A Travel Price Comparison for New Zealand Taupo vs. Tauranga for Families, Couples, Backpackers, and Food

Should you visit Taupo or Tauranga?

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

Should I visit Taupo or Tauranga? 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.

Taupo

Taupo is a otherworldly, striking, and stunning town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include food, hiking, and shopping.

Tauranga

Tauranga is a nature-filled, coastal, and laid back town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Taupo and Tauranga: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Taupo or Tauranga?

Both Tauranga and Taupo have plenty of things to do for visitors. Both offer a variety of sights, activities, and attractions for tourists. Taupo is more popular for its skiing, food, and small town charm, while Tauranga is known for its museums, beaches, and impressive beauty. Taupo is popular for its thermal hot springs, dramatic landscapes, and world class hikes. Tauranga is popular for its sandy beaches and beautiful walking trails.

How is Taupo different from Tauranga?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Tauranga and Taupo. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Is Taupo or Tauranga Better for Skiing?

Taupo is a world-class destination for snow skiing. However, Tauranga is not a skiing destination.

If you're an avid snow skiier, Taupo should be on your list. Nearby Mount Ruapehu offers access to the longest running ski season in both Australia and New Zealand. From June until October you can enjoy the largest commercial ski areas around. There are options for everyone from young beginners to experts. The two main ski resorts in the area are Whakapapa Ski Area and Tūroa Ski Area.

Tauranga is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Taupo or Tauranga?

Tauranga is a popular place for its museums and landmarks. However, Taupo is a town with minimal options for its historical sights.

Tauranga offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are a number of historic buildings in town like the Elms Mission Station which dates back to 1847.

If you're looking to pass the time, head to a museum or historic sight in Taupo. Stunning natural beauty and adventure-filled activities are what Taupo is all about, but you won't find much in the form of museums.

Is the Food Better in Taupo or Tauranga? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Taupo is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Tauranga is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

Dining out in Taupo is an experience not to be missed. The town is filled with local restaurants that make use of local ingredients such as fresh caught trout, local produce, and wild game. The town also has many farmers markets and a strong cafe culture.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Tauranga. You'll find a great mix of restaurants in the town's downtown area. There are international flavors as well as seafood and other local favorites.

Is Taupo or Tauranga Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Taupo or Tauranga has a better nightlife scene.

Taupo has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. It's a small resort town that is active during the day and night. There are low key activities in the evening like soaking in the thermal hot pools or grabbing a drink at a bar.

If you're looking for night time activities Tauranga has a few options to choose from. The city is known for its laid back bar scene. There are venues with casual live music as well as pubs where locals and tourists intermingle.

Is Taupo or Tauranga Better for Beaches?

Tauranga is a great destination for the beache. However, Taupo is not a beach destination.

Tauranga is considered a top beach destination. Families and travelers head here for the sandy beaches and water activities. Surfing, kayaking, and fishing are all popular in the area. Some of the most popular beaches include Mount Maunganui Beach, Waihī Beach, and Anzac Bay.

Taupo is not a beach destination.

Is Taupo or Tauranga Better for Hiking?

If you're looking to go hiking, Taupo and Tauranga both have high quality trails.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Taupo. The area is filled with beautiful hikes that take you through the natural beauty. During the fall season you can enjoy the fall foliage and during the summer months the wildlife and waterfront setting is at a peak.

Many visitors go to Tauranga for the hiking trails. The Bay of Plenty is filled with hiking trails that run along the coast or head inland through the mountains. There are forest and bush walks that range in length and skill level and there really is something for everyone.

Is the Shopping Better in Taupo or Tauranga?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Tauranga and Taupo.

Taupo offers some nice shopping areas. The lakefront town has a nice, pedestrian-friendly stretch with boutique shops, fashion outlets, and souvenir vendors.

Tauranga has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You'll find all of the standard shopping malls, retail outlets, and clothing boutiques around town.

Is Taupo or Tauranga Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Taupo or Tauranga.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Taupo is a very family-friendly destination. Set on the edge of Lake Taupo, there are many family-friendly activities in the area like swimming, boating, and hiking. There are also thermal hot springs and in the winter months skiing. Families who enjoy outdoor adventures will find no shortage of options year round.

Tauranga is one of the most popular family destinations. Check out the ropes courses at Adrenalin Forest or play in the water at Waimarino Adventure Park. There are also many different walking areas like McLaren Falls Park and Kaiate Falls. Kids will love hanging out at the beach around Mount Maunganui or Papamoa Beach. This is an affordable and kid-family destination for locals and international tourists alike.

Is Taupo or Tauranga Better for Couples?

Taupo is a world-class destination for couples. Also, Tauranga is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for romance.

Taupo makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. Honeymooners and couples who enjoy romantic scenery, beautiful sunsets, and outdoor adventure will fall in love with this area. You can soak in thermal hot springs and picnic next to beautiful waterfalls. There are also breathtaking hikes and great water activities.

Tauranga makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's a romantic destination with great beaches and beautiful waterfalls. You can enjoy a picnic in the park or dine at one of the local restaurants. Kayaking is also a popular activity in the area.

Is Taupo or Tauranga Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Taupo and Tauranga are first-rate places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Taupo. There's plenty of backpacker and hostel accommodation in the area. There are also free outdoor activities and adrenaline-filled adventures that backpackers will enjoy.

A large number of backpackers visit Tauranga, as it is a very popular town for budget travelers. This is one of the more affordable destinations in New Zealand. There are also a number of backpacker-friendly jobs that make it a great place to base yourself.

Is Taupo or Tauranga Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Taupo and Tauranga.

You'll find some public transit in Taupo, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are local bus service, the Taupo Connector, that travels around the town center. If you want to get outside of town, you'll need to have a car.

While Tauranga offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are buses, trains, and ferries in the area.

Is Taupo or Tauranga a more walkable city?

Taupo and Tauranga both are good when exploring on foot.

Taupo is a somewhat walkable place. The town is fairly compact, but if you want to efficiently get around and experience everything that the area has to offer, you'll want to have a car.

Tauranga is a somewhat walkable town. There are many walking and cycling paths in the area, but you really need a car to explore the area in depth.

For even more information, also check out Is Taupo Worth Visiting? and Is Tauranga Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Tauranga or Taupo?

How long in Taupo or Tauranga?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Taupo and Tauranga. In our opinion, Taupo has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Taupo than Tauranga. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Couples should spend more time in Taupo than Tauranga. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Taupo that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

One day in Taupo or Tauranga?

The town of Taupo offers nightlife and food. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

In Tauranga, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this coastal destination offers. It's also a great beach destination, too. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Taupo or Tauranga?

Taupo is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Taupo, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Tauranga. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Taupo or Tauranga?

Taupo is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that skiing is why people visit. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Tauranga is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Tauranga. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Taupo or Tauranga?

Taupo is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that skiing is why people visit. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

You'll find food and shopping around the nature-filled destination of Tauranga. Most people come for the beaches. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to New Zealand, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Auckland, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to New Zealand, and The Best Wildlife Tours to New Zealand.

When comparing the travel costs between Taupo and Tauranga, we can see that Taupo 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. Since both cities are in Pacific, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Taupo or Tauranga?

Tauranga has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Taupo. When comparing the sizes of Taupo and Tauranga, 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.