Which place is cheaper, Tauranga or Lhasa?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Lhasa or Tauranga?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Lhasa or Tauranga? 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 Tauranga?
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.
Tauranga
Tauranga is a city on the North Island of New Zealand. It is situated on the western side of the Bay of Plenty, which is on the east coast of the island. Its population of 130,000 makes it the fifth largest city in the country. Tauranga is a Maori word translated roughly to 'a sheltered anchorage'. This makes sense as the town is located near a very large harbor and protected by Matakana Island. Mount Maunganui is at the headland of the town and regarded as a suburb of Tauranga. The beach at Mt Maunganui is a surfing hot spot. The climate is mostly warm and dry because of the town's sheltered position.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in China, The Best Cultural Tours in China, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in New Zealand, and The Best 2-Week Tours in New Zealand.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLhasa $71Tauranga $103
The average daily cost (per person) in Lhasa is $71, while the average daily cost in Tauranga is $103. 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 Tauranga in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLhasa $39Tauranga $74
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLhasa $78Tauranga $148
Compare Hotels in Lhasa and Tauranga
Looking for a hotel in Lhasa or Tauranga? 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: Tauranga Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Lhasa $2.56Tauranga $6.78
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tauranga
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tauranga:
- Roundtrip Transfer from Port of Tauranga Omanu Golf Club: $73
Is it cheaper to fly into Lhasa or Tauranga?
Prices for flights to both Tauranga 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 $26Tauranga $22
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Lhasa $17Tauranga $10
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
- Private Full-Day Tour w/ Lunch: $800
- 5 Days Classic Lhasa Tour with Yamdrok Lake in Tibet: $999
- Nepal Tibet Tour 8 Days: $2,729
Tours and Activities in Tauranga
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Tauranga are as follows:
- 2-Hour Tauranga & Mount Maunganui City & Scenic Local Tour: $45
- 3hr Tauranga Sun-downer History Tour COMPLIMENTARY Wine or Beer: $54
- 4hr Shore Excursion - History and Tasting Tour FREE Kiwifruit Tasting: $57
- 4hr Tauranga Scenic History and Tasting Tour FREE Kiwifruit Tasting: $57
- 6hr Hobbiton Movie Set Tour - Departs Tauranga: $142
- 6hr Rotorua Geothermal Wonderland Tour - Departs Tauranga: $139
- 7hr Waimangu Geothermal Valley & Lake Rotomahana Tour - Departs Tauranga: $131
- Boutique tour , Mt Maunganui, NZ farm, Rotorua lakes/geothermal : $138
- Evening Glow Worm Kayak Tour in Tauranga: $136
- From Dolphin and Wildlife Cruise: $101
- From Half-Day Swimming with Dolphins Tour: $89
- Half Day Dolphin & Wildlife Cruise - Tauranga: $106
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLhasa $6.90Tauranga $10
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lhasa and Tauranga, we can see that Tauranga 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 Tauranga 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 Tauranga would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tauranga 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 Tauranga Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Lhasa or Tauranga?
Lhasa has a larger population, and is about 8% larger than the population of Tauranga. When comparing the sizes of Lhasa and Tauranga, 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.