A Travel Price Comparison for New Zealand Paihia vs. Picton for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Paihia or Picton?

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 Picton. 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.

Where Should I go: Paihia or Picton?

Paihia

Paihia is a town on the North Island of New Zealand in the Bay of Islands region. It is about a three hours north of Auckland by car. For those visiting the Bay of Islands, it is the main town in the area and is located near the town of Russell and Kerikeri. There is a wharf in town where most ships depart from if you are planning on going out to explore the Bay of Islands. Paihia is a very small town with a population of about 1800 people. There is a fair climate all year round with temperatures ranging from sixty to seventy degrees Fahrenheit.

Picton

Picton, New Zealand is located in the picturesque Marlborough Region on the South Island. With beachfront access in a central location and near the Marlborough Sounds, Picton is an ideal place for anyone looking for both adventure and relaxation in one of the most naturally beautiful countries in the world.

The weather in Picton is fairly mild, ranging from the low fifties to high sixties, Fahrenheit, throughout the year. Their summer months are December through March, this is when you'll find temperatures in the high sixties. During the winter, June through August, Picton experiences averages of fifty degree Fahrenheit. This means you can visit any time of the year without having to worry about weather inhibiting any of your outdoor activities!

Which place is cheaper, Picton or Paihia?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Paihia is $78, while the average daily cost in Picton is $90. 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 Paihia and Picton in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Paihia $36
    Picton $39
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Paihia $72
    Picton $78
Compare Hotels in Paihia and Picton

Looking for a hotel in Paihia or Picton? 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 Paihia


Hotels in Picton


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: Paihia Hotel Prices and Picton Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Paihia $12
    Picton -

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Picton

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Picton:

  • Private One Way Transfer Tour between Picton & Christchurch: $1,264

Is it cheaper to fly into Paihia or Picton?

Prices for flights to both Picton and Paihia 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
    Paihia $27
    Picton $21

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Paihia

For Paihia, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Bay of Islands 3-Hours Sailing & Gourmet Dinner Burger Buffet: $74
  • 3 Hour Bay of Islands Sailing Cruise with Gourmet Dinner: $89

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Paihia $36
    Picton $114

Tours and Activities in Paihia

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

  • Skip the Line: Waitangi Treaty Grounds Experience Pass: $37
  • Sundowner Evening Cruise: $46
  • Bay of Islands: Late Afternoon Sailing Cruise: $46
  • Bay of Islands Waterfall Cruise Kayak or Paddle board: $50
  • Parasailing Adventure Over the Bay of Islands: $78
  • Bay of Islands Cruise & Island Tour - Snorkel, Hike, Swim, Paddleboard, Wildlife: $84
  • Dolphin Cruise to the Hole in the Rock with Island Stopover - Afternoon Cruise: $89
  • Dolphin Cruise to the Hole in the Rock with Island Stopover - Morning Cruise: $89
  • V8 Trike Tours 30 minute Bay of Islands Thriller Tour - 2 Passengers: $91
  • V8 Trike Tours - Bay of Islands 30 minute Scenic Tour (x 2 Passengers): $91
  • Bay of Islands: Bay Discovery Cruise with Island Stop-Over: $92
  • Waipoua Forest: Giants and Glow Worms Full Day Tour: $100

Tours and Activities in Picton

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

  • 3 Hour Marlborough Sounds Delivery Cruise: $72
  • Bird Watching and Dolphin Eco-Tour from Picton: $96
  • Captain Cook and Dolphin Cruise: $98
  • Dolphin Swimming and Watching E-Ko-Tour from Picton: $133
  • Early Bird Eco Cruise: $79
  • Ecoworld New Zealand tour from Marlborough Sounds: $18
  • From Private Wine and Gourmet Tour of Marlborough: $594
  • Full Day Queen Charlotte Kayak and Walking Tour from Picton: $137
  • Full day Guided Sea Kayak Tour from Picton: $99
  • Half day Sea Kayak Guided Tour from Picton: $72
  • Half-Day Cruise in Marlborough Sounds from Picton: $66
  • Half-Day Dolphin Viewing Eco-Tour from Picton: $96

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Paihia $23
    Picton $36

Sample the Local Flavors in Paihia

Also in Paihia, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Bay of Islands Craft Beer & Wine Tour: $93
  • Private Wine Tour in a Mustang or 4x4: $148
  • Private Shore Excursion: Bay of Islands Tour with Wine Tasting: $236
  • Private Tour: Bay of Islands Tour with Wine Tasting: $236

Sample the Local Flavors in Picton

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Picton:

  • Hop on Hop off Wine Tours Marlborough: $53
  • Half-Day Wine Tour from Picton: $80
  • Full-Day Wine Tour from Picton: $110
  • Picton Shore Excursion : Marlborough Wine Tour: $113
  • Picton Shore Excursion: Wings of Omaka and Marlborough Wine Tour: $129
  • Full-Day Marlborough Wine Tour from Picton or Blenheim: $144
  • Marlborough Wine Tour and Cruise from Picton or Blenheim: $163

About these numbers

When comparing the travel costs between Paihia and Picton, we can see that Picton 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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Compare Hotel Prices
Kayak

Bay Cabinz Motel From $105 Bay of Islands Gateway Motel & Apartments From $111 Breakwater Motel From $114 Admirals View Lodge From $80 Anchorage Motel Paihia From $126
View Hotels in Paihia

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Paihia vs. Picton Travel Comparison

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