Which place is cheaper, Fraser Island or Zhangjiajie?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Zhangjiajie or Fraser Island?
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 Fraser Island. 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 Fraser Island?
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.
Fraser Island
Fraser Island, located off Australia's eastern Queensland coast, is the world's largest sand island. It is best known as a camping and ecotourism destination, with a number of panoramic viewpoints, beaches, lakes, and freshwater pools. Hervey Bay, a beachside city on the nearby mainland, is a primary gateway to the island.
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 Honeymoon Tours in Australia.
-
Zhangjiajie Prices
China PricesFraser Island Prices
Australia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZhangjiajie $79Fraser Island $243
The average daily cost (per person) in Zhangjiajie is $79, while the average daily cost in Fraser Island is $243. 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 Fraser Island in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZhangjiajie $30Fraser Island $102
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZhangjiajie $60Fraser Island $204
Compare Hotels in Zhangjiajie and Fraser Island
Looking for a hotel in Zhangjiajie or Fraser Island? 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.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zhangjiajie $15Fraser Island $93
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zhangjiajie
Also for Zhangjiajie, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Zhangjiajie airport/city pick up transfer to hotel or Vice Versa: $15
- Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport private transfer service: $20
- Fox Fairy Show VIP Ticket with Private Transfer in ZJJ City: $52
- Private Car Transfer From WLY to Glass Bridge (Round Trip ): $105
- Private Transfer: Zhangjiajie from/to Fenghuang: $168
- Private Transfer from Zhangjiajie to Fenghuang and stops at Furong old town: $187
- 1 Day Fenghuang and Furong Town Day Tour with Hotel Transfers: $192
- Private transfer from Zhangjiajie(Wulingyuan) to Changsha area: $213
- Private Transfer from Zhangjiajie to Guilin or Yangshuo: $256
- Private Transfer: Yichang hotel from/to Zhangjiajie Hotel: $321
- 4-Day Private Tour with Airport Transfers: $710
Is it cheaper to fly into Zhangjiajie or Fraser Island?
Prices for flights to both Fraser Island 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 dayZhangjiajie $36Fraser Island $83
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zhangjiajie
For Zhangjiajie, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- 1 Day Zhangjiajie Private Tour Visit Avatar Mount and Tianzi Mount with Dinner: $196
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zhangjiajie $23Fraser Island $45
Tours and Activities in Zhangjiajie
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Zhangjiajie.
- Zhangjiajie Pandora Tour to Avatar Hallelujah Mountain: $7.00
- Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Ticket Booking: $16
- Zhangjiajie National Forest Park Entrance Ticket Transportation: $42
- Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge and Grand Canyon Tickets Booking: $48
- Exclusive VIP Zhangjiajie 4 Days and 3 Nights Private Tour: $50
- Exclusive VIP Zhangjiajie 5 Days and 4 Nights Private Tour: $50
- Charming Xiangxi Show VIP ticket with round trip transport: $52
- Fox Fairy Show VIP ticket with round trip private transport: $52
- Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain Ticket Booking: $55
- One Day Mini Group Tour to Glass Bridge and Tianmen Mountain: $63
- Mini Group Tour: Zhangjiajie Forest Park & Avatar Mountains: $66
- Zhangjiajie National Forest Park Tickets Booking: $69
Tours and Activities in Fraser Island
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Fraser Island are as follows:
- 2 Hours Hervey Bay Funset Cruise: $53
- Fraser Experience Shared Full Day Guided Tour: $208
- Hervey Bay Ultimate Whale Watching Cruise: $80
- Hervey Bay Whale Watching Cruise: $104
- Hervey Bay to K'gari/Fraser Island 2-Day Tour (Beach House): $370
- Hervey Bay: Best Value Half Day Whale Watching Cruise: $80
- Hervey Bay: Half Day Whale watching & Island Stop Tour: $111
- K'gari (Fraser Island) All Inclusive Day Tour: $174
- K'gari (Fraser Island) Small Group 4WD Adventure - From Noosa: $201
- K'gari (Fraser Island) Small Group Day Tour - From Rainbow Beach: $186
- Remote Fraser Island Experience: $173
- Remote K'gari (Fraser Island) & Whale Experience: $173
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayZhangjiajie $16Fraser Island $21
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zhangjiajie and Fraser Island, we can see that Fraser Island 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 Fraser Island 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 Fraser Island would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Fraser Island 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 Fraser Island Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Zhangjiajie or Fraser Island?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Fraser Island 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 Fraser Island in the Summer?
Both Fraser Island and Zhangjiajie during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Fraser Island this time of year.
Zhangjiajie is a little warmer than Fraser Island in the summer. The daily temperature in Zhangjiajie averages around 29°C (85°F) in July, and Fraser Island fluctuates around 26°C (78°F)in January.
Fraser Island 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 Fraser Islandin January. Zhangjiajie gets 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Fraser Island receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryZhangjiajie 29°C (85°F)Fraser Island 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Zhangjiajie or Fraser Island in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Zhangjiajie and Fraser Island. Furthermore, many travelers come to Fraser Island for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Zhangjiajie is cooler than Fraser Island. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Zhangjiajie in October average around 19°C (65°F), and Fraser Island averages at about 22°C (72°F)in April.
In October, Zhangjiajie usually receives around the same amount of rain as Fraser Islandin April. Zhangjiajie gets 90 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Fraser Island receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilZhangjiajie 19°C (65°F)Fraser Island 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Zhangjiajie or Fraser Island in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Zhangjiajie as well as Fraser Island. Additionally, many visitors come to Fraser Island in the winter for the cuisine.
In January, Zhangjiajie is generally much colder than Fraser Islandin July. Daily temperatures in Zhangjiajie average around 5°C (42°F), and Fraser Island fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
Zhangjiajie usually gets less rain in January than Fraser Islandin July. Zhangjiajie gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Fraser Island receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyZhangjiajie 5°C (42°F)Fraser Island 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Zhangjiajie or Fraser Island in the Spring?
Both Fraser Island and Zhangjiajie are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Fraser Island for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.
Zhangjiajie is cooler than Fraser Island in the spring. The daily temperature in Zhangjiajie averages around 17°C (63°F) in April, and Fraser Island fluctuates around 21°C (71°F)in October.
It's quite rainy in Zhangjiajie. In April, Zhangjiajie usually receives more rain than Fraser Islandin October. Zhangjiajie gets 166 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Fraser Island receives 75 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberZhangjiajie 17°C (63°F)Fraser Island 21°C (71°F)
Typical Weather for Fraser Island and Zhangjiajie
| Zhangjiajie | Fraser Island | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 5°C (42°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (44°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) |
| Mar | 11°C (52°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (63°F) | 166 mm (6.5 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| May | 22°C (72°F) | 179 mm (7 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jun | 26°C (78°F) | 199 mm (7.8 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 125 mm (4.9 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (65°F) | 90 mm (3.6 in) | 21°C (71°F) | 75 mm (2.9 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (55°F) | 70 mm (2.7 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 106 mm (4.2 in) |
| Dec | 7°C (45°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 134 mm (5.3 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.