railway Station: $18
  • Private Car Transfer From WLY to Glass Bridge (Round Trip ): $105
  • Private Transfer from Zhangjiajie Train Station to Fenghuang hotel: $149
  • Private Transfer from Zhangjiajie to Fenghuang and stops at Furong old town: $187

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Byron Bay

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Byron Bay:

  • Byron Bay Tandem Skydive with Transfer Options: $240

Is it cheaper to fly into Zhangjiajie or Byron Bay?

Prices for flights to both Byron Bay and Zhangjiajie 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
    Zhangjiajie $20
    Byron Bay $47

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zhangjiajie

For Zhangjiajie, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Full-Day Private Discovery Tour to Tianmen Mountain National Park with Dinner: $184

Typical Food Prices in Byron Bay

Some typical examples of dining costs in Byron Bay are as follows:


  • Dinner at Olivo (for 2)
    $58

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Zhangjiajie $23
    Byron Bay $35

Tours and Activities in Zhangjiajie

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Zhangjiajie.

  • Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon and Glass Bridge Ticket: $57
  • Tianmen Mountain day tour: $96
  • Full-Day Private Tour of Zhangjiajie(Wulingyuan) National Forest Park: $115
  • Full-Day Private Tour of Tianmen Mountain: $122
  • 1 Days Zhangjiajie Natural Beauty Tour with Baofeng Lake: $132
  • 1 Day Tianmen Mountain Tour: $139
  • 1-Day Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain Tour: $146
  • Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon with Glass Bridge and Baofeng Lake Private Day Tour: $147
  • Zhangjiajie Avatar Mountain Glass Bridge day tour: $150
  • 1 Day Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain and Glass Skywalk Tour: $154
  • Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain Private All-inclusive Day Tour: $155
  • Glass Bridge,Zhangjiajie park Avatar Mountain day tour: $160

Typical Entertainment Prices in Byron Bay

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Byron Bay are as follows:


  • Buddha Gardens Spa (for 2)
    $123
  • Surf Lesson
    $42

Tours and Activities in Byron Bay

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

  • 3-Hour Small-Group Byron Bay Tour: $66
  • Beyond Byron Hinterland Tour: $132
  • Broken Head Aboriginal Tour: $46
  • Broken Head Aboriginal Tour: $45
  • Brunswick River: Byron Sunset Eco Rainforest River Cruise: $62
  • Byron Bay Half-Day Tour: $65
  • Byron Bay Hinterland Tour Including Rainforest Walk to Minyon Falls: $112
  • Byron Bay Hinterland: National Park and Waterfalls Tour: $110
  • Byron Bay Lighthouse and Hinterland Tour: $66
  • Byron Bay and Beyond Tour Including Cape Bryon Lighthouse Crystal Castle and Bangalow: $125
  • Brunswick Heads Sunset Rainforest Eco-Cruise: $63
  • Brunswick River Scenic Kayak Tour: $39

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Zhangjiajie $16
    Byron Bay $14

Sample the Local Flavors in Byron Bay

Also in Byron Bay, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Arvo Session Brewery and Distillery Tour: $97
  • Afternoon Brewery and Distillery session : $99
  • Full-Day Brewery and Distillery Tour with Lunch: $127
  • Full Barrel Brewery and Distillery tour: $129


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zhangjiajie and Byron Bay, we can see that Byron Bay is more expensive. And not only is Zhangjiajie much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Zhangjiajie is in Asia and Byron Bay 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 Zhangjiajie would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Zhangjiajie 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 Byron Bay would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Byron Bay than you might in Zhangjiajie.

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


Which is Bigger, Zhangjiajie or Byron Bay?

Zhangjiajie has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Byron Bay. When comparing the sizes of Zhangjiajie and Byron Bay, 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 Zhangjiajie or Byron Bay?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Byron Bay is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Zhangjiajie has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Zhangjiajie or Byron Bay in the Summer?

Both Byron Bay and Zhangjiajie during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Byron Bay because of the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Zhangjiajie is a little warmer than Byron Bay in the summer. The daily temperature in Zhangjiajie averages around 29°C (85°F) in July, and Byron Bay fluctuates around 23°C (74°F)in January.

Byron Bay gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Zhangjiajie. Zhangjiajie usually gets less rain in July than Byron Bayin January. Zhangjiajie gets 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Byron Bay receives 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Zhangjiajie 29°C (85°F) 
    Byron Bay 23°C (74°F)

Should I visit Zhangjiajie or Byron Bay in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Zhangjiajie and Byron Bay. Furthermore, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Byron Bay this time of year.

In the autumn, Zhangjiajie is around the same temperature as Byron Bay. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Zhangjiajie in October average around 19°C (65°F), and Byron Bay averages at about 20°C (69°F)in April.

Byron Bay receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Zhangjiajie usually receives less rain than Byron Bayin April. Zhangjiajie gets 90 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Byron Bay receives 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Zhangjiajie 19°C (65°F) 
    Byron Bay 20°C (69°F)

Should I visit Zhangjiajie or Byron Bay in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Zhangjiajie as well as Byron Bay. Additionally, many travelers come to Byron Bay for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Zhangjiajie is generally much colder than Byron Bayin July. Daily temperatures in Zhangjiajie average around 5°C (42°F), and Byron Bay fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

Zhangjiajie usually gets less rain in January than Byron Bayin July. Zhangjiajie gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Byron Bay receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Zhangjiajie 5°C (42°F) 
    Byron Bay 14°C (58°F)

Should I visit Zhangjiajie or Byron Bay in the Spring?

Both Byron Bay and Zhangjiajie are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Byron Bay in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

Zhangjiajie is cooler than Byron Bay in the spring. The daily temperature in Zhangjiajie averages around 17°C (63°F) in April, and Byron Bay fluctuates around 19°C (67°F)in October.

It's quite rainy in Zhangjiajie. In April, Zhangjiajie usually receives more rain than Byron Bayin October. Zhangjiajie gets 166 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Byron Bay receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Zhangjiajie 17°C (63°F) 
    Byron Bay 19°C (67°F)

Typical Weather for Byron Bay and Zhangjiajie

Zhangjiajie Byron Bay
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 5°C (42°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) 23°C (74°F) 140 mm (5.5 in)
Feb 6°C (44°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 24°C (74°F) 133 mm (5.2 in)
Mar 11°C (52°F) 112 mm (4.4 in) 23°C (73°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)
Apr 17°C (63°F) 166 mm (6.5 in) 20°C (69°F) 133 mm (5.2 in)
May 22°C (72°F) 179 mm (7 in) 18°C (64°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)
Jun 26°C (78°F) 199 mm (7.8 in) 15°C (59°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Jul 29°C (85°F) 125 mm (4.9 in) 14°C (58°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Aug 29°C (83°F) 149 mm (5.9 in) 15°C (59°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
Sep 24°C (75°F) 85 mm (3.3 in) 17°C (63°F) 32 mm (1.2 in)
Oct 19°C (65°F) 90 mm (3.6 in) 19°C (67°F) 90 mm (3.5 in)
Nov 13°C (55°F) 70 mm (2.7 in) 21°C (70°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Dec 7°C (45°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) 22°C (72°F) 118 mm (4.6 in)