Which place is cheaper, Paihia or Xiamen?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Xiamen 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 Xiamen 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.
Where Should I go: Xiamen or Paihia?
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.
Paihia
Paihia is a town on the North Island of New Zealand in the Bay of Islands region. It is about a three hours north of Auckland by car. For those visiting the Bay of Islands, it is the main town in the area and is located near the town of Russell and Kerikeri. There is a wharf in town where most ships depart from if you are planning on going out to explore the Bay of Islands. Paihia is a very small town with a population of about 1800 people. There is a fair climate all year round with temperatures ranging from sixty to seventy degrees Fahrenheit.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, The Best Historical Tours in China, The Best 10-Day Tours in New Zealand, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in New Zealand.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayXiamen $64Paihia $80
The average daily cost (per person) in Xiamen is $64, while the average daily cost in Paihia is $80. 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 Paihia in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personXiamen $30Paihia $33
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomXiamen $60Paihia $66
Compare Hotels in Xiamen and Paihia
Looking for a hotel in Xiamen or Paihia? 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: Paihia Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Xiamen $5.98Paihia $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Xiamen
Also for Xiamen, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Xiamen North Railway Station Private Transfer from City Area: $19
- Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport Chauffeur Service ,Xiamen Airport Transfer: $47
- Xiamen Gaoqi Airport Private Transfer to Local Railway Station : $19
- Private Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport Transfers in Xiamen City: $12
- Private Xiamen Gaoqi Airport Arrival Transfer to City Area: $30
- Private Transfer to Tianluokeng Tulou and Hekeng Hakka Tulou from Xiamen City : $98
- Private Transfer to Gaobei Tulou and Hongkeng Tulou from Xiamen City: $98
- Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Tianluokeng Tulou Village: $115
- Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster : $89
- Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Hua’an Earth Building: $89
- Private Transfer between Riyue Gu Hotspring Resort and Xiamen City : $32
- Private Transfer Service between Xiamen and Anxi : $89
Is it cheaper to fly into Xiamen or Paihia?
Prices for flights to both Paihia 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
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Food Meals for one dayXiamen $26Paihia $28
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Paihia
For Paihia, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Private Modern Vegetarian Cooking Class with Anna in Northland: $195
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Xiamen $16Paihia $34
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
- Xiamen Private One Day Tailor Made Tour with Gulangyu and City Highlights : $176
- 1-Day Xiamen City Highlights and Gulangyu Island Private Tour: $244
- 4-Hour Xiamen Private Shore Excursion Tour in Your Way: $121
- 4-hour Xiamen Private Flexible Tour in Your Way: $113
- A Night Tour to Xiamen Gulang Island: $100
- Day Tour to Admire the Panorama of Gulangyu Island and Visit the Precious Birds: $110
- Dongshan Island Highlights Full-Day Private Tour: $232
- Flexible Private Half-Day Tour to Visit the Top Attraction Xiamen Yuanbo Garden: $110
- Flexible Private Xiamen Layover Tour with Meal: $176
- Flexible Xiamen Private Half Day Tour to Experience Xiamen Botanical Garden: $105
- Flexible Xiamen Private Half Day Tour with Meal Option: $109
Tours and Activities in Paihia
For Paihia, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Adrenalin Junkie Tour - 60 mins (min 2): $108
- *Popular Cruise Ship Tour* Bay of Islands and Glow Worm Caves Shore Excursion: $127
- 3 Hours // Hole in the Rock Cruise & Bay of Islands Tour: $75
- 3 Hours // Hole in the Rock Cruise & Island Stopover: $75
- Bay Combo Tour - 60 mins (min 2): $108
- Bay of Islands 2-Hour Sundowner Evening Sailing Cruise: $48
- Bay of Islands Cruise & Island Tour - Snorkel, Hike,Swim,Wildlife: $90
- Bay of Islands Discover the Bay cruise including Dolphins: $90
- Bay of Islands Half-Day Private Tour: $196
- Bay of Islands Waterfall Explorer Kayaking Tour: $59
- Bay of Islands and Hole in the Rock Scenic Helicopter Tour: $173
- Bay of Islands: 4.5 Hour Day Cruise and Island Getaway Tour: $74
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayXiamen $17Paihia $22
Sample the Local Flavors in Paihia
Also in Paihia, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Bay of Islands Wine Tour with Lunch: $106
- Private Tour: Bay of Islands Tour with Wine Tasting: $287
- Private Shore Excursion: Bay of Islands Tour with Wine Tasting: $287
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Xiamen and Paihia, we can see that Paihia 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 Paihia 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 Paihia would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Paihia 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 Paihia Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Xiamen or Paihia?
Xiamen has a larger population, and is about 300 times larger than the population of Paihia. When comparing the sizes of Xiamen 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.
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.