Which place is cheaper, Kaikoura or Hualien?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Hualien or Kaikoura, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
If you're looking for hustle and bustle, head to Taipei. If you're looking for fresh air and the prettiest town by the sea, Hualien is the place to be. With many national parks to explore, cliffs and mountains to climb and beaches to get some rest and relaxation, there's plenty to do, especially for nature lovers and those who crave peace and quiet, away from the bigger cities in Taiwan.
Kaikoura is a town on the east coast of the South Island, situated between Christchurch and Belnheim. It has a permanent resident population of 1,971. The Seaward Kaikoura Mountains that surround this town collide with the Pacific Ocean, and the continental shelf edge is just offshore. The ocean in Kaikoura is very rich in marine life, especially seals and whales.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Taipei, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Taiwan, The Best Luxury Tours to New Zealand, and The Best Budget Tours to New Zealand.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Hualien is $105, while the average daily cost in Kaikoura is $135. 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 Hualien and Kaikoura in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Hualien or Kaikoura? 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.
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hualien:
Prices for flights to both Kaikoura and Hualien 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.
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Hualien.
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Hualien are as follows:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kaikoura are as follows:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hualien and Kaikoura, we can see that Kaikoura is more expensive. And not only is Hualien much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Hualien is in Asia and Kaikoura 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 Hualien would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hualien 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 Kaikoura would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kaikoura than you might in Hualien.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hualien Expensive? and Is Kaikoura Expensive?.
Hualien has a larger population, and is about 510 times larger than the population of Kaikoura. When comparing the sizes of Hualien and Kaikoura, 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.