Which city is cheaper, Paihia or Taupo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for New Zealand Taupo vs. Paihia for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Taupo or Paihia?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Taupo or Paihia? 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: Taupo or Paihia?
Taupo
Taupo is a town located in the center of the North Island, situated on the shores of Lake Taupo, which is New Zealand's largest lake. It is also the caldera of the Taupo Volcano. It has a population of 23,700 people and is visited by many people interested in fishing, boating, and other water activities. There are many hiking and biking trails that take you around the water as well.
Paihia
Paihia is a town on the North Island of New Zealand in the Bay of Islands region. It is about a three hours north of Auckland by car. For those visiting the Bay of Islands, it is the main town in the area and is located near the town of Russell and Kerikeri. There is a wharf in town where most ships depart from if you are planning on going out to explore the Bay of Islands. Paihia is a very small town with a population of about 1800 people. There is a fair climate all year round with temperatures ranging from sixty to seventy degrees Fahrenheit.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTaupo $116Paihia $78
The average daily cost (per person) in Taupo is $116, while the average daily cost in Paihia is $78. 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Taupo and Paihia in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTaupo $66Paihia $36
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTaupo $132Paihia $72
Compare Hotels in Taupo and Paihia
Looking for a hotel in Taupo or Paihia? 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: Taupo Hotel Prices and Paihia Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Taupo $26Paihia $12
Is it cheaper to fly into Taupo or Paihia?
Prices for flights to both Paihia and Taupo 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 dayTaupo $24Paihia $27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Paihia
For Paihia, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Bay of Islands 3-Hours Sailing & Gourmet Dinner Burger Buffet: $74
- 3 Hour Bay of Islands Sailing Cruise with Gourmet Dinner: $89
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Taupo $36Paihia $36
Typical Entertainment prices in Taupo
Here are a few typical costs in Taupo for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Bungy Jumping$158
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Jet Boating$59
Tours and Activities in Taupo
Here are a few actual costs in Taupo for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Cruise Kakariki to the Maori Rock Carvings: $30
- Daily Scenic Maori Rock Carving Cruise Taupo: $26
- Great Lake Trail Lake Taupo 2-Day Mountain Biking Tour: $175
- Lake Taupo Maori Rock Carving 2.5-Hour Sailing Cruise: $33
- Lake Maori Rock Carvings 1.5-Hour Scenic Cruise: $23
- Maori Rock Carvings Scenic Cruise: $26
- Self-Guided Geothermal Tour in Orakei Korako: $30
- Taupo Highlights Tour - Go Explore Scenic: $182
Tours and Activities in Paihia
For Paihia, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Skip the Line: Waitangi Treaty Grounds Experience Pass: $37
- Sundowner Evening Cruise: $46
- Bay of Islands: Late Afternoon Sailing Cruise: $46
- Bay of Islands Waterfall Cruise Kayak or Paddle board: $50
- Parasailing Adventure Over the Bay of Islands: $78
- Bay of Islands Cruise & Island Tour - Snorkel, Hike, Swim, Paddleboard, Wildlife: $84
- Dolphin Cruise to the Hole in the Rock with Island Stopover - Afternoon Cruise: $89
- Dolphin Cruise to the Hole in the Rock with Island Stopover - Morning Cruise: $89
- V8 Trike Tours 30 minute Bay of Islands Thriller Tour - 2 Passengers: $91
- V8 Trike Tours - Bay of Islands 30 minute Scenic Tour (x 2 Passengers): $91
- Bay of Islands: Bay Discovery Cruise with Island Stop-Over: $92
- Waipoua Forest: Giants and Glow Worms Full Day Tour: $100
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTaupo $14Paihia $23
Typical Alcohol prices in Taupo
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Taupo from other travelers:
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Wine$5.26
Sample the Local Flavors in Paihia
Also in Paihia, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Bay of Islands Craft Beer & Wine Tour: $93
- Private Wine Tour in a Mustang or 4x4: $148
- Private Shore Excursion: Bay of Islands Tour with Wine Tasting: $236
- Private Tour: Bay of Islands Tour with Wine Tasting: $236
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Taupo and Paihia, we can see that Taupo is more expensive. And not only is Paihia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Paihia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Paihia 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 Taupo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Taupo than you might in Paihia.
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Budget Your Trip
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