Which place is cheaper, Paihia or Yangshuo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Yangshuo or Paihia?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Yangshuo and Paihia can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Yangshuo or Paihia?
Yangshuo
A county of the city, Guilin, Yangshuo is located in a region famous for its karst topography. Surrounded by jagged mountain peaks and bordered on one side by the Li River, Yangshuo has become a popular home base for tourists looking to explore the region's natural wonders. Backpackers and tourists, both foreign and domestic, come to Yangshuo every year making it a city of many cultures. Most locals are even able to speak English, which is fairly uncommon for Chinese cities.
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 Budget Tours to China, The Best Tours for Seniors to China, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in New Zealand, and The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayYangshuo $72Paihia $80
The average daily cost (per person) in Yangshuo is $72, 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 Yangshuo and Paihia in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personYangshuo $25Paihia $33
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomYangshuo $50Paihia $66
Compare Hotels in Yangshuo and Paihia
Looking for a hotel in Yangshuo 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
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Yangshuo $42Paihia $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Yangshuo
Also for Yangshuo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Yangshuo Rock Climbing with Hotel Transfer (3 hours): $69
- Private Transfer from Yangshuo(Xingping) Train Station to Yangshuo Hotel: $21
- Private Transfer from Yangshuo hotel to Guilin hotel: $37
- Private Transfer from Yangshuo Train Station to Yangshuo Hotel: $48
- Private Transfer from Xingping hotel to Yangshuo hotel: $21
- Private Transfer from Xingping hotel to Longsheng hotel: $107
- Private Impression Sanjie Liu Evening Show with Hotel Transfer: $88
- Private Departure Transfer: Yangshuo to Guilin Train Stations: $49
- Private Departure Transfer: Yangshuo to Guilin International Airport (KWL): $49
- Impression Liu Sanjie - Ticket Booking (including Round-trip Transfer): $75
Is it cheaper to fly into Yangshuo or Paihia?
Prices for flights to both Paihia and Yangshuo 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 dayYangshuo $19Paihia $28
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Yangshuo
For Yangshuo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- 3-Hour Yangshuo Cooking Class with Yangshuo Town Shopping: $138
- Yangshuo Full Day Tour: Cooking class, River boat, Light Show: $259
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.Yangshuo $23Paihia $34
Tours and Activities in Yangshuo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Yangshuo.
- Longji Rice Terraces Day Tour from Yangshuo hotel: $181
- Yangshuo Helicopter Tour from Yangshuo hotel: $149
- 1 Day - Yangshuo Bike Tour: $80
- 1-Day Longji Rice Terraces hiking tour from Guilin/Yangshuo hotel: $188
- 1-Day Tour: Yangshuo Yulong Bamboo Boat and Ruyi Peak Cable Car: $149
- 2 Day - Longji Rice Terraces - Sunrise Hiking Tour: $280
- Full-Day Li-River Tour from Yangshuo to Yangdi With the English Speaking Driver: $159
- Full-day Tour: Longji Rice Terraces & Minority Villages: $146
- Full/Half-Day Yangshuo Xianggong Hill Sunrise Private Tour: $136
- Guilin Highlight Sightseeing Private Day City Tour: $139
- Guilin Tea plantation and Longji Rice Terraces Day Tour from Yangshuo hotel: $181
- Guilin Yangshuo Day tour from Guangzhou by Round Way Bullet Train: $212
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 dayYangshuo $33Paihia $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 comparing the travel costs between Yangshuo and Paihia, we can see that Paihia is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Yangshuo is in Asia and Paihia is in Pacific, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Yangshuo Expensive? and Is Paihia Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Yangshuo or Paihia?
Yangshuo has a larger population, and is about 150 times larger than the population of Paihia. When comparing the sizes of Yangshuo 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.