A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kaunas vs. Christchurch for Families, Food, Nightlife, and Couples

Should you visit Kaunas or Christchurch?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Kaunas and Christchurch. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Kaunas

Kaunas is a cultural, active, and young city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the nightlife and food. See Kaunas travel costs.

Christchurch

Christchurch is a adventure-filled, cultural, and outdoorsy city. Christchurch offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include beaches, hiking, and shopping. See Christchurch travel costs.

Kaunas and Christchurch: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kaunas or Christchurch?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Christchurch. Although Kaunas and Christchurch are both popular with visitors, Christchurch has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Christchurch is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, beaches, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Kaunas is known for its historical sights and big city activities. Christchurch is more touristy than Kaunas and is known for its outdoor beauty and relaxing, scenic atmosphere. It is also home to the Christchurch Botanic Gardens. Kaunas is popular for its traditional Lithuanian culture and authentic old town.

How is Kaunas different from Christchurch?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Christchurch and Kaunas. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Kaunas or Christchurch?

Christchurch is notable for its sights and museums. However, Kaunas does not have museums and landmarks.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Christchurch. The city is filled with street art and local galleries. There's also Canterbury Museum, the International Antarctic Centre, the Arts Centre, and the Riccarton House & Bush.

Kaunas does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Kaunas or Christchurch? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Christchurch is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Dining out in Christchurch is an experience not to be missed. There's a mix of cozy cafes and casual eateries around town. You'll also find some fine dining restaurants as well as international flavors.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Kaunas. It is a great place to try traditional Lithuanian dishes as there are a number of good restaurants and an active restaurant scene. Popular local dishes include cepelinai potato dumplings and cold beetroot soup.

Is Kaunas or Christchurch Better for Nightlife?

Christchurch is notable for its evening party scene. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.

Christchurch has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The city has its share of dance clubs, live music venues, and laid back bars. You'll find a number of popular hangout spots around Oxford Terrace or on the historic New Regent Street.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Kaunas. The nightlife scene continues to improve with a growing number of bars and clubs. During the warmer months you'll find many places opening outdoor areas. The old town is one of the more lively areas in town where it's nice to enjoy a drink on a terrace.

Is Kaunas or Christchurch Better for Beaches?

Christchurch is notable for the beach. However, Kaunas is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Christchurch for it's beautiful beaches. There are sandy beaches in the area with water sports and various amenities. The summer months are the most popular time for hanging out at the beach, and you'll find local families playing in the sun or enjoying a picnic.

Kaunas is not a beach destination.

Is Kaunas or Christchurch Better for its Old Town?

Kaunas is a popular place for its old town. However, Christchurch does not have a historic old town.

Many people head to Kaunas to see the old town. The old town has tree-lined streets with charming cafes and a number of museums. It's also where you'll find the Kaunas Castle.

Christchurch does not have a historic old town.

Is Kaunas or Christchurch Better for Hiking?

Christchurch is notable for the nearby hiking options. However, Kaunas is not a hiking destination.

Christchurch is a popular spot for hiking. There are many beautiful hikes in the area that take you along the coastline or past local historic sights. The landscape is diverse and you'll find many amazing parks in the area. Hooker Valley Track is one of the best hiking routes nearby.

Kaunas is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Kaunas or Christchurch?

Christchurch is notable for its shopping areas. However, Kaunas is a mediocre city for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Christchurch. There's a mix of boutique shops, outlet malls, and open air markets. Some of the best shopping places include the Tannery and the Colombo.

Kaunas is a good destination for shopping. The old town is the place to pick up souvenirs, but there are also shopping malls and outlets in the city.

Is Kaunas or Christchurch More Beautiful?

Christchurch is a good destination for its scenery and beauty. However, Kaunas is not a destination known for its beauty.

Christchurch offers plenty of beauty for visitors. With its many beautiful parks, gardens, and outdoor spaces, this is a very scenic city.

Kaunas is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Kaunas or Christchurch Better for Families?

Christchurch is renowned for its family-friendly activities. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Christchurch is very family-friendly. The International Antarctic Centre is a thrilling and fun experience. There's also the Orana Wildlife Park or Willowbank Wildlife Reserve. For adrenaline junkies there are the ropes courses at the Adrenalin Forest. There are also many indoor playgrounds and rock climbing facilities.

Kaunas is a family-friendly city. The city has both outdoor and indoor areas that are fun for kids. Vienybės Square has fountains and splash areas that are fun for kids of all ages. Lampėdis Lake is a great place to swim or visit an adventure park. When the weather isn't great, you can head indoors to the the Kaunas Tadas Ivanauskas Zoological Museum or "CurioCity" in the Mega Mall.

Is Kaunas or Christchurch Better for Couples?

Christchurch is notable for couples. However, Kaunas is a mediocre city for romance.

Christchurch is a very popular place to visit for couples. Punting on the Avon River is one of the most romantic activities in the city. There are also botanical gardens, parks, and natural areas that are fun to explore. Nearby, you can do a wine tour, or there are cocktail bars and charming restaurants in town. The city also has a nice theater and many other date night activities.

Kaunas is not the best destination for a couple to visit. The city has a number of historical sites as well as interesting restaurants that you can explore.

Is Kaunas or Christchurch Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Christchurch is notable for backpackers. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Christchurch is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. There's no shortage of hostels around town, and many backpackers pass through Christchurch on their epic New Zealand adventure.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Kaunas. It's not a popular destination, but there are enough concerts and festivals throughout the year that it does see a few tourists.

Is Kaunas or Christchurch Better for Students?

Christchurch is notable for students. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Many students visit Christchurch. It's the largest city on the South Island and there are plenty of activities and nearby trips that you can enjoy.

Plenty of students visit Kaunas. The city has a vibrant and young student population. It also hosts festivals, concerts, and other events that make it a fun destination for international students.

Is Kaunas or Christchurch Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Kaunas and Christchurch offer good public transit options.

Kaunas has a few public transit options. There are both buses and trolleybuses around town.

Christchurch has some public transit options. While it's not a diverse transit system, the buses are well connected and offer the cheapest way to get around town.

Is Kaunas or Christchurch a more walkable city?

Christchurch is notable for its ease of walking around. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its walkability.

Christchurch is a very walkable destination. The city center is relatively flat and easy to explore on foot.

Kaunas is somewhat walkable. When the weather is nice, the city is a nice place to take a walk.

For even more information, also check out Is Kaunas Worth Visiting? and Is Christchurch Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Christchurch or Kaunas?

How long in Kaunas or Christchurch?

It's fun to spend time in either Kaunas or Christchurch. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Christchurch due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Kaunas, and 2-4 days is enough time in Christchurch.

Families should spend more time in Christchurch than Kaunas. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Christchurch, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Christchurch than Kaunas. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Christchurch that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Christchurch than Kaunas if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Christchurch.

One day in Kaunas or Christchurch?

In Kaunas, many people enjoy the food and nightlife that this young city offers. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Christchurch. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Kaunas or Christchurch?

Kaunas is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Christchurch is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Kaunas or Christchurch?

You'll find food and nightlife around the young destination of Kaunas. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Christchurch. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Kaunas or Christchurch?

Kaunas is a popular place to visit. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the adventure-filled destination of Christchurch. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Lithuania, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Vilnius, The Best G Adventures Tours to New Zealand, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Auckland.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kaunas and Christchurch, we can see that Kaunas is more expensive. And not only is Christchurch much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kaunas is in Europe and Christchurch 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 Christchurch would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Christchurch 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 Kaunas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kaunas than you might in Christchurch.

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

Which is Bigger, Kaunas or Christchurch?

Kaunas has a larger population, and is about 3% larger than the population of Christchurch. When comparing the sizes of Kaunas and Christchurch, 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 Kaunas or Christchurch?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Christchurch is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Kaunas has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Kaunas or Christchurch in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kaunas and Christchurch. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Kaunas this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Christchurch for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Kaunas is generally around the same temperature as Christchurchin January. Daily temperatures in Kaunas average around 18°C (64°F), and Christchurch fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Christchurch this time of the year. In Kaunas, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kaunas usually receives more sunshine than Christchurch during summer. Kaunas gets 256 hours of sunny skies, while Christchurch receives 224 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Kaunas usually receives more rain than Christchurchin January. Kaunas gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Christchurch receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Kaunas or Christchurch in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Kaunas as well as Christchurch. Many travelers come to Kaunas for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Additionally, many visitors come to Christchurch in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Kaunas is much colder than Christchurch in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kaunas averages around 8°C (46°F) in October, and Christchurch fluctuates around 12°C (54°F)in April.

In the autumn, Kaunas often gets less sunshine than Christchurchin April. Kaunas gets 99 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Christchurch receives 161 hours of full sun.

Kaunas usually gets less rain in October than Christchurchin April. Kaunas gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Christchurch receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kaunas or Christchurch in the Winter?

Both Christchurch and Kaunas are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Kaunas in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Christchurch for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Kaunas can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Kaunas is much colder than Christchurch. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kaunas in January average around -5°C (23°F), and Christchurch averages at about 6°C (43°F)in July.

Kaunas usually receives less sunshine than Christchurch during winter. Kaunas gets 40 hours of sunny skies, while Christchurch receives 122 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Kaunas usually receives less rain than Christchurchin July. Kaunas gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Christchurch receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Kaunas or Christchurch in the Spring?

Both Christchurch and Kaunas during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Kaunas for the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Christchurch because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Kaunas is generally much colder than Christchurchin October. Daily temperatures in Kaunas average around 7°C (44°F), and Christchurch fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In Christchurch, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Kaunas often gets less sunshine than Christchurchin October. Kaunas gets 175 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Christchurch receives 204 hours of full sun.

Kaunas usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Christchurchin October. Kaunas gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Christchurch receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Christchurch and Kaunas