Which place is cheaper, Kaikoura or Shenyang?
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 Shenyang or Kaikoura?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Shenyang or Kaikoura? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Shenyang or Kaikoura?
Shenyang
Shenyang, China is the capital, and largest, city in the Liaoning Province in northwest China which borders North Korea. Shenyang has a long, imperial, history and is the birthplace of the Qing Dynasty. The city has a blend of beautifully preserved architecture and modern buildings, creating a pleasant atmosphere for exploring!
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 10-Day Tours in China, The Best One Week (7-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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Shenyang Prices
China PricesKaikoura Prices
New Zealand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayShenyang $85Kaikoura $162
The average daily cost (per person) in Shenyang is $85, 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 Shenyang and Kaikoura in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personShenyang $41Kaikoura $48
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomShenyang $82Kaikoura $96
Compare Hotels in Shenyang and Kaikoura
Looking for a hotel in Shenyang 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.Shenyang $20Kaikoura $17
Is it cheaper to fly into Shenyang or Kaikoura?
Prices for flights to both Kaikoura and Shenyang 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 dayShenyang $32Kaikoura $65
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Shenyang $7.81Kaikoura $152
Tours and Activities in Shenyang
For Shenyang, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Shenyang to Dandong: China North-eastern Border Day Tour: $350
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 dayShenyang $5.91Kaikoura -
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Shenyang and Kaikoura, we can see that Kaikoura is more expensive. And not only is Shenyang much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Shenyang 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 Shenyang would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Shenyang 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 Shenyang.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Shenyang Expensive? and Is Kaikoura Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Shenyang or Kaikoura?
Shenyang has a larger population, and is about 5130 times larger than the population of Kaikoura. When comparing the sizes of Shenyang 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.