Which place is cheaper, Queenstown or Addis Ababa?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Addis Ababa or Queenstown?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Addis Ababa or Queenstown, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Addis Ababa or Queenstown?
Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa is the capital city of Ethiopia and also the nation's largest when ranked by its population of over three million. There are also more than 120 international missions and embassies in Addis Ababa, making the city a hub for international diplomacy concerning Africa. Other draws include its thriving marketplaces, spicy food, and rich coffee.
Queenstown
Queenstown is a popular tourist destination on New Zealand's South Island. It is beautifully surrounded by the Southern Alps and sits on the banks of Lake Wakatipu. Across the lake you will find a stunning view of the Remarkables, a dramatic mountain range. The town itself is quite touristy, but prices still remain reasonable. There are options for all travel budgets, whether you're a backpacker hoping to save a few dollars or a family looking for some luxury accommodation. Despite its natural and tranquil setting, Queenstown is actually very much a party town, particularly during the peak seasons. Don't be surprised to find people out enjoying themselves until the early hours of the morning. If you're not into the party scene and are hoping to get a decent night's sleep, consider staying a little outside of town. About an hour outside of Queenstown you'll find Wanaka, which is a much smaller and peaceful town without the party scene.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in New Zealand, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in New Zealand.
-
Addis Ababa Prices
Ethiopia PricesQueenstown Prices
New Zealand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAddis Ababa $32Queenstown $130
The average daily cost (per person) in Addis Ababa is $32, while the average daily cost in Queenstown is $130. 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 Addis Ababa and Queenstown in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAddis Ababa $17Queenstown $55
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAddis Ababa $34Queenstown $110
Compare Hotels in Addis Ababa and Queenstown
Looking for a hotel in Addis Ababa or Queenstown? 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: Addis Ababa Hotel Prices and Queenstown Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Addis Ababa $3.10Queenstown $10
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Addis Ababa
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Addis Ababa are as follows:
-
Short Taxi Ride$0.21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Addis Ababa
Also for Addis Ababa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer Services Addis Abeba Airport : $23
- Addis Ababa Airport transfer and shuttle service(privet): $23
- Addis Ababa Airport pickup and Transfer: $23
- City/Airport Transfer in Addis Ababa - Shuttles: $40
- Addis Ababa Airport in/out transfer: $49
- Lalibela Full Day Tour with Guide and Transfer: $130
- Private Transfer from Bole Airport Addis Ababa (ADD) to Addis Ababa: $154
- 4 Hours Addis Airport Transfer with Ethiopian Cultural Tour: $299
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Queenstown
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Queenstown:
- Tasman Glacier Helihike with Flight Transfers: $982
- Milford Sound Cruise with Helicopter Transfer: $748
- Queenstown/Wanaka Airport Transfer: $267
- Private Transfers from Queenstown Airport to Wanaka : $176
- From Cardrona Ski/Snowboard Rentals & Transfer: $152
- Queenstown to Mt Cook One Way Scenic Transfer: $115
- Queenstown Airport to/from Wanaka Hassle Free Private Transfer : $100
- Queenstown International Airport to City Hotels Transfer : $89
- Queenstown private transfer: $87
- Private Airport Transfer Vice Versa in Queenstown by SUV: $68
- One way transfer to Remarkable or Coronet Peak Ski Fields: $60
- QUEENSTOWN:Private 1 way Airport transfer to/from CBD Hotels: $52
Is it cheaper to fly into Addis Ababa or Queenstown?
Prices for flights to both Queenstown and Addis Ababa 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 dayAddis Ababa $12Queenstown $62
Typical Food Prices in Addis Ababa
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Addis Ababa:
-
Slice of Cake$0.05
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Addis Ababa
For Addis Ababa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Totot Cultural Feast & Rhythm Show With Dinner: $54
- Food tour in Addis Ababa with airport pick-up.: $56
- Local Ethiopian Food Tour Addis Ababa: $62
- Flavors of Ethiopia Explore Traditional Cooking Class : $67
- Addis Ababa Ethiopian cooking class Airport & hotel pick up: $68
- Yod Abyssinia Cultural Night: Dinner, Music, and Dance: $70
- Half Day Food Tour Addis Ababa With Airport pickUp And Drop-Off: $75
- Food tours in Addis Ababa tastever with lunch: $76
- Private City Tour with Folkloric Dinner: $77
- Addis abeba Full Cooking class.: $90
- Cooking class in Addis Ababa: $95
- Nightlife Tour with Dinner and Live Music: $99
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Queenstown
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Queenstown.
- Bar Crawl with 5 Free Shots and Pizza: $17
- Dinner at Walter Peak High Country Farm and Cruise from Queenstown: $119
- Wine & Food Tour, Scenic Tastings & Paired Lunch: $138
- Queenstown Wine & Food Tour: Scenery, Tastings & Delicious Lunch!: $148
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Addis Ababa $3.20Queenstown $21
Tours and Activities in Addis Ababa
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Addis Ababa.
- Traditional Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony Tour: $30
- 5 hours Addis Ababa Layover city tour: $36
- Layover in Addis Ababa 5 hours tour: $38
- Mercato Market & National museum Guided Tour with Coffee Tasting: $40
- Sightseeing Walking Tour: $40
- Open-bus Tour and Cycling: $41
- Local Food Open Market, City Tours & More.: $42
- 4 Hours Addis Ababa Cultural Discovery Tour: $42
- Merkato Addis Ababa Guided Tour: $42
- Mercato Market Guided Tour with Coffee Tasting: $43
- Entoto hill and Mercato Market layover tour: $45
- Layover in Addis: Tailored Tours for Transit Passengers: $45
Typical Entertainment Prices in Queenstown
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Queenstown are as follows:
-
Skyline Gondola (for 2)$30
Tours and Activities in Queenstown
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Queenstown are as follows:
- Private Guided Arrowtown and Surrounds Tour ex Queenstown: $286
- 20-Minute Remarkables Helicopter Tour from Queenstown: $173
- 30-Minute High-Speed Thrill Queenstown Jet Boat Adventure : $65
- Beauties of Queenstown Private Walking Tour: $941
- Best of Queenstown Sightseeing Tour: $136
- Boutique Winery Half-Day Tour & Vineyard Platter-Style Lunch: $150
- Cardrona Valley Mountain Quad Experience from Wanaka: $214
- Convertible Picnic Tour Queenstown: $113
- Cruise Milford Small Group Day Tour from Queenstown : $220
- Dart River Canoe and Jet Boat Experience from Queenstown: $262
- Dart River Jet Boat and Wilderness Experience: $183
- Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise from Queenstown: $276
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayAddis Ababa $2.64Queenstown $8.86
Sample the Local Flavors in Addis Ababa
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Addis Ababa:
- Pub-crawl Tour ( locally crafted beer and wine tasting ): $58
- Night Tour Addis Ababa beer and wine tasting: $65
Sample the Local Flavors in Queenstown
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Queenstown:
- Ice Bar Crawl: $23
- Queenstown, Arrowtown, Gibbston: Join the Only Flexible Wine Tour: $59
- Queenstown & Gibbston Valley: Hop-On Hop-Off Wine Tours: $75
- Craft Beer Brewery Tour with Lunch: $107
- Queenstown's Original Wine Tour Celebrating 33 Years: $113
- Classic Wine Tour: $127
- Central Otago Wine Tour: $132
- Queenstown Wine Tour: $139
- Queenstown Classic Wine Tour: 3 Winery Visits, Cave Tour & Cheese: $142
- Wine Tasting Tour: $144
- Afternoon Boutique Wine Tour: $148
- Premium Wine Tasting Tour: $150
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Addis Ababa and Queenstown, we can see that Queenstown is more expensive. And not only is Addis Ababa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Addis Ababa is in Africa and Queenstown 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 Addis Ababa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Addis Ababa 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 Queenstown would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Queenstown than you might in Addis Ababa.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Addis Ababa Expensive? and Is Queenstown Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Addis Ababa or Queenstown?
Addis Ababa has a larger population, and is about 260 times larger than the population of Queenstown. When comparing the sizes of Addis Ababa and Queenstown, 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.