Which place is cheaper, Cairns or Longsheng?
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 Longsheng or Cairns?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Longsheng and Cairns. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Longsheng or Cairns?
Longsheng
A county of the city, Guilin, Longsheng is a hub of several ethnic cultures that thrive on farming and tourism. It is located about 50 or so miles north of the Guilin city center. The region is perhaps most known for the Dragon's Backbone Rice Terraces located in Heping Township. These, along with many other natural features like hot springs, waterfalls, and meadows are a few of the main attractions that draw visitors to Longsheng.
Cairns
Most travelers go to Cairns specifically to visit Great Barrier Reef. The city itself is surprisingly large and cosmopolitan with a population of approximately 140,000. The city's economy is almost exclusively based on tourism, although you will find some jobs centered around agriculture, or more specifically sugar cane, bananas, coffee, tea, wine, and some tropical fruits. The city itself is surrounded by rainforest and makes a great base for exploring Kuranda, with the Barron Gorge National Park and the Daintree offering a quieter tropical getaway than Cairns.
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.
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Longsheng Prices
China PricesCairns Prices
Australia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLongsheng $105Cairns $116
The average daily cost (per person) in Longsheng is $105, while the average daily cost in Cairns is $116. 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 Longsheng and Cairns in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLongsheng $21Cairns $43
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLongsheng $42Cairns $86
Compare Hotels in Longsheng and Cairns
Looking for a hotel in Longsheng or Cairns? 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: Cairns Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Longsheng $42Cairns $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cairns
Also for Cairns, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Port Douglas Cairns (RETURN TRIP) Private Transfer 1 to 6: $344
- Hot Air Balloon Flight with Transfers: $327
- Cairns Airport to Port Douglas Private Transfer With Return : $267
- Luxury Van, Private Transfer, Cairns Airport - Port Douglas.: $258
- Cairns to Daintree Eco Lodge ONE WAY Private Transfer 6 pax: $255
- Outer Barrier Reef Full Day with transfers from Cairns: $244
- Premium Van, Private Transfer, Cairns Airport - Port Douglas.: $234
- Cairns Airport (CNS) Arrival Transfer (Airport to Port Douglas Hotel or Address): $230
- Cairns Airport (CNS) to Port Douglas - Arrival Private Transfer: $189
- Cairns Airport (CNS): Transfer to Port Douglas hotels: $184
- Private Transfer from Cairns Cruise Port to Port Douglas hotels: $180
- Cairns to Port Douglas ONE WAY Private Transfer 6 pax: $175
Is it cheaper to fly into Longsheng or Cairns?
Prices for flights to both Cairns and Longsheng 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 dayLongsheng $61Cairns $49
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cairns
For Cairns, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Ancient Egypt Sunset Tour with optional 3 Course Dinner : $66
- Ancient Egypt Night Tour with optional 2 Course Dinner: $66
- Dinner Cruise Experience: $92
- Cairns Catamaran Harbour and Dinner Cruise: $93
- Night at the Aquarium Guided Tour & 2 Course Dinner: $96
- Aquarium Guided Twilight Tour with 3-Course Dinner: $118
- Ancient Egypt Sunset Tour with 3 Course Dinner in Cairns: $124
- Ancient Egypt Night Tour with 2 Course Dinner in Cairns: $124
- City Sights Tour with Evening Dinner Cruise: $171
- Small-Group Afternoon Cairns City Tour with Harbour Dinner Cruise: $174
- Paronella Park Rainforest Full-Day Tour with Dinner: $66,130
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Longsheng $8.51Cairns $37
Typical Entertainment Prices in Cairns
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Cairns's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Scuba Diving$36
Tours and Activities in Cairns
For Cairns, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Kuranda Rainforestation Nature Park Ticket (BNP): $47
- 1 Hour Jetski Tour Cairns: $134
- 2 Days Tour on Atherton Tablelands and Cape Tribbin: $288
- 2-Day Daintree & Outback Tour from Cairns & Port Douglas: $261
- 2-Day Paronella Park & Tablelands Tour+Cape Tribulation Tour: $324
- 2-Day Waterfall and Daintree Tour: $191
- 30 min Jetski Tour Cairns: $74
- All Inclusive Day Tour to Frankland Islands Great Barrier Reef: $168
- All Inclusive Waterfalls and Rainforest Tour from Cairns : $120
- Ancient Egypt Night Tour in the heart of Cairns: $65
- Ancient Egypt Sunset Tour in the heart of Cairns: $65
- Atherton Tablelands: Lakes, Waterfalls, Rainforest Day Tour: $112
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLongsheng $8.01Cairns $13
Sample the Local Flavors in Cairns
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Cairns:
- Cairns Party Bus Pub Crawl Night Out Experience: $44
- From Atherton Tablelands Food and Wine Tasting Tour: $169
When comparing the travel costs between Longsheng and Cairns, we can see that Cairns 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 Longsheng is in Asia and Cairns 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 Longsheng Expensive? and Is Cairns Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Longsheng or Cairns?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Cairns is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Longsheng has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Longsheng or Cairns in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Longsheng and Cairns. Furthermore, many travelers come to Cairns for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Longsheng is around the same temperature as Cairns. Typically, the summer temperatures in Longsheng in July average around 30°C (86°F), and Cairns averages at about 29°C (84°F)in January.
Cairns receives a lot of rain in the summer. Longsheng gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Longsheng usually receives less rain than Cairnsin January. Longsheng gets 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 429 mm (16.9 in) of rain each month for the summer. Also, November to March is the rainy season in Cairns.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryLongsheng 30°C (86°F)Cairns 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Longsheng or Cairns in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Longsheng as well as Cairns. Additionally, many visitors come to Cairns in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.
In October, Longsheng is generally cooler than Cairnsin April. Daily temperatures in Longsheng average around 23°C (73°F), and Cairns fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
It's quite rainy in Cairns. Longsheng usually gets less rain in October than Cairnsin April. Longsheng gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 273 mm (10.8 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, April to October in Cairns is the dry season.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilLongsheng 23°C (73°F)Cairns 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Longsheng or Cairns in the Winter?
Both Cairns and Longsheng are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Cairns for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Longsheng is much colder than Cairns in the winter. The daily temperature in Longsheng averages around 10°C (49°F) in January, and Cairns fluctuates around 23°C (73°F)in July.
In January, Longsheng usually receives more rain than Cairnsin July. Longsheng gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyLongsheng 10°C (49°F)Cairns 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Longsheng or Cairns in the Spring?
Both Cairns and Longsheng during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Cairns because of the beaches.
In the spring, Longsheng is cooler than Cairns. Typically, the spring temperatures in Longsheng in April average around 20°C (68°F), and Cairns averages at about 27°C (80°F)in October.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Longsheng. Longsheng usually gets more rain in April than Cairnsin October. Longsheng gets 263 mm (10.3 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year. April to October is the dry season in Cairns. November to March is the rainy season in Cairns.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberLongsheng 20°C (68°F)Cairns 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Cairns and Longsheng
| Longsheng | Cairns | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 10°C (49°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 429 mm (16.9 in) |
| Feb | 11°C (51°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 469 mm (18.5 in) |
| Mar | 15°C (59°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 471 mm (18.5 in) |
| Apr | 20°C (68°F) | 263 mm (10.3 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 273 mm (10.8 in) |
| May | 25°C (77°F) | 334 mm (13.2 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 320 mm (12.6 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 62 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Aug | 30°C (86°F) | 168 mm (6.6 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Nov | 17°C (63°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (53°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 211 mm (8.3 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.