Which place is cheaper, Nelson or Kunming?
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 Kunming or Nelson?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Kunming and Nelson. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Kunming or Nelson?
Kunming
Kunming, located in southern China, is the modern capital city of the Yunnan province. It is a transportation hub for visitors entering the region, and good transfer point to just about everywhere else in the province by train or bus. Within the city itself there are many things to see and do with a full range of parks and zoos, museums, temples, theatres, and scenic areas.
Nelson
Nelson is a city that sits on Tasman Bay on the South Island of New Zealand. Travelers, especially ones that are heading to explore Abel Tasman National Park, frequently visit this town. Nelson has a population of about 46,000 people and, geographically speaking, it is the center of New Zealand as a whole.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to New Zealand, and The Best Wildlife Tours to New Zealand.
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Kunming Prices
China PricesNelson Prices
New Zealand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKunming $85Nelson $114
The average daily cost (per person) in Kunming is $85, while the average daily cost in Nelson is $114. 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 Kunming and Nelson in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKunming $33Nelson $41
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKunming $66Nelson $82
Compare Hotels in Kunming and Nelson
Looking for a hotel in Kunming or Nelson? 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: Nelson Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kunming $14Nelson $28
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kunming
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Kunming:
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Taxi Ride$1.54
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kunming
Also for Kunming, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- [Airport Transfer] Kunming Changshui Airport ⇔ Kunming City Transfer ☆ High reputation for service! <Charter charter>: $36
- Kunming Airport Private Transfer - Charge by Vehicle: $48
- Kunming Changshui Airport Chauffeur Service, Kunming Airport Transfer, Pickup: $83
- Kunming Private Round Trip Transfer to Fuxianhu Lake: $90
Is it cheaper to fly into Kunming or Nelson?
Prices for flights to both Nelson and Kunming 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 dayKunming $39Nelson $47
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kunming
For Kunming, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Private Kunming Night Tour with Dinner: $88
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kunming $18Nelson $23
Tours and Activities in Kunming
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Kunming.
- Kunming City & Cultural Walking tour: $26
- Yunnan University & Culture Alley Guided Tour: $26
- Half Day Private Tour with Customizable Itinerary: $43
- Kunming City Tour with Private Guide: $44
- Lijiang: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain with Scenic Train Tour: $51
- Kunming Western Hills Scenic Area Private Tour: $64
- Kunming Western Hills Scenic Area Private Tour (Half Day): $66
- Private Tour with Customizable Itinerary: $66
- Guandu Ancient Town Private Tour (Half-Day): $66
- Old Town Private Tour (Half Day): $66
- Stone Forest + Yiliang Roast Duck + Kunming City Private Tour: $68
- Stone Forest, Roast Duck Lunch and City Tour: $70
Tours and Activities in Nelson
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Nelson are as follows:
- Abel Tasman National Park: Cruise and Hike Full-Day Tour: $310
- Abel Tasman National Park: Cruise, Kayak, & Hike Tour: $386
- Abel Tasman National Park: Waka & Walk Tour: $409
- Abel Tasman Vista Cruise: $62
- Cable Bay Adventure Park: E-bike hire: $56
- Cruise Abel Tasman to Golden Bay: $296
- Cruise, Walk, and Sail in Abel Tasman National Park: $122
- Full-Day Sailing Adventure in the Abel Tasman National Park: $160
- Great Taste Beer Tour by Bicycle (Self-guided): $77
- Half Day Guided Mountain Biking Adventure in Nelson: $74
- Half Day Nelson Electric Mountain Bike Rental Adventure: $82
- Magical Mapua Charms in off-summer Season Selfguided Cycle Tour: $74
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKunming $18Nelson $13
Sample the Local Flavors in Nelson
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Nelson:
- Self-guided E-bike cycle tour with private wine tasting : $116
- Wine Tour with Tastings and Lunch: $222
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kunming and Nelson, we can see that Nelson is more expensive. And not only is Kunming much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kunming is in Asia and Nelson 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 Kunming would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kunming 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 Nelson would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nelson than you might in Kunming.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kunming Expensive? and Is Nelson Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kunming or Nelson?
Kunming has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Nelson. When comparing the sizes of Kunming and Nelson, 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.