A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Hongcun vs. Newcastle for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Hongcun or Newcastle?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Hongcun and Newcastle can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Hongcun or Newcastle?

Hongcun

When you picture ancient China, you likely picture old cobblestone streets, white homes with pointed black roofs and a slight air of mysticism in the surroundings. This is Hongcun.

The backdrop for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is not usually on the top of many traveler's lists. This isn't a bustling tourist town with guides offering to show you the sights or carts peddling the latest tacky souvenir. It's a quiet village where you'll see the real Chinese culture. The homes along the complex water canals air their fish in their windows to preserve it for their family dinners. There is no bowing to tourism here.

Newcastle

Newcastle is 150 kilometers north of Sydney in New South Wales. It is also the second largest city in the state, and serves as a central point to explore the area's beaches, wineries, and beautiful natural landscape. North of the city is Stockton beach, which has many miles of isolated, beautiful beaches, stretching all the way up to Nelson Bay. The wineries are inland to the west and have some of Australia's finest wine which you can taste. If you want to see rainforests, you can head northwest to Barrington Tops National Park, which has great rainforests and freshwater streams. You may even get to see a platypus. The city also has the country's oldest sea port. In the past the city's economy was centered around the steel industry, but today the University of Newcastle is one of the area's most important employers.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, The Best Adventure Tours to China, The Best 4-Week (1-Month) Tours in Australia, and The Best Budget Tours to Australia.


Which place is cheaper, Newcastle or Hongcun?

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 Hongcun is $67, while the average daily cost in Newcastle is $117. 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 Hongcun and Newcastle in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Hongcun $23
    Newcastle $45
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Hongcun $46
    Newcastle $90
Compare Hotels in Hongcun and Newcastle

Looking for a hotel in Hongcun or Newcastle? 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 Hongcun


Hotels in Newcastle


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: Newcastle Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Hongcun $12
    Newcastle $8.41

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Newcastle

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Newcastle:

  • Newcastle to Newcastle Airport (NTL) - Departure Private Transfer: $74
  • Newcastle Airport (NTL) to Newcastle - Arrival Private Transfer: $74
  • Private Transfer from Newcastle City Hotels to Newcastle Port: $80
  • Private Transfer from Newcastle Port to Newcastle Airport (NTL): $82
  • Newcastle Airport to Newcastle - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $148

Is it cheaper to fly into Hongcun or Newcastle?

Prices for flights to both Newcastle and Hongcun 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
    Hongcun $33
    Newcastle $61
Typical Food Prices in Hongcun

Some typical examples of dining costs in Hongcun are as follows:


  • Lunch for Two
    $4.91
  • Breakfast of Dumplings
    $2.10

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Newcastle

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

  • Harbour Dinner Cruise with Live Music: $69
  • Earp Distilling Co: Date Night with Blending Class & Dinner: $73
  • Cooking Classes at the Yellow Door Kitchen: $96

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Hongcun $17
    Newcastle $15
Typical Entertainment Prices in Hongcun

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Hongcun are as follows:


  • Two Entrance Tickets
    $29

Tours and Activities in Newcastle

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Newcastle are as follows:

  • Wine & Cheese Tasting Experience in Hunter Valley: $14
  • Mead and Honey Tasting Experience: $19
  • True Crime Guided Walking Tour: $22
  • Newcastle Dark Stories True Crime Tour: $23
  • Wine, Cheese & Chocolate Tasting Experience in Hunter Valley: $23
  • Port Stephens: Dolphin Discovery Cruise: $28
  • Audrey Wilkinson Vineyard - Sweet Indulgence Experience: $40
  • Shared Newcastle Harbor Cruise: $43
  • Tree Ropes Course Adventure: $45
  • Lake Macquarie Cruise with Lunch: $46
  • Newcastle Harbour Luncheon Cruise: $47
  • Port Stephens: Whale Watching Cruise: $53

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Hongcun $14
    Newcastle $10

Sample the Local Flavors in Newcastle

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

  • Cael’s Gate Wine Tasting in Hunter Valley: $6.66
  • Ivanhoe Wines: Trip Advisor Seated Wine Tasting : $10
  • Boutique Wine Tasting Experience in Pokolbin: $11
  • Newcastle Bar Crawl Experience: $15
  • Tulloch Wines - Wine Tasting paired with Local Handmade Chocolates: $23
  • Cheese and Wine Tasting Experience in Pokolbin: $26
  • Wonnarua Sparkling Wine Tasting: $30
  • Ivanhoe Wines: Trip Advisor Premium Wine Tasting: $30
  • Tintilla Estate: Wine Tasting with a Meat and Cheese Platter: $33
  • Tulloch Wines- Mystery Wine Tasting Experience with Local Cheese and Charcuterie: $35
  • Tulloch Wines Hunter Heroes Wine Tasting with Local Cheese & Charcuterie Board: $35
  • Premium Wine Tasting Experience in Pokolbin: $50


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

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



When is the best time to visit Hongcun or Newcastle?

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

Should I visit Hongcun or Newcastle in the Summer?

Both Newcastle and Hongcun are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Newcastle in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Hongcun is a little warmer than Newcastle in the summer. The daily temperature in Hongcun averages around 29°C (85°F) in July, and Newcastle fluctuates around 22°C (72°F)in January.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Newcastle. It's quite rainy in Hongcun. In July, Hongcun usually receives more rain than Newcastlein January. Hongcun gets 185 mm (7.3 in) of rain, while Newcastle receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Hongcun 29°C (85°F) 
    Newcastle 22°C (72°F)

Should I visit Hongcun or Newcastle in the Autumn?

Both Newcastle and Hongcun during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Newcastle for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Hongcun is around the same temperature as Newcastle. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hongcun in October average around 19°C (65°F), and Newcastle averages at about 19°C (67°F)in April.

Newcastle gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Hongcun usually gets less rain in October than Newcastlein April. Hongcun gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Newcastle receives 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Hongcun 19°C (65°F) 
    Newcastle 19°C (67°F)

Should I visit Hongcun or Newcastle in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Hongcun and Newcastle. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Newcastle because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Hongcun can be very cold during winter. In January, Hongcun is generally much colder than Newcastlein July. Daily temperatures in Hongcun average around 4°C (40°F), and Newcastle fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In January, Hongcun usually receives less rain than Newcastlein July. Hongcun gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Newcastle receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Hongcun 4°C (40°F) 
    Newcastle 13°C (55°F)

Should I visit Hongcun or Newcastle in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Hongcun as well as Newcastle. Additionally, the beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Newcastle this time of year.

Hongcun is around the same temperature as Newcastle in the spring. The daily temperature in Hongcun averages around 17°C (62°F) in April, and Newcastle fluctuates around 18°C (64°F)in October.

Hongcun receives a lot of rain in the spring. Hongcun usually gets more rain in April than Newcastlein October. Hongcun gets 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Newcastle receives 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Hongcun 17°C (62°F) 
    Newcastle 18°C (64°F)

Typical Weather for Newcastle and Hongcun

Hongcun Newcastle
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 4°C (40°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) 22°C (72°F) 111 mm (4.4 in)
Feb 6°C (42°F) 68 mm (2.7 in) 22°C (72°F) 111 mm (4.4 in)
Mar 10°C (51°F) 117 mm (4.6 in) 21°C (71°F) 124 mm (4.9 in)
Apr 17°C (62°F) 170 mm (6.7 in) 19°C (67°F) 112 mm (4.4 in)
May 22°C (71°F) 189 mm (7.4 in) 16°C (61°F) 102 mm (4 in)
Jun 26°C (78°F) 235 mm (9.2 in) 14°C (57°F) 140 mm (5.5 in)
Jul 29°C (85°F) 185 mm (7.3 in) 13°C (55°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Aug 29°C (84°F) 121 mm (4.7 in) 14°C (57°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Sep 24°C (75°F) 95 mm (3.7 in) 16°C (60°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Oct 19°C (65°F) 74 mm (2.9 in) 18°C (64°F) 85 mm (3.3 in)
Nov 13°C (55°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 20°C (67°F) 82 mm (3.2 in)
Dec 7°C (44°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 21°C (70°F) 82 mm (3.2 in)


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