A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Nassau vs. Queenstown for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Nassau or Queenstown?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Nassau or Queenstown, 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: Nassau or Queenstown?

Nassau

There are few vacation destinations more famous than the Bahamian city of Nassau. This capital city is full of laid back locals, relaxed tourists and the iconic pastel pink government houses.

As the largest city in the Bahamas, Nassau can hold plenty of people. Not only are there hundreds of tourists on any given day, the city is also home to 260,000 people – that is 80 percent of the Bahamas' total population.

Founded around 1650, Nassau's location made it a great spot on the trade route. So great, in fact, that it also became a popular destination for pirates – including the infamous Blackbeard.

Pack light because it's going to be pretty steamy in Nassau. The climate is essentially identical to southern Florida. It is warm and humid all year with the occasional cold snap in the winter.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Bahamas, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Bahamas, The Best Bicycle Tours in New Zealand, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in New Zealand.


Which place is cheaper, Queenstown or Nassau?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Nassau is $227, while the average daily cost in Queenstown is $127. 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 Nassau and Queenstown in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Nassau $108
    Queenstown $54
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Nassau $216
    Queenstown $108
Compare Hotels in Nassau and Queenstown

Looking for a hotel in Nassau 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 Nassau


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: Nassau Hotel Prices and Queenstown Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Nassau $32
    Queenstown $9.93
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nassau

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Nassau are as follows:


  • Water Taxi
    $7.99
  • Taxi to Cable Beach
    $25
  • Taxi from Airport
    $30

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nassau

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Nassau:

  • Nassau Private Airport & Cruise Port Transfer: $30
  • Airport Transfer Paradise Island: $40
  • Private One-Way Transfer from Lynden Airport to Bahamas: $45
  • Nassau cruise port to Nassau Airport (NAS) - Departure Private Transfer: $50
  • Nassau city to Nassau Cruise Port - Departure Private Transfer: $50
  • Nassau Airport (NAS) to Nassau Cruise Port - Arrival Private Transfer: $50
  • Nassau City Escape Transfer (One Way): $50
  • One Way Private Airport Transfer for 4 People or Less: $65
  • Round Trip Private Airport To Hotel Transfer in Nassau: $68
  • Transfer Service in Nassau Bahamas: $68
  • Private Roundtrip Sedan Cruiseport Transfer to Airport: $69
  • Private One-way Transfer Lynden Pindling Airport To Nassau: $78

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Queenstown

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Queenstown:

  • ZQN Airport Private Transfer to/from City Center: $27
  • QUEENSTOWN Best Private Airport Transfer:1 Way from/to Hotel: $51
  • Private Queenstown Airport to Hotel Transfers: $72
  • Queenstown private transfer: $76
  • Queenstown Airport to Towncenter Transfer: $77
  • Queenstown to Mt Cook One Way Scenic Transfer: $121
  • From Cardrona Ski/Snowboard Rentals & Transfer: $165
  • Private Transfer from Wanaka to Queenstown Airport: $175
  • Private Transfer from Queenstown Central to Wanaka: $175
  • One way transfer to Remarkable or Coronet Peak Ski Fields: $192
  • Queenstown/Wanaka Airport Transfer: $207
  • Milford Sound Cruise with Helicopter Transfer: $901

Is it cheaper to fly into Nassau or Queenstown?

Prices for flights to both Queenstown and Nassau 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
    Nassau $91
    Queenstown $60

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nassau

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

  • Conch Salad Cooking Lesson and Tasting in Nassau: $80
  • Nassau Sunset Dinner Cruise: $103
  • Sunset Dinner Cruise: $119
  • Dinner and Dancing: $130
  • All Inclusive Sunset Dinner Cruise in Nassau Bahamas: $138
  • Experience Breakfast,Lunch or Dinner in the sky of Nassau Bahamas: $176
  • NEW! Authentic Bahamian Cooking and Cocktails with Transfers: $179

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Queenstown

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

  • Bar Crawl with 5 Free Shots and Pizza: $17
  • Skyline Queenstown Gondola with Lunch or Dinner: $80
  • Dinner at Walter Peak High Country Farm and Cruise from Queenstown: $112
  • Wine & Food Tour, Scenic Tastings & Paired Lunch: $129
  • Queenstown Dinner & Wine Experience (Adults Only) 3 Iconic Venues: $284

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Nassau $37
    Queenstown $21
Typical Entertainment Prices in Nassau

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


  • Jet Ski
    $50
  • 4 Hr Kayak Tour
    $70
  • 1/2 Day Snorkel Trip
    $75

Tours and Activities in Nassau

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

  • Nassau Junkanoo Rum & Ramparts Self-Guided Audio GPS Walking Tour: $9.99
  • Audio Driving Tour Around St. Simons Island: $9.99
  • KINDWalk — Nassau Historical and Cultural Walking Tour: $10
  • Museum of Junkanoo Guided Tour and Entry Ticket: $11
  • Junkanoo Costume Workshop and Museum Tour: $35
  • Roundtrip Beach Shuttle from Nassau Cruise Terminal: $35
  • Nassau City Highlights Sightseeing Tour: $40
  • Jekyll Island Dolphin Tours: $45
  • Nassau Through Living History: Private Reflective Walking Tour: $48
  • Nassau Bahamas: Jetcar Excursion to Pig Island Tour $450: $50
  • Banana Boat Adventure: $50
  • Guided Walking Tour with Local Treats: $50

Typical Entertainment Prices in Queenstown

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


  • Skyline Gondola (for 2)
    $29

Tours and Activities in Queenstown

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

  • Queenstown on Foot: An Audio Tour: $5.00
  • Queenstown to Wānaka: A Self-Guided Gibbston Valley Driving Tour: $7.99
  • Hidden Underwater Theatre Experience: $8.47
  • Queenstown Self Guided Walking Tour with an APP: $9.99
  • From the Green to the Grave: An Audio Tour of Queenstown: $12
  • Escape Adventure: $20
  • The Dreamery Interactive Sensory Journey Entry Ticket: $22
  • Fear Factory Haunted House Admission Ticket: $23
  • Private Race Car Simulation Experience: $25
  • Odyssey Sensory Maze Entry Ticket: $28
  • Kawarau Zipride! (Family Fun Experience): $28
  • Gibbston Valley Wines - Winery Tour: $28

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Nassau $19
    Queenstown $8.67
Typical Alcohol Prices in Nassau

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


  • Cocktail
    $6.49

Sample the Local Flavors in Nassau

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Nassau:

  • Bottle Your Own at John Watling's Distillery: $20
  • Mixology Experience at John Watling's Distillery: $80
  • Rum Tasting Experience at John Watling's Distillery: $80

Sample the Local Flavors in Queenstown

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Queenstown:

  • Kinross Winery: Classic Central Otago Wine Tasting Experience: $18
  • Ice Bar Crawl: $23
  • Hop on Hop off Wine Tours Queenstown: $62
  • Queenstown & Gibbston Valley: Hop-On Hop-Off Wine Tours: $73
  • Highlights Tour with Wine Tasting: $95
  • Queenstown's Original Premium Half-Day Wine Tasting Tour: $101
  • Queenstown Classic Wine Tour: 3 Winery Visits, Cave Tour & Cheese: $127
  • Small Group Highlights Tour with Wine Tasting: $129
  • Classic Wine Tour: $135
  • Arrowtown Wine Tour: $141
  • Queenstown Boutique Wine Tour - All-Inclusive 4 Wineries & Lunch: $149
  • Small Group Wine Tasting Tour with 18+ tastings: $150


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nassau and Queenstown, we can see that Nassau is more expensive. And not only is Queenstown much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Nassau is in Caribbean Islands and Queenstown 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 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 Nassau would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nassau than you might in Queenstown.

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


Which is Bigger, Nassau or Queenstown?

Nassau has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Queenstown. When comparing the sizes of Nassau and Queenstown, 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.