Which place is cheaper, Hofn or Christchurch?
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 Christchurch or Hofn?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Christchurch or Hofn? 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.
Where Should I go: Christchurch or Hofn?
Christchurch
Christchurch is the largest city on the South Island of New Zealand, right beside the Canterbury Plains. Most people begin their South Island travels here. The city itself can be fascinating to explore so it is worth allowing yourself several days in town as an introduction to the region.
The River Avon flows through the city center, twisting through the old buildings. Christchurch is referred to in New Zealand as the Garden City and it is easy to see why. It's quite a nice city with trees spread throughout. The economy is centered around international tourism as well as foreign education. There is a high Asian student population here, giving the city a diverse feel.
Christchurch's climate is temperate and the city receives moderate rainfall. In January average high temperatures are around 73 degrees Fahrenheit with averages around 52 degrees Fahrenheit in July. There is a sea breeze during the summer months that keep temperatures pleasant. Temperatures can drop below freezing at night during the winter months. Snow may also fall several times a year.
Hofn
Hofn is a very small fishing town on the southeast of Iceland, measuring just over half a mile across. It is best known for being located in the beautiful Vatnajokull Region, where the largest glacier in Europe is located. Hofn, and the surrounding area, is full of breathtaking natural scenery including lagoons, icefalls, and mountains.
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 Northern Lights Tours in Iceland, and The Best Luxury Tours to Iceland.
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Christchurch Prices
New Zealand PricesHofn Prices
Iceland Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChristchurch $117Hofn $207
The average daily cost (per person) in Christchurch is $117, while the average daily cost in Hofn is $207. 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 Christchurch and Hofn in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChristchurch $49Hofn $113
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChristchurch $98Hofn $226
Compare Hotels in Christchurch and Hofn
Looking for a hotel in Christchurch or Hofn? 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: Christchurch Hotel Prices and Hofn Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Christchurch $14Hofn $31
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Christchurch
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Christchurch:
- Private Transfer from Christchurch City to Akaroa Cruise Port: $189
- Christchurch Airport (CHC): Transfer to Christchurch hotels: $164
- Christchurch Airport Transfers : Airport CHC to Christchurch in Luxury Car: $130
- Christchurch Airport Transfers : Christchurch to Airport CHC in Luxury Car: $130
- Departure Transfer: Christchurch to Airport CHC by Business Car: $95
- Private Transfer from Christchurch City to Lyttelton Cruise Port: $87
- Private Transfer from Lyttelton Cruise Port to Christchurch City: $87
- Christchurch Airport to City SUV Transfer: $57
- CHC Airport to Downtown|Hotel Private Transfer: $26
Is it cheaper to fly into Christchurch or Hofn?
Prices for flights to both Hofn and Christchurch 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 dayChristchurch $53Hofn $73
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Christchurch $17Hofn $20
Tours and Activities in Christchurch
Here are a few actual costs in Christchurch for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Christchurch Gondola Ride Ticket: $25
- (MT) Mount Cook & Lake Tekapo Day Tour From Christchurch: $179
- (MT) Mount Cook & Lake Tekapo Day Tour from Christchurch: $173
- (MT) Mount Cook Day Tour From Christchurch: $150
- 1/2-Day Christchurch Scenic Highlights Small Group Tour: $173
- 1/2-day Christchurch Scenic Highlights (Private Tour): $239
- Akaroa Day Tour From Christchurch: $114
- Akaroa Full Day Sightseeing Tour from Christchurch: $156
- Arthur's Pass Day Tour From Christchurch with TranzAlpine: $255
- Arthur's Pass and TranzAlpine Train Day Tour from Christchurch: $255
- Arthur's Pass: TranzAlpine Train and Castle Hill Day Tour: $238
- Arthur’s Pass Day Tour From Christchurch With TranzAlpine: $264
Tours and Activities in Hofn
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Hofn.
- Ice Cave Tour in the National Park of Vatnajökull: $157
- The Orignal Ice Cave Tour in Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon: $164
- Sapphire Ice Cave Tour from Jökulsárlón - Extra Small Group: $170
- Crystal Ice Cave Tour from Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon: $182
- Frozen Wonders : Small Group Ice Cave Tour: $200
- Crystal Ice Cave Adventure : $203
- 3 Hours Blue Ice Experience in Vatnajokull : $214
- Sindri’s Ice Cave Photography Tour: A Local’s Perspective: $215
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayChristchurch $11Hofn $13
Sample the Local Flavors in Christchurch
Also in Christchurch, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Waipara Wine Tour from Christchurch - including Lunch & Tastings: $108
- Lyttelton Shore Excursion - Waipara Wine Tour With Lunch: $114
- From Guided Local Wine Tours in Waipara: $116
- Lyttelton Shore Excursion - City Highlights & Waipara Wine Tour : $135
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Christchurch and Hofn, we can see that Hofn 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 Hofn 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 Hofn would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hofn 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 Hofn Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Christchurch or Hofn?
Christchurch has a larger population, and is about 210 times larger than the population of Hofn. When comparing the sizes of Christchurch and Hofn, 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 Hofn?
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 Hofn has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Christchurch or Hofn in the Summer?
Both Hofn and Christchurch during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Christchurch for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
Christchurch is much warmer than Hofn in the summer. The daily temperature in Christchurch averages around 18°C (64°F) in January, and Hofn fluctuates around 9°C (48°F)in July.
Christchurch usually gets less rain in January than Hofnin July. Christchurch gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Hofn receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyChristchurch 18°C (64°F)Hofn 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Christchurch or Hofn in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Christchurch and Hofn. Many visitors come to Christchurch in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Hofn can be very cold during autumn. In the autumn, Christchurch is much warmer than Hofn. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Christchurch in April average around 12°C (54°F), and Hofn averages at about 4°C (40°F)in October.
Hofn receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In April, Christchurch usually receives less rain than Hofnin October. Christchurch gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Hofn receives 153 mm (6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberChristchurch 12°C (54°F)Hofn 4°C (40°F)
Should I visit Christchurch or Hofn in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Christchurch as well as Hofn. Most visitors come to Christchurch for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
The weather in Hofn can be very cold. In July, Christchurch is generally much warmer than Hofnin January. Daily temperatures in Christchurch average around 6°C (43°F), and Hofn fluctuates around -0°C (31°F).
It's quite rainy in Hofn. Christchurch usually gets less rain in July than Hofnin January. Christchurch gets 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Hofn receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryChristchurch 6°C (43°F)Hofn -0°C (31°F)
Should I visit Christchurch or Hofn in the Spring?
Both Hofn and Christchurch are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Christchurch because of the beaches and the natural beauty.
It's quite cold in Hofn in the spring. Christchurch is much warmer than Hofn in the spring. The daily temperature in Christchurch averages around 12°C (54°F) in October, and Hofn fluctuates around 2°C (36°F)in April.
In October, Christchurch usually receives less rain than Hofnin April. Christchurch gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Hofn receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilChristchurch 12°C (54°F)Hofn 2°C (36°F)
Typical Weather for Hofn and Christchurch
| Christchurch | Hofn | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 18°C (64°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | -0°C (31°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Feb | 17°C (63°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 0°C (32°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) |
| Mar | 16°C (60°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 0°C (32°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (54°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| May | 9°C (49°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Jun | 6°C (44°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 6°C (43°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Aug | 7°C (45°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Sep | 10°C (49°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| Oct | 12°C (54°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 153 mm (6 in) |
| Nov | 14°C (58°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Dec | 16°C (61°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | -0°C (32°F) | 124 mm (4.9 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.