Which place is cheaper, Kaikoura or Deqin?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Deqin or Kaikoura?
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 Deqin and Kaikoura. 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: Deqin or Kaikoura?
Deqin
Highly influenced by Tibet, Deqin is both a county and a town located in the Hengduanshan Mountains of China's Yunnan province. Most people visit the area as a home base from which to hike into the surrounding mountains, though the temples and traditional villages also add to the allure of the area.
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 The Best Sightseeing Tours in China, The Best Cultural Tours in China, The Best Luxury Tours to New Zealand, and The Best Budget Tours to New Zealand.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDeqin $63Kaikoura $135
The average daily cost (per person) in Deqin is $63, while the average daily cost in Kaikoura is $135. 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 Deqin and Kaikoura in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDeqin $35Kaikoura $48
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDeqin $70Kaikoura $96
Compare Hotels in Deqin and Kaikoura
Looking for a hotel in Deqin 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.
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.Deqin $18Kaikoura $17
Is it cheaper to fly into Deqin or Kaikoura?
Prices for flights to both Kaikoura and Deqin 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 dayDeqin $16Kaikoura $38
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Deqin $13Kaikoura $152
Tours and Activities in Kaikoura
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kaikoura are as follows:
- Seal-Watching Pedal Kayak Tour: $71
- Sunset Kayak tour in Kaikoura: $72
- Seal Kayaking Adventure in Kaikoura: $72
- Llama Trek (Taster) - Kowhai River Valley and Native Woodland Tour: $81
- Guided Family Kayaking Adventure: $89
- Half-Day Wildlife Kayaking Tour: $89
- Wildlife Kayaking Tour at Sunset: $89
- Wildlife Sea Kayaking Tour - Kaikoura: $90
- Sunset Evening Kayaking Tour - Kaikoura: $91
- KaikÅura: Zipline and Native Forest Adventure Trip: $94
- Half Day Zipline Adventure in Kaikoura: $97
- Whale Watching Cruise: $98
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayDeqin $11Kaikoura -
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Deqin and Kaikoura, we can see that Kaikoura is more expensive. And not only is Deqin much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Deqin 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 Deqin would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Deqin 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 Deqin.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Deqin Expensive? and Is Kaikoura Expensive?.
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.