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

Should you visit Tianjin or Nelson?

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

Should I visit Tianjin or Nelson? 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 Nelson?

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.

Nelson

Nelson is a city that sits on Tasman Bay on the South Island of New Zealand. Travelers, especially ones that are heading to explore Abel Tasman National Park, frequently visit this town. Nelson has a population of about 46,000 people and, geographically speaking, it is the center of New Zealand as a whole.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in China, The Best Cultural Tours in China, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to New Zealand, and The Best Wildlife Tours to New Zealand.


Which place is cheaper, Nelson 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 Nelson is $114. 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 Nelson in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Tianjin $35
    Nelson $41
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Tianjin $70
    Nelson $82
Compare Hotels in Tianjin and Nelson

Looking for a hotel in Tianjin or Nelson? 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 Nelson


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: Nelson Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Tianjin $37
    Nelson $28

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 Nelson?

Prices for flights to both Nelson 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
    Nelson $47

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Tianjin $10
    Nelson $23

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 Nelson

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

  • Abel Tasman National Park: Cruise and Hike Full-Day Tour: $347
  • Abel Tasman National Park: Cruise, Kayak, & Hike Tour: $405
  • Abel Tasman National Park: Waka & Walk Tour: $405
  • Abel Tasman Vista Cruise: $62
  • Cable Bay Adventure Park: E-bike hire: $55
  • Cruise Abel Tasman to Golden Bay: $296
  • Cruise, Walk, and Sail in Abel Tasman National Park: $122
  • Full-Day Sailing Adventure in the Abel Tasman National Park: $160
  • Great Taste Beer Tour by Bicycle (Self-guided): $77
  • Half Day Guided Mountain Biking Adventure in Nelson: $74
  • Half Day Nelson Electric Mountain Bike Rental Adventure: $82
  • Magical Mapua Charms in off-summer Season Selfguided Cycle Tour: $74

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Tianjin $11
    Nelson $13

Sample the Local Flavors in Nelson

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Nelson:

  • Self-guided E-bike cycle tour with private wine tasting : $116
  • Wine Tour with Tastings and Lunch: $231


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tianjin and Nelson, we can see that Nelson 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 Nelson 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 Nelson would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nelson 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 Nelson Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Tianjin or Nelson?

Tianjin has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Nelson. When comparing the sizes of Tianjin and Nelson, 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.