Which place is cheaper, Kaikoura or Mount Kailash?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Mount Kailash or Kaikoura?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Mount Kailash or Kaikoura? 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: Mount Kailash or Kaikoura?
Mount Kailash
The main point of entry to Mount Kailash is a small village called Darchen. Once an important sheep station for nomads and their flocks, the village has now grown to provide for the pilgrims wishing to embark towards Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar. It contains a number of guest houses and restaurants as well as a hotel where pilgrims must get permission from the Public Security Bureau to make the trek around the mountain. Also in the village are a handful of small stores and kiosks, as well as some grounds for camping. It is about 330 km (a one-day bus drive) from the town of Shiquanhe to the northeast, where Gunsa Airport is located, offering flights twice a week to Lhasa and Chengdu.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to China, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in New Zealand, and The Best 2-Week Tours in New Zealand.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMount Kailash $71Kaikoura $135
The average daily cost (per person) in Mount Kailash is $71, while the average daily cost in Kaikoura is $135. 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 Mount Kailash and Kaikoura in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMount Kailash $27Kaikoura $48
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMount Kailash $54Kaikoura $96
Compare Hotels in Mount Kailash and Kaikoura
Looking for a hotel in Mount Kailash 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.Mount Kailash $31Kaikoura $17
Is it cheaper to fly into Mount Kailash or Kaikoura?
Prices for flights to both Kaikoura and Mount Kailash 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 dayMount Kailash $24Kaikoura $38
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mount Kailash $15Kaikoura $152
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
- KaikÅura: Zipline and Native Forest Adventure Trip: $94
- Half Day Zipline Adventure in Kaikoura: $97
- Whale Watching Cruise: $98
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMount Kailash $2.76Kaikoura -
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mount Kailash and Kaikoura, we can see that Kaikoura is more expensive. And not only is Mount Kailash much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Mount Kailash 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 Mount Kailash would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mount Kailash 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 Kailash.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mount Kailash Expensive? and Is Kaikoura Expensive?.
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.