A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Dali vs. Kaikoura for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Dali or Kaikoura?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Dali and Kaikoura can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Dali or Kaikoura?

Dali

Dali is a city in southern China with a long and glorious history dating back to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The Xiaguan neighborhood of the city is the modern industrial center where most public transportation arrives; however, the Old Town of Dali is the place that draws the most visitors. Being one of China's ancient cities, Dali is said to have been a gateway to the Silk Road, and still attracts attention with its traditional architecture, beautiful scenery, ethnic cultures, and nightlife.

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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, The Best Adventure Tours to China, The Best Eco Tours in New Zealand, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in New Zealand.


Which place is cheaper, Kaikoura or Dali?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Dali is $49, while the average daily cost in Kaikoura is $144. 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 Dali and Kaikoura in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Dali $17
    Kaikoura $51
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Dali $34
    Kaikoura $102
Compare Hotels in Dali and Kaikoura

Looking for a hotel in Dali 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.

Hotels in Dali


Hotels in Kaikoura


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Dali $9.45
    Kaikoura $18
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Dali

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Dali:


  • Local Bus
    $0.43

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dali

Also for Dali, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Dali Airport Chauffeur Service,Dali Airport Transfer: $40
  • Private Transfer from Dali to Lijiang/Shuhe hotel: $149
  • Private Transfer from Dali to Lijiang/Shuhe hotel and Stops at Shaxi Old Town: $160

Is it cheaper to fly into Dali or Kaikoura?

Prices for flights to both Kaikoura and Dali 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
    Dali $18
    Kaikoura $40
Typical Food Prices in Dali

For Dali, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Lunch
    $4.54
  • Breakfast
    $3.55

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Dali $18
    Kaikoura $162

Tours and Activities in Dali

For Dali, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 1-Day Erhai Sightseeing in Dali: $129
  • 1-Day Tie Dye Experience Tour in Dali: $160
  • Private hiking tour to Cangshan Mountain from Dali: $175
  • Private tour to Xizhou old town local market Erhai lake three Pagodas from Dali: $184
  • Dali Private Tour to Xizhou Ancient Town and Erhai Lake : $186
  • 1-Day Dali tour with the Daili old town, Xizhou Village and Three Pagodas: $195
  • 2-Days Self-Guided tour from Dali to Lijiang and overnight in Shaxi old town: $205
  • All inclusive Dali Erhai cruise three pagoda xizhou market: $210
  • Private Customized Tour: Dali City Highlights in One Day: $213
  • All Inclusive Private Day Tour to Shaxi Ancient Town from Dali: $213
  • Private Day Tour: Erhai Lake, Three Pagodas, Dali Ancient Town: $217
  • Dali Yunnan Local Market + Pottery Making Eco Tour: $220

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: $84
  • 1-Hour Private Heli-Picnic Mountain top tour in Kaikoura : $258
  • 40-minute Mt Fyffe Summit Heli Tour in Kaikoura : $239
  • Half Day Zipline Adventure in Kaikoura: $119
  • Kaikoura Swim with Dolphins Tour from Christchurch: $255
  • Kaikoura Whale Watch Day Tour from Christchurch: $227
  • 1-Hour Whale Watching Helicopter Tour: $763
  • Half-Day Wildlife Kayaking Tour: $92
  • Private Guided Kayak Tour with Seals: $153
  • Seal-Watching Pedal Kayak Tour: $82
  • Whale Flight - Ultimate Experience : $102
  • Whale Watching Cruise: $107

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Dali $11
    Kaikoura -


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dali and Kaikoura, we can see that Kaikoura is more expensive. And not only is Dali much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dali 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 Dali would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Dali 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 Dali.

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


Which is Bigger, Dali or Kaikoura?

Dali has a larger population, and is about 200 times larger than the population of Kaikoura. When comparing the sizes of Dali 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.