Which place is cheaper, Surfers Paradise or Guilin?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Guilin or Surfers Paradise?
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 Guilin and Surfers Paradise can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Guilin or Surfers Paradise?
Guilin
Guilin is a city in Southern China situated on the west bank of the Li River with Hunan to the north. Its name means, "Forest of Sweet Osmanthus," owing to the large number of fragrant Sweet Osmanthus trees located in the city. Products like tea, sugar, and wine, can be made from the tree and are found in many shops throughout Guilin. A popular tourist destination, the city is renowned for its scenery of karst topography with unique mountains jutting out of the urban landscape.
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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, The Best Historical Tours in China, The Best Luxury Tours to Australia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Australia.
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Guilin Prices
China PricesSurfers Paradise Prices
Australia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGuilin $84Surfers Paradise $124
The average daily cost (per person) in Guilin is $84, while the average daily cost in Surfers Paradise is $124. 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 Guilin and Surfers Paradise in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGuilin $35Surfers Paradise $67
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGuilin $70Surfers Paradise $134
Compare Hotels in Guilin and Surfers Paradise
Looking for a hotel in Guilin 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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Guilin $5.85Surfers Paradise $11
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Guilin
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Guilin are as follows:
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Taxi$2.80
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guilin
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guilin:
- [Airport Transfer] Haikou Airport ⇔ Haikou City Transfer ☆ High reputation for service! <Charter charter> *: $23
- Yangshuo Via Ferrata with Round way private transfer from Guilin hotel: $120
- Transfer from Guilin Liangjiang Airport to Guilin City Center: $41
- Transfer from Guilin Hotels to Yangshuo Town: $37
- Private Transfer: Guilin to/from Zhangjiajie/Fenghuang: $256
- Private Transfer from/to Zhangjiajie to Guilin: $387
- Private Transfer from Yangshuo/Guilin to Sanjiang and stops Longji Rice Terraces: $160
- Private Transfer from Haikou (HAK) airport to/from Sanya hotel: $120
- Private Transfer from Guilin to Zhaoxing and stops at Longji terraces: $168
- Private Transfer from Guilin to Fenghuang and stops at Longji rice terraces area: $267
- Private Transfer from Guilin to Fenghuang and stops at Hongjiang: $267
- Private Transfer from Guilin to Fenghuang and stops at Chengyang Dong Village: $267
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Surfers Paradise
Also for Surfers Paradise, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Gold Coast Theme Parks: Shared Hotel Transfers: $15
Is it cheaper to fly into Guilin or Surfers Paradise?
Prices for flights to both Surfers Paradise and Guilin 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 dayGuilin $39Surfers Paradise $45
Typical Food Prices in Guilin
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Guilin:
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Fresh Coconut Drink$1.40
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guilin
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Guilin.
- Half day Yangshuo Cooking lesson Small Group Tour: $62
- Full-Day Li-River with the 4 Star Luxury Boat VIP Room and Yangshuo Cooking Tour: $286
- Countryside Cycling 1-day Tour with Cooking Class: $306
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: $85
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Guilin $28Surfers Paradise $24
Typical Entertainment Prices in Guilin
Here are a few typical costs in Guilin for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Entrance to the Caves$17
Tours and Activities in Guilin
Here are a few actual costs in Guilin for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2-Day Self-Guided Guilin Tour with 4 Star Boat, Yangshuo and Longji Terraces : $200
- Longji Rice Terraces Day Tour with the Ping'an and Dazhai Village: $209
- 1 Day Congjiang Ethnic Dong Village Private Tour from Guilin: $219
- 1 Day Guilin Sanjiang Tour to Dong Villages: $169
- 1 Day Guilin Tour: Village Visit, Waterfall Viewing, Hiking: $230
- 1 Day Li River Cruise and Yangshuo Biking Adventure: $72
- 1 Day Li River Cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo with Private Guide: $209
- 1 Day Li River Cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo with Private Guide & Driver: $209
- 1 Day Private Cruise Tour at Li River from Guilin with Biking: $198
- 1 Day Private Longji Rice Terraces and Minority Village Tour: $202
- 1 Day Private Tour: Li River Cruise from Guilin & Yangshuo Biking: $172
- 1 Day Relaxing Guilin Li River Cruise and Yangshuo Private Tour: $205
Typical Entertainment Prices in Surfers Paradise
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Surfers Paradise's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Surf Lesson$79
Tours and Activities in Surfers Paradise
For Surfers Paradise, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Surfers Paradise Sightseeing Midday River Cruise: $19
- Gold Coast Afternoon River Cruise: $21
- Surfers Paradise Sightseeing City Lights Cruise: $26
- Surfers Paradise Sightseeing River Cruises: $26
- HOTA: Gold Coast Home of the Arts Cruise & Dine Experience Pass: $27
- Gold Coast Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing Cruise 1 Day Pass: $30
- Gold Coast Quack'rDuck Amphibious Tour from Surfers Paradise: $37
- Surfers Paradise Sightseeing Sunset River Cruise: $37
- Guided Gold Coast Amphibious Bus Tour: $38
- Gold Coast: 360-Degree High-Speed Jet Boat Adventure: $39
- Tropical Fruit World Farm Full Tour : $45
- Surfers Paradise Sunset Kayak Tour: $53
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGuilin $5.81Surfers Paradise $11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Guilin and Surfers Paradise, we can see that Surfers Paradise is more expensive. And not only is Guilin much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Guilin 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 Guilin would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Guilin 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 Guilin.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Guilin Expensive? and Is Surfers Paradise Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Guilin or Surfers Paradise?
Guilin has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Surfers Paradise. When comparing the sizes of Guilin 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 Guilin 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 Guilin has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Guilin or Surfers Paradise in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Guilin as well as Surfers Paradise. Additionally, many travelers come to Surfers Paradise for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Guilin is generally a little warmer than Surfers Paradisein January. Daily temperatures in Guilin average around 30°C (86°F), and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
It's quite rainy in Surfers Paradise. Guilin receives a lot of rain in the summer. Guilin usually gets more rain in July than Surfers Paradisein January. Guilin gets 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryGuilin 30°C (86°F)Surfers Paradise 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Guilin or Surfers Paradise in the Autumn?
Both Surfers Paradise and Guilin are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Surfers Paradise in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.
Guilin is around the same temperature as Surfers Paradise in the autumn. The daily temperature in Guilin averages around 23°C (73°F) in October, and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 22°C (71°F)in April.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Surfers Paradise. In October, Guilin usually receives less rain than Surfers Paradisein April. Guilin gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilGuilin 23°C (73°F)Surfers Paradise 22°C (71°F)
Should I visit Guilin or Surfers Paradise in the Winter?
Both Surfers Paradise and Guilin during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Surfers Paradise for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
In the winter, Guilin is much colder than Surfers Paradise. Typically, the winter temperatures in Guilin in January average around 10°C (49°F), and Surfers Paradise averages at about 15°C (59°F)in July.
Guilin usually gets less rain in January than Surfers Paradisein July. Guilin gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyGuilin 10°C (49°F)Surfers Paradise 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Guilin or Surfers Paradise in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Guilin and Surfers Paradise. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Surfers Paradise because of the beaches.
In April, Guilin is generally around the same temperature as Surfers Paradisein October. Daily temperatures in Guilin average around 20°C (68°F), and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).
Surfers Paradise receives a lot of rain in the spring. Guilin gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Guilin usually receives more rain than Surfers Paradisein October. Guilin gets 263 mm (10.3 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberGuilin 20°C (68°F)Surfers Paradise 21°C (69°F)
Typical Weather for Surfers Paradise and Guilin
| Guilin | Surfers Paradise | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 10°C (49°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Feb | 11°C (51°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 157 mm (6.2 in) |
| Mar | 15°C (59°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Apr | 20°C (68°F) | 263 mm (10.3 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| May | 25°C (77°F) | 334 mm (13.2 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 320 mm (12.6 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Aug | 30°C (86°F) | 168 mm (6.6 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 103 mm (4 in) |
| Nov | 17°C (63°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (53°F) | 47 mm (1.9 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.