Which place is cheaper, Katoomba or Qingdao?
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 Qingdao or Katoomba?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Qingdao or Katoomba, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Qingdao or Katoomba?
Qingdao
Qingdao, China, located in the Shandong Province, is a very large city right on the Yellow Sea coast. The city, whose name means "The Green Island" due to it's gorgeous landscapes and interesting geography, was named China's most livable city in 2012. The city is rich in history, having almost become a German territory in 1897 and being occupied by the Japanese during WWI. Evidence of these occupiers is present in much of the architecture around the city, which includes a few Catholic and Protestant churches.
Katoomba
Designated an UNESCO World Heritage site in 2000, the Blue Mountains are located just west of Sydney in the highlands of New South Wales, Australia.
This area can be generally expensive, but is on par with other destinations in Australia and around Sydney. Plenty of luxury places can be found here that cost more than average, but plenty of cheaper places to stay can be found here, too. Expect to pay for various activities such as tours and entrance fees, too.
The landscape is sprawling with majestic scenery over a rugged terrain of steep cliffs, forests, waterfalls, and villages. Whether you come to hike, climb, bike, or drive to the scenic viewpoints, a curtain of tranquility falls upon the mountains in a blue haze from which they get their name.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in China, The Best Luxury Tours to China, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Australia, and The Best Scuba Diving Tours in Australia.
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Qingdao Prices
China PricesKatoomba Prices
Australia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayQingdao $73Katoomba $148
The average daily cost (per person) in Qingdao is $73, while the average daily cost in Katoomba is $148. 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 Qingdao and Katoomba in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personQingdao $27Katoomba $78
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomQingdao $54Katoomba $156
Compare Hotels in Qingdao and Katoomba
Looking for a hotel in Qingdao or Katoomba? 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: Katoomba Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Qingdao $12Katoomba $50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Qingdao
Also for Qingdao, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Qingdao Cruise Port Departure Transfer from City Hotels: $36
- Qingdao Railway Station Depature Transfer from City Hotels: $36
- Qingdao Railway Station Arrival Transfer to City Hotel: $36
- Qingdao Northern Railway Station Arrival Private One-Way Transfer: $42
- Qingdao Private Transfer from Qingdao central to Qingdao Airport (TAO): $53
- Qingdao Private Transfer from Qingdao Airport (TAO) to central Qingdao: $54
- Private Qingdao Airport Arrival Transfer to City Hotels: $80
- Qingdao Liuting Airport Transfer Service by Minivan: $86
Is it cheaper to fly into Qingdao or Katoomba?
Prices for flights to both Katoomba and Qingdao 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 dayQingdao $35Katoomba $30
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Qingdao $20Katoomba $54
Tours and Activities in Qingdao
For Qingdao, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Qingdao After Dark: 4-Hour Illumination Tour with Options: $150
- Half Day Tour and Trek to Fushan Mountain: $170
- Private Qingdao highlights city tour with Lunch and Qingdao beer: $175
- Private Qingdao Laoshan half day tour with one bottle of Tsingdao beer as gift: $199
- German Era Tour of Old Town Qingdao with Lunch and Beer Museum: $200
- Alternative City Tour with Navy Museum, Beer Street and TV Tower, Lunch Included: $200
- Qingdao private half day tour with Tsingdao Beer Lunch : $202
- Qingdao Shore Excursion: Private Full Day Laoshan Mountain Sightseeing Tour: $207
- Private Qingdao Essentials Tour: City Highlights and Beer Museum: $216
- Private City Tour with Beer & a Delectable Lunch: $220
- Laoshan Mountain Full Day Private Activity Tour: $224
- Qingdao Private Day Tour to Laoshan Mountain with Lunch and Cable Car: $238
Tours and Activities in Katoomba
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Katoomba are as follows:
- Blue Mountains Day Tour with Wildlife and Scenic World: $101
- Army Truck Adventures - 3 Hour Guided Tour: $100
- Army Truck Adventures - 90 Minute Guided Tour: $66
- Beauty of the Blue Mountains Private Tour: $851
- Blue Labyrinth PRIVATE Tour: Sydney Blue Mountains by E-Bike : $251
- Blue Mountains 1-Hour Trike Tour of Three Sisters: $109
- Blue Mountains 3 Hour Army Truck Adventures: $98
- Blue Mountains 90 Minute Army Truck Adventures: $65
- Blue Mountains Day Tour With Bushwalks, Waterfalls & Featherdale: $126
- Blue Mountains Day Tour with Scenic World and Wildlife Park Entry: $118
- Blue Mountains Full Day Guided Tour : $221
- Blue Mountains Hop On Hop Off Tour: $73
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayQingdao $14Katoomba -
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Qingdao and Katoomba, we can see that Katoomba is more expensive. And not only is Qingdao much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Qingdao is in Asia and Katoomba 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 Qingdao would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Qingdao 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 Katoomba would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Katoomba than you might in Qingdao.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Qingdao Expensive? and Is Katoomba Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Qingdao or Katoomba?
Qingdao has a larger population, and is about 90 times larger than the population of Katoomba. When comparing the sizes of Qingdao and Katoomba, 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.
When is the best time to visit Qingdao or Katoomba?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Katoomba is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Qingdao has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Qingdao or Katoomba in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Qingdao as well as Katoomba. Additionally, many visitors come to Katoomba in the summer for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Qingdao is around the same temperature as Katoomba. Typically, the summer temperatures in Qingdao in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Katoomba averages at about 24°C (74°F)in January.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Katoomba. In the summer, Qingdao often gets less sunshine than Katoombain January. Qingdao gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Katoomba receives 236 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Katoomba. Qingdao receives a lot of rain in the summer. Qingdao usually gets more rain in July than Katoombain January. Qingdao gets 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 105 mm (4.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryQingdao 25°C (77°F)Katoomba 24°C (74°F)
Should I visit Qingdao or Katoomba in the Autumn?
Both Katoomba and Qingdao are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Katoomba for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In October, Qingdao is generally around the same temperature as Katoombain April. Daily temperatures in Qingdao average around 17°C (62°F), and Katoomba fluctuates around 18°C (65°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Qingdao. Qingdao usually receives more sunshine than Katoomba during autumn. Qingdao gets 220 hours of sunny skies, while Katoomba receives 195 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Qingdao usually receives less rain than Katoombain April. Qingdao gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilQingdao 17°C (62°F)Katoomba 18°C (65°F)
Should I visit Qingdao or Katoomba in the Winter?
Both Katoomba and Qingdao during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Katoomba because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Qingdao can be very cold during winter. Qingdao is much colder than Katoomba in the winter. The daily temperature in Qingdao averages around -0°C (32°F) in January, and Katoomba fluctuates around 11°C (51°F)in July.
In Katoomba, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Qingdao often gets less sunshine than Katoombain July. Qingdao gets 185 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Katoomba receives 208 hours of full sun.
Qingdao usually gets less rain in January than Katoombain July. Qingdao gets 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyQingdao -0°C (32°F)Katoomba 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Qingdao or Katoomba in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Qingdao and Katoomba. Also, the small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Katoomba this time of year.
In the spring, Qingdao is much colder than Katoomba. Typically, the spring temperatures in Qingdao in April average around 12°C (53°F), and Katoomba averages at about 18°C (64°F)in October.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Katoomba this time of the year. In Qingdao, it's very sunny this time of the year. Qingdao usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Katoomba during spring. Qingdao gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Katoomba receives 240 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Qingdao usually receives less rain than Katoombain October. Qingdao gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberQingdao 12°C (53°F)Katoomba 18°C (64°F)
Typical Weather for Katoomba and Qingdao
| Qingdao | Katoomba | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -0°C (32°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Feb | 1°C (34°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (53°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| May | 17°C (62°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 162 mm (6.4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 42 mm (1.6 in) |
| Oct | 17°C (62°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Nov | 10°C (49°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Dec | 3°C (37°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 70 mm (2.8 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.