A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Guilin vs. Whitsundays for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Guilin or Whitsundays?

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 Whitsundays can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Guilin or Whitsundays?

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.

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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, The Best Historical Tours in China, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Melbourne, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Australia.


Which place is cheaper, Whitsundays or Guilin?

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 Guilin is $84, while the average daily cost in Whitsundays is $155. 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 Whitsundays in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Guilin $35
    Whitsundays $69
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Guilin $70
    Whitsundays $138
Compare Hotels in Guilin and Whitsundays

Looking for a hotel in Guilin 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.

Hotels in Guilin


Hotels in Whitsundays


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.
    Guilin $5.85
    Whitsundays $55
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Guilin

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Guilin are as follows:


  • Taxi
    $2.80

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guilin

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guilin:

  • Private Transfer from/to Zhangjiajie to Guilin: $387
  • Private Transfer from Guilin to Fenghuang and stops at Chengyang Dong Village: $267
  • 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: Guilin to/from Zhangjiajie/Fenghuang: $256
  • Guilin Airport to Yangshuo: Private Transfer for up to 15 Pax: $190
  • Private Transfer from Guilin to Zhaoxing and stops at Longji terraces: $168
  • Private Transfer from Yangshuo/Guilin to Sanjiang and stops Longji Rice Terraces: $160
  • Private Transfer from Haikou (HAK) airport to/from Sanya hotel: $120
  • Yangshuo Via Ferrata with Round way private transfer from Guilin hotel: $120
  • Guilin Private Transfer in English-speaking Services: Airport to Hotel Roundtrip: $99
  • 2-hours Yangshuo Yulong Bamboo Boat Tour with the Round-way Private Transfers: $83

Is it cheaper to fly into Guilin or Whitsundays?

Prices for flights to both Whitsundays 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Guilin $39
    Whitsundays $52
Typical Food Prices in Guilin

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


  • 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 Whitsundays

For Whitsundays, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Hamilton Island: Whitsundays Sunset Dinner Cruise: $99

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Guilin $28
    Whitsundays $25
Typical Entertainment Prices in Guilin

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


  • 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

Tours and Activities in Whitsundays

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Whitsundays.

  • Airlie Beach: Whitsundays Full-Day Camira Sailing Adventure: $164
  • MILADY Whitsundays 2-Night Private Yacht Sailing Cruise: $4,953

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Guilin $5.81
    Whitsundays $12


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Guilin and Whitsundays, we can see that Whitsundays 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 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 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 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 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 Whitsundays Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Guilin 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 Guilin has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Guilin or Whitsundays in the Summer?

Both Whitsundays and Guilin during the summer are popular places to visit.

Guilin is a little warmer than Whitsundays in the summer. The daily temperature in Guilin averages around 30°C (86°F) in July, and Whitsundays fluctuates around 26°C (79°F)in January.

Whitsundays gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Guilin. Guilin usually gets less rain in July than Whitsundaysin January. Guilin gets 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 331 mm (13 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Guilin 30°C (86°F) 
    Whitsundays 26°C (79°F)

Should I visit Guilin or Whitsundays in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Guilin and Whitsundays.

In the autumn, Guilin is around the same temperature as Whitsundays. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Guilin in October average around 23°C (73°F), and Whitsundays averages at about 23°C (73°F)in April.

Whitsundays receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Guilin usually receives less rain than Whitsundaysin April. Guilin gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Guilin 23°C (73°F) 
    Whitsundays 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Guilin or Whitsundays in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Guilin as well as Whitsundays.

In January, Guilin is generally much colder than Whitsundaysin July. Daily temperatures in Guilin average around 10°C (49°F), and Whitsundays fluctuates around 16°C (62°F).

Guilin usually gets more rain in January than Whitsundaysin July. Guilin gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Guilin 10°C (49°F) 
    Whitsundays 16°C (62°F)

Should I visit Guilin or Whitsundays in the Spring?

Both Whitsundays and Guilin are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

Guilin is cooler than Whitsundays in the spring. The daily temperature in Guilin averages around 20°C (68°F) in April, and Whitsundays fluctuates around 23°C (73°F)in October.

It's quite rainy in Guilin. In April, Guilin usually receives more rain than Whitsundaysin October. Guilin gets 263 mm (10.3 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Guilin 20°C (68°F) 
    Whitsundays 23°C (73°F)

Typical Weather for Whitsundays and Guilin

Guilin Whitsundays
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 10°C (49°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 26°C (79°F) 331 mm (13 in)
Feb 11°C (51°F) 87 mm (3.4 in) 26°C (78°F) 377 mm (14.8 in)
Mar 15°C (59°F) 129 mm (5.1 in) 25°C (77°F) 312 mm (12.3 in)
Apr 20°C (68°F) 263 mm (10.3 in) 23°C (73°F) 143 mm (5.6 in)
May 25°C (77°F) 334 mm (13.2 in) 20°C (68°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 320 mm (12.6 in) 17°C (63°F) 57 mm (2.2 in)
Jul 30°C (86°F) 206 mm (8.1 in) 16°C (62°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Aug 30°C (86°F) 168 mm (6.6 in) 18°C (65°F) 27 mm (1.1 in)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 72 mm (2.8 in) 20°C (68°F) 15 mm (0.6 in)
Oct 23°C (73°F) 93 mm (3.7 in) 23°C (73°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Nov 17°C (63°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 25°C (77°F) 107 mm (4.2 in)
Dec 12°C (53°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 26°C (78°F) 191 mm (7.5 in)