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

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, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in New Zealand, and The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand.


Which place is cheaper, Paihia 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 Paihia is $99. 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
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Xiamen $31
    Paihia $33
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Xiamen $62
    Paihia $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.

Hotels in Xiamen


Hotels in Paihia


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Xiamen $6.08
    Paihia $12

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

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Paihia

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

  • Bay Of Islands - Airport Transfers: $24

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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Xiamen $46
    Paihia $48

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Xiamen $16
    Paihia $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
  • 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 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): $140
  • *Popular Tour* - Bay of Islands: Nature Adventure - 4hrs: $143
  • 1 Hour Scenic Bay of Islands Tour: $30
  • 3 Hours // Hole in the Rock Cruise & Bay of Islands Tour: $87
  • Bay Combo Tour - 60 mins (min 2): $140
  • Bay of Islands - Explorer Tour: $136
  • Bay of Islands - Mini Tour (75-90 mins): $38
  • Bay of Islands - Mini Tour: (75-90mins): $45
  • Bay of Islands 2-Hour Sundowner Evening Sailing Cruise: $55
  • Bay of Islands Cruise & Island Tour - Snorkel, Hike,Swim,Wildlife: $95
  • Bay of Islands Scenic Tour : $65
  • Bay of Islands Waterfall Explorer Kayaking Tour: $58

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Xiamen $17
    Paihia $22


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.