Should you visit Fiordland National Park or Picton?
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 Picton can help you decide which place is right for you.
Fiordland National Park
One of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites, Fiordland National Park is New Zealand's largest park, as well as one of the largest in the world. Although it may be the largest, it is the least explored park in the country. The park takes up the southwest region of the south island. The Department of Conservation manages the park (like all of the other parks in the country) and they try to keep development minimal in efforts to protect the environment and manage human activity. When visiting the park, prepare for rain as the park as over 200 days of rain per year.
Picton
Picton, New Zealand is located in the picturesque Marlborough Region on the South Island. With beachfront access in a central location and near the Marlborough Sounds, Picton is an ideal place for anyone looking for both adventure and relaxation in one of the most naturally beautiful countries in the world.
The weather in Picton is fairly mild, ranging from the low fifties to high sixties, Fahrenheit, throughout the year. Their summer months are December through March, this is when you'll find temperatures in the high sixties. During the winter, June through August, Picton experiences averages of fifty degree Fahrenheit. This means you can visit any time of the year without having to worry about weather inhibiting any of your outdoor activities!
Which city is cheaper, Picton or Fiordland National Park?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Fiordland National Park is $93, while the average daily cost in Picton is $83. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Fiordland National Park and Picton in more detail.
Accommodation
Double occupancy rooms typically run around $92 in Fiordland National Park For nicer amenities and a premiere location, you can expect to pay a bit more.
Accommodation prices vary by location and style, but travelers pay on average about $70 for a double occupancy room in Picton.
-
Accommodation
Hotel or hostel for one person
Fiordland National Park $46
Picton $35
-
Accommodation
Typical double-occupancy room
Fiordland National Park
$92
Picton
$70
Food
The average traveler spends about $22 per day in Fiordland National Park for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
While meal prices in Picton can vary, the average travelers spends about $19 per day on food. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out, an average meal in Picton should cost around $7.60 per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Picton is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Fiordland National Park
For Fiordland National Park, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
-
Queenstown Skyline Gondola and Luge Ride with Optional Buffet Lunch or Dinner:
$47
-
Taste Auckland Group Food Tour:
$98
-
Auckland Harbour Dinner Cruise:
$102
-
Sunset / Night Kayak to Rangitoto Island with BBQ Dinner:
$138
-
Queenstown Wine and Food Tour:
$141
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Picton
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Picton.
-
Queenstown Skyline Gondola and Luge Ride with Optional Buffet Lunch or Dinner:
$47
-
Taste Auckland Group Food Tour:
$98
-
Auckland Harbour Dinner Cruise:
$102
-
Sunset / Night Kayak to Rangitoto Island with BBQ Dinner:
$138
-
Queenstown Wine and Food Tour:
$141
Local Transportation
To get around in Fiordland National Park, the average visitor spends $40 per day, per person. This includes the costs of taxi rides and private drivers as well as public transportation, which tends to be much more affordable.
-
Local Transportation
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
Fiordland National Park $40
Picton
-
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Fiordland National Park
Also for Fiordland National Park, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Shared and Private Nelson Airport (NSN) Transfers for Nelson CBD:
$7.09
-
SkyBus Auckland Airport (AKL) Express Transfer Ticket:
$11
-
Shared and Private Wellington Airport (WLG) Transfers for Wellington CBD:
$11
-
Shared Queenstown Airport (ZQN) Transfers for Queenstown CBD:
$11
-
Shared and Private Christchurch Airport (CHC) Transfers for Christchurch CBD:
$13
-
Shared and Private Dunedin Airport (DUD) Transfers for Dunedin CBD:
$14
-
Shared and Private Rotorua Airport (ROT) Transfers for Rotorua CBD:
$16
-
Shared and Private Auckland Airport (AKL) Transfers to/from Auckland CBD:
$18
-
SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton's Aquarium Entry Ticket and Auckland Airport (AKL) Express Transfer:
$40
-
Private Luxury Transfers to Coronet Peak:
$375
-
Private Return Transfers from Queenstown to Coronet Peak:
$389
-
Private Return Transfers from Queenstown to The Remarkables:
$431
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Picton
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Picton:
-
SkyBus Auckland Airport (AKL) Express Transfer Ticket:
$11
-
Shared and Private Wellington Airport (WLG) Transfers for Wellington CBD:
$11
-
Shared and Private Rotorua Airport (ROT) Transfers for Rotorua CBD:
$16
-
Shared and Private Nelson Airport (NSN) Transfers for Nelson CBD:
$7.09
-
Shared and Private Dunedin Airport (DUD) Transfers for Dunedin CBD:
$14
-
Shared and Private Christchurch Airport (CHC) Transfers for Christchurch CBD:
$13
-
Shared and Private Auckland Airport (AKL) Transfers to/from Auckland CBD:
$18
-
Shared Queenstown Airport (ZQN) Transfers for Queenstown CBD:
$11
-
Private Transfers to Cardrona Ski Field or Treble Cone Ski Field:
$629
-
Private Return Transfers from Queenstown to The Remarkables:
$431
-
Private Return Transfers from Queenstown to Coronet Peak:
$389
-
Private One Way Transfer Tour between Picton & Christchurch:
$1,264
Is it cheaper to fly into Fiordland National Park or Picton?
Prices for flights to both Picton 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.
Entertainment
In Fiordland National Park, the costs for things to do, activities, admission tickets, and other sightseeing expenses are on average $19 per person, per day.
Activities, things to do, and other forms of entertainment usually cost around $105 per person, per day in Picton. This cost includes the price of admission tickets to attractions and museums as well as daily tours.
-
Entertainment
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
Fiordland National Park $19
Picton $105
Tours and Activities in Fiordland National Park
For Fiordland National Park, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
-
Time Tripper Queenstown Virtual Journey Through Time Experience:
$7.09
-
Te Papa Museum Ticket in Wellington:
$11
-
Devonport Ferry Tickets in Auckland:
$11
-
Putt and Glow Indoor Mini Golf Experience in Queenstown:
$12
-
Hamilton Gardens Guided Walking Tour:
$14
-
Waikite Valley Thermal Pools Entry Ticket:
$14
-
Auckland Zoo Ticket:
$16
-
3D Trick Art Gallery Entry Ticket:
$16
-
SheepWorld Admission Ticket:
$16
-
Puzzling World Ticket in Wanaka:
$17
-
Rotorua Heritage Farm Tour:
$17
-
Waitangi Treaty Grounds Experience Pass in Bay of Islands:
$18
Tours and Activities in Picton
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Picton are as follows:
-
4WD-U Drive Experience:
$232
-
Hobbiton Movie Set Day Tour from Auckland:
$140
-
Hobbiton and Waitomo Caves Tour from Auckland:
$211
-
Kaituna Whitewater Rafting Experience :
$84
-
Kaituna Whitewater Sledging Experience:
$91
-
Milford Sound Vista Day Tour from Queenstown or Te Anau:
$127
-
Mt Tarawera Volcanic Crater Hiking Experience:
$131
-
Putt and Glow Indoor Mini Golf Experience in Queenstown:
$12
-
Queenstown Scenic Cruise - Spirit of Queenstown:
$28
-
Queenstown Tiki Tour:
$70
-
Rotorua Day Tour from Auckland:
$188
-
Ultimate Queenstown Highlights Tour:
$77
Alcohol
Typically, people visiting Fiordland National Park spend on average $7.72 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
The average person spends about $33 on alcoholic beverages in Picton per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
Sample the Local Flavors in Fiordland National Park
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Fiordland National Park:
-
Sip Marlborough Wine Tour:
$69
-
Wine Tours from Queenstown:
$71
-
Gibbston Valley Ride and Wine Tours:
$88
-
Bubbly Grape Marlborough Wine Tours:
$92
-
Afternoon Brewery Tour with Lunch in Queenstown:
$117
-
Wine Tasting Sampler Tour from Queenstown:
$119
-
Queenstown’s Original Wine Tour:
$119
-
Taste Marlborough Wine Tour:
$138
-
Queenstown E-Bikes Wine Tour:
$147
-
Spa and Wine Tasting Experience in Queenstown:
$293
-
Queenstown Private Helicopter and Wine Tour:
$672
Sample the Local Flavors in Picton
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Picton:
-
Hop on Hop off Wine Tours Marlborough:
$53
-
Sip Marlborough Wine Tour:
$69
-
Wine Tours from Queenstown:
$71
-
Half-Day Wine Tour from Picton:
$80
-
Gibbston Valley Ride and Wine Tours:
$88
-
Bubbly Grape Marlborough Wine Tours:
$92
-
Full-Day Wine Tour from Picton:
$110
-
Picton Shore Excursion : Marlborough Wine Tour:
$113
-
Afternoon Brewery Tour with Lunch in Queenstown:
$117
-
Wine Tasting Sampler Tour from Queenstown:
$119
-
Queenstown’s Original Wine Tour:
$119
-
Picton Shore Excursion: Wings of Omaka and Marlborough Wine Tour:
$129
When comparing the travel costs between Fiordland National Park and Picton, we can see that Fiordland National Park 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.
Related Articles for Fiordland National Park
Related Articles for Picton
