A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Lake Tekapo vs. Nadi (Port Denarau) for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Lake Tekapo or Nadi (Port Denarau)?

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 Lake Tekapo and Nadi (Port Denarau). 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: Lake Tekapo or Nadi (Port Denarau)?

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.

Nadi (Port Denarau)

Nadi, pronounced "Nandi", is a city and transportation hub in the Fijian islands. It is on one of the main islands, Viti Levu, and has a population of about 42,000. Many inhabitants are Indian as well as Fijian, and the largest temple in the Southern hemisphere is located in the city center. It must be noted that Nadi and surrounding areas aren't known for the beaches. This is more of a cultural destination or starting point for your trip to Fiji. For the best beaches, you will want to venture out to the other, smaller, islands.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to New Zealand, and The Best Contiki Tours to New Zealand.


Which place is cheaper, Nadi (Port Denarau) or Lake Tekapo?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Lake Tekapo Prices
    New Zealand Prices
    Nadi (Port Denarau) Prices
    Fiji Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Lake Tekapo $84
    Nadi (Port Denarau) $198

The average daily cost (per person) in Lake Tekapo is $84, while the average daily cost in Nadi (Port Denarau) is $198. 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 Lake Tekapo and Nadi (Port Denarau) in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Lake Tekapo $59
    Nadi (Port Denarau) $106
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Lake Tekapo $118
    Nadi (Port Denarau) $212
Compare Hotels in Lake Tekapo and Nadi (Port Denarau)

Looking for a hotel in Lake Tekapo or Nadi (Port Denarau)? 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 Lake Tekapo


Hotels in Nadi (Port Denarau)


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 and Nadi (Port Denarau) Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Lake Tekapo -
    Nadi (Port Denarau) $8.81

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nadi (Port Denarau)

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Nadi (Port Denarau):

  • Shared Shuttle Arrival Transfer - Nadi Airport/ Port to Hotel: $9.15
  • Arrival Shared Transfer : Airport to Hotel: $35
  • CFC APPROVED Private Arrival Transfer - Nadi Airport to All Denarau Hotels: $14
  • CFC APPROVED Private Arrival Transfer - Nadi Airport to Intercontinental Resort: $34
  • CFC APPROVED Private Arrival Transfer - Nadi Airport to Port Denarau Marina: $15
  • CFC APPROVED Private Arrival Transfer - Nadi Airport to Shangri-La Fijian Resort: $37
  • CFC APPROVED Private Departure Transfer - Fiji Marriott Resort, to Nadi Airport: $30
  • CFC APPROVED Private Roundtrip Transfer -Nadi Airport to All Maui Bay Properties: $71
  • CFC Approved Private Arrival Transfer - Nadi Airport to Doubletree Resort : $23
  • CFC Approved Private Arrival Transfer - Nadi Airport to Fiji Marriott Resort: $27
  • CFC Approved Private Arrival Transfer - Nadi Airport to Maui Bay Properties: $44
  • CFC Approved Private Arrival Transfer - Nadi Airport to Outrigger & Bedarra Inn: $41

Is it cheaper to fly into Lake Tekapo or Nadi (Port Denarau)?

Prices for flights to both Nadi (Port Denarau) and Lake Tekapo 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
    Lake Tekapo $22
    Nadi (Port Denarau) $69

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Lake Tekapo -
    Nadi (Port Denarau) $32

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: $34
  • Dark Sky Indoor Maori Cultural Astronomy Experience: $36
  • Virtual Stargazing and Astronomy Experience: $52
  • Virtual Stargazing & Astronomy Experience in Lake Tekapo: $54
  • Alpine Stargazing Experience with a Guide: $57
  • Silver River Stargazing Experience in Lake Tekapo: $59
  • Mt. Hay Farm Experience Genuine Country Farming(Carbon Positive): $59
  • Stargazing Experience: $70
  • Chameleon Stargazing Shared Tour: $71
  • Stargazing Experience at Cowan's Observatory: $75
  • Stargazing Experience at Cowan's Private Observatory: $79
  • Lake Tekapo High Country Farm Tour (Carbon Positive): $86

Tours and Activities in Nadi (Port Denarau)

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Nadi (Port Denarau) are as follows:

  • Nadi Sightseeing Including Viseisei Lookout, Village Tour, Garden & Temple Tour: $70
  • Sabeto Hot Springs and Mud Pool Tour: $73
  • Shore Excursion-Wonders of Nadi Sightseeing Tour-Temple,Gardens,Markets&Shopping: $77
  • Coral Coast Sightseeing & Pottery Village Tour: $80
  • Cultural Night Tour: $80
  • Nadi Therapeutic Mud Pools and Garden Tour - Shore Excursions EX PORT DENARAU: $82
  • Nadi Heritage Tour : $82
  • Authentic Fijian Day Tour: $83
  • Fiji Lautoka Shore Excursions Tour : $92
  • Coral Coast Heritage Tour : $99
  • Nadi Sightseeing & Mud Pool Tour - Ex Fiji Marriott, Momi Bay: $100
  • Biausevu Waterfall Tour (Sigatoka) : $100

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Lake Tekapo -
    Nadi (Port Denarau) $11


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

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


Which is Bigger, Lake Tekapo or Nadi (Port Denarau)?

Nadi (Port Denarau) has a larger population, and is about 130 times larger than the population of Lake Tekapo. When comparing the sizes of Lake Tekapo and Nadi (Port Denarau), 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.