Which place is cheaper, Mendoza or Auckland?
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 Auckland or Mendoza?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Auckland and Mendoza can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Auckland or Mendoza?
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.
Mendoza
Mendoza is a city in western Argentina and more precisely in the desertic Cuyo region. Mendoza is the center of the Argentinian wine industry and is famed around the world for its vineyards and wine production. Spread across the valley of the Rio Mendoza and in the foothills of the Andean mountain range, Mendoza is also near the Aconcagua, the highest mountain outside of the Himalayas. The bustling and scenic city of wide, leafy avenues, atmospheric plazas and cosmopolitan cafes spoils visitors with unique natural attractions and historical landmarks. If you can, visit Mendoza during the harvest festival at the end of February. There are many events and festivals in Mendoza and they are usually free. Each has a different theme, and they usually have a stage with singing and dancing and booths that sell food around a plaza. Seventy percent of Argentina's wines are produced here, and Mendoza is especially known for its world-famous malbecs.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to New Zealand, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in New Zealand, The Best 2-Week Tours from Buenos Aires, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Argentina.
-
Auckland Prices
New Zealand PricesMendoza Prices
Argentina Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAuckland $164Mendoza $55
The average daily cost (per person) in Auckland is $164, while the average daily cost in Mendoza is $55. 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 Auckland and Mendoza in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAuckland $95Mendoza $41
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAuckland $190Mendoza $82
Compare Hotels in Auckland and Mendoza
Looking for a hotel in Auckland or Mendoza? 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: Auckland Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Auckland $17Mendoza $4.05
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Auckland
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Auckland:
-
Bus from Airport$9.14
-
Airport Shuttle$14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Auckland
Also for Auckland, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from Auckland Airport AKL to Auckland City by suv: $53
- Transfer Service: Auckland to Rotorua or Rotorua to Auckland: $173
- Rotorua to Auckland - Afternoon Transfer with Waitomo Caves: $175
- Private Transfer from Auckland Port to Auckland Airport (AKL): $41
- Private Transfer from Auckland Cruise Port to Auckland: $51
- Private Transfer from Auckland Airport /City to Rotorua: $288
- Private Transfer from Auckland Airport (AKL) to Auckland Port: $41
- Private Transfer From Cruise Ship To Auckland CBD Hotels: $86
- Private Transfer From Cruise Ship To Auckland Airport: $86
- Private Transfer From Auckland CBD Hotels To Cruise Ship: $86
- Private Transfer From Auckland Airport To Cruise Ship Terminal: $81
- Private Mini Van Transfer From Auckland City To Auckland Airport: $81
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mendoza
Also for Mendoza, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Ushuaia: Transfer Ida & Volta para Cerro Castor desde hotel: $25
- Transfer from the Airport to your Hotel in Mendoza: $30
- Sunset Electronic Music Party at Las Palapas with Transfers: $220
- Pulenta Estate Wine Tasting+Lunch at Ruca Malen. Private Transfer: $290
- Private Uco Valley Wine Tour: 3 Wineries, Malbec Tasting &Transfer: $90
- Private Transfers in Mendoza and Luján de Cuyo: $85
- Private Transfers Airport Hotel in Mendoza: $12
- Private Transfer to Bodegas de Luján de Cuyo and Maipú Full Day: $220
- Private Transfer Mendoza Airport MDZ to Lujan de Cuyo or Maipu: $40
- Private Transfer Lujan de Cuyo or Maipu to Mendoza Airport MDZ: $40
- Private Transfer + Maipu Vinicolas: $225
- Premium Spa Day at Cacheuta Hot Springs with Transfers: $172
Is it cheaper to fly into Auckland or Mendoza?
Prices for flights to both Mendoza and Auckland 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 dayAuckland $44Mendoza $5.67
Typical Food Prices in Auckland
For Auckland, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Breakfast$4.57
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: $104
- Auckland Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $113
- Auckland Downtown Food Tour with 5 Locals Favorite Dishes: $124
- Gourmet Auckland Food Tour A Place at our Table: $244
- [PRIVATE] SUNSET. Wine. Hot Pool. Dinner: $265
- 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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mendoza
For Mendoza, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Mendoza Meals Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $95
- PRIVATE Mendoza Cooking Class & Wine Pairing at Gaston's Home: $109
- 3h Cooking Class in Mendoza with 7 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $110
- Original Asado Cooking Class at a Local's Home: $114
- Sunset Horseback Riding Tour in Lunlunta with Dinner Included: $120
- 4-Hour Argentine Cooking Class at Grazie Mille Winery: $125
- Traditional lunch with pairing, private cooking class and show: $150
- Cooking Class with 7 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $150
- City Tour with Dinner at a Local Restaurant: $164
- Horseback Riding at Sunset and Dinner in Mendoza: $205
- Horseback Riding at Sunset and Dinner at an Estancia in Mendoza: $210
- Private Roast & Wine Dinner with Chef Sommelier: $220
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Auckland $26Mendoza $23
Typical Entertainment Prices in Auckland
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Auckland's activities, tours, and tickets:
-
Auckland Sky Tour (for 2)$32
-
Waiheke Island Tour (for 2)$115
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: $210
- 2-Hour Muriwai Beach Horse Riding Experience: $155
- 2-Hour Stand-Up Paddle Boarding Tour to Lucas Creek Waterfall: $69
- 2025 Award Winning: Auckland City Highlights Half Day Tour: $92
- 24 day Greatest Of All Tours Small Group Tour: $3,447
- 6 Hours Sightseeing Tour in Auckland: $167
- AKL: TAUPO - Huka Falls River Cruise, Wai O Tapu & Blue Springs: $275
- AKL: TAUPO - Maori Rock Carving Cruise, Wai O Tapu & Blue Springs: $275
- Half-Day CITY HIGHLIGHTS TOUR - Mt.Eden, Tamaki Dr: $86
- Afternoon Piha Beach and Rainforest Tour from Auckland: $121
- Afternoon Piha Sidecar Adventure Tour from Auckland: $112
- America's Cup Sailing Experience on Auckland's Waitemata Harbour: $124
Tours and Activities in Mendoza
For Mendoza, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 3 Winery Tour with Lunch and Blend Set: $150
- 3-hour Mendoza Tasting Tour: 34 Authentic Argentine Flavors: $86
- 4WD Adventure in Explore the Villavicencio Reserve: $123
- Adrenaline Canopy Tour on the Mendoza River: $173
- Adventure & Flavor: Breakfast, Rafting & Asado in Mendoza: $220
- Adventure Day in Potrerillos, Rafting, Canopy or Trekking: $242
- Adventure: Horseback Riding, Rafting & Andes Experience: $183
- Andes Day Hiking Tour Experience: $207
- Andes High Mountain full day Tour: $63
- Andes Hiking Experience Full Day: $236
- Asado Argentino and Wineries Experience: $190
- Asado em Casa Mendocina Experience with Friends: $200
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayAuckland $13Mendoza $5.76
Sample the Local Flavors in Auckland
Also in Auckland, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Auckland Wine Tour: Self-Guided GPS Audio Driving Guide: $15
- Auckland Coastal Brewery Kayak Tour: $68
- Waiheke Island: Scenic Island Wine Tour & Local Wine Tasting: $110
- Ultimate Auckland Experience Full Day Tour with Brewery Lunch: $158
- 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: $170
- From Small Group Kumeu Wine Tour with Lunch: $180
- Waiheke Island Gourmet Food and Wine Tour with Platter Lunch: $183
- Small-Group Kumeu Wine Country Tour with Wine Tastings & Lunch: $187
- Auckland Coastal Experience - Small Group City & Beach Tour Incl. Wine Tasting: $204
- City Tour with Wine Tasting and Black Sand Beach: $217
Sample the Local Flavors in Mendoza
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Mendoza:
- Walking & Wine Tasting Tour & San Martin Park Gate: $17
- Burlesque Cabaret Show with Wine: $20
- Antigal Winery Tour with Wine Tasting & Choice of Experiences: $31
- Wine, Distillery & Chocolate Tour with Tastings: $39
- Half-Day Wine Tour with Tastings: $41
- Classic Wine Tasting: $44
- Mendoza Wine Tasting at Bodega Ciclo Andino with Snacks: $45
- La Histórica Winery Tour and Wine Tasting: $48
- Premium Wine Tasting: $66
- Wine Tour, Paired Lunch and Olive Oil Tasting from Mendoza: $67
- Make an Argentine Asado BBQ w/ Local Host & Wine Tasting: $85
- Winery tours in Mendoza, wine tasting and lunches: $90
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Auckland and Mendoza, we can see that Auckland is more expensive. And not only is Mendoza much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Auckland is in Pacific and Mendoza is in South America, 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 Mendoza would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mendoza 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 Mendoza.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Auckland Expensive? and Is Mendoza Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Auckland or Mendoza?
Mendoza has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Auckland. When comparing the sizes of Auckland and Mendoza, 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.
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.