Which place is cheaper, Gold Coast or Zhangjiajie?
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 Zhangjiajie or Gold Coast?
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 Zhangjiajie and Gold Coast. 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: Zhangjiajie or Gold Coast?
Zhangjiajie
Zhangjiajie, China is a picturesque city located in the northwest of the Hunan Province. This ancient city, which dates all the way back to the Stone Age, is famous for being home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Wulingyuan Scenic Area. Zhangjiajie is also known for being a popular filming location and and overall great place to escape the bustling Chinese cities. Zhangjiajie has its own dialect, which is a branch of the Hunan and Southern dialects, so Mandarin does not always translate when trying to speak to locals here.
Gold Coast
The Gold Coast is one of Australia's premier destinations. Famous for gorgeous beaches, warm weather, watersports, and plenty of activities for all ages, millions of tourists from Australia as well as everywhere in the world flock to this region every year. With beaches, national parks, theme parks, shopping and dining, nice resorts, boating, fishing, diving, theme parks and more, the Gold Coast offers something for everyone.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in China, The Best 10-Day Tours in China, The Best Honeymoon Tours in Australia, and The Best Photography Tours in Australia.
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Zhangjiajie Prices
China PricesGold Coast Prices
Australia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZhangjiajie $79Gold Coast $119
The average daily cost (per person) in Zhangjiajie is $79, while the average daily cost in Gold Coast is $119. 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 Zhangjiajie and Gold Coast in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZhangjiajie $30Gold Coast $55
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZhangjiajie $60Gold Coast $110
Compare Hotels in Zhangjiajie and Gold Coast
Looking for a hotel in Zhangjiajie or Gold Coast? 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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zhangjiajie $15Gold Coast $23
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zhangjiajie
Also for Zhangjiajie, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 4-Day Private Tour with Airport Transfers: $710
- Private Transfer: Yichang hotel from/to Zhangjiajie Hotel: $322
- Private Transfer from Zhangjiajie to Guilin or Yangshuo: $256
- Private transfer from Zhangjiajie(Wulingyuan) to Changsha area: $213
- 1 Day Fenghuang and Furong Town Day Tour with Hotel Transfers: $192
- Private Transfer from Zhangjiajie to Fenghuang and stops at Furong old town: $187
- Private Transfer: Zhangjiajie from/to Fenghuang: $168
- Private Car Transfer From WLY to Glass Bridge (Round Trip ): $105
- Fox Fairy Show VIP Ticket with Private Transfer in ZJJ City: $52
- Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport private transfer service: $20
- Zhangjiajie airport/city pick up transfer to hotel or Vice Versa: $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Gold Coast
Also for Gold Coast, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Gold Coast Airport Arrival Transfer to Byron Bay: $140
- Arrival Transfer: Airport OOL to Gold Coast by Luxury Van: $139
- Gold Coast Airport Transfer: Gold Coast to Airport OOL in Luxury Car: $139
- Departure Private Transfer: Gold Coast to Airport OOL in Luxury Van: $133
- From Gold Coast : Australia Zoo Transfer and Entry Ticket: $131
- Arrival Transfer: Airport OOL to Gold Coast by Business Car: $113
- Gold Coast Airport Transfer: Airport OOL to Gold Coast in Business Car: $108
- Gold Coast Airport Transfer: Gold Coast to Airport OOL in Business Car: $108
- Departure Private Transfer: Gold Coast to Airport OOL in Business Car: $108
- Gold Coast to Byron Bay scenic One Way Transfer: $81
- Chill Out at Byron Bay Bus Transfer: $72
- Mt Tamborine Shuttle Service - Gold Coast Return Transfer: $66
Is it cheaper to fly into Zhangjiajie or Gold Coast?
Prices for flights to both Gold Coast and Zhangjiajie 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 dayZhangjiajie $36Gold Coast $47
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zhangjiajie
For Zhangjiajie, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- 1 Day Zhangjiajie Private Tour Visit Avatar Mount and Tianzi Mount with Dinner: $196
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Gold Coast
For Gold Coast, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Australian Outback Spectacular Dinner & Show: $79
- Brisbane/Sunset, Dinner, Stars/Premium Telescope: $79
- Gold Coast Buffet Dinner Sightseeing Cruise: $87
- Gold Coast Private Sunset Sailing Charter w/ dinner & drinks: $309
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zhangjiajie $23Gold Coast $19
Tours and Activities in Zhangjiajie
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Zhangjiajie.
- 2-Day Private Combo Tour: Avatar Mountain & Tianmen Mountain: $251
- 2-Days Private tour to Avatar mount & Have's Gate & Glass bridge: $250
- (Private Day Tour) Zhangjiajie National Park + Tianzi Mountain: $195
- 1 Day Dragon Sitting Gorge & Red Stone Forest Geo-park TOUR！: $272
- 1 Day Private Expedition Tour to Binlang Valley: $142
- 1 Day VIP Tour: Avatar Mountain&72 Odd Towers (Free Ticket): $203
- 1 day tour Avatar Mountain and Grand Canyon & Glass Bridge: $239
- 1-Day Private Tour to Glass Bridge & Yellow Dragon Cave: $102
- 1-Day Private Tour to Tianmen Mountain & Glass Walk & Night Light: $146
- 1-Day Private Tour to ZJJ National Forest Park & Avatar Mountain: $98
- 1-Day Private Tour to Zhangjiajie Forest Park & AVATAR Mountain: $98
- 1-Day Private Tour to Zhangjiajie Forest Park & Avatar Mountain: $195
Tours and Activities in Gold Coast
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Gold Coast.
- 1 Hour Amore Tour: $235
- 1.5 hr Jet Ski Safari tour to South Stradbroke Island!: $201
- 2 Hour Ultimate Learn to Surf Adventure: $44
- 2 Hours Dolphin Kayaking & Snorkeling Tour on the Broadwater: $58
- 2-Day Dreamworld and SkyPoint Admission Ticket: $87
- 2.5 hr Jet Ski Safaris tour - Ultimate Adventure + island stop: $268
- 30 Minutes Virtual Reality Gaming Experience in Southport: $40
- Aquaduck Gold Coast 1 hour City and River Tour: $39
- Barefoot Luxury Mount Tamborine Winery Tour from Gold Coast: $220
- Best of Private Walking Tour with a Local: $108
- Book Private Tour for Banff-Yoho-Kootenay & Jasper Parks: $682
- Brisbane: Springbrook 7 Waterfalls and Natural Bridge Tour: $125
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZhangjiajie $16Gold Coast $5.23
Sample the Local Flavors in Gold Coast
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Gold Coast:
- Granddad Jack's Distillery Gin Tasting & Talk: $43
- Queensland Distillery Tour: $76
- Craft Distillery and Brewery Tour on Gold Coast: $77
- Sirromet Wine Tasting and Blending Workshop for 2: $84
- Wine, Distillery & Rainforest Day Tour: $151
- Private Bespoke Hinterland Heritage Wine Tour: $161
- Tamborine Mountain Wine Tour with 2-Course Lunch: $165
- Full-Day Guided Wine Tour in Mt Tamborine From Gold Coast : $167
- Luxury Wine Tour with Gourmet Lunch & Distillery: $197
- Gold Coast and Craft Brewery VIP Tour from Brisbane: $956
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zhangjiajie and Gold Coast, we can see that Gold Coast is more expensive. And not only is Zhangjiajie much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Zhangjiajie is in Asia and Gold Coast 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 Zhangjiajie would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Zhangjiajie 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 Gold Coast would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Gold Coast than you might in Zhangjiajie.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Zhangjiajie Expensive? and Is Gold Coast Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zhangjiajie or Gold Coast?
Gold Coast has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Zhangjiajie. When comparing the sizes of Zhangjiajie and Gold Coast, 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 Zhangjiajie or Gold Coast?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Gold Coast is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Zhangjiajie has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Zhangjiajie or Gold Coast in the Summer?
Both Gold Coast and Zhangjiajie are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Gold Coast for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Zhangjiajie is a little warmer than Gold Coast. Typically, the summer temperatures in Zhangjiajie in July average around 29°C (85°F), and Gold Coast averages at about 25°C (77°F)in January.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Gold Coast. It's quite rainy in Zhangjiajie. In July, Zhangjiajie usually receives less rain than Gold Coastin January. Zhangjiajie gets 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Gold Coast receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryZhangjiajie 29°C (85°F)Gold Coast 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Zhangjiajie or Gold Coast in the Autumn?
Both Gold Coast and Zhangjiajie during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Gold Coast in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene.
In October, Zhangjiajie is generally cooler than Gold Coastin April. Daily temperatures in Zhangjiajie average around 19°C (65°F), and Gold Coast fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).
Gold Coast gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Zhangjiajie usually gets less rain in October than Gold Coastin April. Zhangjiajie gets 90 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Gold Coast receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilZhangjiajie 19°C (65°F)Gold Coast 22°C (71°F)
Should I visit Zhangjiajie or Gold Coast in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Zhangjiajie and Gold Coast. Furthermore, most visitors come to Gold Coast for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Zhangjiajie is much colder than Gold Coast in the winter. The daily temperature in Zhangjiajie averages around 5°C (42°F) in January, and Gold Coast fluctuates around 15°C (59°F)in July.
In January, Zhangjiajie usually receives less rain than Gold Coastin July. Zhangjiajie gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Gold Coast receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyZhangjiajie 5°C (42°F)Gold Coast 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Zhangjiajie or Gold Coast in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Zhangjiajie as well as Gold Coast. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Gold Coast because of the beaches and the activities around the city.
In the spring, Zhangjiajie is cooler than Gold Coast. Typically, the spring temperatures in Zhangjiajie in April average around 17°C (63°F), and Gold Coast averages at about 21°C (69°F)in October.
It's quite rainy in Gold Coast. Zhangjiajie receives a lot of rain in the spring. Zhangjiajie usually gets more rain in April than Gold Coastin October. Zhangjiajie gets 166 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Gold Coast receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberZhangjiajie 17°C (63°F)Gold Coast 21°C (69°F)
Typical Weather for Gold Coast and Zhangjiajie
| Zhangjiajie | Gold Coast | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 5°C (42°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (44°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 157 mm (6.2 in) |
| Mar | 11°C (52°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (63°F) | 166 mm (6.5 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| May | 22°C (72°F) | 179 mm (7 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) |
| Jun | 26°C (78°F) | 199 mm (7.8 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 125 mm (4.9 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (65°F) | 90 mm (3.6 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 103 mm (4 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (55°F) | 70 mm (2.7 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Dec | 7°C (45°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 129 mm (5.1 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.