Which place is cheaper, Ocho Rios 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 Ocho Rios?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Christchurch or Ocho Rios? 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 Ocho Rios?
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.
Ocho Rios
Ocho Rios, or "Ochi" is a town located on the northeastern shore of Jamaica and is a popular hub for cruise ships. It is a great destination for tourists as it has many resorts and beautiful beaches.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to New Zealand, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Auckland.
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Christchurch Prices
New Zealand PricesOcho Rios Prices
Jamaica Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChristchurch $117Ocho Rios $85
The average daily cost (per person) in Christchurch is $117, while the average daily cost in Ocho Rios is $85. 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 Ocho Rios in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChristchurch $49Ocho Rios $51
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChristchurch $98Ocho Rios $102
Compare Hotels in Christchurch and Ocho Rios
Looking for a hotel in Christchurch or Ocho Rios? 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 Ocho Rios Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Christchurch $14Ocho Rios $7.32
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ocho Rios
Also for Ocho Rios, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Ocho Rios Private Airport Transfer [VIP LUXURY Vehicles]: $158
- Private Airport Transfer to Bahia Principe Grand Hotel : $100
- A "Private" Airport Transfer to any Resort in Ocho Rios: $90
- ATV Tour Ocho Rios - Private Transfer Only (Activity Fee Excluded): $27
- Airport Transfer - From MBJ to Ocho Rios Hotels: $80
- Airport Transfer To Kingston, Ocho Rios, Montego Bay & Negril: $140
- Bahia Principe Grand Jamaica Private Airport transfer : $61
- Bahia Principe Grand and Luxury Airport Transfer: $80
- Bob Marley & Nine Mile Heritage Tour with Bus Transfer/Ocho Rios: $117
- Dunn's River Falls And Shopping Tour From Ocho Rios-Transfer Only: $67
- Grand Bahia Jamaica Airport Transfers Montego Bay MBJ (Private Rountrip): $300
- Grand Bahia Principe Hotel Airport Transfer: $53
Is it cheaper to fly into Christchurch or Ocho Rios?
Prices for flights to both Ocho Rios 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 $53Ocho Rios $28
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ocho Rios
For Ocho Rios, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Flavors of Jamaica Food Tour from Ocho Rios: $128
- Taste of Jamaica Food Tour from Ocho Rios: $150
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Christchurch $17Ocho Rios $15
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Ocho Rios
For Ocho Rios, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Tour of Brimmer Hall Estate$11
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Admission to Coyaba Gardens$5.27
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Tour of Prospect Plantation$17
Tours and Activities in Ocho Rios
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ocho Rios.
- Ocho Rios Shopping Tour : $21
- Original Blue Hole St. Ann Ocho Rios Jamaica Admission Fee Ticket: $25
- Private Dunn's River Falls, Ocho Rios Sightseeing and shopping : $30
- Luminous Lagoon Boat Tour from Ocho Rios: $40
- Ocho Rios City Bus Tour (Beach, Sightseeing & Shopping): $40
- Blue Hole and Dunn's River Tour (Entrance Fees Not Included): $40
- Skip-The-Line: Dunn's River Falls Adventure Tour from Ocho Rios: $40
- Transportation to Horse Back Ride & Swim Adventure from Ocho Rios: $45
- Luminous lagoon Private & Group tour from Runaway Bay: $45
- Ocho Rios City Tour and Sightseeing: $49
- Shopping and Sightseeing Tour in Ocho Rios: $50
- Dunn's River Falls and Ocho Rios Sightseeing with Shopping: $50
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayChristchurch $11Ocho Rios $7.43
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Ocho Rios
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Ocho Rios:
- Bar Hopping, Pub Crawl, Shopping and Sightseeing Tour Ocho Rios: $113
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Christchurch and Ocho Rios, we can see that Christchurch is more expensive. And not only is Ocho Rios much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Christchurch is in Pacific and Ocho Rios is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Ocho Rios would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ocho Rios 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 Christchurch would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Christchurch than you might in Ocho Rios.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Christchurch Expensive? and Is Ocho Rios Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Christchurch or Ocho Rios?
Christchurch has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Ocho Rios. When comparing the sizes of Christchurch and Ocho Rios, 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 Ocho Rios?
Christchurch has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Ocho Rios experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Christchurch or Ocho Rios in the Summer?
Both Ocho Rios 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ocho Rios year-round.
In the summer, Christchurch is much colder than Ocho Rios. Typically, the summer temperatures in Christchurch in January average around 18°C (64°F), and Ocho Rios averages at about 29°C (83°F)in July.
In Ocho Rios, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Christchurch. In the summer, Christchurch often gets less sunshine than Ocho Riosin July. Christchurch gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ocho Rios receives 254 hours of full sun.
Christchurch usually gets more rain in January than Ocho Riosin July. Christchurch gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Ocho Rios receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyChristchurch 18°C (64°F)Ocho Rios 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Christchurch or Ocho Rios in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Christchurch and Ocho Rios. Many visitors come to Christchurch in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Ocho Rios attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Christchurch is generally much colder than Ocho Riosin October. Daily temperatures in Christchurch average around 12°C (54°F), and Ocho Rios fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ocho Rios this time of the year. Christchurch usually receives less sunshine than Ocho Rios during autumn. Christchurch gets 161 hours of sunny skies, while Ocho Rios receives 229 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Ocho Rios receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In April, Christchurch usually receives less rain than Ocho Riosin October. Christchurch gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Ocho Rios receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberChristchurch 12°C (54°F)Ocho Rios 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Christchurch or Ocho Rios in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Christchurch as well as Ocho Rios. Most visitors come to Christchurch for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ocho Rios throughout the year.
Christchurch is much colder than Ocho Rios in the winter. The daily temperature in Christchurch averages around 6°C (43°F) in July, and Ocho Rios fluctuates around 26°C (79°F)in January.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ocho Rios. In the winter, Christchurch often gets less sunshine than Ocho Riosin January. Christchurch gets 122 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ocho Rios receives 257 hours of full sun.
Christchurch usually gets more rain in July than Ocho Riosin January. Christchurch gets 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Ocho Rios receives 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryChristchurch 6°C (43°F)Ocho Rios 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Christchurch or Ocho Rios in the Spring?
Both Ocho Rios 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. Plenty of visitors come to Ocho Rios because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the spring, Christchurch is much colder than Ocho Rios. Typically, the spring temperatures in Christchurch in October average around 12°C (54°F), and Ocho Rios averages at about 26°C (80°F)in April.
It's quite sunny in Ocho Rios. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Christchurch. Christchurch usually receives less sunshine than Ocho Rios during spring. Christchurch gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while Ocho Rios receives 251 hours of full sun in the spring.
In October, Christchurch usually receives more rain than Ocho Riosin April. Christchurch gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Ocho Rios receives 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilChristchurch 12°C (54°F)Ocho Rios 26°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Ocho Rios and Christchurch
| Christchurch | Ocho Rios | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 18°C (64°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) |
| Feb | 17°C (63°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Mar | 16°C (60°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (54°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 9°C (49°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Jun | 6°C (44°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 6°C (43°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Aug | 7°C (45°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Sep | 10°C (49°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Oct | 12°C (54°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Nov | 14°C (58°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 16°C (61°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 31 mm (1.2 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.