A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Johor Bahru vs. Picton for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Johor Bahru or Picton?

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

Should I visit Johor Bahru or Picton? 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: Johor Bahru or Picton?

Johor Bahru

Johor Bahru is the capital of the state of Johor in Southern Malaysia. Though it is largely industrial and does not typically cater to tourists, especially compared to the grandeur of neighboring Singapore, the city does have some opportunities for shopping, dining, and entertainment.

Picton

Picton, New Zealand is located in the picturesque Marlborough Region on the South Island. With beachfront access in a central location and near the Marlborough Sounds, Picton is an ideal place for anyone looking for both adventure and relaxation in one of the most naturally beautiful countries in the world.

The weather in Picton is fairly mild, ranging from the low fifties to high sixties, Fahrenheit, throughout the year. Their summer months are December through March, this is when you'll find temperatures in the high sixties. During the winter, June through August, Picton experiences averages of fifty degree Fahrenheit. This means you can visit any time of the year without having to worry about weather inhibiting any of your outdoor activities!

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Malaysia, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Malaysia, The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand, and The Best Eco Tours in New Zealand.


Which place is cheaper, Picton or Johor Bahru?

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 Johor Bahru is $64, while the average daily cost in Picton is $101. 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 Johor Bahru and Picton in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Johor Bahru $40
    Picton $37
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Johor Bahru $80
    Picton $74
Compare Hotels in Johor Bahru and Picton

Looking for a hotel in Johor Bahru or Picton? 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 Johor Bahru


Hotels in Picton


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: Johor Bahru Hotel Prices and Picton Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Johor Bahru $13
    Picton -

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Johor Bahru

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Johor Bahru:

  • ~Chauffeur: Johor Bahru to Singapore Van Transfer: $38
  • Private Transfer from Johor Bahru City Center to Singapore Hotels: $99
  • ~Chauffeur: Johor Bahru to Singapore MPV Transfer: $99
  • Legoland Johor Bahru to Kuala Lumpur 1-way Transfer: $103
  • Johor Bahru to Kuala Lumpur Airport 1-way Transfer: $103
  • Chauffeur: Johor Bahru to Fraser's Hill Transfer [Van]: $104
  • LEGOLAND Malaysia to Kuala Lumpur City One-way Transfer: $105
  • LEGOLAND Malaysia to Kuala Lumpur City Hotels One-way Transfer: $105
  • Johor Bahru City Hotels to Kuala Lumpur City Hotels One-way Transfer: $105
  • Universal Studios Singapore + Roundtrip Transfers: $119
  • Legoland Johor Bahru to Kuala Lumpur 1-way Transfer: $125
  • Private Transfer : Johor Bharu (JB) to Kuala Lumpur (KL): $131

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Picton

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Picton:

  • Private Transfer from Blenheim city hotels to Picton Cruise Port: $120
  • Private Transfer from Picton Cruise Port to Blenheim City Hotels: $121
  • Private Transfer from Blenheim Airport (BHE) to Picton Port: $133
  • Private Transfer from Picton Port to Blenheim Airport (BHE): $134

Is it cheaper to fly into Johor Bahru or Picton?

Prices for flights to both Picton and Johor Bahru 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
    Johor Bahru $16
    Picton $34

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Picton

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Picton.

  • CRUISE SHIP DAYS - HOP ON HOP OFF - Wine, Beer, Food Tour: $58

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Johor Bahru $7.81
    Picton $109

Tours and Activities in Johor Bahru

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

  • Firefly Tour Johor Bahru@Kota Tinggi Firefly Park: $6.32
  • Brooklyn Cruise at Puteri Harbour: $11
  • Singapore: Wings of Time Show Entry Ticket: $17
  • Malaysia: Johor Adventure Waterpark Desaru Coast Entry Ticket: $18
  • Singapore Sentosa: Trick Eye 3D Museum Entrance Ticket: $21
  • Johor: LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort Entry Ticket: $21
  • Experience Brooklyn Cruise at Puteri Harbour: $21
  • Singapore Sentosa Cable Car Sky Pass E-Tickets: $21
  • Magical Brooklyn Cruise at Puteri Harbour: $22
  • Desaru Coast Adventure Waterpark Admission Ticket: $22
  • Legoland Malaysia Ticket: $23
  • Legoland Malaysia Theme Park E-Tickets: $23

Tours and Activities in Picton

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

  • Skip the Line: Dangerous Skies WWII Exhibition - Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre: $15
  • Discover Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
  • Hinterland Cycling Tour, Havelock: $23
  • Skip the Line:WWI & WWII Combo Exhibitions at the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre: $29
  • Kalapathar Sunrise, Birdwatching and Village Tour: $35
  • Picton Shore Excursion: Queen Charlotte Sounds Cruise: $49
  • Picton Shore Excursion Queen Charlotte Sound Cruise: $51
  • Kayaking Mangrove Adventure at Havelock: $56
  • Queen Charlotte Sound: Lochmara Cruise and Explore Day Trip: $57
  • Half-Day Cruise in Marlborough Sounds from Picton: $63
  • Marlborough Sounds and Ship Cove Cruise from Picton: $64
  • Motuara Island Bird Sanctuary and Ship Cove Cruise from Picton: $66

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Johor Bahru $5.09
    Picton $34

Sample the Local Flavors in Picton

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Picton:

  • Self-Guided Biking Wine Tour (full day) in the Marlborough Region.: $39
  • Self-Guided Wine Tours by Bike with Lorelle & Greg : $41
  • Marlborough: Hop-On Hop-Off Wine, Brewery, and Wonders Tour: $75
  • Hop on Hop off Wine Tours Marlborough: $77
  • Marlborough Afternoon Wine Tour with Tastings: $77
  • CRUISE SHIP DAY Marlborough Hop On Hop Off Wine Tours: $77
  • Marlborough Half Day Wine Tour From Picton: $92
  • Marlborough Wine Tasting Tour.: $95
  • Half-Day Wine Tour from Blenheim: $95
  • Half-Day Wine Tour from Picton: $95
  • Morning Guided with Afternoon Self-Guided Biking Wine Tour: $101
  • Taste the Valley Wine Tour in Marlborough with Wine Tasting: $101


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

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


Which is Bigger, Johor Bahru or Picton?

Johor Bahru has a larger population, and is about 270 times larger than the population of Picton. When comparing the sizes of Johor Bahru and Picton, 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.