Which place is cheaper, Lake Tekapo or Nakhon Ratchasima?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Nakhon Ratchasima or Lake Tekapo?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Nakhon Ratchasima or Lake Tekapo, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Nakhon Ratchasima or Lake Tekapo?
Nakhon Ratchasima
If you're planning on traveling from Bangkok to Isaan, you'll likely make Nakhon Ratchasima your pit stop or home base. However, there is so much more to this sprawling metropolis than just a layover. Underneath the chaos of it all, is a charming and traditional Thai city.
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 Tours for Seniors to Thailand, The Best Contiki Tours to Thailand, The Best Tours for Seniors to New Zealand, and The Best Contiki Tours to New Zealand.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNakhon Ratchasima $40Lake Tekapo $75
The average daily cost (per person) in Nakhon Ratchasima is $40, while the average daily cost in Lake Tekapo is $75. 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 Nakhon Ratchasima and Lake Tekapo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNakhon Ratchasima $19Lake Tekapo $59
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNakhon Ratchasima $38Lake Tekapo $118
Compare Hotels in Nakhon Ratchasima and Lake Tekapo
Looking for a hotel in Nakhon Ratchasima 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: Nakhon Ratchasima Hotel Prices and Lake Tekapo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nakhon Ratchasima $4.50Lake Tekapo -
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nakhon Ratchasima
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Nakhon Ratchasima:
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Tuk Tuk$1.36
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Bus to Vientiane$1.36
Is it cheaper to fly into Nakhon Ratchasima or Lake Tekapo?
Prices for flights to both Lake Tekapo and Nakhon Ratchasima 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 dayNakhon Ratchasima $15Lake Tekapo $13
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Nakhon Ratchasima $5.81Lake Tekapo -
Tours and Activities in Lake Tekapo
Here are a few actual costs in Lake Tekapo for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Lake Tekapo Tour Scenic 4WD Mountains & Glaciers: $181
- 45 Minutes Virtual Stargazing Experience in Lake Tekapo: $43
- Arthur's Pass and Mount Cook: 2-Day Tour From Christchurch: $1,455
- Chameleon Stargazing Shared Tour: $60
- Crater Experience at Cowan's Observatory: $85
- Dark Sky Indoor Cultural Astronomy Experience: $31
- From Tekapo: Mt Cook day tour via Pukaki, Tasman Glacier: $100
- High Country Farm Tour - Lake Tekapo: $59
- Lake Tekapo Fishing Tour: $178
- Lake Tekapo Guided 4WD Tours: $178
- Lake Tekapo Scenic 4WD Cass Valley Wilderness Tour: $178
- Alpine Stargazing Experience with a Guide: $59
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNakhon Ratchasima $10Lake Tekapo -
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nakhon Ratchasima and Lake Tekapo, we can see that Lake Tekapo is more expensive. And not only is Nakhon Ratchasima much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Nakhon Ratchasima is in Asia and Lake Tekapo 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 Nakhon Ratchasima would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nakhon Ratchasima 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 Lake Tekapo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lake Tekapo than you might in Nakhon Ratchasima.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Nakhon Ratchasima Expensive? and Is Lake Tekapo Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Nakhon Ratchasima or Lake Tekapo?
Lake Tekapo has a larger population, and is about 330 times larger than the population of Nakhon Ratchasima. When comparing the sizes of Nakhon Ratchasima 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.