Which place is cheaper, Lake Tekapo or Deqin?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Deqin or Lake Tekapo?
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 Deqin and Lake Tekapo. 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: Deqin or Lake Tekapo?
Deqin
Highly influenced by Tibet, Deqin is both a county and a town located in the Hengduanshan Mountains of China's Yunnan province. Most people visit the area as a home base from which to hike into the surrounding mountains, though the temples and traditional villages also add to the allure of the area.
Lake Tekapo
Tekapo is a lakeside town on the South Island of New Zealand, and it is part of the Mackenzie District of Canterbury. This is one of the bluest lakes in the country and is surrounded by the mighty mountains of the Southern Alps.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in China, The Best Cultural Tours in China, The Best Tours for Seniors to New Zealand, and The Best G Adventures Tours to New Zealand.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDeqin $63Lake Tekapo $75
The average daily cost (per person) in Deqin is $63, while the average daily cost in Lake Tekapo is $75. 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 Deqin and Lake Tekapo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDeqin $35Lake Tekapo $59
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDeqin $70Lake Tekapo $118
Compare Hotels in Deqin and Lake Tekapo
Looking for a hotel in Deqin 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.
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: Lake Tekapo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Deqin $18Lake Tekapo -
Is it cheaper to fly into Deqin or Lake Tekapo?
Prices for flights to both Lake Tekapo and Deqin 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 dayDeqin $16Lake Tekapo $13
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Deqin $13Lake Tekapo -
Tours and Activities in Lake Tekapo
Here are a few actual costs in Lake Tekapo for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Indoor Māori Cultural Astronomy Experience: $30
- Dark Sky Indoor Cultural Astronomy Experience: $31
- Dark Sky Virtual Stargazing Experience: $41
- 45 Minutes Virtual Stargazing Experience in Lake Tekapo: $43
- High Country Farm Tour - Lake Tekapo: $59
- Alpine Stargazing Experience with a Guide: $59
- Chameleon Stargazing Shared Tour: $60
- 中文观星团 Chinese tour: $65
- Stargazing Experience: $65
- Crater Experience at Cowan's Observatory: $85
- From Tekapo: Mt Cook day tour via Pukaki, Tasman Glacier: $100
- Summit Experience - University of Canterbury Mt John Observatory: $114
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDeqin $11Lake Tekapo -
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Deqin and Lake Tekapo, we can see that Lake Tekapo is more expensive. And not only is Deqin much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Deqin 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 Deqin would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Deqin 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 Deqin.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Deqin Expensive? and Is Lake Tekapo Expensive?.
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.