Which place is cheaper, Kaikoura or Cheju (Jeju)?
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 Cheju (Jeju) or Kaikoura?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Cheju (Jeju) and Kaikoura. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Cheju (Jeju) or Kaikoura?
Cheju (Jeju)
Cheju is an island located just off the southern coast of South Korea in the Korean Strait. It is known for its volcanic landscape full of craters and cave-like lava tubes, which many visitors venture to hike and explore. With the main industry invested in tourism, it is a popular vacation spot for Koreans and foreigners alike, and remains the top honeymoon destination for Korean newlyweds.
Kaikoura
Kaikoura is a town on the east coast of the South Island, situated between Christchurch and Belnheim. It has a permanent resident population of 1,971. The Seaward Kaikoura Mountains that surround this town collide with the Pacific Ocean, and the continental shelf edge is just offshore. The ocean in Kaikoura is very rich in marine life, especially seals and whales.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in South Korea, The Best Luxury Tours to South Korea, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in New Zealand, and The Best 2-Week Tours in New Zealand.
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Cheju (Jeju) Prices
South Korea PricesKaikoura Prices
New Zealand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCheju (Jeju) $84Kaikoura $162
The average daily cost (per person) in Cheju (Jeju) is $84, while the average daily cost in Kaikoura is $162. 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 Cheju (Jeju) and Kaikoura in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCheju (Jeju) $45Kaikoura $48
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCheju (Jeju) $90Kaikoura $96
Compare Hotels in Cheju (Jeju) and Kaikoura
Looking for a hotel in Cheju (Jeju) or Kaikoura? 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: Kaikoura Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cheju (Jeju) $10Kaikoura $17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cheju (Jeju)
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cheju (Jeju):
- Jeju Airport Transfer: $22
- Jeju Airport (CJU) Private Transfer to Jeju City Centre/Seogwipo: $27
- Private Transfer From Airport to Downtown jeju city (One way ) : $45
- jeju island Private Taxi Hallasan Hiking Trail Transfer - One way: $70
- Private Transfer From Jeju Airport to in Seogwipo Jeju Island : $75
- Private Transfer From Seogwipo to Jeju Airport in jeju island: $75
- Private Jeju Airport Transfer : Jeju Airport to/from Jeju(~7 pax): $89
- Private Taxi Transfer from Jeju City to Jeju Airport(one way ): $90
- Private Transfer From Jeju Airport To Seogwipo City: $150
- Private Sightseeing Tour to Jeju Island with Transfer Included: $190
Is it cheaper to fly into Cheju (Jeju) or Kaikoura?
Prices for flights to both Kaikoura and Cheju (Jeju) 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 dayCheju (Jeju) $29Kaikoura $65
Typical Food Prices in Cheju (Jeju)
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Cheju (Jeju):
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Burger$4.44
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Donkatsu (Charles Restaurant)$7.16
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cheju (Jeju)
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cheju (Jeju).
- JEJU Cooking Class _Class & Dinner at Jeju Seaside Sunset Terrace: $139
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cheju (Jeju) $5.43Kaikoura $152
Tours and Activities in Cheju (Jeju)
Here are a few actual costs in Cheju (Jeju) for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Jeju Customized Private Car Tour : $15
- [Jeju] Hanbok Rental Experience/Korean Traditional Clothes Rental Shop: $25
- Jeju Eastern UNESCO Sites Day Tour with Haenyeo Show: $59
- Jeju Eastern Cultural Exploration Day Tour: $59
- Jeju Southern UNESCO Full Day Tour with Mt.Halla: $59
- Jeju WEST&SOUTH One Day Tour with MT.halla & Aewol: $59
- Jeju Western and Southern Routes Sightseeing Day Tour: $59
- Jeju island Eastern UNESCO site Full Day Guided Tour: $59
- Jeju island Southern Unesco Mt.halla ONE day Bus Tour: $59
- Jeju island Southern UNESCO Day Tour With Hallasan MT: $59
- Jeju Island East UNESCO Day Tour: $59
- Jeju Eastern Must visit Unesco Spots Join In Tour: $59
Tours and Activities in Kaikoura
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kaikoura are as follows:
- Llama Trek (Taster) - Kowhai River Valley and Native Woodland Tour: $80
- Private Seal Kayaking and Wildlife Tour in Kaikoura: $80
- Seal Kayaking Adventure in Kaikoura: $80
- Seal-Watching Pedal Kayak Tour: $81
- KaikÅura: Kayak Sunset Tour with Seal Sightings: $81
- Sunset Kayak tour in Kaikoura: $82
- Half-Day Wildlife Kayaking Tour: $93
- Sunset Evening Kayaking Tour: $93
- Guided Family Kayaking Adventure: $93
- Wildlife Sea Kayaking Tour - Kaikoura: $95
- Sunset Evening Kayaking Tour - Kaikoura: $95
- Whale Watching Cruise: $101
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCheju (Jeju) $7.04Kaikoura -
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cheju (Jeju) and Kaikoura, we can see that Kaikoura is more expensive. And not only is Cheju (Jeju) much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Cheju (Jeju) is in Asia and Kaikoura 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 Cheju (Jeju) would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cheju (Jeju) 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 Kaikoura would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kaikoura than you might in Cheju (Jeju).
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cheju (Jeju) Expensive? and Is Kaikoura Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cheju (Jeju) or Kaikoura?
Cheju (Jeju) has a larger population, and is about 600 times larger than the population of Kaikoura. When comparing the sizes of Cheju (Jeju) and Kaikoura, 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.