Which place is cheaper, Flores or Christchurch?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Christchurch or Flores?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Christchurch or Flores? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Christchurch or Flores?
Christchurch
Christchurch is the largest city on the South Island of New Zealand, right beside the Canterbury Plains. Most people begin their South Island travels here. The city itself can be fascinating to explore so it is worth allowing yourself several days in town as an introduction to the region.
The River Avon flows through the city center, twisting through the old buildings. Christchurch is referred to in New Zealand as the Garden City and it is easy to see why. It's quite a nice city with trees spread throughout. The economy is centered around international tourism as well as foreign education. There is a high Asian student population here, giving the city a diverse feel.
Christchurch's climate is temperate and the city receives moderate rainfall. In January average high temperatures are around 73 degrees Fahrenheit with averages around 52 degrees Fahrenheit in July. There is a sea breeze during the summer months that keep temperatures pleasant. Temperatures can drop below freezing at night during the winter months. Snow may also fall several times a year.
Flores
The town of Flores is located in Peten, Guatemala. The main hub is located on an island on Lago Peten Itza, which is connected to the mainland by a causeway. On the other side of the causeway are the towns of Santa Elena and San Benito, however, all three are often referred to as Flores. Most people visit the area for its proximity to the ancient Mayan ruins of Tikal, though the town itself is also charming with colonial buildings and historic churches lining the cobbled streets.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to New Zealand, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Auckland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Guatemala, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Guatemala.
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Christchurch Prices
New Zealand PricesFlores Prices
Guatemala Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChristchurch $117Flores $43
The average daily cost (per person) in Christchurch is $117, while the average daily cost in Flores is $43. 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 Christchurch and Flores in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChristchurch $49Flores $8.73
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChristchurch $98Flores $17
Compare Hotels in Christchurch and Flores
Looking for a hotel in Christchurch or Flores? 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: Christchurch Hotel Prices and Flores Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Christchurch $14Flores $7.97
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Christchurch
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Christchurch:
- Private Transfer from Lyttelton Cruise Port to Christchurch City: $87
- Private Transfer from Christchurch City to Lyttelton Cruise Port: $87
- Private Transfer from Christchurch City to Akaroa Cruise Port: $189
- Departure Transfer: Christchurch to Airport CHC by Business Car: $95
- CHC Airport to Downtown|Hotel Private Transfer: $26
- Christchurch Airport to City SUV Transfer: $57
- Christchurch Airport Transfers : Christchurch to Airport CHC in Luxury Car: $130
- Christchurch Airport Transfers : Airport CHC to Christchurch in Luxury Car: $130
- Christchurch Airport (CHC): Transfer to Christchurch hotels: $164
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Flores
Also for Flores, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Bus transfer from Flores, Guatemala to Belize City: $20
- Private transfer Mundo Maya Airport to Flores Island Hotels: $10
- Same day Round-Trip VIP Exclusive Transfer to Tikal from Flores : $133
- Tikal Transfer and Tour Guide From Flores: $90
Is it cheaper to fly into Christchurch or Flores?
Prices for flights to both Flores and Christchurch 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 dayChristchurch $53Flores $23
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Christchurch $17Flores $20
Tours and Activities in Christchurch
Here are a few actual costs in Christchurch for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Christchurch Gondola Ride Ticket: $25
- (MT) Mount Cook & Lake Tekapo Day Tour From Christchurch: $179
- (MT) Mount Cook & Lake Tekapo Day Tour from Christchurch: $173
- (MT) Mount Cook Day Tour From Christchurch: $150
- 1/2-Day Christchurch Scenic Highlights Small Group Tour: $173
- 1/2-day Christchurch Scenic Highlights (Private Tour): $239
- Akaroa Day Tour From Christchurch: $114
- Akaroa Full Day Sightseeing Tour from Christchurch: $156
- Arthur's Pass Day Tour From Christchurch with TranzAlpine: $255
- Arthur's Pass and TranzAlpine Train Day Tour from Christchurch: $255
- Arthur's Pass: TranzAlpine Train and Castle Hill Day Tour: $238
- Arthur’s Pass Day Tour From Christchurch With TranzAlpine: $264
Typical Entertainment Prices in Flores
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Flores's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Tikal Entrance (for 2)$39
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Map of Tikal$3.26
Tours and Activities in Flores
For Flores, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Shared Guided Sunset Tour in Yaxhá from Flores: $25
- From Flowers Sunset Tour in Tikal: $25
- Basic Tour to Tikal Includes Transportation and Guide Service: $25
- Tikal Ruins Day Tour from Flores: $31
- Full Day Tikal Sunrise Tour from Flores and Archaeological Tour: $48
- Tikal National Park Full-Day Guided Tour from Flores: $65
- From Flowers Eco Tour to Blue Crater All Inclusive: $70
- All Inclusive Tikal Tour from Flores or Mayan World Airport: $78
- Tour to Tikal (Awesome): $85
- Yaxha Day Tour from Flores: $100
- All Inclusive Tikal Tour from Flores and Airport: $105
- Full-Day Shared Tour to Tikal from Flores Peten with Lunch: $110
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayChristchurch $11Flores $21
Sample the Local Flavors in Christchurch
Also in Christchurch, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Waipara Wine Tour from Christchurch - including Lunch & Tastings: $108
- Lyttelton Shore Excursion - Waipara Wine Tour With Lunch: $114
- From Guided Local Wine Tours in Waipara: $116
- Lyttelton Shore Excursion - City Highlights & Waipara Wine Tour : $135
Typical Alcohol Prices in Flores
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Flores are as follows:
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Two Margaritas$2.61
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Christchurch and Flores, we can see that Christchurch is more expensive. And not only is Flores much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Christchurch is in Pacific and Flores is in Central America, 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 Flores would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Flores 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 Christchurch would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Christchurch than you might in Flores.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Christchurch Expensive? and Is Flores Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Christchurch or Flores?
Christchurch has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Flores. When comparing the sizes of Christchurch and Flores, 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.