Which place is cheaper, Auckland or Lhasa?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Lhasa or Auckland?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Lhasa or Auckland? 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 Auckland?
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.
Auckland
Auckland is located on the North Island of New Zealand on an isthmus between the Northland Peninsula and the other parts of the North Island. Auckland is not only a city but also a region. In 2010 New Zealand combined what had previously been four separate cities into one region. These cities include the southern city of Manukau, the western city of Waitakere, the North Shore in the north, and Auckland City. The City of Auckland is the largest city in Polynesia and is very diverse with many expatriates from elsewhere in Polynesia. This diversity becomes most apparent in Auckland's many festivals and sporting events.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in China, The Best Cultural Tours in China, The Best Wildlife Tours to New Zealand, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in New Zealand.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLhasa $71Auckland $139
The average daily cost (per person) in Lhasa is $71, while the average daily cost in Auckland is $139. 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 Auckland in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLhasa $39Auckland $88
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLhasa $78Auckland $176
Compare Hotels in Lhasa and Auckland
Looking for a hotel in Lhasa or Auckland? 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: Auckland Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Lhasa $2.56Auckland $16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lhasa
Also for Lhasa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Lhasa Kongga Airport Chauffeur Service, Lhasa Airport Transfer, Pickup: $170
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Auckland
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Auckland:
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Bus from Airport$9.51
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Airport Shuttle$15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Auckland
Also for Auckland, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Auckland Port to Auckland Airport (AKL): $55
- Private Transfer from Auckland City to Auckland Cruise Port: $39
- Private Transfer from Auckland Airport (AKL) to Tauranga Port: $145
- Private Transfer from Auckland Airport (AKL) to Auckland Port: $55
- Private Transfer North Shore or Henderson to Auckland Airport AKL by Luxury Car: $112
- Private Transfer From Cruise Ships To Auckland Airport : $121
- Private Transfer From Auckland CBD Hotels To Cruise Ship: $72
- Private Luxury Transfers from Auckland Airport TO Auckland Hotels: $145
- Private Auckland Airport Transfer to/from Auckland Hotels - Van: $109
- Premium Auckland Airport Transfer: $84
- Luxury Airport transfers in Auckland : $139
- Luxury Airport Transfers Auckland : $133
Is it cheaper to fly into Lhasa or Auckland?
Prices for flights to both Auckland 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 $26Auckland $27
Typical Food Prices in Auckland
For Auckland, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Breakfast$4.75
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Auckland
For Auckland, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Auckland Harbour 3-Course Dinner Cruise with Welcome Drink: $89
- Auckland Harbour Sailboat Cruise Including Three Course Dinner: $90
- Flavours of the City Walking Food Tour: $104
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Lhasa $17Auckland $27
Tours and Activities in Lhasa
For Lhasa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 4 Days Lhasa City Essence Tour: $745
- 4 Days Lhasa City Tibet Tour included Permit issued: $760
- 5 Days Classic Lhasa Tour with Yamdrok Lake in Tibet: $999
- Private Full-Day Tour w/ Lunch: $800
- Nepal Tibet Tour 8 Days: $2,729
Typical Entertainment Prices in Auckland
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Auckland's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Auckland Sky Tour (for 2)$33
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Waiheke Island Tour (for 2)$120
Tours and Activities in Auckland
For Auckland, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2-Hour Stand-Up Paddle Boarding Tour to Lucas Creek Waterfall: $66
- 4 Hours Private Tour in Auckland : $241
- 6 Hours Sightseeing Tour in Auckland: $127
- Afternoon Piha Beach and Rainforest Tour from Auckland: $112
- All Auckland City Hotels to Cruise Ship / Port: $48
- America’s Cup 2-Hour Sailing Experience Waitemata Harbour: $113
- Auckland Best Top 5 Spots Half day Tour small group : $115
- Auckland Bioluminescence Kayak Tour: $66
- Auckland City & West Coast Luxury Tour: $205
- Auckland City Highlights Experience - Fully Guided Small Group Day Tour: $196
- Auckland City Highlights Half Day Tour: $95
- Auckland City Highlights and Hidden Gems Half Day Tour: $109
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLhasa $6.90Auckland $13
Sample the Local Flavors in Auckland
Also in Auckland, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Waiheke Island: Scenic Wine Tour Tasting Wines on Waiheke: $92
- Muriwai Scenic Wine Tour from Auckland: $106
- Waiheke Island: The Essence of Waiheke Wine Tour: $131
- Waiheke Island Gourmet Food and Wine Tour with Platter Lunch: $148
- Waiheke Island: Tour with Wine Tastings and Restaurant Lunch: $148
- From Waiheke Island Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch: $151
- From Small Group Kumeu Wine Tour with Lunch: $169
- Small-Group Kumeu Wine Country Tour Includes Wine Tastings & Lunch: $172
- Piha Waitakere Rainforest Wine Tour from Auckland: $178
- Auckland Coastal Experience - Small Group City & Beach Tour Incl. Wine Tasting: $196
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lhasa and Auckland, we can see that Auckland 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 Auckland 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 Auckland would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Auckland 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 Auckland Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Lhasa or Auckland?
Auckland has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Lhasa. When comparing the sizes of Lhasa and Auckland, 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.