A Travel Price Comparison for New Zealand Paihia vs. Arrowtown for Hiking, Families, Couples, and Food

Should you visit Paihia or Arrowtown?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Paihia and Arrowtown. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Paihia

Paihia is a beautiful, relaxing, and fun-filled coastal town. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums.

Arrowtown

Arrowtown is a charming, quaint, and quirky town. You'll find plenty of local activities in this small town. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. Visitors also love the nightlife, food, and hiking.

Paihia and Arrowtown: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Paihia or Arrowtown?

Both Arrowtown and Paihia have plenty of things to do for visitors. Both offer a variety of sights, activities, and attractions for tourists. Paihia is very popular for its scuba diving & snorkeling and beaches, while Arrowtown attracts visitors for its skiing, historical sights, hiking, shopping, small town charm, and quaint atmosphere. Paihia is more touristy than Arrowtown and is known for its warm year round climate, impressive beaches, and world class snorkeling and scuba diving. Arrowtown is famous for its gold rush history, impressive ski slopes, and famous hikes.

How is Paihia different from Arrowtown?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Paihia or Arrowtown Better for Skiing?

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

Visitors travel far to experience snow skiing in Arrowtown. In the area you'll find amazing skiing that ranges from professional level to family-friendly.

Paihia is not a skiing destination.

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

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Paihia and Arrowtown.

Paihia offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are some interesting cultural sights in the area like the Waitangi Treaty Grounds and the Museum of Waitangi.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Arrowtown. 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 Paihia or Arrowtown? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Paihia and Arrowtown offer a number of high quality restaurants to choose from.

Paihia has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Local seafood, regional produce, and fresh ingredients make dining in the area a rewarding experience. You'll find fine dining restaurants, pizzerias, and local cafes to choose from.

Dining out in Arrowtown is an experience not to be missed. 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 Paihia or Arrowtown Better for Nightlife?

The nice nightlife scene is relatively similar in Paihia and Arrowtown.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Paihia. As a holiday spot, there are a number of clubs and bars that cater to tourists in the area.

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 Paihia or Arrowtown Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Paihia is an excellent place to visit for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Arrowtown is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There is a nice variety of marine life that makes scuba diving and snorkeling great in Paihia. There are scuba diving and snorkel shops available around town where you can organize trips and excursions to experience the undersea world.

Arrowtown is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Paihia or Arrowtown Better for Beaches?

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

With world-famous beaches, Paihia is a very popular vacation destination. There are stunning beaches both in Paihia and throughout the Bay of Islands. Paihia Beach is in town. It's small but nice and makes a great picnic spot. For a more secluded spot head to Matauri Bay Beach or Takou Bay.

Arrowtown is not a beach destination.

Is Paihia or Arrowtown Better for its Old Town?

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

There are many historical things to see 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.

Paihia does not have a historic old town.

Is Paihia or Arrowtown Better for Hiking?

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

Arrowtown is well-known for its hiking and trekking. 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 Paihia. The Bay of Islands is filled with coastal walks and peaceful hikes. This is a great way to soak up the area's atmosphere and take in some spectacular views.

Is the Shopping Better in Paihia or Arrowtown?

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

Arrowtown is well-known for its shopping. 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.

Many visitors go to Paihia to go shopping. There are plenty of retail stores around town where you can pick up clothes or enjoy some souvenir shopping.

Is Paihia or Arrowtown Better for Families?

Paihia is terrific for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Arrowtown is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Paihia is one of the most popular family destinations. Beaches, dolphin spotting, ice cream, and chocolate factories make the Bay of Islands the perfect place for a family vacation. There are amazing walking trails like the Manginangina Kauri Walk and opportunities to learn about the Maori culture. There are also adventure spots and great beaches.

Arrowtown is a very kid-friendly coastal 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 Paihia or Arrowtown Better for Couples?

Paihia is terrific for romance. Also, Arrowtown is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

For those traveling as a couple, Paihia has plenty to offer. You can enjoy sunset boat cruises, sip wine with a waterfront view, or walk through pristine natural areas. For thrill seekers there are adrenaline filled activities like parasailing or scuba diving.

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 Paihia or Arrowtown Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Paihia and Arrowtown are both high quality destinations for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Paihia. There are a handful of hostels around town as well as many great activities for backpackers like scuba diving or parasailing.

Arrowtown is a very popular coastal town for backpackers and budget travelers. There are a couple of hostels in town and backpackers love the frequent festivals and activities that the town hosts.

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

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Paihia and Arrowtown.

Paihia has some public transit options. There are ferries and some intercity buses through the Bay of Islands.

You'll find some public transit in Arrowtown, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are public buses throughout the region.

Is Paihia or Arrowtown a more walkable city?

Paihia and Arrowtown are nice when it comes to walkability.

Paihia is a somewhat walkable place. It's possible to explore parts of the town on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Arrowtown or Paihia?

How long in Paihia or Arrowtown?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Paihia or Arrowtown to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Paihia than Arrowtown because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Paihia, and 1-2 days is enough time in Arrowtown.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Arrowtown than Paihia 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 Paihia or Arrowtown?

You'll find nightlife and food around the coastal town of Paihia. 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 Paihia or Arrowtown?

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the relaxing destination of Paihia. Hikers are also drawn to this area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This coastal 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 Paihia or Arrowtown?

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the relaxing coastal town of Paihia. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this coastal town makes for a great vacation. It's also a great beach destination, too. Most people head to the area for the beaches. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this coastal town has to offer.

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 Paihia or Arrowtown?

Paihia 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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in New Zealand, The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand, The Best Eco Tours in New Zealand, and The Best Thrill-Seeking Tours in New Zealand.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Paihia or Arrowtown?

Arrowtown has a larger population, and is about 11% larger than the population of Paihia. When comparing the sizes of Paihia 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.