Should you visit Mount Aspiring National Park or Kaikoura?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Mount Aspiring National Park or Kaikoura, this travel cost comparison can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Mount Aspiring National Park
Mount Aspiring National Park is located within the Southern Alps on the South Island of New Zealand in the Otago region. The park is named after one of New Zealand's highest peaks, Mt Aspiring, and is one of the best places to hike in the country. It is part of the Southwest New Zealand World Heritage Area and one of the many locations of filming for the Lord of the Rings movies. The closest towns to this park are Haast, Makarora, Wanaka, and Glenorchy. One of New Zealand's great walks is located in this park, the Routeburn track, and is very popular among travelers heading to New Zealand for long hikes through the beautiful scenery.
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.
Which city is cheaper, Kaikoura or Mount Aspiring National Park ?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Mount Aspiring National Park is $95, while the average daily cost in Kaikoura is $118. 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. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Mount Aspiring National Park and Kaikoura in more detail.
Accommodation
A hotel room in Mount Aspiring National Park is about $102 This assumes double occupancy and modest accommodations.
If you're traveling alone, you may be able to find a budget hotel or hostel for around $42. But for two people in a standard two-person hotel room in Kaikoura the cost is $84 on average.
-
Accommodation
Hotel or hostel for one person
Mount Aspiring National Park $51
Kaikoura $42
-
Accommodation
Typical double-occupancy room
Mount Aspiring National Park
$102
Kaikoura
$84
Local Transportation
The average price of local transportation around Mount Aspiring National Park is $43 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
The average price of local transportation around Kaikoura is $15 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
-
Local Transportation
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
Mount Aspiring National Park $43
Kaikoura $15
Is it cheaper to fly into Mount Aspiring National Park or Kaikoura?
Prices for flights to both Kaikoura and Mount Aspiring National Park 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
While meal prices in Mount Aspiring National Park can vary, the average travelers spends about $16 per day on food. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out, an average meal in Mount Aspiring National Park should cost around $6.40 per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Mount Aspiring National Park is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
The average traveler spends about $33 per day in Kaikoura for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
Entertainment
Mount Aspiring National Park 's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $25 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Kaikoura's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $132 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
-
Entertainment
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
Mount Aspiring National Park $25
Kaikoura $132
Tours and Activities in Mount Aspiring National Park
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Mount Aspiring National Park are as follows:
-
Night Sky Astrophotography Experience in Wanaka:
$48
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
Alcohol
The average person spends about $4.43 on alcoholic beverages in Mount Aspiring National Park per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
Sample the Local Flavors in Mount Aspiring National Park
Also in Mount Aspiring National Park , these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
-
Wine Tour From Wanaka: Half Day:
$73
-
Wine Tour from Wanaka & Cromwell: Full Day:
$103
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mount Aspiring National Park and Kaikoura, we can see that Kaikoura is more expensive. And not only is Mount Aspiring National Park much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Mount Aspiring National Park would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mount Aspiring National Park 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 Mount Aspiring National Park .
Related Articles for Mount Aspiring National Park
Related Articles for Kaikoura
