A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Hefei vs. Nelson for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Hefei or Nelson?

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

Should I visit Hefei or Nelson? 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: Hefei or Nelson?

Hefei

While most would consider the city of Hefei a pass-through destination, there are plenty of things to see in the capital city of China's Anhui province.

Nelson

Nelson is a city that sits on Tasman Bay on the South Island of New Zealand. Travelers, especially ones that are heading to explore Abel Tasman National Park, frequently visit this town. Nelson has a population of about 46,000 people and, geographically speaking, it is the center of New Zealand as a whole.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to China, The Best Sightseeing Tours in China, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to New Zealand, and The Best Wildlife Tours to New Zealand.


Which place is cheaper, Nelson or Hefei?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Hefei is $62, while the average daily cost in Nelson is $94. 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 Hefei and Nelson in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Hefei $28
    Nelson $41
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Hefei $56
    Nelson $82
Compare Hotels in Hefei and Nelson

Looking for a hotel in Hefei or Nelson? 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 Hefei


Hotels in Nelson


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: Nelson Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Hefei $17
    Nelson $28

Is it cheaper to fly into Hefei or Nelson?

Prices for flights to both Nelson and Hefei 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
    Hefei $21
    Nelson $27

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Hefei $19
    Nelson $24

Tours and Activities in Nelson

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Nelson are as follows:

  • Nelson City Walking Tour - Guided: $29
  • Cable Bay Adventure Park: E-bike hire: $56
  • Cable Bay Adventure Park Skywire Experience: $65
  • SKYWIRE Experience: $67
  • Nelson to Mapua: Full-Day Cycling Self-Guided Adventure: $71
  • Self-Guided Nelson to Mapua Cycle Adventure: $72
  • Magical Mapua Self Guided One Day Cycle Tour: $75
  • Magical Mapua Charms in off-summer Season Selfguided Cycle Tour: $76
  • Great Taste Beer Tour by Bicycle (Self-guided): $79
  • Guided Quad Biking Tour Through Forest and Farmland: $80
  • Spooners Tunnel to Nelson One Day Cycle Self Guided Tour: $82
  • Cruise, Walk, and Sail in Abel Tasman National Park: $121

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Hefei $11
    Nelson $13

Sample the Local Flavors in Nelson

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Nelson:

  • Self-guided E-bike cycle tour with private wine tasting : $97


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hefei and Nelson, we can see that Nelson is more expensive. And not only is Hefei much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Hefei is in Asia and Nelson is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Hefei would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hefei 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 Nelson would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nelson than you might in Hefei.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hefei Expensive? and Is Nelson Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Hefei or Nelson?

Hefei has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Nelson. When comparing the sizes of Hefei and Nelson, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.