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 $94, while the average daily cost in Picton is $85. 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 $94 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 $72 for a double occupancy room in Picton.
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Accommodation
Hotel or hostel for one person
Fiordland National Park $47
Picton $36
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Accommodation
Typical double-occupancy room
Fiordland National Park
$94
Picton
$72
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.
Local Transportation
To get around in Fiordland National Park, the average visitor spends $41 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.
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Local Transportation
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
Fiordland National Park $41
Picton
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Hired Cars and Shuttles in Picton
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Picton:
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Private One Way Transfer Tour between Picton & Christchurch:
$1,264
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 $107 per person, per day in Picton. This cost includes the price of admission tickets to attractions and museums as well as daily tours.
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Entertainment
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
Fiordland National Park $19
Picton $107
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:
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Milford Sound Nature Cruise:
$50
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Milford Sound Nature Cruise on Premium Glass-Roof Catamaran:
$57
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From Te Anau: 1-Day Milford Sound Coach & Cruise:
$93
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Milford Sound Coach, Cruise, and Walk from Te Anau:
$100
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Cruise & Kayak Milford Sound:
$143
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Milford Sound Flight and Cruise:
$287
Tours and Activities in Picton
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Picton are as follows:
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3 Hour Marlborough Sounds Delivery Cruise:
$72
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Bird Watching and Dolphin Eco-Tour from Picton:
$96
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Captain Cook and Dolphin Cruise:
$98
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Dolphin Swimming and Watching E-Ko-Tour from Picton:
$133
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Early Bird Eco Cruise:
$79
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Ecoworld New Zealand tour from Marlborough Sounds:
$18
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From Private Wine and Gourmet Tour of Marlborough:
$644
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Full Day Queen Charlotte Kayak and Walking Tour from Picton:
$137
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Full day Guided Sea Kayak Tour from Picton:
$99
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Half day Sea Kayak Guided Tour from Picton:
$72
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Half-Day Cruise in Marlborough Sounds from Picton:
$66
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Half-Day Dolphin Viewing Eco-Tour from Picton:
$96
Alcohol
Typically, people visiting Fiordland National Park spend on average $7.88 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
The average person spends about $34 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 Picton
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Picton:
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Hop on Hop off Wine Tours Marlborough:
$53
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Half-Day Wine Tour from Picton:
$80
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Full-Day Wine Tour from Picton:
$110
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Picton Shore Excursion : Marlborough Wine Tour:
$113
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Picton Shore Excursion: Wings of Omaka and Marlborough Wine Tour:
$129
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Full-Day Marlborough Wine Tour from Picton or Blenheim:
$144
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Marlborough Sounds Icons: Wine Tour and Seafood Cruise:
$156
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Marlborough Wine Tour and Cruise from Picton or Blenheim:
$163
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.
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