Which place is cheaper, Rotorua or Hefei?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Hefei or Rotorua?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Hefei or Rotorua? 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 Rotorua?
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.
Rotorua
Located on the banks of Lake Rotorua, Rotorua is famous as the thermal wonderland of New Zealand. The area has a variety of geothermal sights, but it is also close to several lakes and has more traditional activities as well, including fishing, boating and white water rafting.
Rotorua is located in the Taupo Volcanic Zone, which is the largest volcano in the area. There are four major volcanic calderas that now have lakes, and several other volcanoes in the area. Rotorua sits on top of a thermal hot spring, and there are many vents and hot pools throughout the area. Many of the hot pools and sights are located within parks, with some of the best being Waimangu Volcanic Valley, Rainbow Springs Nature Park, and Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland.
Rotorua has a warm, temperate climate. Because of the area's inland location, it has less wind than many places in New Zealand. Temperatures during the winter months can fall to below freezing, but snow is incredibly rare.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to China, The Best Sightseeing Tours in China, The Best Budget Tours to New Zealand, and The Best Tours for Seniors to New Zealand.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHefei $62Rotorua $93
The average daily cost (per person) in Hefei is $62, while the average daily cost in Rotorua is $93. 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 Rotorua in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHefei $28Rotorua $48
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHefei $56Rotorua $96
Compare Hotels in Hefei and Rotorua
Looking for a hotel in Hefei or Rotorua? 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: Rotorua Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hefei $17Rotorua $5.01
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rotorua
Also for Rotorua, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Rotorua to Auckland Afternoon Transfer with Waitomo Glow Worms: $180
Is it cheaper to fly into Hefei or Rotorua?
Prices for flights to both Rotorua 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
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Food Meals for one dayHefei $21Rotorua $29
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rotorua
For Rotorua, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Mitai Maori Village: Cultural Experience and Dinner Buffet: $92
- Te Pa Tu Māori Cultural Experience with Dinner: $154
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hefei $19Rotorua $34
Typical Entertainment Prices in Rotorua
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Rotorua's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Lunch Out for Two$27
Tours and Activities in Rotorua
For Rotorua, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Jade Carving Experience at a Local Studio: $21
- Mountain Jade Highlights Tour: $21
- Government Gardens Walking Tour: $23
- Geothermal Mineral Baths Experience: Pavilion Pools for 12+: $27
- Whakarewarewa Village Guided Tour: $27
- Geothermal Adults Only Mineral Bathing - Pavilion Pools Bathing Ticket: $27
- Whakarewarewa Village Guided Tour: $27
- Agrodome Farm Tour with Show and Produce Tasting: $29
- Agrodome Farm Experience including Farm Show and Farm Tour - Rotorua: $30
- The National Kiwi Hatchery Tour: $35
- National Kiwi Hatchery - Kiwi Encounter Tour: $37
- Velocity Valley Ticket: $39
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHefei $11Rotorua $12
Typical Alcohol Prices in Rotorua
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Rotorua:
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Bottle of Wine$11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hefei and Rotorua, we can see that Rotorua 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 Rotorua 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 Rotorua would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Rotorua 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 Rotorua Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hefei or Rotorua?
Hefei has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Rotorua. When comparing the sizes of Hefei and Rotorua, 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.
When is the best time to visit Hefei or Rotorua?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Rotorua is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Hefei has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Hefei or Rotorua in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Hefei as well as Rotorua. Also, most visitors come to Rotorua for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Hefei is much warmer than Rotorua. Typically, the summer temperatures in Hefei in July average around 29°C (83°F), and Rotorua averages at about 12°C (54°F)in January.
Hefei receives a lot of rain in the summer. Hefei usually gets more rain in July than Rotoruain January. Hefei gets 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryHefei 29°C (83°F)Rotorua 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Hefei or Rotorua in the Autumn?
Both Rotorua and Hefei are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Rotorua because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Hefei is generally a little warmer than Rotoruain April. Daily temperatures in Hefei average around 18°C (64°F), and Rotorua fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
In October, Hefei usually receives more rain than Rotoruain April. Hefei gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilHefei 18°C (64°F)Rotorua 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Hefei or Rotorua in the Winter?
Both Rotorua and Hefei during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Rotorua this time of year.
The weather in Hefei can be very cold. Hefei is much colder than Rotorua in the winter. The daily temperature in Hefei averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Rotorua fluctuates around 26°C (79°F)in July.
Hefei usually gets more rain in January than Rotoruain July. Hefei gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyHefei 3°C (38°F)Rotorua 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Hefei or Rotorua in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Hefei and Rotorua. Furthermore, many travelers come to Rotorua for the natural beauty.
In the spring, Hefei is cooler than Rotorua. Typically, the spring temperatures in Hefei in April average around 16°C (61°F), and Rotorua averages at about 19°C (66°F)in October.
In April, Hefei usually receives more rain than Rotoruain October. Hefei gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberHefei 16°C (61°F)Rotorua 19°C (66°F)
Typical Weather for Rotorua and Hefei
| Hefei | Rotorua | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (38°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Feb | 5°C (40°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Mar | 10°C (50°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (61°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| May | 22°C (71°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (78°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (74°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Oct | 18°C (64°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Nov | 11°C (53°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Dec | 5°C (42°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
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.