A Travel Price Comparison for New Zealand Napier vs. Queenstown for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Napier or Queenstown?

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 Queenstown can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Napier or Queenstown?

Napier

Napier is city on the eastern coast of the North Island of New Zealand. It is part of the Hawke's Bay Region, a famous area for wine vineyards. Napier has a population of 61,000 people and is known for its Art Deco architecture and of course, wine.

Queenstown

Queenstown is a popular tourist destination on New Zealand's South Island. It is beautifully surrounded by the Southern Alps and sits on the banks of Lake Wakatipu. Across the lake you will find a stunning view of the Remarkables, a dramatic mountain range. The town itself is quite touristy, but prices still remain reasonable. There are options for all travel budgets, whether you're a backpacker hoping to save a few dollars or a family looking for some luxury accommodation. Despite its natural and tranquil setting, Queenstown is actually very much a party town, particularly during the peak seasons. Don't be surprised to find people out enjoying themselves until the early hours of the morning. If you're not into the party scene and are hoping to get a decent night's sleep, consider staying a little outside of town. About an hour outside of Queenstown you'll find Wanaka, which is a much smaller and peaceful town without the party scene.

Which city is cheaper, Queenstown or Napier?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Napier is $146, while the average daily cost in Queenstown is $91. 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. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Napier and Queenstown in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Napier $88
    Queenstown $48
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Napier $176
    Queenstown $96
Compare Hotels in Napier and Queenstown

Looking for a hotel in Napier or Queenstown? 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 Napier


Hotels in Queenstown


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: Napier Hotel Prices and Queenstown Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Napier $26
    Queenstown $8.90

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Napier

Also for Napier, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Arrival Transfer: Hawkes Bay Airport to Central Napier City Centre: $21
  • Departure Transfer: Napier and Hastings City Centre to Hawkes Bay Airport: $21

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Queenstown

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Queenstown:

  • Ski Transfer To Remarkables Ski Area (Round Trip): $27
  • Ski Transfer To Coronet Peak (Round Trip): $27
  • Private Ski Transfer to The Remarkables Ski Field: $370
  • Private Ski Transfer to Coronet Peak Ski Field: $333
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Queenstown Airport to Hotel by Jet Boat: $342
  • Private & Exclusive One-Way Transfer Queenstown to Christchurch: $1,264
  • Departure Transfer: Queenstown Central City Centre Hotels to Queenstown Airport: $13
  • Arrival Transfer: Queenstown Airport to Central Queenstown City Centre: $13

Is it cheaper to fly into Napier or Queenstown?

Prices for flights to both Queenstown and Napier 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
    Napier $32
    Queenstown $31
Typical Food prices in Napier

For Napier, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Casural Lunch
    $9.09

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Queenstown

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Queenstown.

  • Dinner at Walter Peak High Country Farm and Cruise from Queenstown: $110
  • Queenstown Progressive Dinner & Wine Tour - 3 iconic locations: $207

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Napier $24
    Queenstown $19

Tours and Activities in Napier

For Napier, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Napier Earthquake Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
  • Napier Art Deco Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
  • Napier Prison Self-Guided Audio Tour: $13
  • Legacy and Winery Experience: $26
  • 75-minute Art Deco City Highlights Tour: $39
  • Versatility of the Grape Experience in Napier: $52
  • 2.5-Hour Napier Art Deco Tour: $53
  • Small Group 2.5-Hour Napier History and Art Deco Tour: $53
  • Cruise Ship Shore Excursion: $68
  • 2-Hour Guided Bicycle Tour: $71
  • Shore Excursion: 4-Hour Discover Hawkes Bay and Napier Tour: $76
  • 60-Minute Napier Deco City Tour by Vintage Car: $76

Typical Entertainment prices in Queenstown

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Queenstown are as follows:


  • Skyline Gondola (for 2)
    $33

Tours and Activities in Queenstown

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Queenstown are as follows:

  • 10 Day Explorer tour: Ziplines, Hikes, Canyoning, Kayaking, Rafting & Glaciers.: $4,219
  • 12-Day Snow Odyssey Tour: $2,444
  • 20-Minute Remarkables Helicopter Tour from Queenstown: $166
  • 3 Day Queenstown Adventure: Jet Boat, Helicopter, Bungy and Milford Sound Cruise: $1,241
  • 3 day Private Wanaka and Otago Photography Tour: $2,888
  • 4 Day Southern Circuit: Glaciers, Christchurch and Mt Cook Tour from Queenstown: $1,140
  • 5-Day The Great Walks of New Zealand Tour from Queenstown: $4,150
  • Alpine Adventure Helicopter Flight from Queenstown: $267
  • Arrowtown and Wanaka Premium Tour from Queenstown: $178
  • Arrowtown and Wanaka Tour from Queenstown: $133
  • AuthenticAs Discover Queenstown - Professional Photography & Exclusive 4WD Tour: $501
  • AuthenticAs Paradise - Professional Photography & Exclusive Guided 4WD Tour: $1,373

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Napier $14
    Queenstown $7.78
Typical Alcohol prices in Napier

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Napier are as follows:


  • Wine
    $13

Sample the Local Flavors in Napier

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Napier:

  • Hawke's Bay Wine Tour Including Pick Up From Napier or Hastings: $78
  • Wine Tour - 3 wineries in an afternoon: $81
  • Half Day Small-Group Hawkes Bay Wine Tour: $84
  • Full Day Small-Group Hawke's Bay Wine Tour: $95
  • Napier Afternoon Wine Tour + Optional Beer Tasting: $100
  • Napier Gourmet Luncheon including Afternoon Wine Tour: $133
  • Small Group Hawke's Bay Premium Afternoon Wine Tour: $144
  • Small Group Half-Day Ultimate Wine Tour in Napier: $171
  • Hawke's Bay Morning Wine Tour and Te Mata Peak Including Winery Lunch: $175
  • Vintage Car & Wine Tasting Experience: $220
  • Private Tour & Wine Tasting (90 mins): $293

Sample the Local Flavors in Queenstown

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Queenstown:

  • Hop on Hop off Wine Tours Queenstown: $40
  • Hop-On Hop-Off Wine Tour: $52
  • Wine Tour from Full Day: $103
  • Queenstown Classic Wine Tour - 3 Vineyards, Cave Tour and Cheeseboard: $116
  • Afternoon Boutique Wine Tour: $122
  • Original Wine Tour: $125
  • Vine Hopper: Queenstown's Ultimate Wine & Microbrewery Adventure: $133
  • Valley of the Vines Afternoon Wine Tour includes a Winery Tour: $133
  • Central Otago Wine Tour from Queenstown - Includes 4 Vineyards, Lunch & Wine: $136
  • Valley of the Vines Lunch & Wine Tour with a Wine Cave Adult Tour: $147
  • Wine Tour & Maori Culture Queenstown: $159
  • Boutique Wine Tour in Central Otago Wine Region: $161

About these numbers

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Napier and Queenstown, we can see that Napier is more expensive. And not only is Queenstown much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Queenstown would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Queenstown 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 Queenstown.

Budget Your Trip

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Napier vs. Queenstown Travel Comparison

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