Which place is cheaper, Rotorua or Aqaba?
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 Aqaba or Rotorua?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Aqaba or Rotorua, 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: Aqaba or Rotorua?
Aqaba
Aqaba is a port city in Jordan, in fact, it is the only port city in the country. This city is located on the Gulf of Aqaba on the Red Sea, which is in the southern part of Jordan. The city is still being developed; many of its facilities and infrastructures are being improved. The population of Aqaba is about 190,000 and the city has been key in developing Jordan's economy via trade and tourism.
Rotorua
Located on the banks of Lake Rotorua, Rotorua is famous as the thermal wonderland of New Zealand. The area has a variety of geothermal sights, but it is also close to several lakes and has more traditional activities as well, including fishing, boating and white water rafting.
Rotorua is located in the Taupo Volcanic Zone, which is the largest volcano in the area. There are four major volcanic calderas that now have lakes, and several other volcanoes in the area. Rotorua sits on top of a thermal hot spring, and there are many vents and hot pools throughout the area. Many of the hot pools and sights are located within parks, with some of the best being Waimangu Volcanic Valley, Rainbow Springs Nature Park, and Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland.
Rotorua has a warm, temperate climate. Because of the area's inland location, it has less wind than many places in New Zealand. Temperatures during the winter months can fall to below freezing, but snow is incredibly rare.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Jordan, The Best Budget Tours to Jordan, The Best 2-Week Tours in New Zealand, and The Best Bicycle Tours in New Zealand.
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Aqaba Prices
Jordan PricesRotorua Prices
New Zealand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAqaba $157Rotorua $113
The average daily cost (per person) in Aqaba is $157, while the average daily cost in Rotorua is $113. 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 Aqaba and Rotorua in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAqaba $59Rotorua $48
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAqaba $118Rotorua $96
Compare Hotels in Aqaba and Rotorua
Looking for a hotel in Aqaba or Rotorua? 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: Aqaba Hotel Prices and Rotorua Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Aqaba $24Rotorua $4.96
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Aqaba
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Aqaba:
- Wadi Rum: Private Transfer to Aqaba through Hotel Pickup: $69
- Wadi Rum to Aqaba Port Private Transfer – Comfortable & Reliable: $80
- Wadi Rum to Aqaba Border Private Transfer – Hassle-Free Travel: $100
- Transfers , Meet & Assistance at Wadi Araba Crossing Border: $153
- Transfer from Aqaba City Or TalaBay to Wadi rum: $120
- Transfer from Aqaba City Or TalaBay to Petra: $59
- Transfer from Aqaba City Or TalaBay to Amman Airport: $101
- Transfer from Aqaba Airport to Petra: $60
- Transfer From Aqaba Airport to Wadi rum: $140
- Transfer From Aqaba Airport to Aqaba City Or TalaBay: $25
- Private Transfers from Wadi Rum Inside Jordan and Vice Versa: $129
- Private Transfer: Aqaba Hotels to Aqaba Airport: $27
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rotorua
Also for Rotorua, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Whirinaki Forest Footsteps: Māori Guided Tour, Picnic & Transfer: $164
Is it cheaper to fly into Aqaba or Rotorua?
Prices for flights to both Rotorua and Aqaba 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 dayAqaba $73Rotorua $49
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Aqaba
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Aqaba.
- Suhaila (connecting through cooking): $50
- Traditional Bedouin Cooking Experience in the Desert: $50
- "Wadi Rum Jeep Tour + Bedouin Camp & Dinner Under the Stars: $80
- Explore Wadi Rum: Jeep Tour, Bed and Breakfast, and Dinner: $82
- Wadi Rum Full Day Jeep Tour + Overnight in Bedouin Camp & Dinner: $90
- Wadi Rum Full Day Jeep Tour + Overnight & Dinner in Bedouin Camp: $109
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rotorua
For Rotorua, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Mitai Maori Village: Cultural Experience and Dinner Buffet: $95
- Te Puia: Te Pō Indigenous Evening Experience - Haka + Dinner: $115
- Te Puia: Te Pō Indigenous Evening Experience with Dinner: $121
- Te Pa Tu Māori Cultural Experience with Dinner: $158
- Te Puia: Te Pō Indigenous Combo - Tour, Dinner + Haka: $164
- Evening Starlight Gourmet Kayak Tour with dinner: $198
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Aqaba $54Rotorua $34
Tours and Activities in Aqaba
Here are a few actual costs in Aqaba for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 03 Hrs Jeep tour in Wadi Rum: $61
- 04 Hrs Jeep tour in Wadi Rum: $73
- 05 Hrs Jeep tour in Wadi Rum: $68
- 1 Day & 1 Night | Stay & Jeep + Camel Tour in Wadi Rum | Magic Bedouin Star: $99
- 2 Days & 1 Night | Jeep & Hike Tour in Wadi Rum Desert | Magic Bedouin Star: $258
- 2 Days Guided Hiking Tour To Wadi Rum Jebal Al Hash: $103
- 2 Days Tour | Petra, Wadi Rum, and Dead Sea From Amman.: $190
- 2 Hour Jeep Tour - Wadi Rum Desert & Canyon: $35
- 2 Hours Morning or Sunset Jeep Tour in Wadi Rum Desert Highlights: $32
- 2 To 5 Hours Glass Bottom Boat Private Tour At Read Sea: $90
- 2 hours Jeep tour in Wadi Rum with Bedouin guide (incl. bottled water and tea): $100
- 3 Hours Private Stargazing Experience in Wadi Rum: $40
Typical Entertainment Prices in Rotorua
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Rotorua's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Lunch Out for Two$27
Tours and Activities in Rotorua
For Rotorua, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Mini Golf Experience: $11
- Rotorua : 3mirage An Immersive Art Experience: $22
- Jade Carving Experience at a Local Studio: $25
- Mountain Jade Highlights Tour: $27
- Whakarewarewa Village Guided Tour: $27
- Marama Geyser Light Trail & Geothermal Experience: $28
- Lake Rotorua Cruise with Buffet Dining Option: $28
- Discover Rotorua Guided Walking Tour of Hidden Gems: $33
- Whakarewarewa Village Guided Tour: $33
- Authentic Kiwi Farm Experience at the Agrodome: $37
- 4x4 Extreme Monster Truck Experience: $38
- Agrodome Farm Experience including Farm Show and Farm Tour - Rotorua: $39
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAqaba $9.07Rotorua $11
Typical Alcohol Prices in Rotorua
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Rotorua:
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Bottle of Wine$11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Aqaba and Rotorua, we can see that Aqaba is more expensive. And not only is Rotorua much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Aqaba is in Middle East and Rotorua 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 Rotorua would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Rotorua 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 Aqaba would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Aqaba than you might in Rotorua.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Aqaba Expensive? and Is Rotorua Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Aqaba or Rotorua?
Aqaba has a larger population, and is about 44% larger than the population of Rotorua. When comparing the sizes of Aqaba and Rotorua, 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 Aqaba or Rotorua?
Rotorua has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Aqaba experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Aqaba or Rotorua in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Aqaba as well as Rotorua. Aqaba attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Rotorua for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
The heat can be very extreme in Aqaba. In the summer, Aqaba is much warmer than Rotorua. Typically, the summer temperatures in Aqaba in July average around 33°C (91°F), and Rotorua averages at about 12°C (54°F)in January.
Aqaba usually gets less rain in July than Rotoruain January. Aqaba gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryAqaba 33°C (91°F)Rotorua 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Aqaba or Rotorua in the Autumn?
Both Rotorua and Aqaba are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Aqaba throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Rotorua in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Aqaba is generally much warmer than Rotoruain April. Daily temperatures in Aqaba average around 26°C (79°F), and Rotorua fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
In October, Aqaba usually receives less rain than Rotoruain April. Aqaba gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilAqaba 26°C (79°F)Rotorua 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Aqaba or Rotorua in the Winter?
Both Rotorua and Aqaba during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Aqaba because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Rotorua for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Aqaba is much colder than Rotorua in the winter. The daily temperature in Aqaba averages around 14°C (57°F) in January, and Rotorua fluctuates around 26°C (79°F)in July.
Aqaba usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Rotoruain July. Aqaba gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyAqaba 14°C (57°F)Rotorua 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Aqaba or Rotorua in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Aqaba and Rotorua. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Aqaba year-round. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Rotorua because of the natural beauty.
In the spring, Aqaba is a little warmer than Rotorua. Typically, the spring temperatures in Aqaba in April average around 24°C (75°F), and Rotorua averages at about 19°C (66°F)in October.
In April, Aqaba usually receives less rain than Rotoruain October. Aqaba gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberAqaba 24°C (75°F)Rotorua 19°C (66°F)
Typical Weather for Rotorua and Aqaba
| Aqaba | Rotorua | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 14°C (57°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Feb | 16°C (61°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Mar | 19°C (66°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Apr | 24°C (75°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Jun | 31°C (88°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jul | 33°C (91°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Aug | 33°C (91°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Sep | 31°C (88°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Nov | 20°C (68°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Dec | 15°C (59°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 41 mm (1.6 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.