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

Should you visit Nelson or Nadi (Port Denarau)?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Nelson and Nadi (Port Denarau) can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Nelson or Nadi (Port Denarau)?

Nelson

Nelson is a city that sits on Tasman Bay on the South Island of New Zealand. Travelers, especially ones that are heading to explore Abel Tasman National Park, frequently visit this town. Nelson has a population of about 46,000 people and, geographically speaking, it is the center of New Zealand as a whole.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to New Zealand, and The Best Wildlife Tours to New Zealand.


Which place is cheaper, Nadi (Port Denarau) or Nelson?

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

  • Nelson Prices
    New Zealand Prices
    Nadi (Port Denarau) Prices
    Fiji Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Nelson $114
    Nadi (Port Denarau) $198

The average daily cost (per person) in Nelson is $114, while the average daily cost in Nadi (Port Denarau) is $198. 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 Nelson and Nadi (Port Denarau) in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Nelson $41
    Nadi (Port Denarau) $106
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Nelson $82
    Nadi (Port Denarau) $212
Compare Hotels in Nelson and Nadi (Port Denarau)

Looking for a hotel in Nelson or Nadi (Port Denarau)? 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 Nelson


Hotels in Nadi (Port Denarau)


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: Nelson Hotel Prices and Nadi (Port Denarau) Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Nelson $28
    Nadi (Port Denarau) $8.81

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

Is it cheaper to fly into Nelson or Nadi (Port Denarau)?

Prices for flights to both Nadi (Port Denarau) and Nelson 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
    Nelson $47
    Nadi (Port Denarau) $69

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Nelson $23
    Nadi (Port Denarau) $32

Tours and Activities in Nelson

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

  • Nelson City Walking Tour - Guided: $28
  • Cable Bay Adventure Park: E-bike hire: $55
  • Abel Tasman Vista Cruise: $62
  • Cable Bay Adventure Park Skywire Experience: $64
  • Skywire Adventure at Cable Bay, Nelson: $65
  • Nelson to Mapua: Full-Day Cycling Self-Guided Adventure: $69
  • Self-Guided Nelson to Mapua Cycle Adventure: $71
  • Magical Mapua Charms in off-summer Season Selfguided Cycle Tour: $74
  • Magical Mapua Self Guided One Day Cycle Tour: $74
  • Half Day Guided Mountain Biking Adventure in Nelson: $74
  • Great Taste Beer Tour by Bicycle (Self-guided): $77
  • Guided Quad Biking Tour Through Forest and Farmland: $78

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

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Nelson $13
    Nadi (Port Denarau) $11

Sample the Local Flavors in Nelson

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Nelson:

  • Self-guided E-bike cycle tour with private wine tasting : $116
  • Wine Tour with Tastings and Lunch: $231


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

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


Which is Bigger, Nelson or Nadi (Port Denarau)?

Nelson has a larger population, and is about 40% larger than the population of Nadi (Port Denarau). When comparing the sizes of Nelson and Nadi (Port Denarau), 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.