Which place is cheaper, Lake Tekapo or Dalian?
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 Dalian or Lake Tekapo?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Dalian or Lake Tekapo? 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: Dalian or Lake Tekapo?
Dalian
Dalian, China is a very large peninsula city located in the southernmost part of the Liaoning Province in northeast China. The area has a wealth of history, with roots in Russian and Japanese rule, resulting in unique architecture and many universities that attract foreign students and teachers. Dalian is also known for their beautiful green spaces and relaxing beaches which juxtapose a lot of the more industrial cities found throughout other areas of northern China.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to China, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, The Best Tours for Seniors to New Zealand, and The Best Contiki Tours to New Zealand.
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Dalian Prices
China PricesLake Tekapo Prices
New Zealand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDalian $124Lake Tekapo $84
The average daily cost (per person) in Dalian is $124, 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 Dalian and Lake Tekapo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDalian $55Lake Tekapo $59
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDalian $110Lake Tekapo $118
Compare Hotels in Dalian and Lake Tekapo
Looking for a hotel in Dalian 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: Lake Tekapo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dalian $41Lake Tekapo -
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dalian
Also for Dalian, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport Chauffeur Service , to Dalian Transfer: $27
- Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport Chauffeur Service , to Dalian Transfer: $40
Is it cheaper to fly into Dalian or Lake Tekapo?
Prices for flights to both Lake Tekapo and Dalian 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 dayDalian $48Lake Tekapo $22
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dalian $4.86Lake Tekapo -
Tours and Activities in Dalian
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Dalian.
- Seaside and Skyline A Scenic Walking Tour of Dalian: $150
- Waves & Wharfs: Dalian's Chill Soul 1-Day Tour: $215
- Dalian City Private Day Tour in Your Way: $250
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: $71
- 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: $208
- Lake Tekapo Ultimate Stargazing Experience: $118
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDalian $6.41Lake Tekapo -
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dalian and Lake Tekapo, we can see that Dalian is more expensive. And not only is Lake Tekapo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dalian 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 Lake Tekapo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lake Tekapo 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 Dalian would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dalian than you might in Lake Tekapo.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Dalian Expensive? and Is Lake Tekapo Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dalian or Lake Tekapo?
Dalian has a larger population, and is about 6170 times larger than the population of Lake Tekapo. When comparing the sizes of Dalian 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.