Which place is cheaper, Kaikoura or Jinghong?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Jinghong or Kaikoura?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Jinghong and Kaikoura can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Jinghong or Kaikoura?
Jinghong
Located in the southernmost part of the Yunnan Province, Jinghong is a city that attracts visitors each year with its rich culture and folklore, Buddhist temples, and tropical rainforest scenery of palms and mango trees amongst others. It is also an area popular with backpackers as well as a waypoint for travelers passing between China and Laos.
Kaikoura
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 Beijing, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Lhasa, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in New Zealand, and The Best 2-Week Tours in New Zealand.
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Jinghong Prices
China PricesKaikoura Prices
New Zealand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayJinghong $83Kaikoura $162
The average daily cost (per person) in Jinghong is $83, while the average daily cost in Kaikoura is $162. 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 Jinghong and Kaikoura in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personJinghong $20Kaikoura $48
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomJinghong $40Kaikoura $96
Compare Hotels in Jinghong and Kaikoura
Looking for a hotel in Jinghong 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Kaikoura Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Jinghong $25Kaikoura $17
Is it cheaper to fly into Jinghong or Kaikoura?
Prices for flights to both Kaikoura and Jinghong 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 dayJinghong $48Kaikoura $65
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Jinghong $9.31Kaikoura $152
Tours and Activities in Jinghong
Here are a few actual costs in Jinghong for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Best of Dai Villages | 20km E-Bike Tour: $41
Tours and Activities in Kaikoura
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kaikoura are as follows:
- Llama Trek (Taster) - Kowhai River Valley and Native Woodland Tour: $80
- Private Seal Kayaking and Wildlife Tour in Kaikoura: $80
- Seal Kayaking Adventure in Kaikoura: $80
- Seal-Watching Pedal Kayak Tour: $81
- KaikÅura: Kayak Sunset Tour with Seal Sightings: $81
- Sunset Kayak tour in Kaikoura: $82
- Half-Day Wildlife Kayaking Tour: $93
- Sunset Evening Kayaking Tour: $93
- Guided Family Kayaking Adventure: $93
- Wildlife Sea Kayaking Tour - Kaikoura: $95
- Sunset Evening Kayaking Tour - Kaikoura: $95
- Whale Watching Cruise: $101
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayJinghong $5.41Kaikoura -
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Jinghong and Kaikoura, we can see that Kaikoura is more expensive. And not only is Jinghong much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Jinghong 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 Jinghong would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Jinghong 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 Jinghong.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Jinghong Expensive? and Is Kaikoura Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Jinghong or Kaikoura?
Jinghong has a larger population, and is about 90 times larger than the population of Kaikoura. When comparing the sizes of Jinghong 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.
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.