A Travel Price Comparison for New Zealand Dunedin vs. Aoraki Mount Cook for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Pacific / Comparisons /
Jump to  down-arrow

Should you visit Dunedin or Aoraki Mount Cook?

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

Should I visit Dunedin or Aoraki Mount Cook? 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: Dunedin or Aoraki Mount Cook?

Dunedin

Dunedin is the second largest city on the South Island of New Zealand. It is situated on the southeast coast and is largely Scottish in its heritage. It is part of the Otago region and has mild temperatures during the spring and summer, but extremely cold temperatures during the end of fall and winter. Dunedin is a university town; The University of Otago is the oldest in New Zealand, established in 1869. The students make up over a tenth of the entire city's population.

Aoraki Mount Cook

Aoraki Mount Cook National Park is located on the South Island of New Zealand. It was declared a national park in 1953 to protect and preserve the landscape. The park is home to the country's highest peak, Aoraki/Mount Cook. In Maori, Aoraki means, "cloud piercer", and the English name, Mt Cook, refers to the navigator James Cook, who discovered New Zealand in the 18th century. Mt Cook was the training location for Sir Edmund Hillary, who was the first person to summit Everest in 1953. Other peaks in the park include Mount Tasman, Mount Sefton, and Mount Hicks. Not only can you find lush greenery all over the park, but also, glaciers cover 40% of the parks area.

Which place is cheaper, Aoraki Mount Cook or Dunedin?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Dunedin is $101, while the average daily cost in Aoraki Mount Cook is $105. 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 Dunedin and Aoraki Mount Cook in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Dunedin $51
    Aoraki Mount Cook $59
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Dunedin $102
    Aoraki Mount Cook $118
Compare Hotels in Dunedin and Aoraki Mount Cook

Looking for a hotel in Dunedin or Aoraki Mount Cook? 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 Dunedin


Hotels in Aoraki Mount Cook


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: Dunedin Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Dunedin $27
    Aoraki Mount Cook $27

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dunedin

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dunedin:

  • ONE WAY MOMONA: Transfer from /to Dunedin Airport: $125
  • Momona Airport: One-Way Private Transfer to Momona: $88
  • Dunedin Int Airport(DUD) to Dunedin - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $71
  • Private Transfer from Dunedin Airport (DUD) to Chalmers Port: $43
  • Private Transfer from Chalmers Cruise Port to Dunedin City Hotels: $43
  • Private Transfer from Chalmers Port to Dunedin Airport (DUD): $43
  • Arrival Private Transfer in Dunedin Intl Airport to Dunedin : $36
  • Dunedin to Dunedin Int Airport (DUD) - Departure Private Transfer: $36

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Aoraki Mount Cook

Also for Aoraki Mount Cook, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer from Dunedin City Hotels to Chalmers Cruise Port: $43

Is it cheaper to fly into Dunedin or Aoraki Mount Cook?

Prices for flights to both Aoraki Mount Cook and Dunedin 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
    Dunedin $28
    Aoraki Mount Cook $26

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Dunedin $17
    Aoraki Mount Cook $23

Tours and Activities in Dunedin

Here are a few actual costs in Dunedin for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Half-Day Guided Tour: City, Sights, & Larnach Castle: $84
  • Shore Excursion: V8 Trike, Peninsula and City Tour: $48
  • 1900s era Dunedin Heritage and Peninsula Van Tour : $118
  • A 2 hour Small Group Dunedin City Highlights Tour: $58
  • Albatross, Wildlife and Harbour Cruise: $97
  • All in Dunedin - Nature & City Tour: $473
  • Blue Penguins Pukekura- Late Tour Penguin Viewing : $25
  • Captivating Side of Dunedin Walking Tour for Couples: $271
  • Carbon-free transport and tour through Orokonui Ecosanctuary: $79
  • Castle to Cruise Tour: $88
  • City Highlights, Larnach Castle & Peninsula Experience: $106
  • City to Sea Tour: $58

Tours and Activities in Aoraki Mount Cook

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Aoraki Mount Cook.

  • Half-Day Self-Guided Ride and Wine Bike Tour from Arrowtown: $60
  • Half-Day Guided Sea Kayaking Tour from Anakiwa: $66
  • Mt. Cook to Queenstown Small Group Tour (1-way) : $103
  • From Christchurch: Mount Cook One-Way Discovery Tour: $118
  • Mt Cook to Christchurch via Lake Tekapo Small Group Tour 1 way: $120
  • Mt Cook & Hooker Valley Hike Small Group Tour from Queenstown: $136
  • Mt Cook Small Group Tour from Queenstown with Optional Activities : $136
  • Gold Hunting Adventures: $224
  • 35-Minute Valley and Glacier Ski Plane Tour from Mount Cook: $242
  • 35-Minute Valley and Glacier Helicopter Tour from Mount Cook: $242
  • 45-Minute Mount Cook Ski Plane and Helicopter Combo Tour: $272
  • Hokitika Fly SIX Glaciers Heli Tour: $303

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Dunedin $14
    Aoraki Mount Cook $20

Sample the Local Flavors in Dunedin

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Dunedin:

  • Speight's Brewery Guided Tour with Tasting: $18
  • Speight Brewery Small Group Guided Tour from Dunedin: $18
  • Emerson's Brewery Tour: $24
  • Emerson's Brewery Tour: $24
  • Distillery Tour with Gin & Spirit Tasting: $27

Sample the Local Flavors in Aoraki Mount Cook

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Aoraki Mount Cook:

  • Classic Central Otago Wine Tasting Experience: $15
  • Pinot Noir Wine Tasting Experience: $27
  • Valli Wine Tasting Experience: $27
  • Wild Irishman Wine Tasting Experience: $45
  • Premium Central Otago Wine Tasting Experience: $45

How are these travel costs calculated?

When comparing the travel costs between Dunedin and Aoraki Mount Cook, we can see that Aoraki Mount Cook is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Pacific, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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.
About BudgetYourTrip.com
More City Comparisons
Wellington vs. Dunedin
Wellington vs. Aoraki Mount Cook
Te Anau vs. Dunedin
Te Anau vs. Aoraki Mount Cook
Taupo vs. Dunedin
Taupo vs. Aoraki Mount Cook
Paihia vs. Dunedin
Paihia vs. Aoraki Mount Cook
Nelson vs. Dunedin
Nelson vs. Aoraki Mount Cook
Napier vs. Dunedin
Napier vs. Aoraki Mount Cook
Mount Aspiring National Park vs. Dunedin
Mount Aspiring National Park vs. Aoraki Mount Cook
Lake Tekapo vs. Dunedin
Lake Tekapo vs. Aoraki Mount Cook
Kaikoura vs. Dunedin
Kaikoura vs. Aoraki Mount Cook
Fiordland National Park vs. Dunedin
Fiordland National Park vs. Aoraki Mount Cook
Dunedin vs. Christchurch
Dunedin vs. Auckland
Dunedin vs. Tauranga
Dunedin vs. Queenstown
Dunedin vs. Arrowtown
Dunedin vs. Cromwell
Dunedin vs. Rotorua
Dunedin vs. Picton
Share This Page
Pin This Page
Dunedin vs. Aoraki Mount Cook Travel Comparison

Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.