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

Should you visit Xigatse 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 Xigatse 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: Xigatse or Paihia?

Xigatse

The second largest city in Tibet behind Lhasa, Xigatse, commonly known as Shigatse, is home to sights and attractions like the Tashilhunpo Monastery, plenty of markets, and the ruins of Shigatse temple. All places of interest are fairly walkable, though auto-rickshaws are also available.

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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, The Best Adventure Tours to China, The Best 10-Day Tours in New Zealand, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in New Zealand.


Which place is cheaper, Paihia or Xigatse?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Xigatse is $61, 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 Xigatse and Paihia in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Xigatse $28
    Paihia $33
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Xigatse $56
    Paihia $66
Compare Hotels in Xigatse and Paihia

Looking for a hotel in Xigatse 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 Xigatse


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.
    Xigatse $12
    Paihia $12

Is it cheaper to fly into Xigatse or Paihia?

Prices for flights to both Paihia and Xigatse 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
    Xigatse $24
    Paihia $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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Xigatse $14
    Paihia $34

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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Xigatse $3.15
    Paihia $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 Xigatse and Paihia, we can see that Paihia is more expensive. And not only is Xigatse much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Xigatse 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 Xigatse would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Xigatse 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 Xigatse.

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


Which is Bigger, Xigatse or Paihia?

Xigatse has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Paihia. When comparing the sizes of Xigatse 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.