Which place is cheaper, Surfers Paradise or Zhangjiajie?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Zhangjiajie or Surfers Paradise?
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 Surfers Paradise. 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 Surfers Paradise?
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.
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 Historical Tours in China, The Best 10-Day Tours in China, The Best Contiki Tours to Australia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Australia.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZhangjiajie $63Surfers Paradise $104
The average daily cost (per person) in Zhangjiajie is $63, 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 Zhangjiajie and Surfers Paradise in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZhangjiajie $30Surfers Paradise $66
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZhangjiajie $60Surfers Paradise $132
Compare Hotels in Zhangjiajie and Surfers Paradise
Looking for a hotel in Zhangjiajie 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.
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 $14Surfers Paradise $11
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 Transfer from Zhangjiajie to Fenghuang and stops at Furong old town: $187
- Private Transfer from Zhangjiajie Train Station to Fenghuang hotel: $149
- Private Car Transfer From WLY to Glass Bridge (Round Trip ): $105
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Surfers Paradise
Also for Surfers Paradise, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Gold Coast Hot Air Balloon + Winery Breakfast + Return Transfers: $293
- Private Transfer to Brisbane/BNE Airport from Gold Coast/OOL Airport( 1-7 pax): $229
- All-Inclusive Dolphin & Tangalooma Wrecks Day Cruise (Gold Coast Transfer): $149
- Private Transfer from Brisbane Airports to Surfers Paradise: $106
- Private Transfer from Gold Coast Airport - Surfers Paradise: $50
- Gold Coast Theme Parks: Shared Hotel Transfers: $14
Is it cheaper to fly into Zhangjiajie or Surfers Paradise?
Prices for flights to both Surfers Paradise 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 $20Surfers Paradise $26
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
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.Zhangjiajie $23Surfers Paradise $23
Tours and Activities in Zhangjiajie
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Zhangjiajie.
- Half-Day Self-Guided Fenghuang Night Tour from Zhangjiajie: $200
- (Private Day Tour) Zhangjiajie National Park + Tianzi Mountain: $195
- 1 Day Dragon Sitting Gorge & Red Stone Forest Geo-park TOUR！: $272
- 1 Day Tianmen Mountain Tour: $139
- 1 Day Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain and Glass Skywalk Tour: $154
- 1 Days Zhangjiajie Natural Beauty Tour with Baofeng Lake: $132
- 1-Day Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon(Glass Bridge) & Baofeng Lake Tour: $240
- 1-Day Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain Tour: $146
- 2-Day “Best Of Zhangjiajie”-Avatar World & Tianmen Mountain Tour: $260
- 2-Day Zhangjiajie Happy Foodie&Sightseeing Tour: $300
- 2-Day Zhangjiajie Tour Including Yuanjiajie Mountains: $550
- 2-Full Days Zhangjiajie National Forest Park Tour : $284
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:
- Evening Rainforest & Glow Worm Experience - Small Group Tour: $79
- 2.5hrs Jetski Tour with island stopover / Self Drive / Surfers Paradise: $259
- Barefoot Luxury Mount Tamborine Winery Tour from Gold Coast: $152
- Buffet Lunch Sightseeing Cruise: $59
- Catch a Crab Tour with Optional Seafood Lunch: $53
- Glow Worms - Nocturnal Rainforest/Waterfall Adventure: $72
- Gold Coast 1.5-Hour Sightseeing River Cruise from Surfers Paradise: $30
- Gold Coast City Lights Cruise: $37
- Gold Coast Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing Cruise Day Pass: $30
- Gold Coast Quack'rDuck Amphibious Tour from Surfers Paradise: $33
- Half-Day Whale Watching and Canal Cruise from Surfers Paradise: $53
- Kangaroo Watching & Koala Spotting Private Tour: $226
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayZhangjiajie $16Surfers Paradise $11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zhangjiajie and Surfers Paradise, we can see that Surfers Paradise 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 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 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 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 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 Surfers Paradise Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zhangjiajie or Surfers Paradise?
Zhangjiajie has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Surfers Paradise. When comparing the sizes of Zhangjiajie 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 Zhangjiajie 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 Zhangjiajie has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Zhangjiajie or Surfers Paradise in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Zhangjiajie and Surfers Paradise. Furthermore, most visitors come to Surfers Paradise for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Zhangjiajie is a little warmer than Surfers Paradise. Typically, the summer temperatures in Zhangjiajie in July average around 29°C (85°F), and Surfers Paradise averages at about 25°C (77°F)in January.
Surfers Paradise receives a lot of rain in the summer. Zhangjiajie gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Zhangjiajie usually receives less rain than Surfers Paradisein January. Zhangjiajie gets 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryZhangjiajie 29°C (85°F)Surfers Paradise 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Zhangjiajie or Surfers Paradise in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Zhangjiajie as well as Surfers Paradise. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Surfers Paradise because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene.
In October, Zhangjiajie is generally cooler than Surfers Paradisein April. Daily temperatures in Zhangjiajie average around 19°C (65°F), and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).
It's quite rainy in Surfers Paradise. Zhangjiajie usually gets less rain in October than Surfers Paradisein April. Zhangjiajie gets 90 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilZhangjiajie 19°C (65°F)Surfers Paradise 22°C (71°F)
Should I visit Zhangjiajie or Surfers Paradise in the Winter?
Both Surfers Paradise and Zhangjiajie are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Surfers Paradise this time of year.
Zhangjiajie is much colder than Surfers Paradise in the winter. The daily temperature in Zhangjiajie averages around 5°C (42°F) in January, and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 15°C (59°F)in July.
In January, Zhangjiajie usually receives less rain than Surfers Paradisein July. Zhangjiajie gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyZhangjiajie 5°C (42°F)Surfers Paradise 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Zhangjiajie or Surfers Paradise in the Spring?
Both Surfers Paradise and Zhangjiajie during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Surfers Paradise for the beaches.
In the spring, Zhangjiajie is cooler than Surfers Paradise. Typically, the spring temperatures in Zhangjiajie in April average around 17°C (63°F), and Surfers Paradise averages at about 21°C (69°F)in October.
Surfers Paradise gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Zhangjiajie. Zhangjiajie usually gets more rain in April than Surfers Paradisein October. Zhangjiajie gets 166 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberZhangjiajie 17°C (63°F)Surfers Paradise 21°C (69°F)
Typical Weather for Surfers Paradise and Zhangjiajie
| Zhangjiajie | Surfers Paradise | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 5°C (42°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (44°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 157 mm (6.2 in) |
| Mar | 11°C (52°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (63°F) | 166 mm (6.5 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| May | 22°C (72°F) | 179 mm (7 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) |
| Jun | 26°C (78°F) | 199 mm (7.8 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 125 mm (4.9 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (65°F) | 90 mm (3.6 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 103 mm (4 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (55°F) | 70 mm (2.7 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Dec | 7°C (45°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 129 mm (5.1 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.