A Travel Price Comparison for New Zealand Napier vs. Arrowtown for Hiking, Attractions, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Napier or Arrowtown?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Napier and Arrowtown can help you decide which place is right for you.

Napier

Napier is a coastal, relaxed, and character-filled town. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums.

Arrowtown

Arrowtown is a charming, quaint, and quirky town. Since it offers so much small town charm with a variety of activities, it attracts plenty of visitors, too. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums.

Napier and Arrowtown: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Napier or Arrowtown?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Arrowtown. Although Napier and Arrowtown are both popular with visitors, Arrowtown has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Arrowtown is more popular for its skiing, historical sights, hiking, shopping, small town charm, and quaint atmosphere, while Napier is known for its museums, nightlife, and beaches. Napier is popular for its many art deco buildings, its beautiful vineyards, and the area's long sandy beaches. Arrowtown is popular for its gold rush history, impressive ski slopes, and famous hikes. It is also home to the Chinese Settlement.

How is Napier different from Arrowtown?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Napier or Arrowtown Better for Skiing?

Arrowtown is a very popular place for skiing and snowboarding. However, Napier is not a skiing destination.

Arrowtown offers world-class skiing that is fun for everyone. In the area you'll find amazing skiing that ranges from professional level to family-friendly.

Napier is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Napier or Arrowtown?

Napier is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. Also, Arrowtown is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

Many visitors head to Napier specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Considered an "Art Deco capital", there are many interesting buildings around town and it's worth taking an Art Deco Walk. The National Aquarium of New Zealand is also impressive as is the MTG Hawke's Bay, which is a museum, gallery, and theater in one. For something a little outside the box, you can visit the Napier Prison, which is New Zealand's oldest place of incarceration, dating back to 1862.

Arrowtown offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The town feels likes a living museum with its historic sights. There's also the Lakes District Museum in town that you can visit.

Is the Food Better in Napier or Arrowtown? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Napier and Arrowtown offer a number of very good restaurants to choose from.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Napier. With its many wineries and big mix of fine dining restaurants, there is plenty for a foodie to enjoy around town. You'll find restaurants that serve up New Zealand favorites as well as those that experiment with modern and trendy recipes.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Arrowtown. For such a small town, there's a surprising number of great restaurants with award winning chefs. You'll find quaint cafes, traditional eateries, and casual restaurants where you can sample the local dishes.

Is Napier or Arrowtown Better for Nightlife?

Napier is an excellent place to visit for nightlife. Also, Arrowtown is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

Napier has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The nightlife scene is diverse and fun. Whether you're looking for a wild party or just want to relax with a drink and some friends, there are plenty of places where you can hang out.

Arrowtown has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. For such a small town, there's a surprisingly bustling nightlife scene with casual pubs and waterfront bars.

Is Napier or Arrowtown Better for Beaches?

Napier is terrific for its beaches. However, Arrowtown is not a beach destination.

With world-famous beaches, Napier is a very popular vacation destination. It's a popular beach destination and you'll find plenty of beaches for swimming, sunbathing, and playing with the kids. You'll want to head out of town to find the best and most beautiful beaches. For hidden beaches and some of the area's best surf, head to Mahia Peninsula. To escape the tourists and hang out with the locals, go to Waipatiki Beach. And for a picnic, Westshore Beach is a favorite. Waimarama Beach is another favorite in the area as well.

Arrowtown is not a beach destination.

Is Napier or Arrowtown Better for its Old Town?

Arrowtown is a very popular place for its historic old town. However, Napier does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Arrowtown. This is a quirky and charming historic mining town that has many cottages and historic buildings. Many places have been restored to maintain their original character.

Napier does not have a historic old town.

Is Napier or Arrowtown Better for Hiking?

Arrowtown is a must-visit destination for its hiking trails. Also, Napier is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

Many people visit Arrowtown specifically for its hiking. Many people use this town as a jumping off point for some of the world's most iconic hikes. You can explore Lord of the Rings country or do one of fifteen different listed walks in the area.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Napier. Hawke's Bay is filled with wonderful walks and hikes. There are easy coastal paths as well as mult-day treks around Lake Waikaremoana. It's not hard to find somewhere to stretch your legs and explore the scenery.

Is the Shopping Better in Napier or Arrowtown?

Arrowtown is a very popular place for shopping. Also, Napier is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Arrowtown. Shopping is an experience in town. Head to Buckingham Street, which is the main street in town. You can wander through a wild west setting with local vendors and quirky galleries.

Napier offers some nice shopping areas. You'll find all of the standard New Zealand retail chains as well antique and boutique shops. With its many Art Deco buildings, the city has character and personality.

Is Napier or Arrowtown Better for Families?

You'll find very good kid-friendly activities in either Napier or Arrowtown.

Napier is a very family-friendly destination. This coastal city has a waterpark, a waterfall walk, and plenty of beaches where the family can hang out. There's also a waterfront promenade that is filled with water features and playgrounds where the kids can run around. You can also check out Hawke's Bay Farmyard Zoo or on a rainy day head to the Faraday Museum of Technology.

Arrowtown is a very kid-friendly town. Kids will enjoy the old world charm as much as adults. There's gold panning, bike trails, and even a historic Chinese village. During the winter there are snow sports and during the summer there are outdoor activities that take advantage of the nice weather.

Is Napier or Arrowtown Better for Couples?

Both Napier and Arrowtown are very good destinations to visit as a couple.

Napier makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Surrounded by vineyards and lined with beaches, this is a great place for a romantic getaway or a honeymoon. Hop on a bike and explore the wineries or enjoy a beautiful hike through nature. There are also adrenaline-filled activities for thrill seekers or fine dining restaurants for the foodies.

Couples visit Arrowtown frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The charming atmosphere and beautiful walks make this a great weekend destination for couples. You can take a stroll on the Arrow River Walkway or grab a meal at a quaint cafe followed by ice cream at a classic ice cream parlor.

Is Napier or Arrowtown Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Napier and Arrowtown are both very good destinations for backpackers.

Napier is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There are a couple of hostels around town and plenty of fun activities like mountain biking or white water rafting that you can enjoy.

Arrowtown is a great town to visit for backpackers. There are a couple of hostels in town and backpackers love the frequent festivals and activities that the town hosts.

Is Napier or Arrowtown Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Arrowtown is very good for times when you don't have a car. However, Napier is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Arrowtown has some public transit options. There are public buses throughout the region.

Public transit is generally limited in Napier. Public transit to most of the beaches is limited or nonexistent, so you really need a car if you want to get around and see everything.

Is Napier or Arrowtown a more walkable city?

Arrowtown is very good for its walkability. However, Napier is lacking in good options for its high level of walkability.

Arrowtown is somewhat walkable. Parts of the town are fun to explore on foot.

Napier is generally not very walkable. If you stay in town you can walk to cafes and restaurants, but you really need a car if you're planning to visit beaches or explore the area in depth.

For even more information, also check out Is Napier Worth Visiting? and Is Arrowtown Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Arrowtown or Napier?

How long in Napier or Arrowtown?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Napier or Arrowtown to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Napier than Arrowtown because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Napier, and 1-2 days is enough time in Arrowtown.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Arrowtown than Napier 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 Arrowtown.

One day in Napier or Arrowtown?

You'll find shopping and museums around the town of Napier. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Arrowtown might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Hikers are also drawn to this area. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Napier or Arrowtown?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the coastal destination of Napier. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Arrowtown is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Napier or Arrowtown?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the coastal town of Napier. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a great beach destination, too. Most people head to the area for the beaches. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Arrowtown. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. 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 Napier or Arrowtown?

Napier is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Arrowtown is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This town 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 Contiki Tours to New Zealand, The Best G Adventures Tours to New Zealand, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Auckland, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to New Zealand.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Napier or Arrowtown?

Napier has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Arrowtown. When comparing the sizes of Napier and Arrowtown, 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.