A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Xiamen vs. Milford Sound for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Xiamen or Milford Sound?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Xiamen and Milford Sound 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.

Where Should I go: Xiamen or Milford Sound?

Xiamen

Xiamen is a coastal city in the Fujian Province of China and has been a major port city and gateway to China for centuries. This vibrant and modern city was named the most livable city in the world in 2002 and one of the first cities to be named a Special Economic Zone. Xiamen is best known for being home to Gulangyu Island, a beautiful island full of historic colonial buildings and lovely walking paths.

Milford Sound

Milford Sound is a fjord in Fiordland that was created by a glacier. The area is known for rain, but if you end up here on a rainy, know that you are seeing the waterfalls at their fullest.

People go to Milford Sound for the natural beauty. It is unlike any other place on earth. If you're the adventurous type, get yourself a kayak to explore the area. Also, if you have the chance, take a cruise to Milford Deep Underwater Observatory.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, The Best Historical Tours in China, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in New Zealand, and The Best Luxury Tours to New Zealand.


Which place is cheaper, Milford Sound or Xiamen?

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 Xiamen is $84, while the average daily cost in Milford Sound is $141. 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 Xiamen and Milford Sound in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Xiamen $31
    Milford Sound $67
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Xiamen $62
    Milford Sound $134
Compare Hotels in Xiamen and Milford Sound

Looking for a hotel in Xiamen or Milford Sound? 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 Xiamen


Hotels in Milford Sound


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.


Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Xiamen $6.08
    Milford Sound $14

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Xiamen

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

  • Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport Chauffeur Service ,Xiamen Airport Transfer: $25
  • Private Xiamen Gaoqi Airport Departure Transfer from City Areas: $33
  • Private Xiamen Gaoqi Airport Arrival Transfer to City Area: $30
  • Private Transfer to Tianluokeng and HekengHakka Tulou fromXiamen: $90
  • Private Transfer to Tianluokeng Tulou and Hekeng Hakka Tulou from Xiamen City : $98
  • Private Transfer to Hongkeng Tulou and Yunshuiyao Village from Xiamen City: $98
  • Private Transfer to Gaobei Tulou and Yunshuiyao Village from Xiamen City: $98
  • Private Transfer to Gaobei Tulou and Hongkeng Tulou from Xiamen City: $98
  • Private Transfer from Xiamen North Railway Station to City Area: $19
  • Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster : $89
  • Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Hui'an county in Quanzhou: $89
  • Private Transfer Service between Xiamen and Anxi : $89

Is it cheaper to fly into Xiamen or Milford Sound?

Prices for flights to both Milford Sound and Xiamen 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
    Xiamen $46
    Milford Sound $58

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Xiamen $16
    Milford Sound $38

Tours and Activities in Xiamen

For Xiamen, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Fujian Tulou Private Day Tour to World Heritage Site Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster: $178
  • 4-Hour Xiamen Private Local Food Market Experience: $103
  • 4-Hour Xiamen Private Shore Excursion Tour in Your Way: $121
  • 4-hour Xiamen Private Flexible Tour in Your Way: $115
  • A Night Tour to Xiamen Gulang Island: $100
  • Flexible Private Xiamen Layover Tour from Cruise Port or Airport : $155
  • Flexible Private Xiamen Layover Tour with Meal: $176
  • Flexible Xiamen Private Half Day Tour with Meal Option: $164
  • From 3-Day Tulou and Gulangyu Island Tour: $589
  • Fujian Hakka Tulou Private Day Tour of Tianluokeng and Daping Lou: $194
  • Hakka Tulou Private Day Tour of Yunshuiyao Ancient Village and Hekeng Tulou : $203
  • Half-Day Private Tour to Xiamen Gulangyu Island Highlights: $192

Tours and Activities in Milford Sound

For Milford Sound, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Milford Sound Heli-Cruise-Heli + Earnslaw Burn Landing | 5hr: $974

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Xiamen $17
    Milford Sound $13


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

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


Which is Bigger, Xiamen or Milford Sound?

Xiamen has a larger population, and is about 1330 times larger than the population of Milford Sound. When comparing the sizes of Xiamen and Milford Sound, 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.