Should you visit Addis Ababa or Auckland?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Addis Ababa or Auckland, 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: Addis Ababa or Auckland?
Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa is the capital city of Ethiopia and also the nation's largest when ranked by its population of over three million. There are also more than 120 international missions and embassies in Addis Ababa, making the city a hub for international diplomacy concerning Africa. Other draws include its thriving marketplaces, spicy food, and rich coffee.
Auckland
Auckland is located on the North Island of New Zealand on an isthmus between the Northland Peninsula and the other parts of the North Island. Auckland is not only a city but also a region. In 2010 New Zealand combined what had previously been four separate cities into one region. These cities include the southern city of Manukau, the western city of Waitakere, the North Shore in the north, and Auckland City. The City of Auckland is the largest city in Polynesia and is very diverse with many expatriates from elsewhere in Polynesia. This diversity becomes most apparent in Auckland's many festivals and sporting events.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to New Zealand, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in New Zealand.
Which place is cheaper, Auckland or Addis Ababa?
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 Addis Ababa is $29, while the average daily cost in Auckland is $169. 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 Addis Ababa and Auckland in more detail.
Accommodation
Looking for a hotel in Addis Ababa or Auckland? 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:
Addis Ababa Hotel Prices and
Auckland Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Addis Ababa
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Addis Ababa are as follows:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Addis Ababa
Also for Addis Ababa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Private Addis Ababa Airport Transfer:
$55
-
Luxury Private Mercedes Airport Transfer in Addis Ababa:
$75
-
City/Airport Transfer in Addis Ababa - Shuttles:
$39
-
City and Airport Transfer in Addis Ababa:
$35
-
Bole International Airport to Addis Ababa Private Transfer:
$30
-
Private Tour with Local Guide and Transfers:
$65
-
Photography Tour with Guide & Transfer:
$62
-
Golf Club Experience with Hotel Transfer:
$100
-
Customizable Layover Tour with Transfers:
$55
-
Cultural Show and Jazz Night with Transfers:
$44
-
Airport Pickup and transfer:
$18
-
Addis Ababa Layover Tour: Mercato Market & Airport Transfer:
$77
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Auckland
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Auckland:
-
Bus from Airport
$9.41
-
Airport Shuttle
$15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Auckland
Also for Auckland, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
From Hobbiton Private Transfers with Group Tour:
$516
-
Private Transfer from Auckland Airport /City to Rotorua:
$299
-
Auckland Airport Premium Private Golf Transfer To Te Arai Links:
$299
-
Premium Private Transfer From Auckland Airport To Raglan Beach:
$281
-
Premium Private Transfer From Auckland Airport To Matakana:
$269
-
Premium Transfer From Auckland Airport To Omaha And Snells Beach:
$239
-
Auckland Airport to Whangaparaoa - Gulf Harbour Luxury Transfers:
$227
-
Private Luxury Auckland Airport Transfer for 11 Guests:
$224
-
Auckland Airport (AKL) to North Shore-Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$216
-
Private Luxury Auckland Airport Transfer (Up to 5 Guests):
$197
-
Premium Private Transfer From Auckland Airport To Cambridge:
$179
-
Transfer Service: Auckland to Rotorua or Rotorua to Auckland:
$179
Is it cheaper to fly into Addis Ababa or Auckland?
Prices for flights to both Auckland and Addis Ababa 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
Addis Ababa $11
Auckland $45
Typical Food Prices in Addis Ababa
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Addis Ababa:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Addis Ababa
For Addis Ababa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
-
Authentic Ethiopian Cooking Class with a Local Host:
$47
-
Addis Eats Food Tour with 12+ Tastings:
$49
-
Addis Ababa Food Tour: Ethiopian Cuisine, Coffee & Drinks:
$50
-
Addis Eats Food Tour with 12+ Tastings:
$50
-
Berbere Bites Food Tour with 14+ Tastings:
$50
-
Flavors of Ethiopia: Hands-On Cooking Class in Addis Ababa:
$55
-
Food tour in Addis Ababa with airport pick-up.:
$56
-
Totot Cultural Feast & Rhythm Show With Dinner:
$60
-
Addis Ababa Ethiopian Food Cooking Class and Kitchen Tour:
$60
-
Addis Ababa Cooking, Coffee & Traditional Drink Tasting:
$65
-
Addis Ababa Food Tour: Eat Like a Local:
$70
-
Ethiopian Cooking Class with Coffee Ceremony:
$70
Typical Food Prices in Auckland
For Auckland, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Auckland
For Auckland, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
-
Harbour Sailing Cruise with 3-Course Dinner:
$93
-
Flavours of the City Walking Food Tour:
$101
-
Auckland Harbour Sailboat Cruise Including Three Course Dinner:
$102
-
Auckland Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide:
$116
-
Auckland Downtown Food Tour with 5 Locals Favorite Dishes:
$129
-
Ponsonby Road Food Tour in Auckland:
$140
-
Waiheke Island: Private Sunset Wine Tour & 2 Course Dinner:
$392
-
Māori Evening Dinner and Private Show Experience:
$519
-
From Kiwi Bird Encounter & 3-Course Dinner Tour:
$550
Entertainment
Tours and Activities in Addis Ababa
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Addis Ababa.
-
• Ethiopia Danakil Experience: Fire, Salt & Color Adventure:
$450
-
• Explore the Wild: 5-Day Chebera Churchura Adventure Tours:
$1,775
-
"Awash National Park Safari Experience":
$280
-
14-Days Northern Ethiopia Tours:
$1,580
-
2-Day Wenchi Crater Lake & Ethiopian Highland Experience:
$300
-
2-Day: Addis Ababa city tour & Debre Libanos with Lunch:
$265
-
2-Night 3-Day Danakil Depression Tour without Flights:
$300
-
3 Day Private Meskel Festival, Addis Ababa City and Debre Libanos Monastery Tour:
$300
-
3-Day Addis Ababa — Monastery, Gorge & Crater Lake Tour:
$1,650
-
3-Day Awash National Park Wildlife & Hot Springs Tour:
$730
-
3-Day Coffee Farm & Local Culture Experience in Yirgalem:
$288
-
3-Day Lalibela Rock-hewn churches and Addis Ababa City Tour.:
$890
Typical Entertainment Prices in Auckland
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Auckland's activities, tours, and tickets:
Tours and Activities in Auckland
For Auckland, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
-
"City of Sails" highlights - private tour with German tour guide:
$219
-
2-Hour Muriwai Beach Horse Trek Experience:
$161
-
2025 Award Winning: Auckland City Highlights Half Day Tour:
$96
-
24 day Greatest Of All Tours Small Group Tour:
$3,447
-
6 Hours Sightseeing Tour in Auckland:
$173
-
A Self-Guided Walking Tour of Auckland's Hidden Stories:
$15
-
Half-Day CITY HIGHLIGHTS TOUR - Mt.Eden, Tamaki Dr:
$86
-
Afternoon Piha Beach and Rainforest Tour from Auckland:
$120
-
Amazing Auckland City Half Day Guided Tour:
$107
-
America's Cup Sailing Experience on Auckland's Waitemata Harbour:
$126
-
America’s Cup 2-Hour Sailing Experience Waitemata Harbour:
$122
-
Auckland Airport To Ports Of Auckland Private Highlights Tour:
$239
Alcohol
Sample the Local Flavors in Addis Ababa
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Addis Ababa:
-
Pastry, Chocolate, and Wine Tour with Pickup:
$60
Sample the Local Flavors in Auckland
Also in Auckland, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
-
Auckland Coastal Brewery Kayak Tour:
$71
-
Waiheke Island: Scenic Island Wine Tour & Local Wine Tasting:
$110
-
Muriwai GANNET Colony & Wine Tasting - Half Day Tour Ex Auckland:
$117
-
Full-Day Wine Tasting Tour in Auckland with 3-Course Vineyard Lunch:
$119
-
Ultimate Auckland Experience Full Day Tour with Brewery Lunch:
$149
-
Waiheke Island: The Essence of Waiheke Wine Tour:
$159
-
Waiheke Island: Wine Tour & Lunch at Award Winning Venue:
$168
-
Piha Waitakere Rainforest Wine Tour from Auckland:
$176
-
From Small Group Kumeu Wine Tour with Lunch:
$180
-
Waiheke Island Gourmet Food and Wine Tour with Platter Lunch:
$183
-
City Tour with Wine Tasting and Black Sand Beach:
$217
-
Auckland City Tour & Kumeu Wine Country Includes Wine Tastings & Lunch:
$239
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Addis Ababa and Auckland, we can see that Auckland is more expensive. And not only is Addis Ababa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Addis Ababa is in Africa and Auckland 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 Addis Ababa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Addis Ababa 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 Auckland would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Auckland than you might in Addis Ababa.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Addis Ababa Expensive? and Is Auckland Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Addis Ababa or Auckland?
Addis Ababa has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Auckland. When comparing the sizes of Addis Ababa and Auckland, 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.
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