A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kampong Cham vs. Lake Tekapo for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Kampong Cham 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 Kampong Cham and Lake Tekapo can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Kampong Cham or Lake Tekapo?

Kampong Cham

Kampong Cham is the sixth largest city in the country, located in the east of Cambodia. Just two and a half hours away from Phnom Penh is a surprisingly large province by the same name. Kampong Cham is the capital of this province, a quiet town on the west side of the Mekong River. While the town does not cater to tourists like other large cities such as Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, the charm of Kampong Cham lies in the beauty and simplicity of local life. Visitors will also get a glimpse into agricultural life on the plantations of rubber trees, tobacco and cashews.

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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Cambodia, The Best 2-Week Tours in Cambodia, The Best Tours for Seniors to New Zealand, and The Best G Adventures Tours to New Zealand.


Which place is cheaper, Lake Tekapo or Kampong Cham?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Kampong Cham is $31, 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 Kampong Cham and Lake Tekapo in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kampong Cham $20
    Lake Tekapo $59
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kampong Cham $40
    Lake Tekapo $118
Compare Hotels in Kampong Cham and Lake Tekapo

Looking for a hotel in Kampong Cham 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 Kampong Cham


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: Lake Tekapo Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kampong Cham $7.67
    Lake Tekapo -

Is it cheaper to fly into Kampong Cham or Lake Tekapo?

Prices for flights to both Lake Tekapo and Kampong Cham 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
    Kampong Cham $6.46
    Lake Tekapo $13

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kampong Cham $5.76
    Lake Tekapo -

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: $181
  • 45 Minutes Virtual Stargazing Experience in Lake Tekapo: $43
  • Arthur's Pass and Mount Cook: 2-Day Tour From Christchurch: $1,455
  • Chameleon Stargazing Shared Tour: $60
  • Crater Experience at Cowan's Observatory: $85
  • Dark Sky Indoor Cultural Astronomy Experience: $31
  • From Tekapo: Mt Cook day tour via Pukaki, Tasman Glacier: $100
  • High Country Farm Tour - Lake Tekapo: $59
  • Lake Tekapo Fishing Tour: $178
  • Lake Tekapo Guided 4WD Tours: $178
  • Lake Tekapo Scenic 4WD Cass Valley Wilderness Tour: $178
  • Alpine Stargazing Experience with a Guide: $59

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kampong Cham $5.47
    Lake Tekapo -


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

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


Which is Bigger, Kampong Cham or Lake Tekapo?

Kampong Cham has a larger population, and is about 190 times larger than the population of Lake Tekapo. When comparing the sizes of Kampong Cham 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.