Which city is cheaper, Tauranga or Kaikoura?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for New Zealand Kaikoura vs. Tauranga for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Kaikoura or Tauranga?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Kaikoura or Tauranga? 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 Tauranga?
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.
Tauranga
Tauranga is a city on the North Island of New Zealand. It is situated on the western side of the Bay of Plenty, which is on the east coast of the island. Its population of 130,000 makes it the fifth largest city in the country. Tauranga is a Maori word translated roughly to 'a sheltered anchorage'. This makes sense as the town is located near a very large harbor and protected by Matakana Island. Mount Maunganui is at the headland of the town and regarded as a suburb of Tauranga. The beach at Mt Maunganui is a surfing hot spot. The climate is mostly warm and dry because of the town's sheltered position.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKaikoura $141Tauranga $108
The average daily cost (per person) in Kaikoura is $141, while the average daily cost in Tauranga is $108. 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Kaikoura and Tauranga in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKaikoura $50Tauranga $77
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKaikoura $100Tauranga $154
Compare Hotels in Kaikoura and Tauranga
Looking for a hotel in Kaikoura or Tauranga? 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 and Tauranga Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kaikoura $18Tauranga $7.06
Is it cheaper to fly into Kaikoura or Tauranga?
Prices for flights to both Tauranga 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
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Food Meals for one dayKaikoura $39Tauranga $22
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kaikoura $159Tauranga $11
Tours and Activities in Kaikoura
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kaikoura are as follows:
- Kayaking Adventure in Kaikoura: $70
- Half-Day Wildlife Kayaking Tour: $85
- Sunset Kayaking Tour: $89
- Guided Family Kayaking Adventure: $89
- Wildlife Sea Kayaking Tour - Kaikoura: $89
- Seal Swimming Tour from Kaikoura: $89
- Private Wildlife Kayaking Tour - Kaikoura: $178
- 30-Minute Whale Watching Helicopter Tour: $269
Tours and Activities in Tauranga
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Tauranga are as follows:
- Mount Maunganui Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
- Tauranga Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
- Tauranga Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
- Mount Maunganui: Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
- Harley Tour of the Mount 20mins: $30
- Waimarino Adventure Park: $35
- 3hr Tauranga Sun-downer History Tour COMPLIMENTARY Wine or Beer: $43
- 4hr Shore Excursion - History and Tasting Tour FREE Kiwifruit Ice Cream: $61
- Deluxe small group Cruise Day Tour, Rotorua, Tauranga & Mt Maunganui highlights: $83
- Evening Glow Worm Kayak Tour in Tauranga: $100
- From Half Day Swimming with Dolphins Tour: $102
- Half-Day Tauranga Guided Tour by Minivan with port Pickup: $104
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKaikoura -Tauranga $11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kaikoura and Tauranga, we can see that Kaikoura is more expensive. And not only is Tauranga much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Tauranga would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tauranga 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 Tauranga.
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