Which place is cheaper, Puerto Varas or Auckland?
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 Auckland or Puerto Varas?
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 Puerto Varas can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Auckland or Puerto Varas?
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.
Puerto Varas
Puerto Varas is a city in Southern Chile, in the Los Lagos (Lakes) Region, Llanquihue Province. It is a charming town, only 23 km away from Puerto Montt and surrounded by the Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes as well as the impressive Llanquihue lake. In terms of landscape, accommodation and activities, Puerto Varas is well served! Kayak, paddle, canyoning, rock climbing, trekking, ski, fishing, you name it! If you decide to stop in that area, we recommend that you stay in Puerto Varas, as it provides the perfect starting point for many memorable excursions in the area.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to New Zealand, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in New Zealand, The Best G Adventures Tours to Chile, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Santiago.
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Auckland Prices
New Zealand PricesPuerto Varas Prices
Chile Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAuckland $167Puerto Varas $130
The average daily cost (per person) in Auckland is $167, while the average daily cost in Puerto Varas is $130. 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 Puerto Varas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAuckland $97Puerto Varas $69
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAuckland $194Puerto Varas $138
Compare Hotels in Auckland and Puerto Varas
Looking for a hotel in Auckland or Puerto Varas? 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 and Puerto Varas Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Auckland $17Puerto Varas $22
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Auckland
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Auckland:
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Bus from Airport$9.26
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Airport Shuttle$14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Auckland
Also for Auckland, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfer: Auckland Airport AKL to Auckland by Luxury Van: $132
- Arrival Private Transfer Auckland Airport to North Shore or Henderson Luxury Car: $127
- Arrival Private Transfer: Auckland Airport AKL to Auckland City: $119
- Arrival Private Transfer: Auckland Airport AKL to Auckland City by Luxury Van: $112
- Arrival Private Transfer: Auckland Airport AKL to Auckland City by Sedan Car: $88
- Auckland Airport (AKL) to Auckland - Arrival Private Transfer: $80
- Auckland Airport (AKL) to North Shore - Arrival Private Transfer: $107
- Auckland Airport (AKL) to North Shore-Round-Trip Private Transfer: $215
- Auckland Airport One-Way Private Transfer: Airport to CBD Hotels: $24
- Auckland Airport Premium Private Golf Transfer To Te Arai Links: $299
- Auckland Airport Private One-Way or Round-Trip Transfer: $69
- Auckland Airport Private Transfers in a Luxury Minibus: $57
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Varas
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Varas:
- Transfer from Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport: $50
- Transfer to Puerto Montt Airport: $22
- Frutillar to Puerto Airport (PMC) - Departure Private Transfer: $73
- Cruce Andino Office Private Transfer from Puerto Varas: $27
Is it cheaper to fly into Auckland or Puerto Varas?
Prices for flights to both Puerto Varas 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
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Food Meals for one dayAuckland $45Puerto Varas $44
Typical Food Prices in Auckland
For Auckland, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Breakfast$4.63
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
- Ponsonby Road Food Tour in Auckland: $141
- The Tastebud Tour, award winning food tour of Auckland: $164
- 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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Auckland $27Puerto Varas $20
Typical Entertainment Prices in Auckland
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Auckland's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Auckland Sky Tour (for 2)$32
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Waiheke Island Tour (for 2)$117
Tours and Activities in Auckland
For Auckland, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Auckland Walking Tour 1h30 and 17 audio reviews: $6.88
- Auckland to Volcanoes: North Island Self-Guided Adventure: $8.15
- Auckland War Memorial Museum Entry Ticket: $9.27
- Auckland City Self Guided Walking Tour with an APP: $9.99
- A Self-Guided Walking Tour of Auckland's Hidden Stories: $12
- Maritime Museum Entry Ticket: $14
- Maritime Museum Entry Ticket and Guided Tour: $14
- Skip the Line: Auckland Museum General Admission Ticket: $16
- Vibrosaun Therapy Experience: $18
- Waitematā Harbour Cruise with Live Commentary: $20
- Scenic Harbour Cruise in Auckland: $22
- Auckland Takapuna: Escape Game Adventure: $23
Tours and Activities in Puerto Varas
Here are a few actual costs in Puerto Varas for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Chiloe Island - Puñihuil Tour: $90
- From Chiloe Island Full-day Tour: $72
- From Full-Day Tour to Termas del Sol and Cochamó Valley: $65
- From Osorno Volcano & Petrohue Falls Day Tour: $55
- Full-Day Osorno Volcano and Petrohue Falls Small-Group Tour: $90
- Guided Tour to Termas del Sol and Cochamo with Transportation Included: $56
- Llanquihue Lake Tour: $88
- Premium Full Day Shared Tour Osorno Volcano and Petrohue Falls: $230
- Premium Full day Tour to Osorno Volcano and Petrohue in Puerto Varas: $240
- Premium Half Day Shared Tour Sunset at Osorno Volcano: $130
- Private Full-Day Tour: Llanquihue Lake & Waterfalls Experience: $229
- Private Rock Climbing Experience in Northern Patagonia: $150
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAuckland $13Puerto Varas $6.69
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
- Full-Day Wine Tasting Tour in Auckland with 3-Course Vineyard Lunch: $119
- Waiheke Island: The Essence of Waiheke Wine Tour: $159
- Waiheke Island: Wine Tour & Lunch at Award Winning Venue: $168
- 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
- Shore Excursion from Auckland - Private Tour & Wine Tasting: $278
- Waiheke Island Scenic Wine Tour: $301
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Auckland and Puerto Varas, we can see that Auckland is more expensive. And not only is Puerto Varas much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Auckland is in Pacific and Puerto Varas 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 Puerto Varas would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Puerto Varas 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 Puerto Varas.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Auckland Expensive? and Is Puerto Varas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Auckland or Puerto Varas?
Auckland has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Puerto Varas. When comparing the sizes of Auckland and Puerto Varas, 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 Auckland or Puerto Varas?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.
Should I visit Auckland or Puerto Varas in the Summer?
Both Puerto Varas and Auckland during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Auckland for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
Auckland is a little warmer than Puerto Varas in the summer. The daily temperature in Auckland averages around 20°C (68°F) in January, and Puerto Varas fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
In Puerto Varas, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Auckland. In the summer, Auckland often gets more sunshine than Puerto Varas. Auckland gets 240 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Varas receives 204 hours of full sun.
Auckland usually gets less rain in January than Puerto Varas. Auckland gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JanuaryAuckland 20°C (68°F)Puerto Varas 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Auckland or Puerto Varas in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Auckland and Puerto Varas. Many visitors come to Auckland in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Auckland is much warmer than Puerto Varas. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Auckland in April average around 16°C (61°F), and Puerto Varas averages at about 11°C (51°F).
Auckland usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Varas during autumn. Auckland gets 162 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Varas receives 104 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Puerto Varas receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In April, Auckland usually receives less rain than Puerto Varas. Auckland gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures AprilAuckland 16°C (61°F)Puerto Varas 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Auckland or Puerto Varas in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Auckland as well as Puerto Varas. Most visitors come to Auckland for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
In July, Auckland is generally much warmer than Puerto Varas. Daily temperatures in Auckland average around 11°C (52°F), and Puerto Varas fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).
In the winter, Auckland often gets more sunshine than Puerto Varas. Auckland gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Varas receives 67 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Puerto Varas. Auckland receives a lot of rain in the winter. Auckland usually gets less rain in July than Puerto Varas. Auckland gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 229 mm (9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JulyAuckland 11°C (52°F)Puerto Varas 7°C (45°F)
Should I visit Auckland or Puerto Varas in the Spring?
Both Puerto Varas and Auckland are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Auckland because of the beaches and the activities around the city.
Auckland is a little warmer than Puerto Varas in the spring. The daily temperature in Auckland averages around 14°C (58°F) in October, and Puerto Varas fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
Auckland usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Varas during spring. Auckland gets 192 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Varas receives 151 hours of full sun in the spring.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Puerto Varas. In October, Auckland usually receives less rain than Puerto Varas. Auckland gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 121 mm (4.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures OctoberAuckland 14°C (58°F)Puerto Varas 11°C (51°F)
Typical Weather for Puerto Varas and Auckland
| Auckland | Puerto Varas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 20°C (68°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Mar | 19°C (66°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (61°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| May | 14°C (57°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) |
| Jun | 12°C (53°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 224 mm (8.8 in) |
| Jul | 11°C (52°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 229 mm (9 in) |
| Aug | 11°C (53°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 209 mm (8.2 in) |
| Sep | 13°C (55°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Oct | 14°C (58°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Nov | 16°C (61°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Dec | 18°C (65°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 103 mm (4.1 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.