Which place is cheaper, Kaikoura or Yangshuo?
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 Yangshuo or Kaikoura?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Yangshuo and Kaikoura can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Yangshuo or Kaikoura?
Yangshuo
A county of the city, Guilin, Yangshuo is located in a region famous for its karst topography. Surrounded by jagged mountain peaks and bordered on one side by the Li River, Yangshuo has become a popular home base for tourists looking to explore the region's natural wonders. Backpackers and tourists, both foreign and domestic, come to Yangshuo every year making it a city of many cultures. Most locals are even able to speak English, which is fairly uncommon for Chinese cities.
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 Budget Tours to China, The Best Tours for Seniors to China, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in New Zealand, and The Best 2-Week Tours in New Zealand.
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Yangshuo Prices
China PricesKaikoura Prices
New Zealand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayYangshuo $86Kaikoura $162
The average daily cost (per person) in Yangshuo is $86, 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 Yangshuo and Kaikoura in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personYangshuo $26Kaikoura $48
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomYangshuo $52Kaikoura $96
Compare Hotels in Yangshuo and Kaikoura
Looking for a hotel in Yangshuo 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.
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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Yangshuo $43Kaikoura $17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Yangshuo
Also for Yangshuo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Yangshuo(Xingping) Train Station to Yangshuo Hotel: $21
- Private Transfer from Yangshuo hotel to Guilin hotel: $37
- Private Airport Transfer: Yangshuo Hotel to Guilin Liangjiang Airport: $45
- Private One Way Transfer Service to Guilin City Hotel or Airport from Yangshuo: $48
- Private Departure Transfer: Yangshuo to Guilin Train Stations: $49
- Yangshuo Via Ferrata with Round way private transfer from Yangshuo hotel: $56
- Impression Liu Sanjie - Ticket Booking (including Round-trip Transfer): $62
- Yangshuo Via Ferrata with Round way private transfer from Xingping hotel: $67
- From Rock Climbing with Transfer Private (3 hours): $69
- Guilin: Li River Cruise with Transfer to Yangshuo: $80
- Private Impression Sanjie Liu Evening Show with Hotel Transfer: $88
- From Yangshuo Via Ferrata with Transfer 3 hours Private Tour: $89
Is it cheaper to fly into Yangshuo or Kaikoura?
Prices for flights to both Kaikoura and Yangshuo 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 dayYangshuo $33Kaikoura $65
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Yangshuo
For Yangshuo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Yangshuo Cooking Class with Market Trip: $45
- Full-day Cultural Experience: Taichi, Cooking & Painting Lessons: $100
- The impression Liu sanjie show and local dinner in town : $145
- Combo Impression Sanjie Liu Show and Authentic Cooking Experience: $199
- Yangshuo Full Day Tour: Cooking class, River boat, Light Show: $259
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Yangshuo $24Kaikoura $152
Tours and Activities in Yangshuo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Yangshuo.
- Impression Sanjie Liu Show Ticket: $45
- Impression Sanjie Liu Show Ticket: $45
- Impression Sanjie Liu Show Ticket Booking : $45
- Yangshuo Impression Liusanjie Show Ticket: $45
- Impression Liusanjie Show Ticket: $48
- Yangshuo Via Ferrata Ticket: $49
- Yulong River Bamboo Rafting Experience: $52
- Yangshuo Ruyi peak & round way cable car ticket: $55
- Yangshuo Walking Day Tour: $56
- Half/Full-Day Yangshuo Countryside Moderate Cycling and Sightseeing Private Tour: $60
- Ticket of Impression Sanjie Liu Show: $62
- Amphibious Off-Road Biking Experience: $67
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
- 1-Hour Private Heli-Picnic Mountain top tour in Kaikoura : $245
- 40-minute Mt Fyffe Summit Heli Tour in Kaikoura : $233
- From Christchurch: Private Kaikoura Tour with Guide: $168
- Half Day Zipline Adventure in Kaikoura: $112
- Kaikoura Swim with Dolphins Tour from Christchurch: $242
- Kaikoura Whale Watch Day Tour from Christchurch: $216
- 1-Hour Whale Watching Helicopter Tour: $768
- Guided Family Kayaking Adventure: $93
- Half-Day Wildlife Kayaking Tour: $93
- Private Guided Kayak Tour with Seals: $174
- Seal-Watching Pedal Kayak Tour: $81
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayYangshuo $34Kaikoura -
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Yangshuo and Kaikoura, we can see that Kaikoura is more expensive. And not only is Yangshuo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Yangshuo 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 Yangshuo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Yangshuo 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 Yangshuo.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Yangshuo Expensive? and Is Kaikoura Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Yangshuo or Kaikoura?
Yangshuo has a larger population, and is about 440 times larger than the population of Kaikoura. When comparing the sizes of Yangshuo 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.
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.