A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Tianjin vs. Kaikoura for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Tianjin or Kaikoura?

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

Should I visit Tianjin or Kaikoura? 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: Tianjin or Kaikoura?

Tianjin

Tianjin is a large metropolis on the north east coast of China. This ancient city, which dates back to prehistoric times, is one of five National Central Cities of China and is rich in culture and history. Tianjin is most famous for its beautiful walking streets and history of European concession territories.

Tianjin experiences hot and humid summers, with temperatures reaching 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Winters are cool and dry with temperatures around 15° (F). Spring and Autumn tend to be the best times to visit as weather is a little more mild, although Spring has a tendency to be a little rainy.

Kaikoura

Kaikoura is a town on the east coast of the South Island, situated between Christchurch and Belnheim. It has a permanent resident population of 1,971. The Seaward Kaikoura Mountains that surround this town collide with the Pacific Ocean, and the continental shelf edge is just offshore. The ocean in Kaikoura is very rich in marine life, especially seals and whales.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in China, The Best Cultural Tours in China, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in New Zealand, and The Best 2-Week Tours in New Zealand.


Which place is cheaper, Kaikoura or Tianjin?

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 Tianjin is $92, while the average daily cost in Kaikoura is $162. 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 Tianjin and Kaikoura in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Tianjin $35
    Kaikoura $48
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Tianjin $70
    Kaikoura $96
Compare Hotels in Tianjin and Kaikoura

Looking for a hotel in Tianjin or Kaikoura? 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 Tianjin


Hotels in Kaikoura


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: Kaikoura Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Tianjin $37
    Kaikoura $17

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tianjin

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

  • [Airport Transfer] Tianjin Airport ⇔ Tianjin City Transfer ☆ High reputation for service <Charter charter>: $13
  • Tianjin Binhai Airport(TSN) to Tianjin - Arrival Private Transfer: $24
  • Tianjin Binhai International Airport Private Arrival Transfer to City Area : $29
  • Tianjin Cruise Port Private Transfer to Binhai Railway Station: $32
  • Tianjin Railway Station Private Transfer to Cruise Port: $32
  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Tianjin Binhai International Airport (TSN): $39
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Tianjin Binhai International Airport (TSN) to Hotel: $39
  • Tianjin Airport (TSN) to Tianjin RoundTrip Private Transfer: $48
  • Tianjin Cruise Port Transfer To Tianjin Airport one way private transfer: $50
  • Private Tianjin Transfer to Xingang International Cruise Port from City Hotels: $60
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Tianjin Cruise Port to Train Stations (Tianjin/Tanggu): $63
  • Private Transfer from Tianjin Cruise Port to Tianjin City Hotels: $73

Is it cheaper to fly into Tianjin or Kaikoura?

Prices for flights to both Kaikoura and Tianjin 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
    Tianjin $36
    Kaikoura $65

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Tianjin $10
    Kaikoura $152

Tours and Activities in Tianjin

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tianjin.

  • Tianjin International Cruise Home Port to Beijing Airport/City Tr: $119
  • Guided Day Tour to Tianjin Downtown with Lunch: $148
  • Private Tianjin City Night Tour with Haihe River Cruise: $176
  • 5-Hour Private Tianjin Shopping Tour from Tianjin Cruise Port: $179
  • Tianjin Cruise Port To Beijing Capital Airport With the English Speaking Driver: $187
  • Private Tianjin City Highlight Day Tour: $188
  • Tianjin Port-up To Beijing City Self-Guide Tour and Drop-off at Beijing Hotel: $192
  • 4-Hour Tianjin Shore Excursion to Shijia Mansion with Bullet Train Experience: $210
  • Tianjin Shore Excursion: Huangyaguan Great Wall Private Day Tour: $214
  • Tianjin Private Walking Tour Guided by a Lady Worked in Europe: $215
  • Private Tianjin Shopping Tour: $218
  • All-inclusive Day Tour: China House, Five Avenues, Ancient Street & Tianjin Eye: $224

Tours and Activities in Kaikoura

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kaikoura are as follows:

  • Llama Trek (Taster) - Kowhai River Valley and Native Woodland Tour: $79
  • 1-Hour Private Heli-Picnic Mountain top tour in Kaikoura : $245
  • 40-minute Mt Fyffe Summit Heli Tour in Kaikoura : $233
  • From Christchurch: Private Kaikoura Tour with Guide: $168
  • Half Day Zipline Adventure in Kaikoura: $112
  • Kaikoura Swim with Dolphins Tour from Christchurch: $242
  • Kaikoura Whale Watch Day Tour from Christchurch: $216
  • 1-Hour Whale Watching Helicopter Tour: $768
  • Guided Family Kayaking Adventure: $93
  • Half-Day Wildlife Kayaking Tour: $93
  • Private Guided Kayak Tour with Seals: $174
  • Seal-Watching Pedal Kayak Tour: $81

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Tianjin $11
    Kaikoura -


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

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


Which is Bigger, Tianjin or Kaikoura?

Tianjin has a larger population, and is about 5500 times larger than the population of Kaikoura. When comparing the sizes of Tianjin and Kaikoura, 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.