A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Shenzhen vs. Kaikoura for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Shenzhen or Kaikoura?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Shenzhen and Kaikoura can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Shenzhen or Kaikoura?

Shenzhen

Located in the Guangdong Province of southeastern China, Shenzhen is a metropolis that connects Hong Kong to China's mainland. It is one of China's most populous cities, inhabited by vast array of people from other Chinese regions.  It is perhaps best known for it shopping, collection of amusement parks, green parks, museums and galleries, and a few historic sites. It is on UNESCO's Creative Cities list.

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 Sightseeing Tours in China, The Best Cultural Tours in China, The Best Luxury Tours to New Zealand, and The Best Budget Tours to New Zealand.


Which place is cheaper, Kaikoura or Shenzhen?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Shenzhen is $123, while the average daily cost in Kaikoura is $135. 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 Shenzhen and Kaikoura in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Shenzhen $89
    Kaikoura $48
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Shenzhen $178
    Kaikoura $96
Compare Hotels in Shenzhen and Kaikoura

Looking for a hotel in Shenzhen 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.

Hotels in Shenzhen


Hotels in Kaikoura


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Shenzhen $15
    Kaikoura $17

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Shenzhen

Also for Shenzhen, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Departure Transfer:Shenzhen City Hotel to Any Shenzhen Railway Station : $29
  • Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) Private Transfer: $30
  • [Airport Transfer] Shenzhen Airport 送 迎 Shenzhen City Transfer High reputation for service! : $32
  • Kai Tak Cruise Terminal to Hong Kong City - Arrival Private Transfer : $36
  • Private Transfer from Kai Tak Cruise Terminal to Hong Kong Hotels: $36
  • Private Transfer from Shekou Cruise Port to Shenzhen city hotels: $41
  • Private Transfer from Shenzhen city hotels to Shekou Cruise Port: $41
  • Private Transfer from Shekou Cruise Port to Shenzhen Airport(SZX): $41
  • Private Transfer from Shenzhen Int Airport (SZX) to Shekou Port: $41
  • Private Transfer - Kai Tak Cruise Port to Hong Kong Airport (HKG): $45
  • Private Transfer - Hong Kong Airport (HKG) to Kai Tak Cruise Port: $45
  • Hong Kong Airport (HKG) to Kai Tak Cruise Terminal - Arrival Private Transfer : $45

Is it cheaper to fly into Shenzhen or Kaikoura?

Prices for flights to both Kaikoura and Shenzhen 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
    Shenzhen $20
    Kaikoura $38

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Shenzhen

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

  • Vegetarian Food Tour: $77
  • Wet market tour & cooking class with local mum: $90
  • Hong Kong Food Tour: Sham Shui Po District: $108
  • Hong Kong Food Tour: Central and Sheung Wan Districts: $108
  • Secret Food Tour With the Locals in Tin Hau Hong Kong w/ Private Tour Option: $109
  • Traditional Chinese Pun Choi cooking class in Hong Kong: $112
  • Hong Kong Food Tour with a Local: A Feast for Foodies 100% Personalized: $160
  • Kowloon Street Food Tour with a Local: 100% Personalized & Private: $160
  • The 10 Tastings of Hong Kong With Locals: Private Street Food Tour : $161

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Shenzhen $17
    Kaikoura $152

Tours and Activities in Shenzhen

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

  • Skip the Line! Walk to the Peak: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.34
  • Victoria Peak: Climb to the summit via the Mid-Levels escalato on an audio tour: $5.40
  • Yau Ma Tei: A Self-Guided Audio Tour in the Heart of Kowloon: $5.40
  • Hong Kong Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
  • Hong Kong Airport Express E-Ticket : $14
  • Hong Kong Airport Express Train Tickets(Avoid Heavy Traffic): $15
  • Lovely Hong Kong Self-Guided Audio Tour: $16
  • [Entry After 6pm] sky100 Min. 2pax Ticket Offer (F-II_2P): $17
  • Walking Tour in Hong Kong - Local Experience (New & Best) : $17
  • TramOramic Sightseeing Tour plus 2-Day Tramways Ticket: $23
  • sky100 Hong Kong Observation Deck Tickets: $23
  • Dukling Boat Tour in Victoria Harbour: $25

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: $81
  • 1-Hour Private Heli-Picnic Mountain top tour in Kaikoura : $237
  • 40-minute Mt Fyffe Summit Heli Tour in Kaikoura : $222
  • Half Day Zipline Adventure in Kaikoura: $97
  • Kaikoura Swim with Dolphins Tour from Christchurch: $238
  • Kaikoura Whale Watch Day Tour from Christchurch: $211
  • 1-Hour Whale Watching Helicopter Tour: $624
  • Guided Family Kayaking Adventure: $89
  • Half-Day Wildlife Kayaking Tour: $89
  • Seal-Watching Pedal Kayak Tour: $71
  • Whale Watching Cruise: $98
  • Wildlife Kayaking Tour at Sunset: $89

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Shenzhen $19
    Kaikoura -


When comparing the travel costs between Shenzhen and Kaikoura, we can see that Kaikoura 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. Even though Shenzhen is in Asia and Kaikoura is in Pacific, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Shenzhen Expensive? and Is Kaikoura Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Shenzhen or Kaikoura?

Shenzhen has a larger population, and is about 1460 times larger than the population of Kaikoura. When comparing the sizes of Shenzhen 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.