A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Can Tho vs. Lake Tekapo for Food, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Can Tho or Lake Tekapo?

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 Can Tho and Lake Tekapo can help you decide which place is right for you.

Can Tho

Can Tho is a unique, fascinating, and vibrant city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo is a small, remote, and basic town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the hiking.

Can Tho and Lake Tekapo: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Popular for food and cuisine
  • Active nightlife
  • Fun shopping
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
Pros
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Impressive beauty
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for food
  • Less popular for nightlife
  • Less popular for shopping


Is there more to do in Can Tho or Lake Tekapo?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Can Tho. Although Can Tho and Lake Tekapo are both popular with visitors, Can Tho has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Can Tho is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Lake Tekapo is known for its hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Can Tho is more touristy than Lake Tekapo and is popular for its colorful floating markets, fresh produce, friendly people, and intricate waterways. It is also home to Cai Rang Floating Market. Lake Tekapo is popular for its hot springs, remote location, and beautiful night sky.

How is Can Tho different from Lake Tekapo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Lake Tekapo and Can Tho. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Can Tho or Lake Tekapo?

Can Tho
Lake Tekapo

Can Tho is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Lake Tekapo does not have museums and landmarks.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Can Tho. The main attraction nearby is Cai Rang Floating Market, but visitors also enjoy seeing Binh Thuy Ancient House, the Can Tho Rice Noodle Factory, Ong pagoda, and Nam Nha Pagoda.

Lake Tekapo does not have museums and landmarks.


Is the Food Better in Can Tho or Lake Tekapo? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Can Tho
Lake Tekapo

Can Tho is a great destination for its restaurant scene. However, Lake Tekapo is a town with minimal options for its local flavors and cuisine.

Dining out in Can Tho is an experience not to be missed. It's the largest city in the Mekong Delta, and there are many restaurants with rooftop views and lively atmospheres. The food is local and fresh. Grilled meats, noodle soup, and local produce are all popular. Many visitors come to Cantho specifically to experience the nearby floating markets. You really must sample the many dishes available at the markets, which are unique to the area and offer a whole new approach to street food.

Lake Tekapo offers some easy restaurants to choose from. The town is very small with just a couple of restaurants and fast food joints.

Is Can Tho or Lake Tekapo Better for Nightlife?

Can Tho
Lake Tekapo

Can Tho is a good destination for its evening party scene. However, Lake Tekapo is a town with minimal options for nightlife.

Can Tho has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The city is very beautiful at night with many colorful lights. There are a number of bars and places for tourists to hang out and socialize.

The nightlife scene is quiet in Lake Tekapo This is a very small town and there isn't a real nightlife scene. The night sky is incredible though, and you should absolutely do some stargazing.

Is Can Tho or Lake Tekapo Better for Hiking?

Can Tho
Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo is great for hiking. However, Can Tho is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Lake Tekapo for the hiking trails. There are many beautiful hikes in the area with some of the most popular being the Mount John Summit Track, the Richmond Trail, and Cowan's Hill Walkway.

Can Tho is not a hiking destination.


Is the Shopping Better in Can Tho or Lake Tekapo?

Can Tho
Lake Tekapo

Can Tho is terrific for its shopping areas. However, Lake Tekapo is a town with minimal options for shopping.

Can Tho is a world class destination for shoppers. The city is large with malls and a central market, but most visitors come specifically for the nearby floating markets. These unique markets are best visited by boat. Goods and food are sold out of vendor boats and popular food dishes include noodle soup and local fruits. Each boat has a tall bamboo stick displaying the items that it sells.

Shopping in Lake Tekapo can be found for those interested. There are a couple of shops where you can pick up basic necessities.

Is Can Tho or Lake Tekapo Better for Families?

Can Tho
Lake Tekapo

You'll find high quality kid-friendly activities in either Can Tho or Lake Tekapo.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Can Tho is very family-friendly. Kids and adults alike will be fascinated by the floating markets and the beautiful Mekong Delta. Most visitors use this growing city as a base for exploring the area, which has a fascinating culture and interesting sights.

Lake Tekapo is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy a visit to Tekapo Springs, which is particularly fun in the winter months. There's snow tubing, ice skating, and, of course, the hot pools. There are also short hikes in the area like the Mount John Summit Walk. Biking, paddleboarding, and kayaking are also popular in the area.

Is Can Tho or Lake Tekapo Better for Couples?

Can Tho
Lake Tekapo

Can Tho is a great destination for couples. Also, Lake Tekapo is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Couples visit Can Tho frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Couples can take a romantic evening boat ride on the Mekong Delta. During the morning hours, the floating markets are one of Vietnam's most interesting destinations. You can sample local dishes and experience a completely different way of life.

Lake Tekapo is a nice destination for couples. Couples will enjoy the stunning scenery, beautiful hikes, and the romantic hot springs. Stargazing is another popular activity in the area.


Is Can Tho or Lake Tekapo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Can Tho
Lake Tekapo

Can Tho is a great destination for backpackers. Also, Lake Tekapo is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Can Tho is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. This is a large city with a number of hostels and many backpackers who pass through during their trip to the floating markets and through the Mekong Delta.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Lake Tekapo. It's a small town with a couple of cheap places to stay that backpackers will appreciate.

Is Can Tho or Lake Tekapo Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Can Tho
Lake Tekapo

Can Tho is a city with a few options for its public transit. However, Lake Tekapo is a town with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit is generally limited in Can Tho. There are local buses, but many visitors come to this area as part of an organized tour because transportation can be a bit a tricky.

Public transit is quite limited in Lake Tekapo. Public transportation in the area is very limited. If you don't have a car, you'll want to arrange tours to get out and about.

Is Can Tho or Lake Tekapo a more walkable city?

Can Tho
Lake Tekapo

Can Tho and Lake Tekapo are good when it comes to walkability.

Can Tho is a somewhat walkable place. The city center is relatively walkable.

Lake Tekapo is a somewhat walkable city. The town is small enough to get around on foot, and you can hire a tour to get out into the region.


For even more information, also check out Is Can Tho Worth Visiting? and Is Lake Tekapo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Lake Tekapo or Can Tho?

How long in Can Tho or Lake Tekapo?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Can Tho or Lake Tekapo to fill your time. In our opinion, Can Tho has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Can Tho than Lake Tekapo. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Can Tho than Lake Tekapo. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Can Tho, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Can Tho than Lake Tekapo. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Can Tho that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Can Tho than Lake Tekapo if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Can Tho.


  • How many days in Can Tho or Lake Tekapo? Ideal Length of Stay
    Can Tho 1-2 
    Lake Tekapo 1-2

One day in Can Tho or Lake Tekapo?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the fascinating city of Can Tho. Most people visit for the shopping. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

In Lake Tekapo, you'll find . Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Can Tho or Lake Tekapo?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the cultural destination of Can Tho. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

In Lake Tekapo, you'll find . The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Lake Tekapo has to offer.

Five days in Can Tho or Lake Tekapo?

The friendly city of Can Tho offers shopping and museums. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

Lake Tekapo is a great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.


A week in Can Tho or Lake Tekapo?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Can Tho. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people visit for the shopping. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Lake Tekapo. Many people enjoy the when visiting Lake Tekapo. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Ho Chi Minh City, The Best 10-Day Tours from Hanoi, The Best Tours for Seniors to New Zealand, and The Best Contiki Tours to New Zealand.


Which place is cheaper, Lake Tekapo or Can Tho?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Can Tho is $58, while the average daily cost in Lake Tekapo is $80. 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 Can Tho and Lake Tekapo in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Can Tho $28
    Lake Tekapo $63
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Can Tho $56
    Lake Tekapo $126
Compare Hotels in Can Tho and Lake Tekapo

Looking for a hotel in Can Tho or Lake Tekapo? 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 Can Tho


Hotels in Lake Tekapo


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: Can Tho Hotel Prices and Lake Tekapo Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Can Tho $13
    Lake Tekapo -

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Can Tho

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

  • PRIVATE CAR: Can Tho AIRPORT <=> CanTho Hotels (one way transfer): $30
  • Private Transfer from Can Tho (VCA) Airport to Can Tho City: $126
  • Private Transfer from Can Tho City to Can Tho (VCA) Airport: $48
  • Private Transfer from Can Tho City to Tan Son Nhat (SGN) Airport: $115
  • Private Transfer from Thanh Thoi to Tan Son Nhat (SGN) Airport: $108
  • Private Transfer from Vinh Long to Tan Son Nhat (SGN) Airport: $108
  • Private Transfer: Can Tho Airport - Can Tho City Center: $35
  • Private Transfer: Can Tho Airport to/from Can Tho City Center: $37

Is it cheaper to fly into Can Tho or Lake Tekapo?

Prices for flights to both Lake Tekapo and Can Tho 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
    Can Tho $17
    Lake Tekapo $14
Typical Food Prices in Can Tho

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Can Tho:


  • Restaurant Dinner (for Two)
    $5.28
  • Coconut
    $0.28
  • Mango
    $1.10
  • Hot Pot Dinner (for Two)
    $7.07
  • Two Vietnamese Iced Coffees
    $0.65
  • Casual Lunch (for One)
    $2.84

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Can Tho

For Can Tho, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Boat tour on Mekong river see the sunset, small canal, Vegan dinner, street food: $29
  • Can Tho Food Tour – “Wrap & Roll”: $31
  • Biking and Cooking Class in Can Tho Rural: $32
  • Local Food Tour: $33
  • Explore Can Tho City tour combine Local Food tour - in afternoon: $35
  • Biking and cooking class in the rural tour at Can Tho: $36
  • Can Tho food tour designed by local chef: $38
  • Street food tour back of the bike in Can Tho: $39
  • Eco Cooking Class and Market Tour: $47
  • Walking street food tour designed by local chef: $48
  • Discover Local Cuisine: Walking Food Tour in Can Tho: $49
  • Can Tho Floating Cooking Class: $66

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Can Tho $17
    Lake Tekapo -
Typical Entertainment Prices in Can Tho

For Can Tho, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Sunset Boat Ride
    $2.03
  • Half Day Floating Market Tour
    $8.53

Tours and Activities in Can Tho

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Can Tho.

  • FREE FOOT TOUR- ENJOY LOCAL FOOD: $8.38
  • Mekong Delta and Cai Rang Floating Market 5-Hours Tour: $32
  • The hidden Fabulous Floating Market and small canal (Non-tourist small canal): $33
  • Bicycle Tour Through Peaceful Villages: $35
  • Discover Can Tho Floating Market and Small Canal Adventure: $35
  • Private Half Day Tour - Sơn Islet: $36
  • Mekong Delta and Cai Rang Floating Market Tour: $36
  • Can Tho Sunset Tour : $38
  • A unique tour of the floating market includes a cacao plantation.: $39
  • Private Half Day Tour - Cái Răng Floating Market: $40
  • Sunset Experience on Mekong River and Explore Brilliant City: $40
  • Cai Rang Floating Market and Fruit Garden Tour: $41

Tours and Activities in Lake Tekapo

Here are a few actual costs in Lake Tekapo for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Lake Tekapo Tour Scenic 4WD Mountains & Glaciers: $186
  • 45 Minutes Virtual Stargazing Experience in Lake Tekapo: $57
  • Chameleon Stargazing Shared Tour: $62
  • Crater Experience at Cowan's Observatory: $82
  • Dark Sky Indoor Cultural Astronomy Experience: $40
  • From Christchurch: 1 Way Tour to Queenstown via Mt Cook: $226
  • From Queenstown: 1 Way to Tour Christchurch via Mt Cook: $229
  • High Country Farm Tour - Lake Tekapo: $60
  • Lake Tekapo Farm Tours: $62
  • Lake Tekapo Fishing Tour: $201
  • Lake Tekapo Guided 4WD Tours: $183
  • Lake Tekapo Scenic 4WD Cass Valley Wilderness Tour: $183

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Can Tho $6.71
    Lake Tekapo -
Typical Alcohol Prices in Can Tho

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Can Tho from other travelers:


  • Beer
    $3.25


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Can Tho and Lake Tekapo, we can see that Lake Tekapo is more expensive. And not only is Can Tho much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Can Tho is in Asia and Lake Tekapo 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 Can Tho would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Can Tho 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 Lake Tekapo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lake Tekapo than you might in Can Tho.

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


Which is Bigger, Can Tho or Lake Tekapo?

Can Tho has a larger population, and is about 790 times larger than the population of Lake Tekapo. When comparing the sizes of Can Tho and Lake Tekapo, 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.

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