Which place is cheaper, Picton or Qingdao?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Qingdao or Picton?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Qingdao or Picton, 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: Qingdao or Picton?
Qingdao
Qingdao, China, located in the Shandong Province, is a very large city right on the Yellow Sea coast. The city, whose name means "The Green Island" due to it's gorgeous landscapes and interesting geography, was named China's most livable city in 2012. The city is rich in history, having almost become a German territory in 1897 and being occupied by the Japanese during WWI. Evidence of these occupiers is present in much of the architecture around the city, which includes a few Catholic and Protestant churches.
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!
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in China, The Best Luxury Tours to China, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Auckland, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to New Zealand.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayQingdao $58Picton $87
The average daily cost (per person) in Qingdao is $58, while the average daily cost in Picton is $87. 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 Qingdao and Picton in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personQingdao $26Picton $37
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomQingdao $52Picton $74
Compare Hotels in Qingdao and Picton
Looking for a hotel in Qingdao 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.
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: Picton Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Qingdao $12Picton -
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Qingdao
Also for Qingdao, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Departure Transfer: City Hotel to Qingdao Railway Station : $36
- Qingdao Railway Station Depature Transfer from City Hotels: $36
- Qingdao Railway Station Arrival Transfer to City Hotel: $36
- Qingdao Cruise Port Departure Transfer from City Hotels: $36
- Qingdao Northern Railway Station Arrival Private One-Way Transfer: $42
- Qingdao Private Transfer from Qingdao central to Qingdao Airport (TAO): $83
- Qingdao Private Transfer from Qingdao Airport (TAO) to central Qingdao: $83
- Qingdao Liuting Airport Transfer Service by Minivan: $86
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Picton
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Picton:
- Private Transfer from Picton Port to Blenheim Airport (BHE): $46
- Private Transfer from Picton Cruise Port to Blenheim City Hotels: $38
- Private Transfer from Blenheim city hotels to Picton Cruise Port: $38
- Private Transfer from Blenheim Airport (BHE) to Picton Port: $46
Is it cheaper to fly into Qingdao or Picton?
Prices for flights to both Picton and Qingdao 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 dayQingdao $20Picton $20
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Qingdao $20Picton $109
Tours and Activities in Qingdao
For Qingdao, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Private Qingdao City tour with Lunch and Qingdao beer: $175
- Private Qingdao Historic architectural day tour with Tsingdao beer during Lunch: $190
- Private Qingdao Laoshan half day tour with one bottle of Tsingdao beer as gift: $199
- Qingdao private half day tour with Tsingdao Beer Lunch : $202
- Qingdao Shore Excursion: Private Full Day Laoshan Mountain Sightseeing Tour: $207
- Private Qingdao Essentials Tour: City Highlights and Beer Museum: $216
- Laoshan Mountain Full Day Private Activity Tour: $224
- Qingdao Private Day Tour to Laoshan Mountain with Lunch and Cable Car: $238
- Private Qingdao Laoshan day tour with lunch& round way cable car: $240
- Qingdao Discover Tour to the Mount Laoshan and Tasting Famous Local Beer: $248
- Qingdao Private Tour: City Highlights and Laoshan Mountain with Lunch+Cable Car: $268
- All-Inclusive Private Day Tour: Qingdao Highlights with Lunch: $285
Tours and Activities in Picton
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Picton are as follows:
- 1-Day Cruise in Queen Charlotte Track & Kupes Trail Walk: $118
- 2 hour Dolphin Viewing Eco-Tour from Picton: $91
- 3.5 Hour Marlborough Sounds Delivery Cruise: $67
- Bays and Bush Scenic Tour: $97
- Bird Watching and Dolphin Eco-Tour from Picton: $91
- CRUISE SHIP DAY Hop on Hop off Yealands & Marlborough tour: $121
- Captain Cook and Dolphin Cruise: $90
- Cruise Excursion - Wines of Marlborough Tour: $103
- Cruise Ship Day - Marlborough: $60
- Cruise and Lunch at Furneaux Lodge: $82
- Day Cruise & Lunch at Punga Cove Resort: $81
- Early Bird Eco Cruise: $73
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayQingdao $14Picton $35
Sample the Local Flavors in Picton
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Picton:
- Self-Guided Biking Wine Tour (full day) in the Marlborough Region.: $37
- Self-Guided Wine Tours by Bike with Steve & Jo in Marlborough : $40
- Marlborough: Hop On Hop Off Wine, Brewery, and Wonders Tour: $53
- Hop on Hop off Wine Tours Marlborough: $54
- Marlborough Afternoon Wine Tour with Tastings: $70
- Half-Day Wine Tour from Blenheim: $87
- Half-Day Wine Tour from Picton: $88
- Discover Marlborough Wine - Afternoon Marlborough Wine Tour : $90
- Morning Guided with Afternoon Self-Guided Biking Wine Tour: $91
- Marlborough Discovery Sampler Wine Tour - 1/2Day Blenheim: $97
- Taste the Valley Wine Tour in Marlborough with Wine Tasting: $100
- Half-Day Marlborough Wine Tour & Beer Tour : $109
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Qingdao and Picton, we can see that Picton is more expensive. And not only is Qingdao much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Qingdao is in Asia and Picton 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 Qingdao would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Qingdao 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 Picton would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Picton than you might in Qingdao.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Qingdao Expensive? and Is Picton Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Qingdao or Picton?
Qingdao has a larger population, and is about 550 times larger than the population of Picton. When comparing the sizes of Qingdao and Picton, 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.
When is the best time to visit Qingdao or Picton?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Picton is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Qingdao has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Qingdao or Picton in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Qingdao as well as Picton. Additionally, many visitors come to Picton in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.
Qingdao is a little warmer than Picton in the summer. The daily temperature in Qingdao averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Picton fluctuates around 18°C (64°F)in January.
Qingdao receives a lot of rain in the summer. Qingdao usually gets more rain in July than Pictonin January. Qingdao gets 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Picton receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryQingdao 25°C (77°F)Picton 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Qingdao or Picton in the Autumn?
Both Picton and Qingdao are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Picton for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere during these months.
In the autumn, Qingdao is a little warmer than Picton. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Qingdao in October average around 17°C (62°F), and Picton averages at about 15°C (58°F)in April.
In October, Qingdao usually receives less rain than Pictonin April. Qingdao gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Picton receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilQingdao 17°C (62°F)Picton 15°C (58°F)
Should I visit Qingdao or Picton in the Winter?
Both Picton and Qingdao during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Picton because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Qingdao can be very cold during winter. In January, Qingdao is generally much colder than Pictonin July. Daily temperatures in Qingdao average around -0°C (32°F), and Picton fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).
Picton gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Qingdao usually gets less rain in January than Pictonin July. Qingdao gets 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Picton receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyQingdao -0°C (32°F)Picton 10°C (49°F)
Should I visit Qingdao or Picton in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Qingdao and Picton. Also, the beaches and the small town charm are the main draw to Picton this time of year.
Qingdao is cooler than Picton in the spring. The daily temperature in Qingdao averages around 12°C (53°F) in April, and Picton fluctuates around 13°C (55°F)in October.
In April, Qingdao usually receives less rain than Pictonin October. Qingdao gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Picton receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberQingdao 12°C (53°F)Picton 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Picton and Qingdao
| Qingdao | Picton | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -0°C (32°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Feb | 1°C (34°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (53°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| May | 17°C (62°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 162 mm (6.4 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 98 mm (3.9 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 17°C (62°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Nov | 10°C (49°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Dec | 3°C (37°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
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.