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

Should you visit Kao-hsiung or Kaikoura?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Kao-hsiung and Kaikoura can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Kao-hsiung or Kaikoura?

Kao-hsiung

Kaohsiung is the second-most populated city and also the largest port city in the country, located in the south of Taiwan. Compared to Taipei, the lifestyle in Kaohsiung is laid-back and noticeably slower, populated with friendly locals. However, with Taipei in the spotlight, Kaohsiung is often overlooked, though it offers so much in the way of art and culture, history, and delicious food.

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 Historical Tours in Taiwan, The Best Adventure Tours to Taiwan, 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 Kao-hsiung?

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 Kao-hsiung is $134, 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 Kao-hsiung and Kaikoura in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kao-hsiung $60
    Kaikoura $48
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kao-hsiung $120
    Kaikoura $96
Compare Hotels in Kao-hsiung and Kaikoura

Looking for a hotel in Kao-hsiung 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 Kao-hsiung


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: Kao-hsiung Hotel Prices and Kaikoura Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kao-hsiung $12
    Kaikoura $17

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kao-hsiung

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kao-hsiung:

  • Kaohsiung Airport -> Kaohsiung Hotel Private Transfer (Large room for luggage) : $35
  • Kaohsiung Airport Chauffeur service , Kaohsiung Airport Transfer : $50
  • Private Transfer from Kaohsiung Airport (KHH) to Kaohsiung Port : $75
  • Guanziling Resorts to Kaohsiung Airport KHH Departure Transfer: $134
  • Kaohsiung Airport (KHH) to Guanziling Resorts - Arrival Transfer: $134
  • Private Transfer from Kaohsiung Airport to Kenting: $138
  • Private Kaohsiung Airport to Taitung Resorts Arrival Transfer: $192

Is it cheaper to fly into Kao-hsiung or Kaikoura?

Prices for flights to both Kaikoura and Kao-hsiung 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
    Kao-hsiung $59
    Kaikoura $65

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kao-hsiung

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kao-hsiung.

  • Sunset Dinner on Monkey Mountain : $100

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kao-hsiung $22
    Kaikoura $152

Tours and Activities in Kao-hsiung

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kao-hsiung are as follows:

  • Suzuka Circuit Park Ticket in Kaohsiung: $33
  • Kaohsiung Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $48
  • Kenting and Pingtung One Day Tour with Departure from Kaohsiung: $52
  • Classic Northern Kaohsiung Day Tour: $60
  • Classic Southern Kaohsiung Day Tour: $60
  • Kaohsiung City Walking Day Tour: $70
  • Food and Culture Walking Tour in Tainan: $78
  • Alishan Day Tour from Kaohsiung (Incl. Park Entrance): $90
  • Buddha Museum- Half Day Tour : $90
  • Tainan Day Tour –Qigu Salt Mountain, Chikan Tower & Anping Castle: $100
  • Private Tour Shore Excursion in Kaohsiung City: $199
  • 1 day tour - Kaohsiung: $200

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: $94
  • Sunset Evening Kayaking Tour: $94
  • Guided Family Kayaking Adventure: $94
  • Wildlife Sea Kayaking Tour - Kaikoura: $95
  • Sunset Evening Kayaking Tour - Kaikoura: $95
  • Whale Watching Cruise: $102

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kao-hsiung $11
    Kaikoura -


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kao-hsiung and Kaikoura, we can see that Kaikoura is more expensive. And not only is Kao-hsiung much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kao-hsiung 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 Kao-hsiung would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kao-hsiung 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 Kao-hsiung.

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


Which is Bigger, Kao-hsiung or Kaikoura?

Kao-hsiung has a larger population, and is about 2220 times larger than the population of Kaikoura. When comparing the sizes of Kao-hsiung 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.