A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kaikoura vs. Tainan City for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Kaikoura or Tainan City?

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

Should I visit Kaikoura or Tainan City? 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: Kaikoura or Tainan City?

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.

Tainan City

The oldest city in Taiwan, Tainan was once the nation's capital during imperial times and is today famous for its temples and historic buildings which speak to this distant past. Additionally Tainan has become known for its lively night markets and fantastic snack foods available from a large concentrate of street vendors located throughout the city.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to New Zealand, The Best Budget Tours to New Zealand, The Best Tours for Seniors to Taiwan, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Taiwan.


Which place is cheaper, Tainan City or Kaikoura?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Kaikoura is $135, while the average daily cost in Tainan City is $111. 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 Kaikoura and Tainan City in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kaikoura $48
    Tainan City $59
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kaikoura $96
    Tainan City $118
Compare Hotels in Kaikoura and Tainan City

Looking for a hotel in Kaikoura or Tainan City? 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 Kaikoura


Hotels in Tainan City


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 and Tainan City Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kaikoura $17
    Tainan City $19

Is it cheaper to fly into Kaikoura or Tainan City?

Prices for flights to both Tainan City and Kaikoura 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
    Kaikoura $38
    Tainan City $39

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kaikoura $152
    Tainan City $11

Tours and Activities in Kaikoura

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

  • Seal-Watching Pedal Kayak Tour: $71
  • Sunset Kayak tour in Kaikoura: $72
  • Seal Kayaking Adventure in Kaikoura: $72
  • Llama Trek (Taster) - Kowhai River Valley and Native Woodland Tour: $81
  • Guided Family Kayaking Adventure: $89
  • Half-Day Wildlife Kayaking Tour: $89
  • Wildlife Kayaking Tour at Sunset: $89
  • Wildlife Sea Kayaking Tour - Kaikoura: $90
  • Sunset Evening Kayaking Tour - Kaikoura: $91
  • Kaikōura: Zipline and Native Forest Adventure Trip: $94
  • Half Day Zipline Adventure in Kaikoura: $97
  • Whale Watching Cruise: $98

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kaikoura -
    Tainan City $5.75


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kaikoura and Tainan City, we can see that Kaikoura is more expensive. And not only is Tainan City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kaikoura is in Pacific and Tainan City is in Asia, 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 Tainan City would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tainan City 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 Tainan City.

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


Which is Bigger, Kaikoura or Tainan City?

Tainan City has a larger population, and is about 1120 times larger than the population of Kaikoura. When comparing the sizes of Kaikoura and Tainan City, 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.