Which place is cheaper, Whitsundays or Xiamen?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Xiamen or Whitsundays?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Xiamen and Whitsundays 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: Xiamen or Whitsundays?
Xiamen
Xiamen is a coastal city in the Fujian Province of China and has been a major port city and gateway to China for centuries. This vibrant and modern city was named the most livable city in the world in 2002 and one of the first cities to be named a Special Economic Zone. Xiamen is best known for being home to Gulangyu Island, a beautiful island full of historic colonial buildings and lovely walking paths.
Whitsundays
Just off the coast of Queensland, Australia is a cluster of 74 different islands. These islands, the Whitsunday Islands, welcome over a half a million visitors every year to see one of the Seven Wonders of the World - the Great Barrier Reef.
As one of the most famous destinations in the world, it's not uncommon to see expensive yachts sailing around among the private ferries. Most of the islands are designated as national parks with access to snorkeling and diving in the coral reefs, or just to lay in the sand on the famous Whitehaven Beach.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, The Best Historical Tours in China, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Melbourne, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Australia.
-
Xiamen Prices
China PricesWhitsundays Prices
Australia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayXiamen $84Whitsundays $155
The average daily cost (per person) in Xiamen is $84, while the average daily cost in Whitsundays is $155. 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 Xiamen and Whitsundays in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personXiamen $31Whitsundays $69
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomXiamen $62Whitsundays $138
Compare Hotels in Xiamen and Whitsundays
Looking for a hotel in Xiamen or Whitsundays? 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.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Xiamen $6.08Whitsundays $55
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Xiamen
Also for Xiamen, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer Service between Xiamen City and Yongding Hakka Tulou : $115
- Private Transfer to Gaobei Tulou and Yunshuiyao Village from Xiamen City: $98
- Private Transfer to Tianluokeng Tulou and Hekeng Hakka Tulou from Xiamen City : $98
- Private Transfer to Hongkeng Tulou and Yunshuiyao Village from Xiamen City: $98
- Private Transfer to Gaobei Tulou and Hongkeng Tulou from Xiamen City: $98
- Private Transfer to Tianluokeng and HekengHakka Tulou fromXiamen: $90
- Private Transfer Service between Xiamen and Anxi : $89
- Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster : $89
- Private Transfer Between Xiamen City and HongKeng Hakka Tulou Cluster: $89
- Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Hui'an county in Quanzhou: $89
- Private Xiamen Gaoqi Airport Departure Transfer from City Areas: $33
- Private Xiamen Gaoqi Airport Arrival Transfer to City Area: $30
Is it cheaper to fly into Xiamen or Whitsundays?
Prices for flights to both Whitsundays and Xiamen 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 dayXiamen $46Whitsundays $52
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Whitsundays
For Whitsundays, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Hamilton Island: Whitsundays Sunset Dinner Cruise: $99
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Xiamen $16Whitsundays $25
Tours and Activities in Xiamen
For Xiamen, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Fujian Tulou Private Day Tour to World Heritage Site Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster: $178
- 4-Hour Xiamen Private Local Food Market Experience: $103
- 4-Hour Xiamen Private Shore Excursion Tour in Your Way: $121
- 4-hour Xiamen Private Flexible Tour in Your Way: $115
- A Night Tour to Xiamen Gulang Island: $100
- Flexible Private Xiamen Layover Tour from Cruise Port or Airport : $155
- Flexible Private Xiamen Layover Tour with Meal: $176
- Flexible Xiamen Private Half Day Tour with Meal Option: $164
- From 3-Day Tulou and Gulangyu Island Tour: $589
- Fujian Hakka Tulou Private Day Tour of Tianluokeng and Daping Lou: $194
- Hakka Tulou Private Day Tour of Yunshuiyao Ancient Village and Hekeng Tulou : $203
- Half-Day Private Tour to Xiamen Gulangyu Island Highlights: $192
Tours and Activities in Whitsundays
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Whitsundays.
- Airlie Beach: Whitsundays Full-Day Camira Sailing Adventure: $164
- MILADY Whitsundays 2-Night Private Yacht Sailing Cruise: $4,953
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayXiamen $17Whitsundays $12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Xiamen and Whitsundays, we can see that Whitsundays is more expensive. And not only is Xiamen much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Xiamen is in Asia and Whitsundays 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 Xiamen would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Xiamen 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 Whitsundays would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Whitsundays than you might in Xiamen.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Xiamen Expensive? and Is Whitsundays Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Xiamen or Whitsundays?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Whitsundays is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Xiamen has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Xiamen or Whitsundays in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Xiamen and Whitsundays.
In the summer, Xiamen is a little warmer than Whitsundays. Typically, the summer temperatures in Xiamen in July average around 30°C (86°F), and Whitsundays averages at about 26°C (79°F)in January.
Whitsundays receives a lot of rain in the summer. Xiamen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Xiamen usually receives less rain than Whitsundaysin January. Xiamen gets 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 331 mm (13 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryXiamen 30°C (86°F)Whitsundays 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Xiamen or Whitsundays in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Xiamen as well as Whitsundays.
In October, Xiamen is generally around the same temperature as Whitsundaysin April. Daily temperatures in Xiamen average around 25°C (77°F), and Whitsundays fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
It's quite rainy in Whitsundays. Xiamen usually gets less rain in October than Whitsundaysin April. Xiamen gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilXiamen 25°C (77°F)Whitsundays 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Xiamen or Whitsundays in the Winter?
Both Whitsundays and Xiamen are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.
Xiamen is cooler than Whitsundays in the winter. The daily temperature in Xiamen averages around 14°C (58°F) in January, and Whitsundays fluctuates around 16°C (62°F)in July.
In January, Xiamen usually receives less rain than Whitsundaysin July. Xiamen gets 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyXiamen 14°C (58°F)Whitsundays 16°C (62°F)
Should I visit Xiamen or Whitsundays in the Spring?
Both Whitsundays and Xiamen during the spring are popular places to visit.
In the spring, Xiamen is cooler than Whitsundays. Typically, the spring temperatures in Xiamen in April average around 20°C (69°F), and Whitsundays averages at about 23°C (73°F)in October.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Xiamen. Xiamen usually gets more rain in April than Whitsundaysin October. Xiamen gets 147 mm (5.8 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberXiamen 20°C (69°F)Whitsundays 23°C (73°F)
Typical Weather for Whitsundays and Xiamen
| Xiamen | Whitsundays | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 14°C (58°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 331 mm (13 in) |
| Feb | 14°C (57°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 377 mm (14.8 in) |
| Mar | 16°C (61°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 312 mm (12.3 in) |
| Apr | 20°C (69°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| May | 24°C (76°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.7 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Aug | 30°C (85°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (77°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (69°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Dec | 16°C (61°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.