Auckland the most expensive domestic city for holidaymakers

Auckland continues its reign as the most expensive domestic city for holidaymakers

Auckland continues its reign as the most expensive domestic city for holidaymakers Expedia reveals which New Zealand city provides the best value holiday items

Auckland, 28 June 2011 - Despite the strength of the New Zealand Dollar making the decision between an international or domestic holiday difficult, getting the best value for money is still the number one priority for savvy Kiwi travellers. For those planning a trip within New Zealand this year, it is important to know that the costs of common holiday items can vary across the country.

To help travellers make informed decisions about costs, online travel company Expedia.co.nz has compiled its inaugural New Zealand Expedia Travel Value Tracker*. Accompanying Expedia's international Travel Value Tracker, the annual index lists 10 typical every day holiday items purchased in hotels in Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington.

Not surprisingly, Auckland was the most expensive New Zealand city by some distance, coming in at $129.25 for the 10 items, followed by Christchurch at $99.20. Wellington provided travellers the best bang for their buck at $93.35 for the 10 items.

Despite the 'city of sails' being the most expensive city overall, it had the cheapest prices for internet access, a hamburger and chips, and minibar spirits. However, a trip to your hotel from the airport in a taxi could burn a hole through your wallet as Auckland has the most expensive taxi fare in the country at $63, one of the highest in the world. London is the most expensive, followed by Paris.

New Zealand cities also proved to be pricey for having jeans laundered. Auckland has the honour of being New Zealand's, and one of the world's, most expensive cities for laundering jeans.

In addition to these on-the-ground costs catching travelers by surprise, Kiwis are also often stung by domestic flight booking fees of up to $20, charged by some online travel websites. By booking through Expedia.co.nz, which does not charge a booking fee, Wellington visitors could better use this cash to get their jeans laundered, go on the internet and buy a cup of coffee. While in Auckland, travellers could buy a hamburger and chips, and a can of coke; all for under $20.

Joana Barros Senior Manager Marketing at Expedia.co.nz said: "We know holiday budgets can be tight and these necessities can add up to make a serious dent in your spending money.

"By pocketing the savings from no booking fees at Expedia, New Zealanders will have more choice to purchase the things they really want, as well as what they need when on holiday," she said." she said.

The cheapest cup of coffee: Rank

Destination

Price of coffee

1

Wellington

$4.20

2

Christchurch

$4.35

3

Auckland

$4.70

The cheapest beer: Rank

Destination

Price of beer

1

Wellington

$7.50

2

Christchurch

$8.00

3

Auckland

$8.00

Expedia Travel Value Tracker table: Items

Wellington

Christchurch

Auckland

Coffee

$4.20

$4.35

$4.70

Beer

$7.50

$8.00

$8.00

Internet (30 minutes)

$5.60

$8.35

$4.20

Hamburger & Chips

$18.50

$20.35

$14.70

Cost of a local call

$1.60

$1.00

$1.40

Laundry-jeans

$9.50

$11.10

$14.20

Bottle of water

$5.70

$3.85

$6.50

Can of coke

$4.20

$4.35

$4.85

Taxi from airport to hotel

$28.35

$30.00

$63.00

Minibar spirit

$8.20

$7.85

$7.70

Total

$93.35

$99.20

$129.25

Prices are correct as at 15:00 on 9 June.

-Ends-

© Scoop Media