Is Lake Tekapo Expensive?

Is Lake Tekapo expensive to visit?

While Lake Tekapo is a popular place for travelers, it is also somewhat affordable and less expensive to visit. The average daily cost is $76, which is one of the many reasons for its popularity with tourists. When compared to other destinations in the Pacific, which is known to be an expensive region, many visitors find it to be a very affordable destination. It's in the top 10% of places in the Pacific for its affordability, and our cost analysis found it to be comparable to Paihia.



Lake Tekapo, New Zealand

How expensive is Lake Tekapo?

The average cost of traveling to Lake Tekapo can vary widely based on many factors, but our calculations based on previous travlers show that the average daily cost is $76 (U.S. Dollars). Your travel style, accommodation preferences, dining choices, and trip duration can alter your individual budget, as you can find a wide array of accommodation, food, and entertainment options available for your visit. Sticking to mid-range hotels, affordable restaurants, and public transit when available can keep your costs close to this calculated average. See more travel costs for Lake Tekapo here.

How expensive is a weekend trip (three days) to Lake Tekapo?

Based on our calculations from previous travelers, a weekend trip to Lake Tekapo will cost around $227 per person. This amount includes sightseeing activities, hotels, restaurants, local transportation, and other travel expenses. For two people, a weekend trip would cost $455.

How expensive is a one week (7-day) trip to Lake Tekapo?

On average, a one week trip to Lake Tekapo costs about $531 per person. This is based on the previous expenses of actual travelers, and includes accommodation, food, activities, local transportation, and more. For two people, a one week trip costs $1,061.

Is it expensive to backpack in Lake Tekapo?

Lake Tekapo is a fairly common backpacker destination with more than 3 hostels in the area. Dorm beds in hostels average about $31 per night. (See hostel prices in Lake Tekapo here.) Keep in mind that you'll find a wide range in prices here, too. The most expensive beds are priced around $35 and the cheapest around $25 per night.

Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Lake Tekapo.

  • $25 for a dorm bed at Lakes Edge Lodge
  • $32 for a dorm bed at Tailor Made Tekapo Accommodation
  • $35 for a dorm bed at Haka House Lake Tekapo

Are hotels expensive in Lake Tekapo?

From our analysis of hotel prices in Lake Tekapo, we can see that they are somewhat more expensive in comparison to the rest of the world. On average, a night in a hotel room costs approximately $163. The area hosts around [5_STAR_COUNT] five-star hotels, averaging [5_STAR_PRICE] per night. For those with an eye on both comfort and economy, three-star hotels present a reasonable choice at an average of $137 per night, while two-star hotels offer an even more economical option at [2_STAR_PRICE] per night.


Hotels by star rating in Lake Tekapo
Rating Number of Hotels Average Hotel Price
4 stars 6 $176
3 stars 6 $137

36 Murray Place, Lake Tekapo
Overall Rating 9.1

How expensive are sightseeing activities in Lake Tekapo?

Activities and things to do in Lake Tekapo can vary in price depending on the type of activity, length, and location. Below are a number of popular activities to give you an idea of what to expect when visiting. Generally, previous travelers have spent $0 per day on sightseeing activities and things to do when visiting, which is less than the country's average of $36.

    • Chameleon Stargazing Shared Tour: $60
    • 45 Minutes Virtual Stargazing Experience in Lake Tekapo: $43
    • Scenic 4WD Tour Lake Tekapo Backcountry: $181
    • Lake Tekapo Tour Scenic 4WD Mountains & Glaciers: $182
    • Mt Cook Day Tour From Tekapo (Small Group, Carbon Neutral): $151
    • Summit Experience - University of Canterbury Mt John Observatory: $115
    • Dark Sky Indoor Cultural Astronomy Experience: $31
    • Crater Experience at Cowan's Observatory: $85

    Is food expensive in Lake Tekapo?

    Food in Lake Tekapo can vary in price depending on the restaurant and food options available. Generally, other travelers have spent $13 on food per person per day, which is less than the country's average of $31. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible.

    Is transportation expensive in Lake Tekapo?

    Exploring local transportation in Lake Tekapo shows that the price can vary greatly by the type of transportation used. On average, previous travelers have spent $0 per person per day, which is less than the country's average of $20. If you want to save money, use public transit as it's much cheaper than taxis or private drivers.

    More for Lake Tekapo

    If you're planning a trip to Lake Tekapo, New Zealand, check out these other informative travel guides.



    We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.



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