A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Auckland vs. Salta for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Auckland or Salta?

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 Salta can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Auckland or Salta?

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.

Salta

Located in the heart of the famous Northwest region of Argentina, at 1200m of elevation and at the foot of the Cerro San Bernardo, Salta is the largest city of the region and perhaps the most beautiful colonial city of Argentina. Founded in 1582 by the Spanish, Salta was an important stop for merchants who followed the usual trade road through Bolivia and Peru. Argentines call this city nestled in the foothills of the Andes and surrounded by mountains, of just over half a million inhabitants, Salta La Linda (Salta the Beautiful) and it's easy to see why. Young and traditional at the same time, Salta and its renowned museums, plaza side cafes and live musica folklorica of its bustling penas, is a sophisticated and lively city day and night.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to New Zealand, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in New Zealand, The Best Wildlife Tours to Argentina, and The Best Eco Tours in Argentina.


Which place is cheaper, Salta or Auckland?

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 Auckland is $165, while the average daily cost in Salta is $45. 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 Salta in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Auckland $96
    Salta $31
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Auckland $192
    Salta $62
Compare Hotels in Auckland and Salta

Looking for a hotel in Auckland or Salta? 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 Auckland


Hotels in Salta


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 Salta Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Auckland $17
    Salta $3.16
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Auckland

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Auckland:


  • Bus from Airport
    $9.19
  • Airport Shuttle
    $14

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Auckland

Also for Auckland, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • [PRIVATE] Airport Transfer from/to Auckland Airport: $104
  • VIP / Premium Airport Transfers: $101
  • Rotorua to Auckland - Afternoon Transfer with Waitomo Caves: $175
  • Reliable Transfers Across New Zealand with Trekway NZ: $74
  • Private Transfer from Auckland City to Auckland Cruise Port: $52
  • Private Transfer North Shore or Henderson to Auckland Airport AKL by Luxury Car: $127
  • Private Transfer From Auckland City To Auckland Airport Oaks: $78
  • Private Transfer From Auckland CBD Hotels To Cruise Ship: $81
  • Private One-Way Transfer: Auckland Airport to Auckland City Hotel: $52
  • Private Mercedes Airport Transfers in Auckland: $87
  • Private Luxury Sedan Transfer Auckland Airport To Auckland Hotel: $124
  • Private Luxury Airport Transfers in Auckland – Sedans & Vans: $110

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Salta

Also for Salta, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Transfer from Salta Airport: $8.99
  • Train to the Clouds Experience with Transfers from Salta Hotels: $286
  • Saver Combo: Cafayate, Cachi, Salt Fields, Transfers and Walking: $179
  • Shared 1-Way or Round Trip SLA Airport Transfer: $10
  • Private 1-Way or Round Trip SLA Airport Transfer: $37
  • Cafayate Wine Tour with Tastings and Transfers: $180
  • Salta City Tour & Round Trip Transfers airport - hotel: $109
  • Salta Airport Shuttle Transfer: $12
  • Salta Airport One-Way or Round-Trip Transfers: $60
  • Private Transfer from Salta Airport to Cafayate: $190
  • Private Transfer from Salta Airport: $20
  • Humahuaca, 7-color Hill & round trip transfers airport - hotel in Salta: $167

Is it cheaper to fly into Auckland or Salta?

Prices for flights to both Salta 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 day
    Auckland $44
    Salta $5.45
Typical Food Prices in Auckland

For Auckland, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Breakfast
    $4.59

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
  • Auckland Harbour Sailboat Cruise Including Three Course Dinner: $98
  • Flavours of the City Walking Food Tour: $101
  • The Tastebud Tour, award winning food tour of Auckland: $159
  • 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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Auckland $27
    Salta $27
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)
    $116

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: $211
  • 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 - Maori Rock Carving Cruise, Wai O Tapu & Blue Springs: $277
  • AKL: TAUPO Maori Rock Carvings Cruise, Wai O Tapu & Blue Springs: $259
  • Half-Day CITY HIGHLIGHTS TOUR - Mt.Eden, Tamaki Dr: $86
  • Afternoon Piha Beach and Rainforest Tour from Auckland: $115
  • Amazing Auckland City Half Day Guided Tour: $103
  • America's Cup Sailing Experience on Auckland's Waitemata Harbour: $121
  • America’s Cup 2-Hour Sailing Experience Waitemata Harbour: $122
  • Auckland Airport To Ports Of Auckland Private Highlights Tour: $231

Tours and Activities in Salta

For Salta, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 2-Day Tour to Cachi and Los Cardones National Park: $57
  • 3 Day Tour from Salta to Cachi, Humahuaca and Salinas Grandes: $89
  • Best of Guided City Tour: $46
  • Cachi Full Day Tour with Los Cardones National Park: $42
  • Cachi and Salinas Grandes: 2-Day Tour – Hills and Incredible Landscapes: $104
  • Cachi: Scenic Route and Local Experience from Salta: $29
  • Cafayate, Vineyards and Calchaquies Valleys Tour from Salta: $44
  • City Tour Salta and San Lorenzo: $32
  • City Tour Salta and San Lorenzo: $33
  • Colorful mountains and endless salt: Salinas + Purmamarca tour: $33
  • Exclusive day-long private tour of Cafayate vineyards: $274
  • Experience an authentic Salta peña with local musicians: $49

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Auckland $13
    Salta $5.54

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: $69
  • Waiheke Island: Scenic Island Wine Tour & Local Wine Tasting: $110
  • Full-Day Wine Tasting Tour in Auckland with 3-Course Vineyard Lunch: $115
  • Wineries & Brewery Tour: $130
  • Ultimate Auckland Experience Full Day Tour with Brewery Lunch: $144
  • Waiheke Island: The Essence of Waiheke Wine Tour: $159
  • Waiheke Island: Wine Tour & Lunch at Award Winning Venue: $168
  • Kumeu Wine Tasting & Local Flavours Tour: Vines, Brews & Views: $173
  • Small-Group Kumeu Wine Country Tour with Wine Tastings & Lunch: $179
  • 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

Sample the Local Flavors in Salta

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Salta:

  • Full-day Cafayate, Lerma Valley, and Wine Tasting from Salta: $29
  • Cafayate: Full-day winery tour and wine tasting: $29
  • From Full-Day Tour to Cafayate with Wine Tasting: $30
  • From Cafayate Day Trip with Wine Tasting: $40
  • Half Day Wine Tasting in Salta: $145


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Auckland and Salta, we can see that Auckland is more expensive. And not only is Salta much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Auckland is in Pacific and Salta 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 Salta would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Salta 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 Salta.

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


Which is Bigger, Auckland or Salta?

Salta has a larger population, and is about 23% larger than the population of Auckland. When comparing the sizes of Auckland and Salta, 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.