Which place is cheaper, Rotorua or Nanjing?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Nanjing or Rotorua?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Nanjing or Rotorua? 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: Nanjing or Rotorua?
Nanjing
Nanjing is the capital city of the Jiangsu Province on the central eastern coast of China, just north of Shanghai. This historically and culturally rich city lies at the lower end of the Yangtze river, resulting in lush and scenic landscapes. Nanjing is well-known for having many popular historical sites, some of which have been listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Rotorua
Located on the banks of Lake Rotorua, Rotorua is famous as the thermal wonderland of New Zealand. The area has a variety of geothermal sights, but it is also close to several lakes and has more traditional activities as well, including fishing, boating and white water rafting.
Rotorua is located in the Taupo Volcanic Zone, which is the largest volcano in the area. There are four major volcanic calderas that now have lakes, and several other volcanoes in the area. Rotorua sits on top of a thermal hot spring, and there are many vents and hot pools throughout the area. Many of the hot pools and sights are located within parks, with some of the best being Waimangu Volcanic Valley, Rainbow Springs Nature Park, and Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland.
Rotorua has a warm, temperate climate. Because of the area's inland location, it has less wind than many places in New Zealand. Temperatures during the winter months can fall to below freezing, but snow is incredibly rare.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in China, The Best 10-Day Tours in China, The Best 2-Week Tours in New Zealand, and The Best Bicycle Tours in New Zealand.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNanjing $96Rotorua $93
The average daily cost (per person) in Nanjing is $96, while the average daily cost in Rotorua is $93. 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 Nanjing and Rotorua in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNanjing $46Rotorua $48
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNanjing $92Rotorua $96
Compare Hotels in Nanjing and Rotorua
Looking for a hotel in Nanjing or Rotorua? 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: Rotorua Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nanjing $38Rotorua $5.01
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nanjing
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Nanjing:
- Zhenjiang Private Transfer Service from Nanjing City or Lukou Airport : $78
- Yangzhou Private Transfer Service from Nanjing City or Lukou Airport : $80
- Tangshan Hot Spring Resorts Private Transfer from Nanjing Railway Station: $44
- Private Transfer to Yangzhou City from Nanjing Lukou Airport : $109
- Private Transfer to Nanjing Railway Station from Lukou Airport : $45
- Private Transfer to Gaochun City from Nanjing Lukou Airport: $88
- Private Transfer to Gaochun City from Nanjing : $88
- Private Transfer between Nanjing Olympic Stadium and City Hotel: $33
- Private Transfer between Nanjing Jinniuhu Wild Animal Park and City Hotels: $62
- Private Transfer Between Tangshan Hot Spring Resort and Nanjing Lukou Airport: $49
- Private Round Trip Transfer to Zhenjiang from Nanjing: $94
- Private Round Trip Transfer to Yangzhou Attractions from Nanjing: $89
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rotorua
Also for Rotorua, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Rotorua to Auckland Afternoon Transfer with Waitomo Glow Worms: $182
Is it cheaper to fly into Nanjing or Rotorua?
Prices for flights to both Rotorua and Nanjing 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 dayNanjing $28Rotorua $29
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nanjing
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Nanjing.
- 3-Hour Nanjing Authentic Local Food Tour by Public Transportation: $93
- Flexible Private Nanjing City Night Tour with Dinner Option : $112
- Nanjing City Private Night Tour with Qinghuai River Cruise and Dinner Option: $114
- Nanjing Tangshan Mountain Hot Spring Experience and Hot Pot Dinner: $175
- Private Amazing Nanjing Airport Layover Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $181
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rotorua
For Rotorua, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Mitai Maori Village: Cultural Experience and Dinner Buffet: $92
- Te Pa Tu Māori Cultural Experience with Dinner: $154
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Nanjing $9.27Rotorua $34
Tours and Activities in Nanjing
Here are a few actual costs in Nanjing for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Half-Day Nanjing City Private Flexible Tour : $109
- 2-Day Unlimited Nanjing Private Flexible Tour with Lunch Option : $295
- 4-Hour Nanjing City Private Tailor-Made Tour in Your Way : $109
- 4-Hour Nanjing Private Tour: Xiaoling Tomb, Ming City Wall and Memorial Hall : $115
- All Inclusive Amazing Nanjing City Highlights Private Day Tour: $193
- All Inclusive Nanjing City Private Day Tour with Tailor-Made Highlights: $213
- All-inclusive Customized Nanjing Layover Tour: $201
- Beijing Great Wall Tour from Nanjing by Bullet Train with Private Car Service: $282
- Flexible Private Nanjing City Highlights Day Tour: $164
- Flexible Private Nanjing Independent Tour : $63
- Flexible Zhenjiang Private Day Tour from Nanjing: $197
- Half Day Nanjing City Private Flexible Tour with Night River Cruise: $165
Typical Entertainment Prices in Rotorua
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Rotorua's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Lunch Out for Two$27
Tours and Activities in Rotorua
For Rotorua, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Jade Carving Experience at a Local Studio: $21
- Whaka Geothermal Trails Self-Guided Tour: $21
- Mountain Jade Highlights Tour: $21
- Government Gardens Walking Tour: $23
- Geothermal Mineral Baths Experience: Pavilion Pools for 12+: $27
- Whakarewarewa Village Guided Tour: $27
- Geothermal Adults Only Mineral Bathing - Pavilion Pools Bathing Ticket: $27
- Whakarewarewa Village Guided Tour: $27
- Agrodome Farm Tour with Show and Produce Tasting: $29
- Agrodome Farm Experience including Farm Show and Farm Tour - Rotorua: $30
- Velocity Valley Ticket: $33
- The National Kiwi Hatchery Tour: $35
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNanjing $9.46Rotorua $12
Typical Alcohol Prices in Rotorua
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Rotorua:
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Bottle of Wine$11
When comparing the travel costs between Nanjing and Rotorua, we can see that Nanjing is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Nanjing is in Asia and Rotorua is in Pacific, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Nanjing Expensive? and Is Rotorua Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Nanjing or Rotorua?
Nanjing has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Rotorua. When comparing the sizes of Nanjing and Rotorua, 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 Nanjing or Rotorua?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Rotorua is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Nanjing has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Nanjing or Rotorua in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Nanjing as well as Rotorua. Also, most visitors come to Rotorua for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Nanjing is much warmer than Rotorua. Typically, the summer temperatures in Nanjing in July average around 28°C (83°F), and Rotorua averages at about 12°C (54°F)in January.
Nanjing receives a lot of rain in the summer. Nanjing usually gets more rain in July than Rotoruain January. Nanjing gets 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryNanjing 28°C (83°F)Rotorua 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Nanjing or Rotorua in the Autumn?
Both Rotorua and Nanjing are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Rotorua because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Nanjing is generally around the same temperature as Rotoruain April. Daily temperatures in Nanjing average around 17°C (63°F), and Rotorua fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
In October, Nanjing usually receives more rain than Rotoruain April. Nanjing gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilNanjing 17°C (63°F)Rotorua 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Nanjing or Rotorua in the Winter?
Both Rotorua and Nanjing during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Rotorua this time of year.
The weather in Nanjing can be very cold. Nanjing is much colder than Rotorua in the winter. The daily temperature in Nanjing averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Rotorua fluctuates around 26°C (79°F)in July.
Nanjing usually gets more rain in January than Rotoruain July. Nanjing gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyNanjing 3°C (37°F)Rotorua 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Nanjing or Rotorua in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Nanjing and Rotorua. Furthermore, many travelers come to Rotorua for the natural beauty.
In the spring, Nanjing is cooler than Rotorua. Typically, the spring temperatures in Nanjing in April average around 15°C (60°F), and Rotorua averages at about 19°C (66°F)in October.
Nanjing gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Nanjing usually receives more rain than Rotoruain October. Nanjing gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberNanjing 15°C (60°F)Rotorua 19°C (66°F)
Typical Weather for Rotorua and Nanjing
| Nanjing | Rotorua | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (37°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Feb | 4°C (40°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Mar | 9°C (48°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (60°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| May | 21°C (69°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (77°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (74°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Oct | 17°C (63°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Nov | 11°C (52°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Dec | 5°C (41°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
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.