Should you visit Nelson or Rotorua?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel cost comparison between Nelson and Rotorua can help. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
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.
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.
Which city is cheaper, Rotorua or Nelson?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Nelson is $89, while the average daily cost in Rotorua is $86. 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. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Nelson and Rotorua in more detail.
Accommodation
The average price for accommodation for two people in Nelson is $76. This is for two people sharing a typical double occupancy hotel room.
Travelers usually pay around $92 for a double occupancy room in Rotorua If you want to be in a premiere location or have high end amenities, you can expect to pay a bit more.
Food
The price of a meal in Nelson can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is $26 per person, and a typical meal will cost around $10 based on the spending of previous visitors. Less expensive dining options can be found by eating street food or at fast food restaurants.
On average, meal and food prices in Rotorua cost around $25 per person, per day. While this price can vary widely by location, the type of restaurant, and the amount of food ordered, a typical meal often costs around $10.
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Food
Meals for one day
Nelson $26
Rotorua $25
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rotorua
For Rotorua, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Rotorua Maori Hangi Dinner and Performance:
$100
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Lake Rotoiti Evening Kayak Tour including Hot Springs, Glowworm Caves and BBQ Dinner:
$140
Local Transportation
The cost of a taxi ride in Nelson is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $27 per person, per day, on local transportation in Nelson.
Rotorua's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $4.72 per person, per day on transportation in Rotorua.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nelson
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Nelson:
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Departure Transfer: Nelson City Centre Hotels to Nelson Airport:
$43
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Arrival Transfer: Nelson Airport to Nelson City Centre Hotels:
$43
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rotorua
Also for Rotorua, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Departure Transfer: Rotorua City Centre Hotels to Rotorua Airport:
$18
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Rotorua to Auckland Afternoon Transfer with Waitomo Glow Worms:
$148
Is it cheaper to fly into Nelson or Rotorua?
Prices for flights to both Rotorua 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.
Entertainment
Entertainment and activities in Nelson typically cost an average of $22 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Rotorua can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $33 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Tours and Activities in Nelson
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Nelson are as follows:
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Abel Tasman National Park: Day Trip with 1.5-Hour Cruise:
$150
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Abel Tasman and Golden Bay Tour:
$149
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Dragon Hunt Archery Experience in Pristine Native Forest:
$115
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Fly Golden Bay & Cruise Abel Tasman Day Tour from Nelson:
$341
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Full-Day Abel Tasman National Park Hiking Tour with Cruise:
$354
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Nelson City Walking Tour - Guided:
$36
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Skywire Experience:
$76
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SKYWIRE Experience:
$78
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Self-Guided Nelson to Mapua Cycle Adventure:
$75
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Tunnel to Town - Day Adventure - Option A Via Mapua:
$125
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Tunnel to Town - Day Adventure Option B Nelson City:
$100
Typical Entertainment prices in Rotorua
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Rotorua's activities, tours, and tickets:
Tours and Activities in Rotorua
For Rotorua, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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Lake Rotorua Paddle Boat Cruise:
$14
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Whaka Geothermal Trails Self-Guided Tour:
$19
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Buried Village of Te Wairoa Tour:
$19
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Whakarewarewa Village Guided Tour:
$26
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The Farm Tour:
$28
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Rainbow Springs Ticket - Lite Pass:
$33
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Rainbow Springs Ticket - Essentials Pass:
$44
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Nocturnal adventure Glow-worm tour:
$51
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Rotorua Hot Lakes Bike Tour:
$55
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Rotorua Duck Boat Guided City and Lakes Tour:
$56
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Kaituna White-Water Rafting Adventure:
$62
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Tarawera and Lakes 2-Hour Duck Eco Tour:
$63
Alcohol
The average person spends about $12 on alcoholic beverages in Nelson per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
Typically, people visiting Rotorua spend on average $11 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
Sample the Local Flavors in Nelson
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Nelson:
Typical Alcohol prices in Rotorua
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Rotorua:
When comparing the travel costs between Nelson and Rotorua, we can see that Nelson 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. Since both cities are in Pacific, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
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