Which place is cheaper, Airlie Beach or Kao-hsiung?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Kao-hsiung or Airlie Beach?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Kao-hsiung and Airlie Beach 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: Kao-hsiung or Airlie Beach?
Kao-hsiung
Kaohsiung is the second-most populated city and also the largest port city in the country, located in the south of Taiwan. Compared to Taipei, the lifestyle in Kaohsiung is laid-back and noticeably slower, populated with friendly locals. However, with Taipei in the spotlight, Kaohsiung is often overlooked, though it offers so much in the way of art and culture, history, and delicious food.
Airlie Beach
Airlie Beach, in Queensland, offers the closest port to the Whitsunday Islands on the Great Barrier Reef. It's a small town of only 25,000 and has grown out of the area's popularity as a tourist destination. It's main industry remains tourism and, as such, there are many venues set up to accommodate travelers hoping to make trips to the Whitsunday Islands and the Outer Great Barrier Reef. The town has the feel of a vacation destination. While in the past Airlie Beach appealed specifically to the backpacker crowd, it's popularity has spread and now there are facilities catering to all travel types. The area has become more commercialized and there are plenty of large resorts to choose from. Even so, you'll still find no shortage of affordable accommodation around town.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in Taiwan, The Best Adventure Tours to Taiwan, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Australia, and The Best Honeymoon Tours in Australia.
-
Kao-hsiung Prices
Taiwan PricesAirlie Beach Prices
Australia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKao-hsiung $134Airlie Beach $165
The average daily cost (per person) in Kao-hsiung is $134, while the average daily cost in Airlie Beach is $165. 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 Kao-hsiung and Airlie Beach in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKao-hsiung $60Airlie Beach $59
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKao-hsiung $120Airlie Beach $118
Compare Hotels in Kao-hsiung and Airlie Beach
Looking for a hotel in Kao-hsiung or Airlie Beach? 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: Kao-hsiung Hotel Prices and Airlie Beach Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kao-hsiung $12Airlie Beach $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kao-hsiung
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kao-hsiung:
- Kaohsiung Airport -> Kaohsiung Hotel Private Transfer (Large room for luggage) : $35
- Kaohsiung Airport Chauffeur service , Kaohsiung Airport Transfer : $50
- Private Transfer from Kaohsiung Airport (KHH) to Kaohsiung Port : $75
- Guanziling Resorts to Kaohsiung Airport KHH Departure Transfer: $134
- Kaohsiung Airport (KHH) to Guanziling Resorts - Arrival Transfer: $134
- Private Transfer from Kaohsiung Airport to Kenting: $138
- Private Kaohsiung Airport to Taitung Resorts Arrival Transfer: $192
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Airlie Beach
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Airlie Beach:
- Whitsundays: Airport Transfer to/from Airlie Beach: $16
- One Way Airport Transfer: Proserpine-Airlie Beach (or vice versa): $17
- Transfer from Whitsunday Coast Airport: $17
- Established Return Airport Transfer Proserpine to Airlie Beach: $28
- Airport Transfer to Shute Harbour / Renta Yacht / Freedom Shores: $32
- Private Transfer to/from Shute Harbour: $134
- Private Transfer to/from Whitsunday Coast Airport: $148
Is it cheaper to fly into Kao-hsiung or Airlie Beach?
Prices for flights to both Airlie Beach and Kao-hsiung 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 dayKao-hsiung $59Airlie Beach $55
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kao-hsiung
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kao-hsiung.
- Sunset Dinner on Monkey Mountain : $100
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Airlie Beach
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Airlie Beach.
- 3-Hour Sunset Segway Tour with Dinner: $82
- Whitsundays Segway Sunset and Boardwalk Tour with Dinner: $83
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kao-hsiung $22Airlie Beach $161
Tours and Activities in Kao-hsiung
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kao-hsiung are as follows:
- Suzuka Circuit Park Ticket in Kaohsiung: $33
- Kaohsiung Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $48
- Kenting and Pingtung One Day Tour with Departure from Kaohsiung: $52
- Classic Northern Kaohsiung Day Tour: $60
- Classic Southern Kaohsiung Day Tour: $60
- Kaohsiung City Walking Day Tour: $70
- Food and Culture Walking Tour in Tainan: $78
- Alishan Day Tour from Kaohsiung (Incl. Park Entrance): $90
- Buddha Museum- Half Day Tour : $90
- Tainan Day Tour –Qigu Salt Mountain, Chikan Tower & Anping Castle: $100
- Private Tour Shore Excursion in Kaohsiung City: $199
- 1 day tour - Kaohsiung: $200
Tours and Activities in Airlie Beach
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Airlie Beach are as follows:
- Private Airlie Beach Tuk-Tuk Tours: $20
- 2-Hour Sunset Cruise with Sparkling Wine: $45
- Roundtrip Tour to Cedar Creek.: $45
- Sundowner Sunset Cruise Airlie Beach: $46
- Whisper Cruises - One-Hour Turtle Spotting Bay Cruise: $46
- Airlie Beach Sunset Cruise : $46
- Airlie Beach Trike Tours: $50
- Whitsundays Sunset Sailing Cruise: $57
- Glass-Bottom Boat Tour: $59
- Airlie Beach Glass Bottom Boat Tour: $59
- #1 Sightseeing Explorer 3hr tour.: $62
- Half Day Turtle Tour Sea Kayaking Adventure: $65
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayKao-hsiung $11Airlie Beach $9.06
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kao-hsiung and Airlie Beach, we can see that Airlie Beach is more expensive. And not only is Kao-hsiung much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kao-hsiung is in Asia and Airlie Beach 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 Kao-hsiung would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kao-hsiung 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 Airlie Beach would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Airlie Beach than you might in Kao-hsiung.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kao-hsiung Expensive? and Is Airlie Beach Expensive?.
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.