Which place is cheaper, Whitsundays or Zhangjiajie?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Zhangjiajie or Whitsundays?
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 Whitsundays. 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 Whitsundays?
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.
Whitsundays
Just off the coast of Queensland, Australia is a cluster of 74 different islands. These islands, the Whitsunday Islands, welcome over a half a million visitors every year to see one of the Seven Wonders of the World - the Great Barrier Reef.
As one of the most famous destinations in the world, it's not uncommon to see expensive yachts sailing around among the private ferries. Most of the islands are designated as national parks with access to snorkeling and diving in the coral reefs, or just to lay in the sand on the famous Whitehaven Beach.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in China, The Best 10-Day Tours in China, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Australia, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Australia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZhangjiajie $63Whitsundays $132
The average daily cost (per person) in Zhangjiajie is $63, while the average daily cost in Whitsundays is $132. 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 Whitsundays in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZhangjiajie $30Whitsundays $69
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZhangjiajie $60Whitsundays $138
Compare Hotels in Zhangjiajie and Whitsundays
Looking for a hotel in Zhangjiajie or Whitsundays? 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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zhangjiajie $14Whitsundays $55
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zhangjiajie
Also for Zhangjiajie, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 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
- Zhangjiajie Private Departure Transfer:City Hotel to Railway Station: $18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Whitsundays
Also for Whitsundays, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Whitsunday Islands: Whitehaven Beach Camping Transfer: $124
Is it cheaper to fly into Zhangjiajie or Whitsundays?
Prices for flights to both Whitsundays 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
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Food Meals for one dayZhangjiajie $20Whitsundays $30
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 Whitsundays
For Whitsundays, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Hamilton Island: Whitsundays Sunset BBQ Dinner Cruise: $98
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zhangjiajie $23Whitsundays $25
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
Tours and Activities in Whitsundays
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Whitsundays.
- Airlie Beach: Private Guided 2-Night Yacht Sailing Cruise: $4,941
- Daydream Island: Great Barrier Reef Adventure Cruise: $195
- From Daydream Is.: Whitsundays & Whitehaven Half-Day Cruise: $91
- Whitsundays Camira Sailing Adventure from Daydream Island: $150
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZhangjiajie $16Whitsundays $12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zhangjiajie and Whitsundays, we can see that Whitsundays 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 Whitsundays 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 Whitsundays would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Whitsundays 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 Whitsundays Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Zhangjiajie or Whitsundays?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Whitsundays 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 Whitsundays in the Summer?
Both Whitsundays and Zhangjiajie are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.
In July, Zhangjiajie is generally a little warmer than Whitsundaysin January. Daily temperatures in Zhangjiajie average around 29°C (85°F), and Whitsundays fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Whitsundays. It's quite rainy in Zhangjiajie. In July, Zhangjiajie usually receives less rain than Whitsundaysin January. Zhangjiajie gets 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 331 mm (13 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryZhangjiajie 29°C (85°F)Whitsundays 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Zhangjiajie or Whitsundays in the Autumn?
Both Whitsundays and Zhangjiajie during the autumn are popular places to visit.
Zhangjiajie is cooler than Whitsundays in the autumn. The daily temperature in Zhangjiajie averages around 19°C (65°F) in October, and Whitsundays fluctuates around 23°C (73°F)in April.
Whitsundays gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Zhangjiajie usually gets less rain in October than Whitsundaysin April. Zhangjiajie gets 90 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilZhangjiajie 19°C (65°F)Whitsundays 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Zhangjiajie or Whitsundays in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Zhangjiajie and Whitsundays.
In the winter, Zhangjiajie is much colder than Whitsundays. Typically, the winter temperatures in Zhangjiajie in January average around 5°C (42°F), and Whitsundays averages at about 16°C (62°F)in July.
In January, Zhangjiajie usually receives more rain than Whitsundaysin July. Zhangjiajie gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyZhangjiajie 5°C (42°F)Whitsundays 16°C (62°F)
Should I visit Zhangjiajie or Whitsundays in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Zhangjiajie as well as Whitsundays.
In April, Zhangjiajie is generally cooler than Whitsundaysin October. Daily temperatures in Zhangjiajie average around 17°C (63°F), and Whitsundays fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
Zhangjiajie receives a lot of rain in the spring. Zhangjiajie usually gets more rain in April than Whitsundaysin October. Zhangjiajie gets 166 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberZhangjiajie 17°C (63°F)Whitsundays 23°C (73°F)
Typical Weather for Whitsundays and Zhangjiajie
| Zhangjiajie | Whitsundays | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 5°C (42°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 331 mm (13 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (44°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 377 mm (14.8 in) |
| Mar | 11°C (52°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 312 mm (12.3 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (63°F) | 166 mm (6.5 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| May | 22°C (72°F) | 179 mm (7 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 26°C (78°F) | 199 mm (7.8 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 125 mm (4.9 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (65°F) | 90 mm (3.6 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (55°F) | 70 mm (2.7 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Dec | 7°C (45°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 191 mm (7.5 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.