Which place is cheaper, Dunedin or Fiordland National Park?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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 Fiordland National Park and Dunedin can help you decide which place is right for you.
Fiordland National Park is a iconic, breathtaking, and world famous national park. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. Other popular activities here include hiking.
Dunedin is a vibrant, small, and hilly city. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums.
Visitors will usually find more to do in Dunedin than Fiordland National Park, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Dunedin is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, beaches, and shopping, while Fiordland National Park is more popular for its hiking and impressive beauty. Fiordland National Park is more touristy than Dunedin and is popular for its world renowned hiking trails and stunning natural environments. Dunedin is well known for its wildlife and proximity to the Otago Peninsula. Also, Dunedin is famous for .
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Dunedin and Fiordland National Park. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Dunedin is a very popular place for its museums and history. However, Fiordland National Park does not have museums and landmarks.
Many visitors head to Dunedin specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The city has cultural scene that is centered around both Scottish and Maori heritage. Top sights around town include the Larnach Castle, the Dunedin Railway Station, Toitu Otago Settlers Museum, and the Otago Museum.
Fiordland National Park does not have museums and landmarks.
Dunedin is very good for its restaurants. However, Fiordland National Park is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.
There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Dunedin. The culinary scene in town continues to grow and improve. There are local eateries that have charm and character and serve interesting and local dishes.
You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Fiordland National Park. Te Anau is a town that serves as the basecamp for the park, and there are a range of restaurants and cafes there. Once you're in the park the dining options are limited, so it's best to come prepared with your own food supplies.
Dunedin is a very popular place for nightlife. However, Fiordland National Park is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.
Dunedin has a large number of nightlife venues. The town has eclectic bars and a diverse club scene that is fun to experience. It has a lively nightlife scene that is driven, in part, by the large student population.
Fiordland National Park is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.
Dunedin is very good for its beaches. However, Fiordland National Park is not a beach destination.
Many people head to Dunedin to enjoy the beach. Many of the beaches are just a short drive from the city center. The surf is surprisingly good and the beaches are fun during the warmer summer months.
Fiordland National Park is not a beach destination.
Fiordland National Park is an unbeatable place for its hiking experiences. Also, Dunedin is still popular, but not quite as popular for hiking.
People visit Fiordland National Park specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. The park has world class hiking, and this is the main activity for most visitors. There are three main trails in the park, as well as many shorter hikes that you can do. Milford Track is probably the most famous hike, and it is often considered one of the best hikes in the world. Routeburn Track is a multi-day trek that passes through a variety of environments and landscapes. Other popular trails include Kepler Track, Hollyford Track, and Dusky Track.
Many people include a hike when visiting Dunedin. There are biking and hiking trails that travel around town and through the surrounding landscapes.
Dunedin is a very popular place for shopping. However, Fiordland National Park is not a noteworthy shopping destination.
Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Dunedin. The shopping scene is diverse and eclectic with everything from vintage shops to fashion boutiques. Some of the most popular shopping areas are Edinburgh Way, Octagon Entertainment Precinct, Moray Place, and the Warehouse Precinct.
Fiordland National Park is not a noteworthy shopping destination.
Fiordland National Park is an unbeatable place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Dunedin is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.
As it has a large number of activities for kids, Fiordland National Park is a very family-friendly destination. It's the largest national park in New Zealand, and it makes a great playground for the whole family. It's the perfect place to go for a hike or learn about the natural world. There are dolphins and seals, waterfalls, and glowworm caves. There are also fun adventures like kayaking and jet skiing.
Dunedin is a very family-friendly destination. It's one of the largest cities on the South Island, and there are many educational opportunities and unique experiences available to kids. You can visit the Otago Museum or the Toitu Otago Settlers Museum, take a wildlife cruise, or visit the Larnach Castle. You can also take a ride on the Inlander or simply hang out at a playground.
Fiordland National Park is an unbeatable place for couples. Also, Dunedin is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.
Fiordland National Park makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. Couples who love the great outdoors will be in heaven in this stunning national park. There's gorgeous scenery, romantic boat trips, and world class hikes that are not to be missed.
Dunedin is a nice destination for couples. You can wander through the castle or explore one of the city's markets. There are also romantic restaurants and many opportunities to see wildlife.
Fiordland National Park is an unbeatable place for backpackers. Also, Dunedin is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.
Fiordland National Park is a very popular national park to visit for backpackers. As the largest national park in New Zealand, this is a world class backpackers destination and it is filled with amazing multi-day treks and once in a lifetime experiences.
Dunedin is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There are many hostels around town and plenty of activities that keep backpackers entertained.
Dunedin is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Fiordland National Park is not popular with students.
Dunedin is very popular with students. This is a large student city that is welcoming to international students and a popular place to study.
Fiordland National Park is not popular with students.
Dunedin is very good for times when you don't have a car. However, Fiordland National Park is lacking in good options for its public transit.
Dunedin has some public transit options. There a relatively decent bus system that travels through town.
Public transit is limited or non-existant in Fiordland National Park. Public transit is basically nonexistent in the park and there are few roads as well. Even so, having your own car is important as it gives you the flexibility to reach the sections that you want to visit.
Dunedin is a very popular place for its walkability. However, Fiordland National Park is lacking in good options for its high level of walkability.
Dunedin is very walkable. Parts of the town are easy to explore on foot.
Fiordland National Park is generally not very walkable. There are trails throughout the park and it's possible to access it on foot via Routeburn Track from Mt. Aspiring National Park.
For even more information, also check out Is Fiordland National Park Worth Visiting? and Is Dunedin Worth Visiting?.
Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Fiordland National Park and Dunedin. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Fiordland National Park than in Dunedin. Usually, 3-6 days is a good amount of time for Fiordland National Park, and 1-3 days is enough time in Dunedin.
Couples should spend more time in Dunedin than Fiordland National Park. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Dunedin that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Dunedin than Fiordland National Park if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Dunedin.
In Fiordland National Park, you'll find . Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. This national park offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.
You'll find nightlife and food around the small city of Dunedin. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this city.
In Fiordland National Park, you'll find . The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.
Dunedin is a popular choice for travelers. A weekend here is typical. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.
Fiordland National Park is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Fiordland National Park has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.
Dunedin is a great place to explore. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Fiordland National Park. Many people enjoy the when visiting Fiordland National Park. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Dunedin. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in New Zealand, The Best Thrill-Seeking Tours in New Zealand, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in New Zealand, and The Best Luxury Tours to New Zealand.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Fiordland National Park is $98, while the average daily cost in Dunedin is $103. 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 Fiordland National Park and Dunedin in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Fiordland National Park or Dunedin? 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.
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Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dunedin:
Prices for flights to both Dunedin and Fiordland National Park 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.
For Fiordland National Park, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Here are a few actual costs in Dunedin for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Dunedin:
When comparing the travel costs between Fiordland National Park and Dunedin, we can see that Dunedin 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.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Fiordland National Park Expensive? and Is Dunedin Expensive?.