A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Chongqing vs. Nelson for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Chongqing or Nelson?

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 Chongqing and Nelson. 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: Chongqing or Nelson?

Chongqing

Chongqing, China is a large city in central China and one of only four cities in the country that are not part of a province. While Chongqing is famous for being an economically important city, brush away its industrial surface and you'll find a naturally beautiful city with plenty of hidden wonders. Although you'll find many expats in the city, English is rarely spoken, meaning knowing some basic Mandarin will come in handy.

Nelson

Nelson is a city that sits on Tasman Bay on the South Island of New Zealand. Travelers, especially ones that are heading to explore Abel Tasman National Park, frequently visit this town. Nelson has a population of about 46,000 people and, geographically speaking, it is the center of New Zealand as a whole.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in China, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in China, The Best Luxury Tours to New Zealand, and The Best Budget Tours to New Zealand.


Which place is cheaper, Nelson or Chongqing?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Chongqing is $86, while the average daily cost in Nelson is $94. 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 Chongqing and Nelson in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Chongqing $49
    Nelson $41
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Chongqing $98
    Nelson $82
Compare Hotels in Chongqing and Nelson

Looking for a hotel in Chongqing or Nelson? 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 Chongqing


Hotels in Nelson


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: Nelson Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Chongqing $19
    Nelson $28

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chongqing

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Chongqing:

  • Private Arrival Transfer: Chongqing Jiangbei Airport (CKG) to Hotel: $22
  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Any Railway Station in Chongqing: $24
  • Private Arrival Transfer:Any Chongqing Railway Station to Hotel: $24
  • Chongqing Jiangbei Airport (CKG) private round-trip transfer: $24
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport(CKG) to Hotel: $25
  • Private Transfer from Chongqing hotel to Chongqing Train Station : $27
  • Datong Yungang Airport Chauffeur Service , to Datong Transfer: $40
  • Chongqing Jiangbei Airport Chauffeur Service, Chongqing Airport Transfer, Pickup: $60
  • Chongqing Private Round Trip Transfer to Dazu Rock Carvings: $128
  • Dazu Rock Carvings Private Transfer or Tour: $278

Is it cheaper to fly into Chongqing or Nelson?

Prices for flights to both Nelson and Chongqing 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
    Chongqing $24
    Nelson $27

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chongqing

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Chongqing.

  • Chongqing Liangjiang Night Cruise Including Authentic Hot Pot Dinner: $115
  • CHONGQING:Strolling through the city(Include dinner): $127
  • Chongqing City Private Night Tour with Hot Pot Dinner: $158
  • Private Chongqing night tour with dinner hot pot: $170
  • Chongqing Port Transfer Service with Half-Day Tour and Hot Pot Dinner: $193
  • From Port Transfer with Half Day Tour and Hot Pot Dinner: $197
  • Private Chongqing Night View Tour with Hot Pot or Local Dinner: $199
  • Chongqing Night view private tour with hot-pot dinner: $200

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Chongqing $13
    Nelson $24

Tours and Activities in Chongqing

Here are a few actual costs in Chongqing for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 3-Hour Walking Tour of Chongqing Shancheng (Mountain City) Lane: $65
  • Private Chongqing Day Tour: Panda, E'ling Park, Three Gorges Museum: $99
  • city tour of Chongqing : $130
  • Private Chongqing Illuminated Night Tour : $138
  • Private Amazing Chongqing City Day Tour in Your Way: $139
  • 1-Day Chongqing Dazu Rock Carvings Private Tour With the Lunch: $143
  • From Full-Day Private Tour Dazu Rock Carvings: $144
  • Half Day Afternoon Private Tour: General Stilwell Museum, Arhat Temple, Panda: $156
  • Best of Chongqing One Day Tour: Stilwell Museum, Arhat Temple, Eling Park, Panda: $157
  • Chongqing Yangtze River Cruise and Illuminated Night Tour: $158
  • Chongqing Private Day Tour Of Meet popular Chongqing: $160
  • Full-Day Private Tour of Chongqing Highlights: $180

Tours and Activities in Nelson

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Nelson are as follows:

  • Nelson City Walking Tour - Guided: $29
  • Cable Bay Adventure Park: E-bike hire: $56
  • Cable Bay Adventure Park Skywire Experience: $65
  • SKYWIRE Experience: $67
  • Nelson to Mapua: Full-Day Cycling Self-Guided Adventure: $71
  • Self-Guided Nelson to Mapua Cycle Adventure: $72
  • Magical Mapua Self Guided One Day Cycle Tour: $75
  • Magical Mapua Charms in off-summer Season Selfguided Cycle Tour: $76
  • Great Taste Beer Tour by Bicycle (Self-guided): $79
  • Guided Quad Biking Tour Through Forest and Farmland: $80
  • Spooners Tunnel to Nelson One Day Cycle Self Guided Tour: $82
  • Cruise, Walk, and Sail in Abel Tasman National Park: $121

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Chongqing $6.90
    Nelson $13

Sample the Local Flavors in Nelson

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Nelson:

  • Self-guided E-bike cycle tour with private wine tasting : $97


When comparing the travel costs between Chongqing and Nelson, we can see that Nelson is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Chongqing is in Asia and Nelson is in Pacific, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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


Which is Bigger, Chongqing or Nelson?

Chongqing has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Nelson. When comparing the sizes of Chongqing and Nelson, 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.