Which place is cheaper, Lake Tekapo or Kunming?
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 Kunming 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 Kunming 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: Kunming or Lake Tekapo?
Kunming
Kunming, located in southern China, is the modern capital city of the Yunnan province. It is a transportation hub for visitors entering the region, and good transfer point to just about everywhere else in the province by train or bus. Within the city itself there are many things to see and do with a full range of parks and zoos, museums, temples, theatres, and scenic areas.
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 2-Week Tours from Beijing, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, The Best Tours for Seniors to New Zealand, and The Best Contiki Tours to New Zealand.
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Kunming Prices
China PricesLake Tekapo Prices
New Zealand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKunming $85Lake Tekapo $84
The average daily cost (per person) in Kunming is $85, while the average daily cost in Lake Tekapo is $84. 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 Kunming and Lake Tekapo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKunming $33Lake Tekapo $59
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKunming $66Lake Tekapo $118
Compare Hotels in Kunming and Lake Tekapo
Looking for a hotel in Kunming 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.Kunming $14Lake Tekapo -
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kunming
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Kunming:
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Taxi Ride$1.54
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kunming
Also for Kunming, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Kunming Airport Private Transfer - Charge by Vehicle: $48
- Kunming Changshui Airport Chauffeur Service, Kunming Airport Transfer, Pickup: $83
- Kunming Private Round Trip Transfer to Fuxianhu Lake: $90
- [Airport Transfer] Kunming Changshui Airport ⇔ Kunming City Transfer ☆ High reputation for service! <Charter charter>: $36
Is it cheaper to fly into Kunming or Lake Tekapo?
Prices for flights to both Lake Tekapo and Kunming 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 dayKunming $39Lake Tekapo $22
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kunming
For Kunming, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Private Kunming Night Tour with Dinner: $88
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kunming $18Lake Tekapo -
Tours and Activities in Kunming
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Kunming.
- Kunming City & Cultural Walking tour: $26
- Yunnan University & Culture Alley Guided Tour: $26
- Half Day Private Tour with Customizable Itinerary: $43
- Kunming City Tour with Private Guide: $44
- Lijiang: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain with Scenic Train Tour: $51
- Kunming Western Hills Scenic Area Private Tour: $64
- Kunming Western Hills Scenic Area Private Tour (Half Day): $66
- Private Tour with Customizable Itinerary: $66
- Guandu Ancient Town Private Tour (Half-Day): $66
- Old Town Private Tour (Half Day): $66
- Stone Forest + Yiliang Roast Duck + Kunming City Private Tour: $68
- Stone Forest, Roast Duck Lunch and City Tour: $70
Tours and Activities in Lake Tekapo
Here are a few actual costs in Lake Tekapo for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Chameleon Stargazing Shared Tour: $72
- Christchurch: Mt Cook Full-Day Private Tour via Lake Tekapo: $172
- Christchurch: to Queenstown via Mt Cook 1 Way Tour: $234
- Dark Sky Indoor Maori Cultural Astronomy Experience: $36
- Highlights Tour with Tasting & Sunset in Oia: $116
- Lake Tekapo Fishing Tour: $193
- Lake Tekapo Guided 4WD Tours (Small Group, Carbon Positive): $175
- Lake Tekapo High Country Farm Tour (Carbon Positive): $87
- Lake Tekapo Scenic 4WD Cass Valley Wilderness Tour: $204
- Lake Tekapo Scenic Wilderness Cass Valley Tour: $209
- Lake Tekapo Ultimate Stargazing Experience: $119
- Lake Tekapo to Mt Cook One-Way Small Group Tour: $99
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKunming $18Lake Tekapo -
When comparing the travel costs between Kunming and Lake Tekapo, we can see that Kunming is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Kunming is in Asia and Lake Tekapo is in Pacific, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kunming Expensive? and Is Lake Tekapo Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kunming or Lake Tekapo?
Kunming has a larger population, and is about 3100 times larger than the population of Lake Tekapo. When comparing the sizes of Kunming 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.
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.