Which place is cheaper, Kaikoura or Pingyao?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Pingyao or Kaikoura?
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 Pingyao and Kaikoura. 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: Pingyao or Kaikoura?
Pingyao
Pingyao is a small city in the Shanxi Province of China, dating back over 2700 years. The city is most famous for their old town, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The old town is one of the best preserved ancient walled cities in the world dating back to the Ming and Qing Dynasties.
The climate in Pingyao is influenced by monsoons, and therefore gets hot and humid summers and chillier springs. Autumn is a great time to visit as temperatures are fairly mild-in the 50-60's Fahrenheit- and you can avoid the heavy rains of summer. Winter is also a pleasant time to visit, especially since temperatures tend not to dip below 30 and there is not much snow or bad weather.
Kaikoura
Kaikoura is a town on the east coast of the South Island, situated between Christchurch and Belnheim. It has a permanent resident population of 1,971. The Seaward Kaikoura Mountains that surround this town collide with the Pacific Ocean, and the continental shelf edge is just offshore. The ocean in Kaikoura is very rich in marine life, especially seals and whales.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in China, The Best 10-Day Tours in China, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in New Zealand, and The Best 2-Week Tours in New Zealand.
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Pingyao Prices
China PricesKaikoura Prices
New Zealand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPingyao $69Kaikoura $162
The average daily cost (per person) in Pingyao is $69, while the average daily cost in Kaikoura is $162. 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 Pingyao and Kaikoura in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPingyao $23Kaikoura $48
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPingyao $46Kaikoura $96
Compare Hotels in Pingyao and Kaikoura
Looking for a hotel in Pingyao or Kaikoura? 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.
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: Kaikoura Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pingyao $13Kaikoura $17
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Pingyao
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Pingyao:
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Taxi to Train Station$1.40
Is it cheaper to fly into Pingyao or Kaikoura?
Prices for flights to both Kaikoura and Pingyao 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
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Food Meals for one dayPingyao $34Kaikoura $65
Typical Food Prices in Pingyao
Some typical examples of dining costs in Pingyao are as follows:
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Casual Lunch (for 2)$5.05
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Mango Juice$0.70
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pingyao $19Kaikoura $152
Typical Entertainment Prices in Pingyao
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Pingyao are as follows:
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All Day Bike Rental (for 2)$2.80
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Temple Entrance Fee (for 2)$7.01
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Bike Parking Fee (for 2)$0.56
Tours and Activities in Pingyao
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Pingyao are as follows:
- Shuanglin Temple Tour or Entry Ticket Only Option: $18
- Pingyao Ancient City Full-Day Walking Tour: $145
Tours and Activities in Kaikoura
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kaikoura are as follows:
- Llama Trek (Taster) - Kowhai River Valley and Native Woodland Tour: $80
- Private Seal Kayaking and Wildlife Tour in Kaikoura: $80
- Seal Kayaking Adventure in Kaikoura: $80
- Seal-Watching Pedal Kayak Tour: $81
- KaikÅura: Kayak Sunset Tour with Seal Sightings: $81
- Sunset Kayak tour in Kaikoura: $82
- Half-Day Wildlife Kayaking Tour: $93
- Sunset Evening Kayaking Tour: $93
- Guided Family Kayaking Adventure: $93
- Wildlife Sea Kayaking Tour - Kaikoura: $95
- Sunset Evening Kayaking Tour - Kaikoura: $95
- Whale Watching Cruise: $101
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPingyao $14Kaikoura -
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pingyao and Kaikoura, we can see that Kaikoura is more expensive. And not only is Pingyao much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Pingyao is in Asia and Kaikoura 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 Pingyao would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pingyao 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 Kaikoura would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kaikoura than you might in Pingyao.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Pingyao Expensive? and Is Kaikoura Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Pingyao or Kaikoura?
Pingyao has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Kaikoura. When comparing the sizes of Pingyao and Kaikoura, 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.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.