Which place is cheaper, Airlie Beach or Nanjing?
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 Nanjing or Airlie Beach?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Nanjing or Airlie Beach? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Nanjing or Airlie Beach?
Nanjing
Nanjing is the capital city of the Jiangsu Province on the central eastern coast of China, just north of Shanghai. This historically and culturally rich city lies at the lower end of the Yangtze river, resulting in lush and scenic landscapes. Nanjing is well-known for having many popular historical sites, some of which have been listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites.
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 China, The Best 10-Day Tours in China, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Australia, and The Best Honeymoon Tours in Australia.
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Nanjing Prices
China PricesAirlie Beach Prices
Australia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNanjing $118Airlie Beach $165
The average daily cost (per person) in Nanjing is $118, 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 Nanjing and Airlie Beach in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNanjing $47Airlie Beach $59
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNanjing $94Airlie Beach $118
Compare Hotels in Nanjing and Airlie Beach
Looking for a hotel in Nanjing 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: Airlie Beach Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nanjing $39Airlie Beach $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nanjing
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Nanjing:
- [Airport transfer] Nanjing Lukou International Airport ⇔ Nanjing city transfer ☆ High reputation for service! <Charter charter>: $27
- Nanjing Lukou Airport Chauffeur Service, Nanjing Airport Transfer, Pickup: $30
- Private Arrival Transfer to Nanjing City from Railway Station : $32
- Nanjing Railway Station Private Arrival Transfer to City Hotels: $35
- Tangshan Hot Spring Spa Resorts Private Transfer from Nanjing City : $44
- Private Departure Transfer from Nanjing City Center to Lukou Int'l Airport: $45
- Private Transfer to Nanjing Railway Station from Lukou Airport : $45
- Nanjing Lukou International Airport Private Arrival Transfer to City Center: $45
- Private Nanjing Airport Transfer from City Hotels or Tangshan Hot Spring Resorts: $45
- Nanjing Airport (NKG) to Nanjing - Arrival Private Transfer : $45
- Private Nanjing Airport Transfer to City Center or Tangshan Hot Spring Resorts: $46
- Nanjing Downtown hotels to Lukou Intl Airport (NKG) - Departure Private Transfer: $47
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Airlie Beach
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Airlie Beach:
- Transfer from Whitsunday Coast Airport: $17
- Airport Transfer to Shute Harbour / Renta Yacht / Freedom Shores: $32
- Established Return Airport Transfer Proserpine to Airlie Beach: $28
- One Way Airport Transfer: Proserpine-Airlie Beach (or vice versa): $17
- Private Transfer to/from Shute Harbour: $134
- Private Transfer to/from Whitsunday Coast Airport: $148
- Whitsundays: Airport Transfer to/from Airlie Beach: $16
Is it cheaper to fly into Nanjing or Airlie Beach?
Prices for flights to both Airlie Beach and Nanjing 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 dayNanjing $49Airlie Beach $55
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nanjing
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Nanjing.
- 3-Hour Nanjing Authentic Local Food Tour by Public Transportation: $93
- Flexible Private Nanjing City Night Tour with Dinner Option : $112
- Private Amazing Nanjing Airport Layover Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $181
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Nanjing $9.41Airlie Beach $161
Tours and Activities in Nanjing
Here are a few actual costs in Nanjing for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Qixia Mountain Ticket for Adult: $20
- Night Cruise on Outer Qinhuai River for Adults: $20
- Flexible Private Nanjing Independent Tour : $63
- Nanjing Self-Guided Day Tour with Private Car and Driver Service: $72
- Nanjing Private English Tour Guide Service: $75
- Private Amazing Nanjing City Day Tour in Your Way: $75
- Nanjing Professional English Tour Guide Service: $91
- 3-Hour Local Food Tasting Tour: $93
- Nanjing Private Day Tour With Must-Visit Attractions: $100
- Half-Day Nanjing City Private Flexible Tour : $109
- 4-Hour Nanjing City Private Tailor-Made Tour in Your Way : $109
- 6-Hour Private Tour of Xiaoling Tomb,City Wall & Memorial Hall : $115
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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNanjing $9.61Airlie Beach $9.06
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nanjing and Airlie Beach, we can see that Airlie Beach is more expensive. And not only is Nanjing much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Nanjing 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 Nanjing would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nanjing 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 Nanjing.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Nanjing Expensive? and Is Airlie Beach Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Nanjing or Airlie Beach?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Airlie Beach is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Nanjing has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Nanjing or Airlie Beach in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Nanjing and Airlie Beach. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Airlie Beach because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Nanjing is generally around the same temperature as Airlie Beachin January. Daily temperatures in Nanjing average around 28°C (83°F), and Airlie Beach fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
Airlie Beach receives a lot of rain in the summer. Nanjing gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Nanjing usually receives less rain than Airlie Beachin January. Nanjing gets 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 331 mm (13 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryNanjing 28°C (83°F)Airlie Beach 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Nanjing or Airlie Beach in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Nanjing as well as Airlie Beach. Additionally, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Airlie Beach this time of year.
Nanjing is cooler than Airlie Beach in the autumn. The daily temperature in Nanjing averages around 17°C (63°F) in October, and Airlie Beach fluctuates around 23°C (73°F)in April.
It's quite rainy in Airlie Beach. Nanjing usually gets less rain in October than Airlie Beachin April. Nanjing gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilNanjing 17°C (63°F)Airlie Beach 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Nanjing or Airlie Beach in the Winter?
Both Airlie Beach and Nanjing are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Airlie Beach for the shopping scene and the cuisine.
It's quite cold in Nanjing in the winter. In the winter, Nanjing is much colder than Airlie Beach. Typically, the winter temperatures in Nanjing in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Airlie Beach averages at about 16°C (62°F)in July.
In January, Nanjing usually receives less rain than Airlie Beachin July. Nanjing gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyNanjing 3°C (37°F)Airlie Beach 16°C (62°F)
Should I visit Nanjing or Airlie Beach in the Spring?
Both Airlie Beach and Nanjing during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Airlie Beach in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.
In April, Nanjing is generally cooler than Airlie Beachin October. Daily temperatures in Nanjing average around 15°C (60°F), and Airlie Beach fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Nanjing. Nanjing usually gets more rain in April than Airlie Beachin October. Nanjing gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberNanjing 15°C (60°F)Airlie Beach 23°C (73°F)
Typical Weather for Airlie Beach and Nanjing
| Nanjing | Airlie Beach | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (37°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 331 mm (13 in) |
| Feb | 4°C (40°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 377 mm (14.8 in) |
| Mar | 9°C (48°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 312 mm (12.3 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (60°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| May | 21°C (69°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (77°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (74°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Oct | 17°C (63°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 11°C (52°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Dec | 5°C (41°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 191 mm (7.5 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.