Which place is cheaper, Lake Tekapo or Pai?
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 Pai or Lake Tekapo?
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 Pai and Lake Tekapo. 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: Pai or Lake Tekapo?
Pai
As the lush green mountains adorn the blue horizon amidst its creamy clouds, Pai, in northern Thailand, works as one of the many hubs for some of the world's most exciting cultural adventures and natural wonders. Within this small town just north of the Mae Hong Son Province, near the Myanmar border, Pai lays on the Pai River and holds a population of no more than 2,500. Despite its geographical insignificance, this town attracts a wide array of tourists. From breathtaking waterfalls to relaxing hot springs, you will find yourself astonished at how much this little city holds within its borders.
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 G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket, The Best Tours for Seniors to New Zealand, and The Best Contiki Tours to New Zealand.
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Pai Prices
Thailand PricesLake Tekapo Prices
New Zealand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPai $91Lake Tekapo $84
The average daily cost (per person) in Pai is $91, while the average daily cost in Lake Tekapo is $84. 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 Pai and Lake Tekapo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPai $16Lake Tekapo $59
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPai $32Lake Tekapo $118
Compare Hotels in Pai and Lake Tekapo
Looking for a hotel in Pai 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: Pai Hotel Prices and Lake Tekapo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pai $42Lake Tekapo -
Is it cheaper to fly into Pai or Lake Tekapo?
Prices for flights to both Lake Tekapo and Pai 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 dayPai $42Lake Tekapo $22
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pai $46Lake Tekapo -
Tours and Activities in Lake Tekapo
Here are a few actual costs in Lake Tekapo for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Chameleon Stargazing Shared Tour: $72
- Christchurch: Mt Cook & Lake Tekapo Small Group Day Tour: $173
- Christchurch: Mt Cook Full-Day Private Tour via Lake Tekapo: $180
- Christchurch: to Queenstown via Mt Cook 1 Way Tour: $231
- Dark Sky Indoor Maori Cultural Astronomy Experience: $36
- Highlights Tour with Tasting & Sunset in Oia: $116
- Lake Tekapo Fishing Tour: $191
- Lake Tekapo Guided 4WD Tours (Small Group, Carbon Positive): $173
- Lake Tekapo High Country Farm Tour (Carbon Positive): $86
- Lake Tekapo Scenic 4WD Cass Valley Wilderness Tour: $202
- Lake Tekapo Scenic Wilderness Cass Valley Tour: $209
- Lake Tekapo Ultimate Stargazing Experience: $119
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPai $15Lake Tekapo -
When comparing the travel costs between Pai and Lake Tekapo, we can see that Pai is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Pai is in Asia and Lake Tekapo is in Pacific, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Pai Expensive? and Is Lake Tekapo Expensive?.
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.