Which place is cheaper, Kaikoura or Pyeongchang?
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 Pyeongchang or Kaikoura?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Pyeongchang or Kaikoura, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Pyeongchang or Kaikoura?
Pyeongchang
Pyeongchang is a county of South Korea situated in the Taebaek Mountains in Gangwon Province. A popular location for winter sports, it was chosen as the host city for the 2018 Winter Olympics. Other attractions include Buddhist temples, parks, villages, and natural scenery.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Seoul, The Best 10-Day Tours from Seoul, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in New Zealand, and The Best 2-Week Tours in New Zealand.
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Pyeongchang Prices
South Korea PricesKaikoura Prices
New Zealand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPyeongchang $133Kaikoura $162
The average daily cost (per person) in Pyeongchang is $133, 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 Pyeongchang and Kaikoura in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPyeongchang $61Kaikoura $48
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPyeongchang $122Kaikoura $96
Compare Hotels in Pyeongchang and Kaikoura
Looking for a hotel in Pyeongchang 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: Pyeongchang Hotel Prices and Kaikoura Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pyeongchang $24Kaikoura $17
Is it cheaper to fly into Pyeongchang or Kaikoura?
Prices for flights to both Kaikoura and Pyeongchang 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 dayPyeongchang $47Kaikoura $65
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pyeongchang $50Kaikoura $152
Tours and Activities in Pyeongchang
For Pyeongchang, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Balwangsan Cable Car & Samyang Ranch One Day Tour: $78
- Alpensia 2D1N Ski Lift Tour: $141
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: $79
- 1-Hour Private Heli-Picnic Mountain top tour in Kaikoura : $245
- 40-minute Mt Fyffe Summit Heli Tour in Kaikoura : $233
- From Christchurch: Private Kaikoura Tour with Guide: $168
- Half Day Zipline Adventure in Kaikoura: $112
- Kaikoura Swim with Dolphins Tour from Christchurch: $242
- Kaikoura Whale Watch Day Tour from Christchurch: $216
- 1-Hour Whale Watching Helicopter Tour: $768
- Guided Family Kayaking Adventure: $93
- Half-Day Wildlife Kayaking Tour: $93
- Private Guided Kayak Tour with Seals: $174
- Seal-Watching Pedal Kayak Tour: $81
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPyeongchang $8.69Kaikoura -
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pyeongchang and Kaikoura, we can see that Kaikoura is more expensive. And not only is Pyeongchang much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Pyeongchang 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 Pyeongchang would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pyeongchang 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 Pyeongchang.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Pyeongchang Expensive? and Is Kaikoura Expensive?.
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.