A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Hefei vs. Kaikoura for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Hefei or Kaikoura?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Hefei or Kaikoura? 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: Hefei or Kaikoura?

Hefei

While most would consider the city of Hefei a pass-through destination, there are plenty of things to see in the capital city of China's Anhui province.

Kaikoura

Kaikoura is a town on the east coast of the South Island, situated between Christchurch and Belnheim. It has a permanent resident population of 1,971. The Seaward Kaikoura Mountains that surround this town collide with the Pacific Ocean, and the continental shelf edge is just offshore. The ocean in Kaikoura is very rich in marine life, especially seals and whales.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to China, The Best Sightseeing Tours in China, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in New Zealand, and The Best 2-Week Tours in New Zealand.


Which place is cheaper, Kaikoura or Hefei?

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 Hefei is $78, while the average daily cost in Kaikoura is $162. 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 Hefei and Kaikoura in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Hefei $29
    Kaikoura $48
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Hefei $58
    Kaikoura $96
Compare Hotels in Hefei and Kaikoura

Looking for a hotel in Hefei or Kaikoura? 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 Hefei


Hotels in Kaikoura


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: Kaikoura Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Hefei $17
    Kaikoura $17

Is it cheaper to fly into Hefei or Kaikoura?

Prices for flights to both Kaikoura and Hefei 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
    Hefei $36
    Kaikoura $65

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Hefei $19
    Kaikoura $152

Tours and Activities in Kaikoura

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kaikoura are as follows:

  • Llama Trek (Taster) - Kowhai River Valley and Native Woodland Tour: $79
  • Private Seal Kayaking and Wildlife Tour in Kaikoura: $80
  • Seal Kayaking Adventure in Kaikoura: $80
  • Seal-Watching Pedal Kayak Tour: $81
  • Kaikōura: Kayak Sunset Tour with Seal Sightings: $81
  • Sunset Kayak tour in Kaikoura: $82
  • Half-Day Wildlife Kayaking Tour: $93
  • Sunset Evening Kayaking Tour: $93
  • Guided Family Kayaking Adventure: $93
  • Wildlife Sea Kayaking Tour - Kaikoura: $95
  • Sunset Evening Kayaking Tour - Kaikoura: $95
  • Whale Watching Cruise: $101

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Hefei $11
    Kaikoura -


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hefei and Kaikoura, we can see that Kaikoura is more expensive. And not only is Hefei much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Hefei is in Asia and Kaikoura 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 Hefei would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hefei 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 Kaikoura would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kaikoura than you might in Hefei.

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


Which is Bigger, Hefei or Kaikoura?

Hefei has a larger population, and is about 2030 times larger than the population of Kaikoura. When comparing the sizes of Hefei and Kaikoura, 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.