Which place is cheaper, Whitsundays or Dunedin?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Dunedin or Whitsundays?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Dunedin or Whitsundays? 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 Whitsundays?
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.
Whitsundays
Just off the coast of Queensland, Australia is a cluster of 74 different islands. These islands, the Whitsunday Islands, welcome over a half a million visitors every year to see one of the Seven Wonders of the World - the Great Barrier Reef.
As one of the most famous destinations in the world, it's not uncommon to see expensive yachts sailing around among the private ferries. Most of the islands are designated as national parks with access to snorkeling and diving in the coral reefs, or just to lay in the sand on the famous Whitehaven Beach.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand, The Best Eco Tours in New Zealand, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Australia, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Australia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDunedin $102Whitsundays $132
The average daily cost (per person) in Dunedin is $102, while the average daily cost in Whitsundays is $132. 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 Whitsundays in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDunedin $52Whitsundays $69
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDunedin $104Whitsundays $138
Compare Hotels in Dunedin and Whitsundays
Looking for a hotel in Dunedin or Whitsundays? 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: Dunedin Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dunedin $27Whitsundays $55
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: $90
- Private Transfer from Chalmers Cruise Port to Dunedin City Hotels: $44
- Private Transfer from Chalmers Port to Dunedin Airport (DUD): $44
- Dunedin to Dunedin Int Airport (DUD) - Departure Private Transfer: $36
- Arrival Private Transfer in Dunedin Intl Airport to Dunedin : $36
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Whitsundays
Also for Whitsundays, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Whitsunday Islands: Whitehaven Beach Camping Transfer: $124
Is it cheaper to fly into Dunedin or Whitsundays?
Prices for flights to both Whitsundays 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
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Food Meals for one dayDunedin $29Whitsundays $30
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Whitsundays
For Whitsundays, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Hamilton Island: Whitsundays Sunset BBQ Dinner Cruise: $98
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dunedin $17Whitsundays $25
Tours and Activities in Dunedin
Here are a few actual costs in Dunedin for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Shore Excursion: V8 Trike, Peninsula and City Tour: $49
- A 2 hour Small Group Dunedin City Highlights Tour: $58
- Albatross, Wildlife and Harbour Cruise: $97
- All in Dunedin - Nature & City Tour: $520
- Brews and Views: Private Tour of Dunedin’s Craft Beer Scene: $1,035
- Captivating Side of Dunedin Walking Tour for Couples: $273
- Castle, Coast & City Small Group Tour (8 pax max): $121
- Clearwater Wildlife - Small Guided Tours (10 max) Otago Peninsula: $106
- Cruise Dunedin City and Castle Tour: $112
- Dunedin Adventure: Family Heritage & Nature Walk: $339
- Dunedin Adventure: Family Heritage & Nature Walk: $173
- Dunedin City & Coast Views 3-Hour Small-Group Tour: $74
Tours and Activities in Whitsundays
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Whitsundays.
- From Daydream Is.: Whitsundays & Whitehaven Half-Day Cruise: $91
- Whitsundays Camira Sailing Adventure from Daydream Island: $150
- Daydream Island: Great Barrier Reef Adventure Cruise: $195
- Airlie Beach: Private Guided 2-Night Yacht Sailing Cruise: $4,941
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDunedin $14Whitsundays $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Dunedin
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Dunedin:
- Speight Brewery Small Group Guided Tour from Dunedin: $21
- Emerson's Brewery Tour: $24
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dunedin and Whitsundays, we can see that Whitsundays is more expensive. And not only is Dunedin much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Dunedin would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Dunedin 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 Whitsundays would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Whitsundays than you might in Dunedin.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Dunedin Expensive? and Is Whitsundays 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.