A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Christchurch vs. Basel for Families, Attractions, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Christchurch or Basel?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Christchurch or Basel? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Christchurch

Christchurch is a outdoorsy, adventure-filled, and cultural city. Christchurch is a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Christchurch travel costs.

Basel

Basel is a museum-filled, easily accessible, and beautiful city. The beauty of Basel is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Basel travel costs.

Christchurch and Basel: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Christchurch or Basel?

You'll generally find more things to do in Christchurch than Basel. Christchurch is bigger than Basel, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Christchurch is better known for its food, nightlife, beaches, and hiking, while Basel is more popular for its historical sights and impressive beauty. Christchurch is well known for its outdoor beauty and relaxing, scenic atmosphere. Also, Christchurch is famous for the Christchurch Botanic Gardens. Basel is well known for its many museums and its nice old town.

How is Christchurch different from Basel?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Basel and Christchurch. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Christchurch or Basel?

Plenty of people visit the very good sights and museums in both Christchurch and Basel.

Christchurch offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city is filled with street art and local galleries. There's also Canterbury Museum, the International Antarctic Centre, the Arts Centre, and the Riccarton House & Bush.

Many visitors head to Basel specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The city is filled with history. Head to Minster Hill to see the beautiful historic church and Münsterplatz. There are also several unique museums around town including Jean Tinguely Museum, the Paper Mill Museum, the Historical Museum, and the Museum of Art.

Is the Food Better in Christchurch or Basel? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Christchurch is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Christchurch. There's a mix of cozy cafes and casual eateries around town. You'll also find some fine dining restaurants as well as international flavors.

Basel is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Food around town can be expensive, but there are some outdoor markets where you can buy fruit and a bratwurst for a reasonable price. The city is known for its breads, soups, and pastries, which are all delicious.

Is Christchurch or Basel Better for Nightlife?

Christchurch is notable for nightlife and partying. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

Christchurch has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The city has its share of dance clubs, live music venues, and laid back bars. You'll find a number of popular hangout spots around Oxford Terrace or on the historic New Regent Street.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Basel. The city's nightlife comes alive as the sun sets. There are bars, pubs, and dance clubs that stay active until the early morning hours.

Is Christchurch or Basel Better for Beaches?

Christchurch is notable for the beach. However, Basel is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Christchurch. There are sandy beaches in the area with water sports and various amenities. The summer months are the most popular time for hanging out at the beach, and you'll find local families playing in the sun or enjoying a picnic.

Basel is not a beach destination.

Is Christchurch or Basel Better for its Old Town?

Basel is well known for its old town. However, Christchurch does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Basel. The charming old town is fun to explore on foot with its quaint streets and meandering alleys. The beautiful architecture and ornate fountains give the area a unique personality. On the hottest days you may even see locals swimming in some of the fountains.

Christchurch does not have a historic old town.

Is Christchurch or Basel Better for Hiking?

Christchurch is notable for the nearby hiking options. However, Basel is not a hiking destination.

Christchurch is a popular spot for hiking. There are many beautiful hikes in the area that take you along the coastline or past local historic sights. The landscape is diverse and you'll find many amazing parks in the area. Hooker Valley Track is one of the best hiking routes nearby.

Basel is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Christchurch or Basel?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Basel and Christchurch.

Christchurch is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. There's a mix of boutique shops, outlet malls, and open air markets. Some of the best shopping places include the Tannery and the Colombo.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Basel. The old town is filled with shops that you can wander through as you explore. Popular shopping streets include Freie Strasse and the area around Marktplatz, where you'll find boutique shops and interesting trinkets. You can also head to the city's oldest department store - Manor.

Is Christchurch or Basel More Beautiful?

Basel is well known for its scenery and beauty. Also, Christchurch is still popular, but not quite as popular for its scenery and beauty.

The beauty of Basel is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Situated along the river, this city is beautiful to explore on foot.

Christchurch offers plenty of beauty for visitors. With its many beautiful parks, gardens, and outdoor spaces, this is a very scenic city.

Is Christchurch or Basel Better for Families?

Christchurch is a world-class destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Christchurch is an amazing family-friendly city to visit. The International Antarctic Centre is a thrilling and fun experience. There's also the Orana Wildlife Park or Willowbank Wildlife Reserve. For adrenaline junkies there are the ropes courses at the Adrenalin Forest. There are also many indoor playgrounds and rock climbing facilities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Basel. The city has an impressive zoo, a really unique toy museum, as well as Aquabasilea with its pools and slides. It's also compact enough that little legs can explore and enjoy everything that it has to offer. If the weather's warm, head for the river to cool off.

Is Christchurch or Basel Better for Couples?

Christchurch is notable for its romantic activities. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

Christchurch is a very popular place to visit for couples. Punting on the Avon River is one of the most romantic activities in the city. There are also botanical gardens, parks, and natural areas that are fun to explore. Nearby, you can do a wine tour, or there are cocktail bars and charming restaurants in town. The city also has a nice theater and many other date night activities.

Basel is a good city for couples to visit. Nice restaurants, interesting museums, and several great spas make this a nice place for a romantic trip.

Is Christchurch or Basel Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Christchurch is notable for backpackers. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Christchurch is a great city to visit for backpackers. There's no shortage of hostels around town, and many backpackers pass through Christchurch on their epic New Zealand adventure.

Basel is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are a few hostels and a really useful City Pass that make this city an option for backpackers and budget travelers. It's also a major transit center so accessibility is convenient. If you're traveling around Europe by train, you'll likely pass through Basel at some point.

Is Christchurch or Basel Better for Students?

Christchurch and Basel are very good places to visit for students.

Christchurch is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. It's the largest city on the South Island and there are plenty of activities and nearby trips that you can enjoy.

Basel is very popular with students. The University of Basel brings in international students from around the world. The city makes a nice base for exploring Europe, but it's also a bit expensive which can be challenging on a student income.

Is Christchurch or Basel Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Basel is well known for its public transit. Also, Christchurch is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Basel has some very good public transit options. Trams and buses make it easy to get around town.

While Christchurch offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. While it's not a diverse transit system, the buses are well connected and offer the cheapest way to get around town.

Is Christchurch or Basel a more walkable city?

Basel is terrific for its high level of walkability. Also, Christchurch is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

Getting around Basel on foot is easy. The old town and most of the major attractions are easily accessible on foot.

Christchurch is a very walkable destination. The city center is relatively flat and easy to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Christchurch Worth Visiting? and Is Basel Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Basel or Christchurch?

How long in Christchurch or Basel?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Christchurch and Basel. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Christchurch than in Basel. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Christchurch, and 1-3 days is enough time in Basel.

Families should spend more time in Christchurch than Basel. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Christchurch, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Christchurch than Basel. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Christchurch that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Christchurch than Basel if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Christchurch.

One day in Christchurch or Basel?

In Christchurch, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this outdoorsy destination offers. It's also a great beach destination, too. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

In Basel, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this easily accessible city offers. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this city.

A weekend in Christchurch or Basel?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Christchurch. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Basel is a fun place to experience. Visiting the old town is also a must. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Christchurch or Basel?

Christchurch is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Christchurch. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the vibrant destination of Basel. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

A week in Christchurch or Basel?

You'll find food and shopping around the outdoorsy destination of Christchurch. Most people come for the beaches. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Basel is a popular place to visit. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to New Zealand, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Auckland, The Best 2-Week Tours in Switzerland, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Switzerland.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Christchurch and Basel, we can see that Basel is more expensive. And not only is Christchurch much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Christchurch is in Pacific and Basel is in Europe, 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 Christchurch would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Christchurch 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 Basel would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Basel than you might in Christchurch.

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

Which is Bigger, Christchurch or Basel?

Christchurch has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Basel. When comparing the sizes of Christchurch and Basel, 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 Christchurch or Basel?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Christchurch is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Basel has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Christchurch or Basel in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Christchurch and Basel. Many travelers come to Christchurch for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Basel in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

Christchurch is cooler than Basel in the summer. The daily temperature in Christchurch averages around 18°C (64°F) in January, and Basel fluctuates around 21°C (70°F)in July.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Basel this time of the year. In Christchurch, it's very sunny this time of the year. Christchurch usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Basel during summer. Christchurch gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Basel receives 241 hours of full sun in the summer.

In January, Christchurch usually receives less rain than Baselin July. Christchurch gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Basel receives 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Christchurch or Basel in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Christchurch as well as Basel. Many visitors come to Christchurch in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Basel for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Christchurch is around the same temperature as Basel. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Christchurch in April average around 12°C (54°F), and Basel averages at about 13°C (56°F)in October.

In the autumn, Christchurch often gets more sunshine than Baselin October. Christchurch gets 161 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Basel receives 120 hours of full sun.

Christchurch usually gets less rain in April than Baselin October. Christchurch gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Basel receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Christchurch or Basel in the Winter?

Both Basel and Christchurch are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Christchurch for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Basel because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Basel can be very cold. In July, Christchurch is generally much warmer than Baselin January. Daily temperatures in Christchurch average around 6°C (43°F), and Basel fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

Christchurch usually receives more sunshine than Basel during winter. Christchurch gets 122 hours of sunny skies, while Basel receives 55 hours of full sun in the winter.

In July, Christchurch usually receives less rain than Baselin January. Christchurch gets 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Basel receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Christchurch or Basel in the Spring?

Both Basel and Christchurch during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Christchurch because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Furthermore, the natural beauty are the main draw to Basel this time of year.

Christchurch is around the same temperature as Basel in the spring. The daily temperature in Christchurch averages around 12°C (54°F) in October, and Basel fluctuates around 12°C (53°F)in April.

It's quite sunny in Christchurch. In the spring, Christchurch often gets more sunshine than Baselin April. Christchurch gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Basel receives 150 hours of full sun.

Christchurch usually gets less rain in October than Baselin April. Christchurch gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Basel receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Basel and Christchurch