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

Should you visit Xiamen or Picton?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Xiamen and Picton 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: Xiamen or Picton?

Xiamen

Xiamen is a coastal city in the Fujian Province of China and has been a major port city and gateway to China for centuries. This vibrant and modern city was named the most livable city in the world in 2002 and one of the first cities to be named a Special Economic Zone. Xiamen is best known for being home to Gulangyu Island, a beautiful island full of historic colonial buildings and lovely walking paths.

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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, The Best Historical Tours in China, The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand, and The Best Eco Tours in New Zealand.


Which place is cheaper, Picton or Xiamen?

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 Xiamen is $84, 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 Xiamen and Picton in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Xiamen $31
    Picton $37
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Xiamen $62
    Picton $74
Compare Hotels in Xiamen and Picton

Looking for a hotel in Xiamen 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 Xiamen


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: Picton Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Xiamen $6.08
    Picton -

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Xiamen

Also for Xiamen, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Arrival Transfer from Gaoqi Airport to Xiamen City Hotel: $10
  • Private Transfer from Xiamen North Railway Station to City Area: $19
  • Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport Chauffeur Service ,Xiamen Airport Transfer: $25
  • Private Xiamen Gaoqi Airport Arrival Transfer to City Area: $30
  • Private Xiamen Gaoqi Airport Departure Transfer from City Areas: $33
  • Private Transfer Service between Xiamen and Anxi : $89
  • Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster : $89
  • Private Transfer Between Xiamen City and HongKeng Hakka Tulou Cluster: $89
  • Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Hui'an county in Quanzhou: $89
  • Private Transfer to Tianluokeng and HekengHakka Tulou fromXiamen: $90
  • Private Transfer to Gaobei Tulou and Yunshuiyao Village from Xiamen City: $98
  • Private Transfer to Tianluokeng Tulou and Hekeng Hakka Tulou from Xiamen City : $98

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Picton

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Picton:

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

Is it cheaper to fly into Xiamen or Picton?

Prices for flights to both Picton and Xiamen 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
    Xiamen $46
    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.
    Xiamen $16
    Picton $109

Tours and Activities in Xiamen

For Xiamen, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Sailing & Sea Experience.: $22
  • Quanzhou Kaiyuan Temple & Luoyang Bridge Tour: $70
  • Xiamen Private English Tour Guide Service: $93
  • Xiamen Private Half Day Tour of Gulangyu Island and Shuzhuang Garden: $97
  • A Night Tour to Xiamen Gulang Island: $100
  • 4-Hour Xiamen Private Local Food Market Experience: $103
  • 4-hour Xiamen Private Flexible Tour in Your Way: $115
  • 4-Hour Xiamen Private Shore Excursion Tour in Your Way: $121
  • Shanghai Metro Tour: $127
  • Xiamen Layover Day Tour-Gulangyu,Shuzhuang Garden And Piano Museum: $132
  • Xiamen Half-Day Private Tour include Gulang Yu Island and Garden : $135
  • Tour Guide and Car: Private Day Tour to Yunshuiyao Ancient Village from Xiamen: $140

Tours and Activities in Picton

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

  • 1-Day Cruise in Queen Charlotte Track & Kupes Trail Walk: $119
  • 3.5 Hour Marlborough Sounds Delivery Cruise: $66
  • Bays and Bush Flight Scenic Tour: $95
  • Bird Watching and Dolphin Eco-Tour from Picton: $89
  • Captain Cook and Dolphin Cruise: $95
  • Depart Marlborough Sounds Afternoon Seafood Cruise: $90
  • Discover Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
  • Flight Experience our Water and Wilderness Scenic Tour: $178
  • From Havelock to Marlborough Sounds Postie's Day Off Cruise: $83
  • From Marlborough Sounds Cruise with Seafood: $104
  • From Private Wine and Gourmet Tour of Marlborough: $575
  • Full Day Iconic Mail Boat Cruise: $83

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Xiamen $17
    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
  • CRUISE SHIP DAY Marlborough Hop On Hop Off Wine Tours: $77
  • Marlborough Afternoon Wine Tour with Tastings: $77
  • Marlborough Half Day Wine Tour From Picton: $92
  • Half-Day Wine Tour from Blenheim: $95
  • Marlborough Wine Tasting Tour.: $95
  • Half-Day Wine Tour from Picton: $95
  • Taste the Valley Wine Tour in Marlborough with Wine Tasting: $101
  • Morning Guided with Afternoon Self-Guided Biking Wine Tour: $101


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

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


Which is Bigger, Xiamen or Picton?

Xiamen has a larger population, and is about 190 times larger than the population of Picton. When comparing the sizes of Xiamen 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.


When is the best time to visit Xiamen or Picton?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Picton is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Xiamen has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Xiamen or Picton in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Xiamen as well as Picton. Also, many travelers come to Picton for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Xiamen is much warmer than Picton in the summer. The daily temperature in Xiamen averages around 30°C (86°F) in July, and Picton fluctuates around 18°C (64°F)in January.

Xiamen receives a lot of rain in the summer. Xiamen usually gets more rain in July than Pictonin January. Xiamen gets 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Picton receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Xiamen 30°C (86°F) 
    Picton 18°C (64°F)

Should I visit Xiamen or Picton in the Autumn?

Both Picton and Xiamen are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Picton in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere.

In the autumn, Xiamen is much warmer than Picton. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Xiamen in October average around 25°C (77°F), and Picton averages at about 15°C (58°F)in April.

In October, Xiamen usually receives less rain than Pictonin April. Xiamen gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Picton receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Xiamen 25°C (77°F) 
    Picton 15°C (58°F)

Should I visit Xiamen or Picton in the Winter?

Both Picton and Xiamen during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Picton for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In January, Xiamen is generally a little warmer than Pictonin July. Daily temperatures in Xiamen average around 14°C (58°F), and Picton fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

Picton gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Xiamen usually gets less rain in January than Pictonin July. Xiamen gets 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Picton receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Xiamen 14°C (58°F) 
    Picton 10°C (49°F)

Should I visit Xiamen or Picton in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Xiamen and Picton. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Picton because of the beaches and the small town charm.

Xiamen is much warmer than Picton in the spring. The daily temperature in Xiamen averages around 20°C (69°F) in April, and Picton fluctuates around 13°C (55°F)in October.

Xiamen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Xiamen usually receives more rain than Pictonin October. Xiamen gets 147 mm (5.8 in) of rain, while Picton receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Xiamen 20°C (69°F) 
    Picton 13°C (55°F)

Typical Weather for Picton and Xiamen

Xiamen Picton
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 14°C (58°F) 37 mm (1.4 in) 18°C (64°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Feb 14°C (57°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 18°C (64°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Mar 16°C (61°F) 99 mm (3.9 in) 17°C (62°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Apr 20°C (69°F) 147 mm (5.8 in) 15°C (58°F) 82 mm (3.2 in)
May 24°C (76°F) 152 mm (6 in) 12°C (54°F) 92 mm (3.6 in)
Jun 27°C (81°F) 197 mm (7.7 in) 10°C (51°F) 113 mm (4.4 in)
Jul 30°C (86°F) 140 mm (5.5 in) 10°C (49°F) 111 mm (4.4 in)
Aug 30°C (85°F) 149 mm (5.9 in) 10°C (50°F) 98 mm (3.9 in)
Sep 28°C (83°F) 116 mm (4.6 in) 12°C (53°F) 79 mm (3.1 in)
Oct 25°C (77°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 13°C (55°F) 93 mm (3.7 in)
Nov 21°C (69°F) 37 mm (1.4 in) 15°C (58°F) 79 mm (3.1 in)
Dec 16°C (61°F) 25 mm (1 in) 17°C (62°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)