Which place is cheaper, Rotorua or Suzhou?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Suzhou or Rotorua?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Suzhou and Rotorua 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: Suzhou or Rotorua?
Suzhou
Suzhou is a city in Jiangsu province famed for its beautiful gardens and traditional waterside architecture, featuring elaborate canals and bridges. Located on the Yangtze Delta, the city consists largely of waterways making Suzhou a kind of 'Venice of the Orient.' It is also a hub for scholars, artists, and skilled craftsmen.
Rotorua
Located on the banks of Lake Rotorua, Rotorua is famous as the thermal wonderland of New Zealand. The area has a variety of geothermal sights, but it is also close to several lakes and has more traditional activities as well, including fishing, boating and white water rafting.
Rotorua is located in the Taupo Volcanic Zone, which is the largest volcano in the area. There are four major volcanic calderas that now have lakes, and several other volcanoes in the area. Rotorua sits on top of a thermal hot spring, and there are many vents and hot pools throughout the area. Many of the hot pools and sights are located within parks, with some of the best being Waimangu Volcanic Valley, Rainbow Springs Nature Park, and Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland.
Rotorua has a warm, temperate climate. Because of the area's inland location, it has less wind than many places in New Zealand. Temperatures during the winter months can fall to below freezing, but snow is incredibly rare.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Shanghai, The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, The Best Budget Tours to New Zealand, and The Best Tours for Seniors to New Zealand.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySuzhou $101Rotorua $93
The average daily cost (per person) in Suzhou is $101, while the average daily cost in Rotorua is $93. 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 Suzhou and Rotorua in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSuzhou $38Rotorua $48
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSuzhou $76Rotorua $96
Compare Hotels in Suzhou and Rotorua
Looking for a hotel in Suzhou or Rotorua? 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: Rotorua Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Suzhou $57Rotorua $5.01
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Suzhou
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Suzhou:
- Suzhou to Beijing Bullet Train Ticket with Local Private Transfer : $178
- Suzhou Private Transfer to Zhouzhuang Water Town with Shanghai Drop-off Option: $84
- Suzhou Private Transfer to Tongli Water Town with Shanghai Drop-off Option: $84
- Suzhou Private Arrival Transfer:Railway Station to City Hotel: $27
- Shanghai Pudong International Airport Private Departure Transfer from Suzhou: $87
- Shanghai Pudong Airport to Suzhou Chauffeur Service, Shanghai Airport Transfer: $240
- Shanghai Pudong Airport - Suzhou Chauffeur Service,Shanghai Airport Transfer: $280
- Shanghai Private Transfer from Suzhou with Stop-over at Zhouzhuang Water Town : $81
- Shanghai Private Transfer from Suzhou with Stop-over at Tongli Water Town : $90
- Shanghai Hongqiao Airport to Suzhou Chauffeur Service, Shanghai Airport Transfer: $240
- Shanghai Hongqiao Airport - Suzhou Chauffeur Service,Shanghai Airport Transfer: $240
- Private Transfer to Hangzhou City from Suzhou: $113
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rotorua
Also for Rotorua, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Rotorua to Auckland Afternoon Transfer with Waitomo Glow Worms: $180
Is it cheaper to fly into Suzhou or Rotorua?
Prices for flights to both Rotorua and Suzhou 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 daySuzhou $32Rotorua $29
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Suzhou
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Suzhou.
- Suzhou Alleyway Walking Food Tour With Locals: $55
- Half-Day Private Customized Suzhou Highlights with Lunch or Dinner Option: $123
- Private Suzhou Night Tour:Master of the Nets Garden, Ancient Canal with Dinner: $145
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rotorua
For Rotorua, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Mitai Maori Village: Cultural Experience and Dinner Buffet: $92
- Te Pa Tu Māori Cultural Experience with Dinner: $154
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Suzhou $9.32Rotorua $34
Tours and Activities in Suzhou
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Suzhou are as follows:
- 4-Hour Flexible Suzhou City Highlights Private Tour: $114
- 4-Hour Suzhou Private Customized Tour: $71
- 4-Hour Suzhou Private Flexible Tour with Garden and Boat Ride Option: $125
- 4-Hour Suzhou Private Tour: Humble Administrator’s Garden,Tiger Hill and Canal : $134
- 4-Hour Tongli Water Town Private Tour from Suzhou with Boat Ride : $127
- 4-Hour Zhouzhuang Water Town Private Tour from Suzhou with Boat Ride: $145
- All Inclusive Suzhou Highlight Tour with Boat Ride and Lunch: $179
- Essential Suzhou City Sightseeing Private Day Tour: $248
- Flexible Shanghai Private Day Tour from Suzhou by Bullet Train: $208
- Flexible Suzhou City Highlights Private Day Tour with Authentic Lunch: $153
- Full Day Luzhi Water Town Day Tour From Suzhou: $178
- Full- Day Private Suzhou Tour Guide Service: $150
Typical Entertainment Prices in Rotorua
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Rotorua's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Lunch Out for Two$27
Tours and Activities in Rotorua
For Rotorua, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Jade Carving Experience at a Local Studio: $21
- Mountain Jade Highlights Tour: $21
- Government Gardens Walking Tour: $23
- Geothermal Mineral Baths Experience: Pavilion Pools for 12+: $27
- Whakarewarewa Village Guided Tour: $27
- Geothermal Adults Only Mineral Bathing - Pavilion Pools Bathing Ticket: $27
- Whakarewarewa Village Guided Tour: $27
- Agrodome Farm Tour with Show and Produce Tasting: $29
- Agrodome Farm Experience including Farm Show and Farm Tour - Rotorua: $30
- The National Kiwi Hatchery Tour: $35
- National Kiwi Hatchery - Kiwi Encounter Tour: $37
- Velocity Valley Ticket: $39
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySuzhou $6.40Rotorua $12
Typical Alcohol Prices in Rotorua
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Rotorua:
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Bottle of Wine$11
When comparing the travel costs between Suzhou and Rotorua, we can see that Suzhou 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 Suzhou is in Asia and Rotorua 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 Suzhou Expensive? and Is Rotorua Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Suzhou or Rotorua?
Suzhou has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Rotorua. When comparing the sizes of Suzhou and Rotorua, 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 Suzhou or Rotorua?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Rotorua is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Suzhou has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Suzhou or Rotorua in the Summer?
Both Rotorua and Suzhou during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Rotorua this time of year.
In July, Suzhou is generally much warmer than Rotoruain January. Daily temperatures in Suzhou average around 28°C (83°F), and Rotorua fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Suzhou. Suzhou usually gets more rain in July than Rotoruain January. Suzhou gets 128 mm (5 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuarySuzhou 28°C (83°F)Rotorua 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Suzhou or Rotorua in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Suzhou and Rotorua. Furthermore, many travelers come to Rotorua for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Suzhou is a little warmer than Rotorua in the autumn. The daily temperature in Suzhou averages around 19°C (65°F) in October, and Rotorua fluctuates around 16°C (61°F)in April.
In October, Suzhou usually receives more rain than Rotoruain April. Suzhou gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilSuzhou 19°C (65°F)Rotorua 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Suzhou or Rotorua in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Suzhou as well as Rotorua. Additionally, many visitors come to Rotorua in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Suzhou. In the winter, Suzhou is much colder than Rotorua. Typically, the winter temperatures in Suzhou in January average around 4°C (39°F), and Rotorua averages at about 26°C (79°F)in July.
Suzhou usually gets more rain in January than Rotoruain July. Suzhou gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulySuzhou 4°C (39°F)Rotorua 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Suzhou or Rotorua in the Spring?
Both Rotorua and Suzhou are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Rotorua for the natural beauty during these months.
In April, Suzhou is generally cooler than Rotoruain October. Daily temperatures in Suzhou average around 15°C (58°F), and Rotorua fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
It's quite rainy in Suzhou. In April, Suzhou usually receives more rain than Rotoruain October. Suzhou gets 102 mm (4 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberSuzhou 15°C (58°F)Rotorua 19°C (66°F)
Typical Weather for Rotorua and Suzhou
| Suzhou | Rotorua | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 4°C (39°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Feb | 5°C (41°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Mar | 9°C (48°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (58°F) | 102 mm (4 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| May | 20°C (67°F) | 113 mm (4.5 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (75°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 128 mm (5 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 156 mm (6.1 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (65°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (55°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Dec | 7°C (44°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 41 mm (1.6 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.