A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Antananarivo vs. Christchurch for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Antananarivo or Christchurch?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Antananarivo and Christchurch 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: Antananarivo or Christchurch?

Antananarivo

Antananarivo is the capital of Madagascar; it is also sometimes referred to as Tana. This city is the cultural and political center of Madagascar as a whole. There are multiple universities, museums, and other social venues in the city, as well as a national rugby team. This city has a very apparent French influence.

Christchurch

Christchurch is the largest city on the South Island of New Zealand, right beside the Canterbury Plains. Most people begin their South Island travels here. The city itself can be fascinating to explore so it is worth allowing yourself several days in town as an introduction to the region.

The River Avon flows through the city center, twisting through the old buildings. Christchurch is referred to in New Zealand as the Garden City and it is easy to see why. It's quite a nice city with trees spread throughout. The economy is centered around international tourism as well as foreign education. There is a high Asian student population here, giving the city a diverse feel.

Christchurch's climate is temperate and the city receives moderate rainfall. In January average high temperatures are around 73 degrees Fahrenheit with averages around 52 degrees Fahrenheit in July. There is a sea breeze during the summer months that keep temperatures pleasant. Temperatures can drop below freezing at night during the winter months. Snow may also fall several times a year.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Madagascar, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Madagascar, The Best G Adventures Tours to New Zealand, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Auckland.


Which place is cheaper, Christchurch or Antananarivo?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Antananarivo is $72, while the average daily cost in Christchurch is $96. 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 Antananarivo and Christchurch in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Antananarivo $30
    Christchurch $50
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Antananarivo $60
    Christchurch $100
Compare Hotels in Antananarivo and Christchurch

Looking for a hotel in Antananarivo or Christchurch? 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 Antananarivo


Hotels in Christchurch


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: Antananarivo Hotel Prices and Christchurch Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Antananarivo $14
    Christchurch $15

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Antananarivo

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Antananarivo:

  • Private Airport Transfert Ivato Antananarivo: $43

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Christchurch

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Christchurch:

  • Private Transfer from Lyttelton Port to Christchurch Airport CHC: $29
  • Christchurch to Christchurch Airport(CHC)- Departure Transfer: $32
  • Christchurch Hotels to Airport Transfer: $51
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Airport CHC to Christchurch in Business Car: $66
  • Christchurch Airport Transfers : Christchurch to Airport CHC in Business Car: $66
  • Departure Private Transfers from Christchurch to Airport CHC in Business Car: $66
  • Christchurch Airport: 1-Way Private Transfer to Christchurch: $69
  • Christchurch City Hotels to Airport Transfer - Lowest price 1 to 9 Passengers: $78
  • Christchurch Airport Transfers : Christchurch to Airport CHC in Luxury Van: $91
  • Departure Private Transfers from Christchurch to Airport CHC in Luxury Van: $91
  • Christchurch Airport (CHC): Transfer to Christchurch hotels: $130

Is it cheaper to fly into Antananarivo or Christchurch?

Prices for flights to both Christchurch and Antananarivo 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
    Antananarivo $29
    Christchurch $31

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Antananarivo

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Antananarivo.

  • Cooking And Cuisine Tasting From Tana-Malagasy Fine Foodie Madagascar Tour: $245

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Antananarivo $24
    Christchurch $18

Tours and Activities in Antananarivo

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Antananarivo are as follows:

  • Antanavario: Private custom tour with a local guide: $24
  • Antananarivo Like a Local: Customized Guided Tour: $25
  • Private Walking Tour with a Local Guide: $30
  • Private Custom Walking Tour with a Local Guide in Antananarivo: $35
  • Private Ambohimanga and Ironwork Shop Tour from Antananarivo: $87
  • Private Tour Through the Wildlife of Madagascar and the Kingdom of Rova: $137
  • Day - Tour Ampefy: $145
  • Half-Day Private Tour in Lemur's Park: $150
  • Full Day Private Tour in Antananarivo: $203
  • Lemur Day Tour at Andasibe Rainforest and Vakona Lodge Reserve: $299
  • 3 days -Wildlife and Lemur discovery Tour to Andasibe: $861
  • From 9 days unique adventure trip to Tulear: $1,991

Tours and Activities in Christchurch

Here are a few actual costs in Christchurch for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Hop-On Hop-Off Tour by Vintage Tram: $21
  • Christchurch Gondola Ride Ticket: $25
  • Christchurch International Antarctic Centre Entry Tickets: $35
  • International Antarctic Center General Admission Ticket: $36
  • Christchurch Gondola and Tram City Tour Combo: $42
  • Christchurch Tram City Tour & Punting Combo: $46
  • Gondola Ticket and Punt Ride on the Avon River: $47
  • Tram, Punt and Gondola Ride Combo Ticket: $63
  • Waipara Wine Trail Afternoon Tour from Christchurch: $75
  • Waipara Wine Experience for 2 or more, inc tastings and lunch: $108
  • Lyttelton Shore Excursion: Christchurch Sightseeing with Antarctic Center: $109
  • Akaroa Day Tour From Christchurch: $114

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Antananarivo $9.65
    Christchurch $11

Sample the Local Flavors in Christchurch

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

  • From Full-Day Wine Tour with Lunch: $102
  • All-Inclusive Waipara Region Wine Tour from Christchurch: $106
  • From Guided Local Wine Tours in Waipara: $120
  • Akaroa Craft Distillery HeliGin Experience: $538


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Antananarivo and Christchurch, we can see that Christchurch is more expensive. And not only is Antananarivo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Antananarivo is in Africa and Christchurch 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 Antananarivo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Antananarivo 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 Christchurch would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Christchurch than you might in Antananarivo.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Antananarivo Expensive? and Is Christchurch Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Antananarivo or Christchurch?

Antananarivo has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Christchurch. When comparing the sizes of Antananarivo and Christchurch, 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.