A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Guangzhou vs. Sydney for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Guangzhou or Sydney?

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 Guangzhou and Sydney can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Guangzhou or Sydney?

Guangzhou

With a population of more than 12 million, Guangzhou is the third largest city in China after Beijing and Shanghai. Though it has a long history, founded in 214 BC, the city has also many modern attractions, a mix of the old and new with temples and parks as well as skyscrapers and shopping centers. Its location on the Pearl River has contributed to this growth, making Guangzhou a major port and commercial hub.

Sydney

Sydney, known as the harbour city, is the most famous and frequently visited city in Australia. It is at the economical and cultural heart of the country, and is one of the most beautiful and livable cities in the world. It's situated on the water with stunning views of the famous harbour throughout the city. It's most famous landmarks include the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It is also very close wonderful beaches, parks, and nature.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in China, The Best 2-Week Tours in China, The Best Contiki Tours to Australia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Australia.


Which place is cheaper, Sydney or Guangzhou?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Guangzhou is $104, while the average daily cost in Sydney is $207. 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 Guangzhou and Sydney in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Guangzhou $58
    Sydney $103
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Guangzhou $116
    Sydney $206
Compare Hotels in Guangzhou and Sydney

Looking for a hotel in Guangzhou or Sydney? 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 Guangzhou


Hotels in Sydney


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: Sydney Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Guangzhou $14
    Sydney $15

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guangzhou

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guangzhou:

  • Canton Fair Private Transfer between Guangzhou City Center and Pazhou Complex : $32
  • Chimelong International Circus Ticket with Transfer: $80
  • Guangzhou : Private One-Way Transfers to/from Baiyun Airport(CAN): $30
  • Guangzhou Airport & Train Station Private Transfer English Driver: $32
  • Guangzhou Airport (CAN) to Guangzhou Round-Trip Private Transfer: $74
  • Guangzhou Airport to Hotel: Private Transfer for up to 15 Pax: $170
  • Guangzhou Airport to Hotel: Private Transfer for up to 5 pax: $120
  • Guangzhou Airport: Private Transfer to/from Guangzhou: $24
  • Guangzhou Baiyun Airport (CAN) to Guangzhou City - Arrival Private Transfer: $37
  • Guangzhou Baiyun Airport (CAN) to Guangzhou City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $74
  • Guangzhou Baiyun Airport Chauffeur Service , To Guangzhou Transfer,Pickup: $59
  • Guangzhou Baiyun Airport Chauffeur Service, To Dongguan Transfer: $135

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Sydney

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Sydney:


  • Taxi Ride
    $13
  • Taxi to Airport
    $16

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sydney

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sydney:

  • 11:30AM Sydney Airport-Hotel transfer with Bondi Tour: $125
  • 9:30AM Sydney Airport-Hotel transfer with City Half Day Tour: $112
  • Airport Transfer from Sydney Airport to Hotels: $295
  • Airport Transfer: Sydney Airport SYD to Sydney by Business Car: $113
  • Airport Transfer: Sydney Airport SYD to Sydney by Luxury Van: $126
  • Arrival Transfer from Sydney Airport SYD to Sydney city by Sedan: $90
  • Arrival Transfer: Sydney Airport SYD to Sydney in Business Car: $113
  • Chauffeur Airport Transfers Sydney - Up to 15 Passengers: $99
  • Chauffeur Service Sydney For Luxury Airport Transfers: $112
  • Departure Transfer: Sydney to Sydney Airport SYD in Business Car: $113
  • Featherdale Wildlife Park with Exclusive Private Transfers: $234
  • From Sydney Hotels - Hotel Transfer to Airport: $355

Is it cheaper to fly into Guangzhou or Sydney?

Prices for flights to both Sydney and Guangzhou 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
    Guangzhou $34
    Sydney $77

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guangzhou

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Guangzhou.

  • Old Town Guided Food Tour with Tastings: $79
  • Food Tour - Eat Like Local + Rice Roll Workshop: $96
  • Private Guangzhou Night Tour VIP Cruise and Dim-Sum Dinner Option: $146
  • Guangzhou walking tour with dimsum dinner&Zhujiang river cruise: $160
  • Private Guangzhou Night Tour with Canton Tower and Dim-Sum Dinner: $176
  • Pearl River Night Cruise and Karaoke Tour with Buffet Dinner in Guangzhou: $179
  • Private Guangzhou Food Tour Michelin Restaurant&Local Food Market: $180
  • Morning Tea, Cantonese Opera, and Food Tour: $183
  • Cantonese Dim Sum Dinner with Pearl River Night Cruise in Guangzhou: $199
  • Guangzhou Pearl River Night Cruise and Din Tai Feng Dinner: $199
  • Guangzhou Private Night Tour: Lychee Bay, Beijing Road, Cruise, Dinner: $204
  • Private Cooking Canton Cuisine Cooking Class in Guangzhou : $266

Typical Food Prices in Sydney

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Sydney:


  • Tea
    $2.62
  • Lunch Special
    $9.81
  • Food/Drink Coogie Beach
    $9.81
  • Meat Pies
    $3.27

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sydney

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Sydney.

  • Vivid Festival of Light Harbor Cruise with Dinner: $36
  • City Highlights Walking Food Tour with Harbor Cruise: $45
  • Roti Making Class with 5-Course Dinner: $50
  • Harbour Dinner Cruise with Buffet: $50
  • Sydney Harbour Discovery Dinner Cruise Scenic Sights and Buffet: $50
  • Foraging Food Tour Sydney Native Aussie Food: $53
  • Sydney's Little Italy Food Tour: $54
  • Harbor Sunset Cruise with Dinner: $59
  • Twilight Dinner Cruise on Coral Trekker: $59
  • Sydney Harbour Tall Ship Twilight Dinner Cruise: $60
  • Taste of Sydney Fish Market Food Tour: $64
  • Kids Cooking Classes: $64

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Guangzhou $18
    Sydney $31

Tours and Activities in Guangzhou

Here are a few actual costs in Guangzhou for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Guangzhou:New Cultural Landmark Ticket -Explore Tang Style: $2.56
  • 2,000-Year-Old Wonder-Nanyue King’s Tomb Ticket: $3.18
  • Reputable Private Guangzhou Tour Guide Service by Xaq: $5.00
  • Cantonese Heritage Tour with Key Cultural Stops: $6.72
  • Discover Private Tour of Culture, Food & Pearl River: $6.99
  • Foshan Classic Old Town Tour : $15
  • Private Guangzhou Tour with Comfortable Transportation: $16
  • Lychee Bay River Cruise: $24
  • Grandview Museum of Nature Science Ticket: $25
  • Pick Up Service and Tour for Canton Culture and Food: $26
  • Roundtrip Cruise Night View from Canton Tower: $30
  • Chen Clan Academy In-Depth 2-Hour Guided Tour: $31

Typical Entertainment Prices in Sydney

Here are a few typical costs in Sydney for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Theatre Show
    $29
  • Sydney Tower Visit (for 2)
    $30
  • Blue Mountain Tour/Featherdale Park (for 2)
    $125
  • Powerhouse Museum
    $9.85

Tours and Activities in Sydney

Here are a few actual costs in Sydney for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Sydney's Hidden Gems Self Guided City Tour: $1.79
  • Sydney Cockatoo Island Escape: Convict Adventure Game: $7.20
  • Sydney Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $7.20
  • Sydney Walking Tour with Audioguide on Your Smartphone: $8.40
  • Sydney Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
  • Haunted Sydney Self-Guided Audio Ghost Tour: $10
  • Experience Sydney Audio Tour Adventure: $15
  • Discover Self-Guided Audio Tour: $16
  • Aboriginal Art Exhibition Ticket, Art Gallery of NSW: $17
  • Razor Gangs True Crime Tour: $17
  • Tickets & Tours at Art Gallery of New South Wales: $17
  • Tours & Exhibitions at Art Gallery of New South Wales: $17

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Guangzhou $14
    Sydney $15

Typical Alcohol Prices in Sydney

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Sydney:


  • Wine
    $10

Sample the Local Flavors in Sydney

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Sydney:

  • Wollongong Bar Crawl Go Out with a Gong: $15
  • Big Night Out Pub Crawl with Local Party Hosts: $32
  • Private Wine Tasting at The Rocks: $46
  • Sydney Cellar Door - Old Vine Expressions Wine Tasting: $47
  • Marrickville Brewery Tour: $78
  • From: Sydney - Hunter Valley Wine Tasting Guided Day Tour: $89
  • Sydney Beer and Brewery Tour: $103
  • Brewery, Winery, and Distillery Tasting Tour: $112
  • From Full-Day Hunter Valley Wine Tour & Lunch: $145
  • From Hunter Valley Wine Tasting Day Tour: $145
  • From Hunter Valley Multi-Brewery Tour with Lunch: $149
  • Small Group Hunter Valley Wine Tour + Lunch, Gin & Choc ex Sydney: $151


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

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


Which is Bigger, Guangzhou or Sydney?

Sydney has a larger population, and is about 39% larger than the population of Guangzhou. When comparing the sizes of Guangzhou and Sydney, 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 Guangzhou or Sydney?

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

Should I visit Guangzhou or Sydney in the Summer?

Both Sydney and Guangzhou are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Sydney for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Guangzhou is generally a little warmer than Sydneyin January. Daily temperatures in Guangzhou average around 29°C (84°F), and Sydney fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

It's quite sunny in Sydney. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Guangzhou. Guangzhou usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Sydney during summer. Guangzhou gets 220 hours of sunny skies, while Sydney receives 236 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sydney. It's quite rainy in Guangzhou. In July, Guangzhou usually receives more rain than Sydneyin January. Guangzhou gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Sydney receives 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Guangzhou 29°C (84°F) 
    Sydney 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Guangzhou or Sydney in the Autumn?

Both Sydney and Guangzhou during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Sydney in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Guangzhou is a little warmer than Sydney in the autumn. The daily temperature in Guangzhou averages around 25°C (76°F) in October, and Sydney fluctuates around 19°C (65°F)in April.

In the autumn, Guangzhou often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Sydneyin April. Guangzhou gets 192 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sydney receives 195 hours of full sun.

Sydney gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Guangzhou usually gets less rain in October than Sydneyin April. Guangzhou gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Sydney receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Guangzhou 25°C (76°F) 
    Sydney 19°C (65°F)

Should I visit Guangzhou or Sydney in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Guangzhou and Sydney. Also, most visitors come to Sydney for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Guangzhou is a little warmer than Sydney. Typically, the winter temperatures in Guangzhou in January average around 14°C (58°F), and Sydney averages at about 12°C (53°F)in July.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sydney this time of the year. Guangzhou usually receives less sunshine than Sydney during winter. Guangzhou gets 133 hours of sunny skies, while Sydney receives 208 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Guangzhou usually receives less rain than Sydneyin July. Guangzhou gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Sydney receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Guangzhou 14°C (58°F) 
    Sydney 12°C (53°F)

Should I visit Guangzhou or Sydney in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Guangzhou as well as Sydney. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Sydney because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

In April, Guangzhou is generally a little warmer than Sydneyin October. Daily temperatures in Guangzhou average around 22°C (72°F), and Sydney fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sydney. In the spring, Guangzhou often gets less sunshine than Sydneyin October. Guangzhou gets 78 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sydney receives 240 hours of full sun.

Guangzhou receives a lot of rain in the spring. Guangzhou usually gets more rain in April than Sydneyin October. Guangzhou gets 182 mm (7.2 in) of rain, while Sydney receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Guangzhou 22°C (72°F) 
    Sydney 18°C (64°F)

Typical Weather for Sydney and Guangzhou

Guangzhou Sydney
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 14°C (58°F) 43 mm (1.7 in) 23°C (73°F) 116 mm (4.6 in)
Feb 15°C (59°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 23°C (73°F) 113 mm (4.4 in)
Mar 18°C (65°F) 85 mm (3.4 in) 21°C (70°F) 148 mm (5.8 in)
Apr 22°C (72°F) 182 mm (7.2 in) 19°C (65°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)
May 26°C (79°F) 284 mm (11.2 in) 15°C (60°F) 88 mm (3.5 in)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 258 mm (10.1 in) 13°C (55°F) 128 mm (5 in)
Jul 29°C (84°F) 228 mm (9 in) 12°C (53°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Aug 29°C (84°F) 221 mm (8.7 in) 13°C (55°F) 90 mm (3.5 in)
Sep 28°C (82°F) 172 mm (6.8 in) 15°C (59°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Oct 25°C (76°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 18°C (64°F) 79 mm (3.1 in)
Nov 20°C (68°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 20°C (67°F) 101 mm (4 in)
Dec 16°C (61°F) 24 mm (0.9 in) 22°C (71°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)