A Travel Price Comparison for New Zealand Te Anau vs. Paihia for Hiking, Families, Couples, and Food

Should you visit Te Anau or Paihia?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Te Anau and Paihia 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.

Te Anau

Te Anau is a breathtaking, stunning, and pristine town. You'll find plenty of local activities in this small town. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the food and hiking.

Paihia

Paihia is a relaxing, fun-filled, and beautiful coastal town. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Te Anau and Paihia: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Te Anau or Paihia?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Paihia than Te Anau, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Paihia is better known for its museums, nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and shopping, while Te Anau is more popular for its hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Paihia is more touristy than Te Anau and is known for its warm year round climate, impressive beaches, and world class snorkeling and scuba diving. Also, Paihia is famous for the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. Te Anau is well known for being the gateway to Fiordland National Park.

How is Te Anau different from Paihia?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Te Anau or Paihia?

Paihia is a coastal town with good options for its museums and history. However, Te Anau is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

Paihia offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are some interesting cultural sights in the area like the Waitangi Treaty Grounds and the Museum of Waitangi.

Te Anau offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. The town is about the surrounding outdoor activities but you will find the Te Anau Vintage Machinery Museum and the Te Anau Trout Observatory in town.

Is the Food Better in Te Anau or Paihia? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at very good restaurants in both Te Anau and Paihia.

Te Anau has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The town makes a great spot to refuel after all of your hiking and outdoor adventures. There are plenty of cafes and food trucks around town where you can enjoy local dishes and a friendly atmosphere.

Dining out in Paihia is an experience not to be missed. Local seafood, regional produce, and fresh ingredients make dining in the area a rewarding experience. You'll find fine dining restaurants, pizzerias, and local cafes to choose from.

Is Te Anau or Paihia Better for Nightlife?

Paihia is a coastal town with good options for nightlife and partying. However, Te Anau is lacking in good options for its evening party scene.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Paihia. As a holiday spot, there are a number of clubs and bars that cater to tourists in the area.

Te Anau is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. This is a small town that's focused on outdoor activities, but it does receive a number of tourists, so you'll find a few bars around town where you can hang out.

Is Te Anau or Paihia Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Paihia is a very popular place for its diving and snorkeling. However, Te Anau is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Paihia is an extremely popular place to visit for scuba diving and snorkeling. There are scuba diving and snorkel shops available around town where you can organize trips and excursions to experience the undersea world.

Te Anau is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Te Anau or Paihia Better for Beaches?

Paihia is renowned for the beache. However, Te Anau is not a beach destination.

Paihia is considered to be a world-class beach destination. There are stunning beaches both in Paihia and throughout the Bay of Islands. Paihia Beach is in town. It's small but nice and makes a great picnic spot. For a more secluded spot head to Matauri Bay Beach or Takou Bay.

Te Anau is not a beach destination.

Is Te Anau or Paihia Better for Hiking?

Te Anau is a must-visit destination for its hiking trails. Also, Paihia is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

Te Anau is well-known for its hiking and trekking. The town serves as basecamp for Fiordland National Park so there are many amazing hikes and walks in the area. Many of the hikes begin at the Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre and range in length and the required skill level.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Paihia. The Bay of Islands is filled with coastal walks and peaceful hikes. This is a great way to soak up the area's atmosphere and take in some spectacular views.

Is the Shopping Better in Te Anau or Paihia?

Paihia is a coastal town with good options for its shopping opportunities. However, Te Anau is lacking in good options for its shopping areas.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Paihia. There are plenty of retail stores around town where you can pick up clothes or enjoy some souvenir shopping.

Te Anau has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. There are shops where you can pick up any outdoor supplies and food items that you may need.

Is Te Anau or Paihia Better for Families?

Both Te Anau and Paihia are fantastic to visit with kids.

Te Anau is an extremely popular town to visit for families. The town's proximity to the Milford Sound make it a nice base for families who enjoy spending time outdoors. Kayaking or exploring the Te Anau Glowworm Caves are favorite activities in the area. There's also the Te Anau Bird Sanctuary and many hikes nearby.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Paihia is very family-friendly. Beaches, dolphin spotting, ice cream, and chocolate factories make the Bay of Islands the perfect place for a family vacation. There are amazing walking trails like the Manginangina Kauri Walk and opportunities to learn about the Maori culture. There are also adventure spots and great beaches.

Is Te Anau or Paihia Better for Couples?

Both Te Anau and Paihia are fantastic destinations for a couple's getaway.

Te Anau is a great town for couples, as it has plenty to offer. The stunning scenery in the area, combined with small town charm, make this is a top couple's destination and a wonderful honeymoon spot. Couples who appreciate nature and outdoor adventure will fall in love with this amazing area.

Paihia is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. You can enjoy sunset boat cruises, sip wine with a waterfront view, or walk through pristine natural areas. For thrill seekers there are adrenaline filled activities like parasailing or scuba diving.

Is Te Anau or Paihia Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Te Anau and Paihia are both very good destinations for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Te Anau. For such a small town, there are a decent number of hostels and budget accommodation options in the area. The town makes a good base for exploring the region's stunning scenery.

Paihia is a very popular town for backpackers and budget travelers. There are a handful of hostels around town as well as many great activities for backpackers like scuba diving or parasailing.

Is Te Anau or Paihia Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Paihia is a coastal town with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Te Anau is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Paihia has some public transit options. There are ferries and some intercity buses through the Bay of Islands.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Te Anau. Public transit in the area is limited and most visitors have their own car or join one of the many tours in the area.

Is Te Anau or Paihia a more walkable city?

Paihia is a coastal town with good options for its high level of walkability. However, Te Anau is lacking in good options for its ease of walking around.

Paihia is a somewhat walkable place. It's possible to explore parts of the town on foot.

Te Anau is generally not very walkable. Exploring the area requires a vehicle and, while there are many hikes in the area, it's not easy to walk to many places. There are tours available for those that don't have a vehicle.

For even more information, also check out Is Te Anau Worth Visiting? and Is Paihia Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Paihia or Te Anau?

How long in Te Anau or Paihia?

In either Te Anau or Paihia, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Paihia than Te Anau because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Te Anau, and 3-5 days is enough time in Paihia.

Families should spend more time in Paihia than Te Anau. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Paihia, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Paihia than Te Anau if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Paihia.

One day in Te Anau or Paihia?

Te Anau might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Hikers are also drawn to this area. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

In Paihia, you'll find shopping and museums. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. This coastal town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Te Anau or Paihia?

Te Anau is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

In Paihia, you'll find museums and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in Te Anau or Paihia?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Te Anau. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Paihia is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Paihia has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Te Anau or Paihia?

Te Anau is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Paihia. Many people enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting Paihia. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in New Zealand, The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand, The Best Eco Tours in New Zealand, and The Best Thrill-Seeking Tours in New Zealand.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Te Anau and Paihia, we can see that Te Anau 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 Te Anau would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Te Anau than you might in Paihia.

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

Which is Bigger, Te Anau or Paihia?

Te Anau has a larger population, and is about 7% larger than the population of Paihia. When comparing the sizes of Te Anau and Paihia, 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.