A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kao-hsiung vs. Surfers Paradise for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Kao-hsiung or Surfers Paradise?

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 Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise?

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.

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 Historical Tours in Taiwan, The Best Adventure Tours to Taiwan, The Best Luxury Tours to Australia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Australia.


Which place is cheaper, Surfers Paradise 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.

  • Kao-hsiung Prices
    Taiwan Prices
    Surfers Paradise Prices
    Australia Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Kao-hsiung $134
    Surfers Paradise $124

The average daily cost (per person) in Kao-hsiung is $134, 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 Kao-hsiung and Surfers Paradise in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kao-hsiung $60
    Surfers Paradise $67
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kao-hsiung $120
    Surfers Paradise $134
Compare Hotels in Kao-hsiung and Surfers Paradise

Looking for a hotel in Kao-hsiung 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.

Hotels in Kao-hsiung


Hotels in Surfers Paradise


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kao-hsiung $12
    Surfers Paradise $11

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kao-hsiung

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kao-hsiung:

  • Private Transfer from Kaohsiung Airport to Kenting: $138
  • Private Transfer from Kaohsiung Airport (KHH) to Kaohsiung Port : $75
  • Private Kaohsiung Airport to Taitung Resorts Arrival Transfer: $192
  • Kaohsiung Airport Chauffeur service , Kaohsiung Airport Transfer : $50
  • Kaohsiung Airport -> Kaohsiung Hotel Private Transfer (Large room for luggage) : $35
  • Kaohsiung Airport (KHH) to Guanziling Resorts - Arrival Transfer: $134
  • Guanziling Resorts to Kaohsiung Airport KHH Departure Transfer: $134

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 Kao-hsiung or Surfers Paradise?

Prices for flights to both Surfers Paradise 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 day
    Kao-hsiung $59
    Surfers Paradise $45

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 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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kao-hsiung $22
    Surfers Paradise $24

Tours and Activities in Kao-hsiung

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kao-hsiung are as follows:

  • 1 day tour - Kaohsiung: $200
  • Alishan Day Tour from Kaohsiung (Incl. Park Entrance): $90
  • Buddha Museum- Half Day Tour : $90
  • Classic Northern Kaohsiung Day Tour: $60
  • Classic Southern Kaohsiung Day Tour: $60
  • Food and Culture Walking Tour in Tainan: $78
  • Kaohsiung Area Classic Tour: $255
  • Kaohsiung City Walking Day Tour: $70
  • Kaohsiung Departure - Tainan City Day Tour: $220
  • Kaohsiung Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $48
  • Kaohsiung Private Tour with Transportation : $249
  • Kaohsiung Suburbs Full-Day Tour: $220

Typical Entertainment Prices in Surfers Paradise

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Surfers Paradise's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • 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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kao-hsiung $11
    Surfers Paradise $11


When comparing the travel costs between Kao-hsiung and Surfers Paradise, we can see that Kao-hsiung is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Kao-hsiung is in Asia and Surfers Paradise is in Pacific, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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 Surfers Paradise Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Kao-hsiung or Surfers Paradise?

Kao-hsiung has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of Surfers Paradise. When comparing the sizes of Kao-hsiung 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.