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

Should you visit Shenzhen or Picton?

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 Picton 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 Picton?

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.

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 Sightseeing Tours in China, The Best Cultural Tours in China, The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand, and The Best Eco Tours in New Zealand.


Which place is cheaper, Picton or Shenzhen?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Shenzhen is $140, while the average daily cost in Picton is $101. 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 Picton in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Shenzhen $91
    Picton $37
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Shenzhen $182
    Picton $74
Compare Hotels in Shenzhen and Picton

Looking for a hotel in Shenzhen 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.

Hotels in Shenzhen


Hotels in Picton


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Shenzhen $15
    Picton -

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Shenzhen

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

  • Private Transfers to/from Bao'an Airport(SZX): $20
  • shenzhen airport private transfer: $31
  • [Airport Transfer] Shenzhen Airport 送 迎 Shenzhen City Transfer High reputation for service! : $32
  • A One-Way Disneyland Pick-Up Transfer to Hong Kong Hotel: $33
  • Private Transfer in Shenzhen with English Service: $35
  • A One-Way Hotel Pick-Up Transfer to Hong Kong Disneyland: $36
  • Shenzhen Private Transfer and Ongoing Travel Assistance: $39
  • Hong Kong Airport (HKG) to Hong Kong - Arrival Private Transfer: $45
  • Private Departure Transfer from Hong Kong to Hong Kong Airport: $45
  • Private Transfer - Hong Kong Airport (HKG) to Kai Tak Cruise Port: $47
  • Private Transfer - Kai Tak Cruise Port to Hong Kong Airport (HKG): $47
  • Shenzhen Bao'an Airport Private Arrival Transfer to City Center: $49

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Picton

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Picton:

  • Private Transfer from Picton Port to Blenheim Airport (BHE): $134
  • Private Transfer from Picton Cruise Port to Blenheim City Hotels: $121
  • Private Transfer from Blenheim city hotels to Picton Cruise Port: $120
  • Private Transfer from Blenheim Airport (BHE) to Picton Port: $134

Is it cheaper to fly into Shenzhen or Picton?

Prices for flights to both Picton 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 $35
    Picton $34

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Shenzhen

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

  • Hong Kong Street Food Tour with Locals - Dim Sum, Wonton & more: $53
  • Wet market tour & cooking class with local mum: $98
  • Explore Hong Kong: Mid-Autumn Festival Food Tour: $103
  • Discover Hong Kong’s Hidden Eats on a Tin Hau Food Tour: $109
  • Small-Group Hong Kong Island Food Tour: $116
  • Traditional Chinese Pun Choi cooking class in Hong Kong: $146
  • Private Food Tour in Hong Kong: $148
  • Hong Kong Street Food Tour with Local Guide: $149
  • The 10 Tastings of Hong Kong With Locals: Private Street Food Tour : $176
  • Hong Kong Private & Personalized Food Tour with a Local: $177
  • Asian Favorites Cooking Class in Hong Kong (4-Course Meal): $184
  • Hong Kong Style Noodles Cooking Class (Includes 4-Course Meal): $184

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Picton

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Picton.

  • CRUISE SHIP DAYS - HOP ON HOP OFF - Wine, Beer, Food Tour: $58

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Shenzhen $17
    Picton $109

Tours and Activities in Shenzhen

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

  • Introduction to Hong Kong: Central Tip Based Walking Tour: $2.64
  • Day in the life of a Hong Konger: Kowloon Tip Based Walking Tour: $2.64
  • Between Two Systems: Hong Kong's Living History Tip Based Tour: $2.64
  • Hong kong City Tour w/ Entry Fees & Lunch (2024) | 150+ booked: $2.64
  • Hong Kong Observation Wheel Ticket: $5.45
  • Hong Kong Airport Express Ticket: $10
  • Hong Kong Peak Tram and Sky Terrace 428 Tickets (Optional): $13
  • Monopoly Dreams Hong Kong Entry Ticket: $13
  • Hong Kong Airport Express Train Tickets(Avoid Heavy Traffic): $15
  • Hong Kong Airport Express E-Ticket : $15
  • The Victoria Peak Tram Ticket | Hong Kong: $15
  • Hong Kong Palace Museum Ticket: $17

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: $119
  • 3.5 Hour Marlborough Sounds Delivery Cruise: $66
  • Bays and Bush Flight Scenic Tour: $95
  • Bird Watching and Dolphin Eco-Tour from Picton: $89
  • Captain Cook and Dolphin Cruise: $95
  • Depart Marlborough Sounds Afternoon Seafood Cruise: $90
  • Discover Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
  • Flight Experience our Water and Wilderness Scenic Tour: $178
  • From Havelock to Marlborough Sounds Postie's Day Off Cruise: $83
  • From Marlborough Sounds Cruise with Seafood: $104
  • From Private Wine and Gourmet Tour of Marlborough: $575
  • Full Day Iconic Mail Boat Cruise: $83

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Shenzhen $19
    Picton $34

Sample the Local Flavors in Shenzhen

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Shenzhen:

  • Hong Kong Pub Crawl at Lan Kwai Fong (LKF): $46

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.: $39
  • Self-Guided Wine Tours by Bike with Lorelle & Greg : $41
  • Marlborough: Hop-On Hop-Off Wine, Brewery, and Wonders Tour: $75
  • Hop on Hop off Wine Tours Marlborough: $77
  • CRUISE SHIP DAY Marlborough Hop On Hop Off Wine Tours: $77
  • Marlborough Afternoon Wine Tour with Tastings: $77
  • Marlborough Half Day Wine Tour From Picton: $92
  • Half-Day Wine Tour from Blenheim: $95
  • Marlborough Wine Tasting Tour.: $95
  • Half-Day Wine Tour from Picton: $95
  • Taste the Valley Wine Tour in Marlborough with Wine Tasting: $101
  • Morning Guided with Afternoon Self-Guided Biking Wine Tour: $101


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Shenzhen and Picton, we can see that Shenzhen is more expensive. And not only is Picton much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Shenzhen 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 Picton would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Picton 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 Shenzhen would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Shenzhen than you might in Picton.

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


Which is Bigger, Shenzhen or Picton?

Shenzhen has a larger population, and is about 330 times larger than the population of Picton. When comparing the sizes of Shenzhen 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 Shenzhen 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 Shenzhen has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Shenzhen or Picton in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Shenzhen as well as Picton. Also, many travelers come to Picton for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Shenzhen is much warmer than Picton in the summer. The daily temperature in Shenzhen averages around 30°C (85°F) in July, and Picton fluctuates around 18°C (64°F)in January.

Shenzhen receives a lot of rain in the summer. Shenzhen usually gets more rain in July than Pictonin January. Shenzhen gets 323 mm (12.7 in) of rain, while Picton receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Shenzhen 30°C (85°F) 
    Picton 18°C (64°F)

Should I visit Shenzhen or Picton in the Autumn?

Both Picton and Shenzhen are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Picton in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere.

In the autumn, Shenzhen is much warmer than Picton. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Shenzhen in October average around 26°C (78°F), and Picton averages at about 15°C (58°F)in April.

It's quite rainy in Shenzhen. In October, Shenzhen usually receives more rain than Pictonin April. Shenzhen gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Picton receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Shenzhen 26°C (78°F) 
    Picton 15°C (58°F)

Should I visit Shenzhen or Picton in the Winter?

Both Picton and Shenzhen during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Picton for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In January, Shenzhen is generally much warmer than Pictonin July. Daily temperatures in Shenzhen average around 16°C (60°F), and Picton fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

Picton gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Shenzhen usually gets less rain in January than Pictonin July. Shenzhen gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Picton receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Shenzhen 16°C (60°F) 
    Picton 10°C (49°F)

Should I visit Shenzhen or Picton in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Shenzhen and Picton. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Picton because of the beaches and the small town charm.

Shenzhen is much warmer than Picton in the spring. The daily temperature in Shenzhen averages around 23°C (73°F) in April, and Picton fluctuates around 13°C (55°F)in October.

Shenzhen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Shenzhen usually receives more rain than Pictonin October. Shenzhen gets 154 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Picton receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Shenzhen 23°C (73°F) 
    Picton 13°C (55°F)

Typical Weather for Picton and Shenzhen

Shenzhen Picton
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 16°C (60°F) 26 mm (1 in) 18°C (64°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Feb 16°C (61°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 18°C (64°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Mar 19°C (66°F) 67 mm (2.6 in) 17°C (62°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Apr 23°C (73°F) 154 mm (6.1 in) 15°C (58°F) 82 mm (3.2 in)
May 27°C (80°F) 325 mm (12.8 in) 12°C (54°F) 92 mm (3.6 in)
Jun 29°C (83°F) 382 mm (15 in) 10°C (51°F) 113 mm (4.4 in)
Jul 30°C (85°F) 323 mm (12.7 in) 10°C (49°F) 111 mm (4.4 in)
Aug 29°C (85°F) 393 mm (15.5 in) 10°C (50°F) 98 mm (3.9 in)
Sep 28°C (83°F) 300 mm (11.8 in) 12°C (53°F) 79 mm (3.1 in)
Oct 26°C (78°F) 143 mm (5.6 in) 13°C (55°F) 93 mm (3.7 in)
Nov 21°C (70°F) 35 mm (1.4 in) 15°C (58°F) 79 mm (3.1 in)
Dec 17°C (63°F) 27 mm (1.1 in) 17°C (62°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)