Which place is cheaper, Cairns or Zhengzhou?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Zhengzhou or Cairns?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Zhengzhou and Cairns can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Zhengzhou or Cairns?
Zhengzhou
Along the Yellow River, a city from the future and the past resides. Ancient pagodas, futuristic domes, verdant gardens - Zhengzhou is a myriad of many worlds in one urban area. The provincial capital of the Henan Province, Zhengzhou is the encapsulation of a perfect city from its delicate balance of the natural and urban spheres. It was born during the Sui Dynasty, and its actual location was in the modern-day Chenggao. Moreover, Zhengzhou works as the political, economic, technological, and educational center of the province. The city is also one of the eight great ancient capitals of China, with a collection of architecture and art originating during iconic dynasties. These relics of the old world include the Shaolin Monastery, Henan Museum, the Pagoda Forest, the Gaocheng Astronomical Observatory, the Songyue Pagoda, the Emperors of Yan and Huang, and the scenic views of the Yellow River. With over nine million inhabitants, Zhengzhou continues to grow at a thriving rate. It also should be noted that in June 2012, Greater Zhengzhou was named one of the thirteen emerging megacities in China according to the Economist Intelligent Unit. Known internationally for its amazing culmination of culture and history, Zhengzhou is the ideal city for travelers and inhabitants alike.
Cairns
Most travelers go to Cairns specifically to visit Great Barrier Reef. The city itself is surprisingly large and cosmopolitan with a population of approximately 140,000. The city's economy is almost exclusively based on tourism, although you will find some jobs centered around agriculture, or more specifically sugar cane, bananas, coffee, tea, wine, and some tropical fruits. The city itself is surrounded by rainforest and makes a great base for exploring Kuranda, with the Barron Gorge National Park and the Daintree offering a quieter tropical getaway than Cairns.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Shanghai, The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, The Best Contiki Tours to Australia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Australia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZhengzhou $98Cairns $94
The average daily cost (per person) in Zhengzhou is $98, while the average daily cost in Cairns is $94. 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 Zhengzhou and Cairns in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZhengzhou $36Cairns $43
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZhengzhou $72Cairns $86
Compare Hotels in Zhengzhou and Cairns
Looking for a hotel in Zhengzhou or Cairns? 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Cairns Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zhengzhou $63Cairns $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zhengzhou
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zhengzhou:
- [Airport Transfer] Zhengzhou Xinjiang International Airport Zhengzhou City Transfer There is a reputation for high service! : $27
- Private Guided Tour/Transfer to Shaolin Temple: $98
- Zhengzhou Xinzheng Airport Chauffeur Transfer, Zhengzhou Airport Transfer: $27
- Zhengzhou Xinzheng Airport Chauffeur Transfer, Zhengzhou Airport Transfer: $31
- Zhengzhou Xinzheng Airport Chauffeur Transfer , Zhengzhou Airport Transfer : $53
- Zhengzhou Xinzheng Airport Chauffeur Transfer , Zhengzhou Airport Transfer : $65
- Zhengzhou Special Car Service, Zhengzhou Airport Transfer: $27
- Zhengzhou Airport Transfer( Hotel to Airport): $59
- Private transfer to Shaolin Temple from Zhengzhou: $108
- Private Transfer to Shaolin Temple or Dengfeng from Zhengzhou Train station: $132
- Private Transfer to Guoliang Village and Tunnel from Zhengzhou: $160
- Private Transfer from Zhengzhou to Luoyang Longmen Grottoes : $95
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cairns
Also for Cairns, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfer - Cairns Airport to City: $58
- Airport Transfer - Cairns Airport to Northern Beaches: $59
- Airport Transfer - Northern Beaches to Cairns Airport: $73
- Airport Transfers between Cairns Airport and Cairns City: $14
- Airport Transfers between Cairns Airport and Palm Cove: $20
- Cairns Airport (CNS) Arrival Transfer (CNS Airport to Cairns Hotels or Address): $147
- Cairns Airport (CNS) to Cairns hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $123
- Cairns Airport (CNS) to Palm Cove - Round-Trip Private Transfer : $100
- Cairns Airport (CNS) to Port Douglas - Arrival Private Transfer: $134
- Cairns Airport (CNS): Private Transfer to Cairns Cruise Port: $159
- Cairns Airport (CNS): Private Transfer to Cairns city hotels: $241
- Cairns Airport (CNS): Private Transfer to Palm Cove hotels: $168
Is it cheaper to fly into Zhengzhou or Cairns?
Prices for flights to both Cairns and Zhengzhou 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 dayZhengzhou $28Cairns $28
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zhengzhou
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zhengzhou.
- Zhengzhou Erqi Square and Night Markets Private Tour including Dinner: $145
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cairns
For Cairns, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cairns Luxury Catamaran Harbor and Dinner Cruise: $85
- Night at the Aquarium Guided Tour & 2 Course Dinner: $91
- Guided Twilight Tour with 3-Course Dinner: $117
- City Sights Tour with Evening Dinner Cruise: $149
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zhengzhou $8.18Cairns $37
Tours and Activities in Zhengzhou
Here are a few actual costs in Zhengzhou for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- All Inclusive Private Day Tour to Guoliangcun from Zhengzhou: $265
- All Inclusive Private Day Tour to Shaolin Temple and Longmen Grottoes from Zhengzhou: $275
- All Inclusive Private Day Tour to Yuntai Mountain from Zhengzhou: $265
- All inclusive Anyang Yin Xu ruins and Character Museum day tour from Zhengzhou: $209
- Full-Day Private Kaifeng Highlight Tour from Zhengzhou: $248
- Independent Tour to Shaolin Temple and Longmen Grottoes from Zhengzhou: $188
- Kaifeng City Highlights Independant Tour from Zhengzhou: $80
- Private Day Tour to Guoliang from Zhengzhou: $268
- Private Day Tour to Luoyang Longmen Grottoes from Zhengzhou: $210
- Private Day Tour to Shaolin Temple and Songyang Academy from Zhengzhou: $233
- Private Day Tour to Shaolin Temple from Zhengzhou with Flexiable Departure Time: $198
- Private Day Tour to Shaolin Temple with Kungfu Class from Zhengzhou: $287
Typical Entertainment Prices in Cairns
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Cairns's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Scuba Diving$36
Tours and Activities in Cairns
For Cairns, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Skip the Line: Cairns Museum Single Admission Ticket: $9.91
- Cairns Pub & Club Tour: $26
- Entry Ticket at Historic Village Herberton: $28
- Hartley's Crocodile Adventures General Entry Ticket: $30
- Cairns Aquarium General Admission Ticket: $34
- Sightseeing River Boat Safari with Soft Drinks: $36
- Sunset River Cruise with Snack and Drinks: $42
- Rusty's Market Foodlovers Tour: $43
- Kuranda Rainforestation Nature Park Ticket (BNP): $43
- Cairns Botanic Gardens: Mushroom Photography Tour: $44
- Full Day Tour by Myroo X Deluxe Coach to Mission Beach: $46
- Aquarium Entry Ticket and Turtle Rehabilitation Tour: $47
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZhengzhou $6.31Cairns $13
Sample the Local Flavors in Cairns
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Cairns:
- Cairns Brewery Tours: $139
- From Atherton Tablelands Food and Wine Tasting Tour: $160
When comparing the travel costs between Zhengzhou and Cairns, we can see that Zhengzhou is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Zhengzhou is in Asia and Cairns is in Pacific, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Zhengzhou Expensive? and Is Cairns Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zhengzhou or Cairns?
Zhengzhou has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Cairns. When comparing the sizes of Zhengzhou and Cairns, 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 Zhengzhou or Cairns?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Cairns is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Zhengzhou has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Zhengzhou or Cairns in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Zhengzhou as well as Cairns. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Cairns because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Zhengzhou is generally around the same temperature as Cairnsin January. Daily temperatures in Zhengzhou average around 28°C (83°F), and Cairns fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
It's quite rainy in Cairns. Zhengzhou receives a lot of rain in the summer. Zhengzhou usually gets less rain in July than Cairnsin January. Zhengzhou gets 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 429 mm (16.9 in) of rain this time of the year. November to March in Cairns is the rainy season.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryZhengzhou 28°C (83°F)Cairns 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Zhengzhou or Cairns in the Autumn?
Both Cairns and Zhengzhou are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Cairns this time of year.
Zhengzhou is much colder than Cairns in the autumn. The daily temperature in Zhengzhou averages around 16°C (61°F) in October, and Cairns fluctuates around 27°C (80°F)in April.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Cairns. In October, Zhengzhou usually receives less rain than Cairnsin April. Zhengzhou gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 273 mm (10.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Cairns is April to October.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilZhengzhou 16°C (61°F)Cairns 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Zhengzhou or Cairns in the Winter?
Both Cairns and Zhengzhou during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many travelers come to Cairns for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
It's quite cold in Zhengzhou in the winter. In the winter, Zhengzhou is much colder than Cairns. Typically, the winter temperatures in Zhengzhou in January average around 1°C (34°F), and Cairns averages at about 23°C (73°F)in July.
Zhengzhou usually gets less rain in January than Cairnsin July. Zhengzhou gets 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyZhengzhou 1°C (34°F)Cairns 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Zhengzhou or Cairns in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Zhengzhou and Cairns. Furthermore, many visitors come to Cairns in the spring for the beaches.
In April, Zhengzhou is generally much colder than Cairnsin October. Daily temperatures in Zhengzhou average around 16°C (61°F), and Cairns fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
In April, Zhengzhou usually receives around the same amount of rain as Cairnsin October. Zhengzhou gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring. April to October in Cairns is the dry season. Also, November to March is the rainy season in Cairns.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberZhengzhou 16°C (61°F)Cairns 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Cairns and Zhengzhou
| Zhengzhou | Cairns | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 1°C (34°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 429 mm (16.9 in) |
| Feb | 3°C (38°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 469 mm (18.5 in) |
| Mar | 9°C (48°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 471 mm (18.5 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (61°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 273 mm (10.8 in) |
| May | 22°C (71°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (80°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 62 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (71°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (61°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Nov | 9°C (49°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Dec | 3°C (38°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 211 mm (8.3 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.