A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Phuket vs. Lake Tekapo for Food, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Phuket or Lake Tekapo?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Phuket 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.

Phuket

Phuket is a activity-filled, energetic, and party-hard resort island. Phuket offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches. See Phuket travel costs.

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo is a small, remote, and basic town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. The beauty of Lake Tekapo is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the hiking. See Lake Tekapo travel costs.

Phuket and Lake Tekapo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Phuket or Lake Tekapo?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Phuket. Although Phuket and Lake Tekapo are both popular with visitors, Phuket has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Phuket is more popular for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and shopping, while Lake Tekapo is known for its hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Phuket is more touristy than Lake Tekapo and is known for its long sandy beaches, wild nightlife, colorful resorts, and easy access to day tours. It is also home to The Seated Maravija Buddha Statue (Big Buddha). Lake Tekapo is popular for its hot springs, remote location, and beautiful night sky.

How is Phuket different from Lake Tekapo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Lake Tekapo and Phuket. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Is the Food Better in Phuket or Lake Tekapo? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Phuket is a great destination for its restaurant scene. However, Lake Tekapo is a town with minimal options for its local flavors and cuisine.

Dining out in Phuket is an experience not to be missed. Because it served as an international port for so long, food around the island has many international influences. For the most authentic local food, head into Phuket Town. Many dishes include seafood, but there are also chicken curries and noodle soup. Like elsewhere in Thailand, the food can be quite spicy but because the island is so touristy, they're accustomed to people asking for "no spice."

Lake Tekapo offers some easy restaurants to choose from. The town is very small with just a couple of restaurants and fast food joints.

Is Phuket or Lake Tekapo Better for Nightlife?

Phuket is terrific for its evening party scene. However, Lake Tekapo is a town with minimal options for nightlife.

Phuket is a must-see party destination. The island has a long running reputation as a party destination and it lives up to expectations. The biggest party area is Patong, particularly around Bangla Road, but even in Kata and Karon, it's hard to escape the party atmosphere.

The nightlife scene is quiet in Lake Tekapo This is a very small town and there isn't a real nightlife scene. The night sky is incredible though, and you should absolutely do some stargazing.

Is Phuket or Lake Tekapo Better for Resorts?

Phuket is terrific for its resorts. However, Lake Tekapo is not a resort destination.

Vacationers flock to Phuket for its luxury resorts. It's easy accessibility and larger size make this the premiere resort destination in Thailand. There are five star resorts, family-friendly resorts, and everything in between. Many people use the island as a base for exploring other nearby islands. Any resort or tour company can arrange excursions or activities for guests.

Lake Tekapo is not a resort destination.

Is Phuket or Lake Tekapo Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Phuket is a great destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Lake Tekapo is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There are many scuba diving and snorkeling spots near Phuket. You can dive and snorkel year round, but the visibility is usually best between November and May. There are countless boat tours available and the easy accessibility make this a good base for snorkeling and diving. Many areas are overrun with tourists though, so it'll be hard to find a quiet, undisturbed location.

Lake Tekapo is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Phuket or Lake Tekapo Better for Beaches?

Phuket is terrific for the beach. However, Lake Tekapo is not a beach destination.

Phuket offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. The island has more than 30 beaches to choose from, ranging from party hard areas to a few quieter gems in more remote locations. The area became a world-famous destination because of its white sand beaches and crystal clear waters, and the beaches will not disappoint, even if development has taken over the island.

Lake Tekapo is not a beach destination.

Is Phuket or Lake Tekapo Better for Hiking?

Lake Tekapo is a great destination for its hiking experiences. However, Phuket is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Lake Tekapo. There are many beautiful hikes in the area with some of the most popular being the Mount John Summit Track, the Richmond Trail, and Cowan's Hill Walkway.

Phuket is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Phuket or Lake Tekapo?

Phuket is a good destination for its shopping areas. However, Lake Tekapo is a town with minimal options for shopping.

Many visitors go to Phuket to go shopping. Shopping malls offer a range of stores, air conditioning, and fixed prices while markets have more local items and unique souvenirs. There are also galleries and other souvenir shops all over the island.

Shopping in Lake Tekapo can be found for those interested. There are a couple of shops where you can pick up basic necessities.

Is Phuket or Lake Tekapo More Beautiful?

Lake Tekapo is a great destination for its scenery and beauty. Also, Phuket is still popular, but not quite as popular for its scenery and beauty.

The beauty of Lake Tekapo is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. You really want to get out of town and explore the area's stunning natural beauty.

Phuket offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It is a mix of beautiful beaches and tourist crowds. The island is very developed with a combination of 5 star hotels, souvenir shops, and tour companies. Because of the many excursions leaving from the island, many visitors find it a makes a good base for exploring the area.

Is Phuket or Lake Tekapo Better for Families?

Lake Tekapo is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Phuket is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Lake Tekapo is a very kid-friendly town. Kids will enjoy a visit to Tekapo Springs, which is particularly fun in the winter months. There's snow tubing, ice skating, and, of course, the hot pools. There are also short hikes in the area like the Mount John Summit Walk. Biking, paddleboarding, and kayaking are also popular in the area.

Phuket offers lots of family activities. Many people visit this island with kids because it has beautiful beaches and tons of activities including water sports, water parks, and amusement areas. The island is filled with a diversity of tourists, so you'll encounter a number of areas with party-hard atmospheres, but there are also tons of family-friendly resorts to choose from as well.

Is Phuket or Lake Tekapo Better for Couples?

Phuket is a great destination for couples. Also, Lake Tekapo is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Couples visit Phuket frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The island is filled with beautiful beaches and plenty of activities for all travel styles. It's a tourist and party mecca in Thailand with many resorts and restaurants to choose from.

Lake Tekapo is a nice destination for couples. Couples will enjoy the stunning scenery, beautiful hikes, and the romantic hot springs. Stargazing is another popular activity in the area.

Is Phuket or Lake Tekapo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Phuket and Lake Tekapo are good places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Phuket. It has a long history as a party island with expensive prices and hordes of tourists. While it gets its share of backpackers, many visitors complain about the lack of authenticity and prefer to spend their time elsewhere.

Lake Tekapo is a good resort island to visit for backpackers. It's a small town with a couple of cheap places to stay that backpackers will appreciate.

Is Phuket or Lake Tekapo Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Phuket is a good destination for its public transit. However, Lake Tekapo is a town with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Phuket, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Tuk tuks, buses, and motorbike taxis are all available on the island. The buses are usually Songtaew, which have open air seating areas.

Public transit is quite limited in Lake Tekapo. Public transportation in the area is very limited. If you don't have a car, you'll want to arrange tours to get out and about.

Is Phuket or Lake Tekapo a more walkable city?

Phuket and Lake Tekapo both are good when exploring on foot.

Phuket is a somewhat walkable place. Most of the hotels and resorts are walking distance to the beach and many resort areas are small enough to be explored on foot.

Lake Tekapo is a somewhat walkable resort island. The town is small enough to get around on foot, and you can hire a tour to get out into the region.

For even more information, also check out Is Phuket Worth Visiting? and Is Lake Tekapo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Lake Tekapo or Phuket?

How long in Phuket or Lake Tekapo?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Phuket or Lake Tekapo to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Phuket than Lake Tekapo because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Phuket, and 1-2 days is enough time in Lake Tekapo.

Couples should spend more time in Phuket than Lake Tekapo. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Phuket that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Phuket than Lake Tekapo if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Phuket.

One day in Phuket or Lake Tekapo?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the stunning resort island of Phuket. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Many travelers enjoy the when visiting the destination of Lake Tekapo. Hikers are also drawn to this area. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Phuket or Lake Tekapo?

Visitors enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the energetic destination of Phuket. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This resort island offers something for everyone. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Lake Tekapo is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Phuket or Lake Tekapo?

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the stunning resort island of Phuket. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Many people spend five days here.If you enjoy all that's offered here, then five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Lake Tekapo. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Phuket or Lake Tekapo?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Phuket. Anyone can find something fun to do here. This is a popular place to visit for one week. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. In one week, you should have a good grasp of this resort island.

Travelers enjoy the when visiting the small destination of Lake Tekapo. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Thailand, The Best 2-Week Tours in Thailand, The Best Tours for Seniors to New Zealand, and The Best Contiki Tours to New Zealand.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Phuket and Lake Tekapo, we can see that Phuket is more expensive. And not only is Lake Tekapo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Phuket 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 Phuket would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Phuket 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 Phuket Expensive? and Is Lake Tekapo Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Phuket or Lake Tekapo?

Phuket has a larger population, and is about 270 times larger than the population of Lake Tekapo. When comparing the sizes of Phuket 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.