Which place is cheaper, Kaikoura or Tiger Leaping Gorge?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Tiger Leaping Gorge or Kaikoura?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Tiger Leaping Gorge and Kaikoura. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Tiger Leaping Gorge or Kaikoura?
Tiger Leaping Gorge
One of the deepest gorges in the world, Tiger Leaping Gorge gets its name from legend, where a tiger used a great rock in the center of the gorge as a stepping stone to leap from one side to the other. It is surrounded by stunning mountain scenery on either side with the Yangtze River rushing down through its center. Visitors come to Tiger Leaping Gorge to hike and witness its natural beauty.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Beijing, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Lhasa, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in New Zealand, and The Best 2-Week Tours in New Zealand.
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Tiger Leaping Gorge Prices
China PricesKaikoura Prices
New Zealand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTiger Leaping Gorge $54Kaikoura $162
The average daily cost (per person) in Tiger Leaping Gorge is $54, 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 Tiger Leaping Gorge and Kaikoura in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTiger Leaping Gorge $13Kaikoura $48
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTiger Leaping Gorge $26Kaikoura $96
Compare Hotels in Tiger Leaping Gorge and Kaikoura
Looking for a hotel in Tiger Leaping Gorge 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.
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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tiger Leaping Gorge $17Kaikoura $17
Is it cheaper to fly into Tiger Leaping Gorge or Kaikoura?
Prices for flights to both Kaikoura and Tiger Leaping Gorge 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 dayTiger Leaping Gorge $28Kaikoura $65
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tiger Leaping Gorge $15Kaikoura $152
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: $80
- Private Seal Kayaking and Wildlife Tour in Kaikoura: $80
- Seal Kayaking Adventure in Kaikoura: $80
- Seal-Watching Pedal Kayak Tour: $81
- KaikÅura: Kayak Sunset Tour with Seal Sightings: $81
- Sunset Kayak tour in Kaikoura: $82
- Half-Day Wildlife Kayaking Tour: $93
- Sunset Evening Kayaking Tour: $93
- Guided Family Kayaking Adventure: $93
- Wildlife Sea Kayaking Tour - Kaikoura: $95
- Sunset Evening Kayaking Tour - Kaikoura: $95
- Whale Watching Cruise: $101
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTiger Leaping Gorge $6.46Kaikoura -
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tiger Leaping Gorge and Kaikoura, we can see that Kaikoura is more expensive. And not only is Tiger Leaping Gorge much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Tiger Leaping Gorge 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 Tiger Leaping Gorge would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tiger Leaping Gorge 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 Tiger Leaping Gorge.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tiger Leaping Gorge Expensive? and Is Kaikoura Expensive?.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.