A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Nadi (Port Denarau) vs. Shangri-La for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Nadi (Port Denarau) or Shangri-La?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Nadi (Port Denarau) or Shangri-La, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Nadi (Port Denarau) or Shangri-La?

Nadi (Port Denarau)

Nadi, pronounced "Nandi", is a city and transportation hub in the Fijian islands. It is on one of the main islands, Viti Levu, and has a population of about 42,000. Many inhabitants are Indian as well as Fijian, and the largest temple in the Southern hemisphere is located in the city center. It must be noted that Nadi and surrounding areas aren't known for the beaches. This is more of a cultural destination or starting point for your trip to Fiji. For the best beaches, you will want to venture out to the other, smaller, islands.

Shangri-La

The original Shangri-La existed in the fictional world of James Hilton's novel "The Lost Horizon." It was a hidden paradise, a place so beautiful that it couldn't possibly exist on earth. The Shangri-La that exists in Yunnan, China today was renamed from its former title Zhongdian in 2001 in order to associate the place with the mystical allure created in Hilton's novel. Visitors come to admire the traditional monasteries and temples set against a backdrop of mountain preserves and pristine lakes.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China.


Which place is cheaper, Shangri-La or Nadi (Port Denarau)?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Nadi (Port Denarau) Prices
    Fiji Prices
    Shangri-La Prices
    China Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Nadi (Port Denarau) $198
    Shangri-La $61

The average daily cost (per person) in Nadi (Port Denarau) is $198, while the average daily cost in Shangri-La is $61. 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 Nadi (Port Denarau) and Shangri-La in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Nadi (Port Denarau) $106
    Shangri-La $19
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Nadi (Port Denarau) $212
    Shangri-La $38
Compare Hotels in Nadi (Port Denarau) and Shangri-La

Looking for a hotel in Nadi (Port Denarau) or Shangri-La? 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 Nadi (Port Denarau)


Hotels in Shangri-La


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: Nadi (Port Denarau) Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Nadi (Port Denarau) $8.81
    Shangri-La $11

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nadi (Port Denarau)

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Nadi (Port Denarau):

  • Private Transfer-Nadi International Airport to Hotels : $6.86
  • Private Car Transfer to Nadi International Airport: $8.24
  • Private Departure Transfer To Nadi Airport From Your Hotel: $9.12
  • Private Departure Transfer From Your Hotel To Nadi Airport (cfc approved): $9.12
  • Shared Transfer from Nadi Airport Fiji to Nadi area hotels: $9.15
  • Shared Shuttle Arrival Transfer - Nadi Airport/ Port to Hotel: $9.15
  • Private Transfer from Nadi Intl Airport to Sheraton Fiji Resort : $11
  • Port Denarau Island from Your Resort (Private Transfer): $12
  • Private Departure Transfer to Nadi Airport from Your Hotel: $12
  • Private Transfer Nadi Airport to or from Hotel or Resort: $13
  • Nadi Airport Transfer :Nadi Airport to All Nadi & Denarau Island/ Vuda Hotels: $14
  • Private Transfer: Nadi Int Airport - Denarau Island Hotels: $14

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Shangri-La

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Shangri-La:

  • Private Transfer from Shangri-la(Diqing) hotel to Lijiang/Shuhe hotel : $149
  • Private Transfer from Shangri-La to Lijiang and Stops at Tiger Leaping Gorge: $160

Is it cheaper to fly into Nadi (Port Denarau) or Shangri-La?

Prices for flights to both Shangri-La and Nadi (Port Denarau) 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
    Nadi (Port Denarau) $69
    Shangri-La $33

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Nadi (Port Denarau) $32
    Shangri-La $16

Tours and Activities in Nadi (Port Denarau)

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Nadi (Port Denarau) are as follows:

  • Nadi Sightseeing Including Viseisei Lookout, Village Tour, Garden & Temple Tour: $70
  • Sabeto Hot Springs and Mud Pool Tour: $73
  • Shore Excursion-Wonders of Nadi Sightseeing Tour-Temple,Gardens,Markets&Shopping: $77
  • Coral Coast Sightseeing & Pottery Village Tour: $80
  • Cultural Night Tour: $80
  • Nadi Therapeutic Mud Pools and Garden Tour - Shore Excursions EX PORT DENARAU: $82
  • Nadi Heritage Tour : $82
  • Authentic Fijian Day Tour: $83
  • Fiji Lautoka Shore Excursions Tour : $92
  • Coral Coast Heritage Tour : $99
  • Nadi Sightseeing & Mud Pool Tour - Ex Fiji Marriott, Momi Bay: $100
  • Biausevu Waterfall Tour (Sigatoka) : $100

Tours and Activities in Shangri-La

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Shangri-La are as follows:

  • Shangri-La Day Tour Songzanlin Monastery and Napa Sea: $67
  • Tibetan Village Scenic E-Bike Tour: $117
  • 1-Day Shangri-La Private Tour: Potatso National Park and Baiji Temple: $169
  • 1-Day Shangri-La Tour to Ganden Monastery, Nixi Pottery Village and Tibetan Town: $185
  • 1-Day Shangri-La tour with Ganden Monastery, Napahai Lake and Tibetan Town: $190
  • 1 Day Shangri-la City Tour with Pudacuo National Park: $209
  • Private tour Songzanlin Monastry & Tibetan lunch from Zhongdian: $240
  • 1 Day Shangri-La Songzanlin and Potatso National Park Tour: $280

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Nadi (Port Denarau) $11
    Shangri-La $13


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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Nadi (Port Denarau) Expensive? and Is Shangri-La Expensive?.