A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Qingdao vs. Noosa Heads for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Qingdao or Noosa Heads?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Qingdao or Noosa Heads, 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 Noosa Heads?

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.

Noosa Heads

A town and suburb located on Queensland, Australia's Sunshine Coast, Noosa is best known as a destination of pleasant weather, beautiful beachside scenery, shopping, dining, and outdoor adventure. Some of the top attractions of the area include Noosa National Park and Sunshine Beach.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in China, The Best Luxury Tours to China, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Australia, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Australia.


Which place is cheaper, Noosa Heads or Qingdao?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Qingdao is $73, while the average daily cost in Noosa Heads is $135. 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 Noosa Heads in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Qingdao $27
    Noosa Heads $58
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Qingdao $54
    Noosa Heads $116
Compare Hotels in Qingdao and Noosa Heads

Looking for a hotel in Qingdao or Noosa Heads? 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 Qingdao


Hotels in Noosa Heads


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: Noosa Heads Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Qingdao $12
    Noosa Heads $17

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Qingdao

Also for Qingdao, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Qingdao Liuting Airport Transfer Service by Minivan: $86
  • Private Qingdao Airport Arrival Transfer to City Hotels: $80
  • Qingdao Private Transfer from Qingdao Airport (TAO) to central Qingdao: $54
  • Qingdao Private Transfer from Qingdao central to Qingdao Airport (TAO): $53
  • Qingdao Northern Railway Station Arrival Private One-Way Transfer: $42
  • 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

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Noosa Heads

Also for Noosa Heads, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfers from Sunshine Coast Airport to Noosa (2pax): $97
  • Private Transfer from Sunshine Coast Airport to Hotels 13 pax: $262
  • Private Transfer from Sunshine Coast Airport to Hotels 11 pax: $238
  • Private Morning Transfer From Noosa to Rainbow Beach: $91
  • Eumundi Markets Bus Transfer: Mooloolaba Sunshine Coast & Noosa : $32
  • Australia Zoo Transfer from Noosa and Sunshine Coast: $91

Is it cheaper to fly into Qingdao or Noosa Heads?

Prices for flights to both Noosa Heads 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Qingdao $35
    Noosa Heads $58

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Noosa Heads

For Noosa Heads, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Cooking Classes on Witta Maleny Sunshine Coast: $121

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Qingdao $20
    Noosa Heads $40

Tours and Activities in Qingdao

For Qingdao, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Private Qingdao Essentials Tour: City Highlights and Beer Museum: $216
  • Alternative City Tour with Navy Museum, Beer Street and TV Tower, Lunch Included: $200
  • German Era Tour of Old Town Qingdao with Lunch and Beer Museum: $200
  • Half Day Tour and Trek to Fushan Mountain: $170
  • Laoshan Mountain Full Day Private Activity Tour: $224
  • Private Qingdao Historic architectural day tour with Tsingdao beer during Lunch: $245
  • Private Qingdao Laoshan day tour with lunch& round way cable car: $240
  • Private Qingdao Laoshan half day tour with one bottle of Tsingdao beer as gift: $199
  • Private Qingdao highlights city tour with Lunch and Qingdao beer: $175
  • Qingdao After Dark: 4-Hour Illumination Tour with Options: $150
  • Qingdao Discover Tour to the Mount Laoshan and Tasting Famous Local Beer: $248
  • Qingdao Private Day Tour to Laoshan Mountain with Lunch and Cable Car: $238

Typical Entertainment Prices in Noosa Heads

For Noosa Heads, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Surf Lesson
    $43
  • Sea Kayak Tour (for 2)
    $85
  • Sunset Cruise (for 2)
    $13

Tours and Activities in Noosa Heads

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Noosa Heads.

  • AAA NOOSA Whale watching experience in Noosa Whalesongsnoosa: $64
  • Noosa Queen Sunset Cruise River: $22
  • 1 Hour Tour Mooloolaba Sunset Cruise: $24
  • AAA Noosa National Park tour and Dolphin Safari Whalesongsnoosa: $60
  • Aquaduck Sunshine Coast - 1hr Mooloolaba Amphibious Tour: $34
  • Booloumba Falls & Booloumba Creek Adventure, Conondale Nat. Park: $235
  • Buderim Forest Flight Owl Encounter and Tour: $77
  • Epic Kayak With Dolphins & Wildlife - 4WD Beach Adventure Noosa: $108
  • Eumundi Markets and Noosa Everglades Tour with Eco Safari: $214
  • Everglades Explorer - Noosa Everglades Tour: $111
  • Fliteboard eFoil Group Experience in Noosa: $151
  • From Noosa: Stand Up Paddle Wildlife & Beach 4X4 Adventure: $108

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Qingdao $14
    Noosa Heads $10

Sample the Local Flavors in Noosa Heads

Also in Noosa Heads, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Sunshine Coast Bar Crawl Sippin on Sunshine: $15
  • Sunshine Coast Brewery Tour with Lunch: $164
  • Hinterland Cheese & Wine Tasting Tour - with 2 course lunch included: $188


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Qingdao and Noosa Heads, we can see that Noosa Heads 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 Noosa Heads 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 Noosa Heads would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Noosa Heads 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 Noosa Heads Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Qingdao or Noosa Heads?

Qingdao has a larger population, and is about 160 times larger than the population of Noosa Heads. When comparing the sizes of Qingdao and Noosa Heads, 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 Noosa Heads?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Noosa Heads 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 Noosa Heads in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Qingdao and Noosa Heads. Furthermore, many travelers come to Noosa Heads for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Qingdao is generally a little warmer than Noosa Headsin January. Daily temperatures in Qingdao average around 25°C (77°F), and Noosa Heads fluctuates around 20°C (67°F).

Noosa Heads receives a lot of rain in the summer. Qingdao gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Qingdao usually receives more rain than Noosa Headsin January. Qingdao gets 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Noosa Heads receives 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Qingdao 25°C (77°F) 
    Noosa Heads 20°C (67°F)

Should I visit Qingdao or Noosa Heads in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Qingdao as well as Noosa Heads. Additionally, many visitors come to Noosa Heads in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

Qingdao is a little warmer than Noosa Heads in the autumn. The daily temperature in Qingdao averages around 17°C (62°F) in October, and Noosa Heads fluctuates around 14°C (58°F)in April.

Qingdao usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Noosa Headsin April. Qingdao gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Noosa Heads receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Qingdao 17°C (62°F) 
    Noosa Heads 14°C (58°F)

Should I visit Qingdao or Noosa Heads in the Winter?

Both Noosa Heads and Qingdao are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Noosa Heads for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Qingdao can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Qingdao is much colder than Noosa Heads. Typically, the winter temperatures in Qingdao in January average around -0°C (32°F), and Noosa Heads averages at about 7°C (44°F)in July.

In January, Qingdao usually receives less rain than Noosa Headsin July. Qingdao gets 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Noosa Heads receives 57 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Qingdao -0°C (32°F) 
    Noosa Heads 7°C (44°F)

Should I visit Qingdao or Noosa Heads in the Spring?

Both Noosa Heads and Qingdao during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Noosa Heads because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

In April, Qingdao is generally cooler than Noosa Headsin October. Daily temperatures in Qingdao average around 12°C (53°F), and Noosa Heads fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

Qingdao usually gets less rain in April than Noosa Headsin October. Qingdao gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Noosa Heads receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Qingdao 12°C (53°F) 
    Noosa Heads 14°C (57°F)

Typical Weather for Noosa Heads and Qingdao

Qingdao Noosa Heads
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -0°C (32°F) 11 mm (0.4 in) 20°C (67°F) 109 mm (4.3 in)
Feb 1°C (34°F) 12 mm (0.5 in) 19°C (67°F) 88 mm (3.5 in)
Mar 6°C (43°F) 21 mm (0.8 in) 18°C (64°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
Apr 12°C (53°F) 37 mm (1.5 in) 14°C (58°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
May 17°C (62°F) 51 mm (2 in) 11°C (52°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Jun 21°C (70°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 8°C (46°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)
Jul 25°C (77°F) 211 mm (8.3 in) 7°C (44°F) 57 mm (2.3 in)
Aug 26°C (79°F) 162 mm (6.4 in) 8°C (46°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Sep 22°C (72°F) 99 mm (3.9 in) 11°C (51°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Oct 17°C (62°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 14°C (57°F) 76 mm (3 in)
Nov 10°C (49°F) 28 mm (1.1 in) 16°C (61°F) 92 mm (3.6 in)
Dec 3°C (37°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 19°C (66°F) 117 mm (4.6 in)