Which place is cheaper, Alice Springs or Lhasa?
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 Lhasa or Alice Springs?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Lhasa or Alice Springs? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Lhasa or Alice Springs?
Lhasa
Lhasa is the famed capital of Tibet, and is one of the most fascinating cities in the world to visit. It's name means "Land of the Gods" and the city dates back more than 1,300 years. It's elevation is 3,650 meters above sea level, making it one of the highest cities in the world. It sits on the northern slopes of the Himalayan Mountains by the Lhasa River and is the second largest city on the Tibetan Plateau after Xining.
Alice Springs
Alice Springs is in the middle of Central Australia and is most famous as a base for exploring the famous rock, Uluru. Alice Springs itself has grown dramatically from what was once a small outpost. The tourist boom began in the early 1980s and the population is now somewhere around 28,000. The city now has all of the necessary facilities to cater to the influx of tourists who swing through to see Uluru. The town is 1500km from Darwin, which is the closest major city. Adelaide is just as far to the south. It's remote location means that costs can be higher than they are elsewhere in Australia. Expect to pay more for anything from fruits and vegetables to clothing and souvenirs. When making a reservation for a hotel, do note that the rating scale differs from elsewhere in Australia or in most western countries. The ratings come from the amenities available and have little to do with the actual room quality.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in China, The Best Cultural Tours in China, The Best 2-Week Tours in Australia, and The Best 3-Week Tours in Australia.
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Lhasa Prices
China PricesAlice Springs Prices
Australia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLhasa $91Alice Springs $113
The average daily cost (per person) in Lhasa is $91, while the average daily cost in Alice Springs is $113. 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 Lhasa and Alice Springs in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLhasa $40Alice Springs $50
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLhasa $80Alice Springs $100
Compare Hotels in Lhasa and Alice Springs
Looking for a hotel in Lhasa or Alice Springs? 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: Alice Springs Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Lhasa $2.60Alice Springs $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lhasa
Also for Lhasa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Lhasa Kongga Airport private Transfer: $260
- Lhasa Kongga Airport Chauffeur Service, Lhasa Airport Transfer, Pickup: $170
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Alice Springs
Also for Alice Springs, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Uluru to Alice Springs or Alice to Uluru 1-Way Luxe Transfer: $168
- Alice Springs to Uluru (Ayers Rock) Coach Transfer: $171
Is it cheaper to fly into Lhasa or Alice Springs?
Prices for flights to both Alice Springs and Lhasa 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 dayLhasa $46Alice Springs $42
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Alice Springs
For Alice Springs, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- From Day Trip to Uluru with BBQ Dinner: $242
- Ayers Rock Day Trip from Alice Springs Including BBQ Dinner: $246
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Lhasa $17Alice Springs $14
Tours and Activities in Lhasa
For Lhasa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 17 Days Kailash Mansarovar Tour & Guge Kingdom Exploration: $13,185
- 17-Day Tibet Tour with Everest Base Camp: $3,759
- 5-Day Private Tour with Potala Palace & Yamdrok Lake: $1,299
Tours and Activities in Alice Springs
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Alice Springs.
- A Town Like Alice: Half-Day Tour of Alice Springs: $118
- Alice Springs Airport to West MacDonnell Half-Day Tour : $108
- Alice Springs Desert Park General Entry Ticket: $27
- Alice Springs Desert Park Nocturnal Tour: $28
- Alice Springs Tour to West MacDonnell Ranges with Lunch: $116
- Desert Park Entry Ticket: $26
- Larapinta Hiking Trail 5 Day Adventure Safari: $2,067
- Red Centre Journey Tour with Morning Tea: $114
- West MacDonnell Ranges & Standley Chasm Tour: $129
- Alice Town And Country Half Day Sunset Tour - Small Group: $127
- Alice Town and Country Half Day Sunset Tour -Small Group: $129
- Art Centre Tour in Alice Springs: $50
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLhasa $7.01Alice Springs $17
Typical Alcohol Prices in Alice Springs
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Alice Springs:
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Glass of Wine in Alice Springs$4.58
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lhasa and Alice Springs, we can see that Alice Springs is more expensive. And not only is Lhasa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Lhasa is in Asia and Alice Springs 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 Lhasa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lhasa 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 Alice Springs would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Alice Springs than you might in Lhasa.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Lhasa Expensive? and Is Alice Springs Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Lhasa or Alice Springs?
Lhasa has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Alice Springs. When comparing the sizes of Lhasa and Alice Springs, 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.