A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Aqaba vs. Osaka for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Aqaba or Osaka?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Aqaba or Osaka, 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: Aqaba or Osaka?

Aqaba

Aqaba is a port city in Jordan, in fact, it is the only port city in the country. This city is located on the Gulf of Aqaba on the Red Sea, which is in the southern part of Jordan. The city is still being developed; many of its facilities and infrastructures are being improved. The population of Aqaba is about 190,000 and the city has been key in developing Jordan's economy via trade and tourism.

Osaka

The third largest city in Japan, Osaka has a lot to offer travelers. It's at the center of the Kansai region, and is a wonderful place to spend a few days. The city sits at the mouth of the Yodo River on Osaka Bay and is a major commercial hub for the country.

Osaka has a humid subtropical climate with four seasons. The winters are mild with January temperatures having an average high of almost 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Snow is very rare. Springs start cool and become hot and humid. This is also the wettest season with the rainiest time being between May and early July. Summers are hot and humid with July temperatures climbing into the high 90s Fahrenheit. The fall season becomes cooler as winter approaches.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Jordan, The Best Budget Tours to Jordan, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Japan, and The Best Adventure Tours to Japan.


Which place is cheaper, Osaka or Aqaba?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Aqaba is $127, while the average daily cost in Osaka is $88. 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 Aqaba and Osaka in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Aqaba $59
    Osaka $45
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Aqaba $118
    Osaka $90
Compare Hotels in Aqaba and Osaka

Looking for a hotel in Aqaba or Osaka? 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.

Hotels in Aqaba


Hotels in Osaka


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: Aqaba Hotel Prices and Osaka Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Aqaba $24
    Osaka $14

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Aqaba

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Aqaba:

  • Transfers from Aqaba Airport to Aqaba city: $50
  • Transfers , Meet & Assistance at Wadi Araba Crossing Border : $133
  • Transfer from Aqaba City Or TalaBay to Amman Airport: $101
  • Transfer from Aqaba Airport to Petra: $60
  • Transfer From Aqaba Airport to Petra: $59
  • Transfer From Aqaba Airport to Aqaba City Or TalaBay: $25
  • Snorkeling in The Red Sea With Equipment And Free Transfer: $29
  • Private Transfers from Wadi Rum: Dead Sea, Petra, Amman, Aqaba & vice versa: $107
  • Private Transfers Aqaba to Dead Sea, Petra, Wadi Rum, Amman & vice versa: $47
  • Private Transfer: From Amman City To Wadi Rum: $209
  • Private Transfer: Aqaba Hotels to Aqaba Airport: $27
  • Private Transfer: Aqaba Airport to Sheikh Hussein Border or vice versa: $193

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Osaka

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Osaka:


  • Subway
    $7.83

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Osaka

Also for Osaka, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Airport Transfer from Osaka city to Kansai airport: $68
  • Airport Transfer! Osaka Airport (ITM) to Center of hotel in Osaka: $150
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Itama Airport ITM to Osaka City by Minivan: $75
  • Departure Private Transfers: Osaka City to Kansai Airport KIX in Business Van: $236
  • Itami Airport (ITM): Private One-Way Transfer to/from Kyoto: $199
  • Itami Airport (ITM): Private One-Way Transfer to/from Nara: $215
  • Itami Airport (ITM): Private One-Way Transfer to/from Osaka: $87
  • Itami Airport (ITM): Private One-Way Transfer ⇋ Osaka: $158
  • Itami Airport Private One-Way Transfer to/from Kobe: $177
  • Itami Airport Private One-Way Transfer to/from Kyoto: $208
  • Itami Airport Private One-Way Transfer to/from Nara: $240
  • Kansai Airport (KIX) - Osaka City Private One-way Transfer: $145

Is it cheaper to fly into Aqaba or Osaka?

Prices for flights to both Osaka and Aqaba 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Aqaba $42
    Osaka $25

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Aqaba

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Aqaba.

  • Suhaila (connecting through cooking): $50
  • Explore Wadi Rum: Jeep Tour, Bed and Breakfast, and Dinner: $64
  • 4 hour desert jeep tour with overnight in beduin camp including dinner&breakfast: $85
  • Wadi Rum Full Day Jeep Tour + Overnight + Dinner in Bedouin Camp: $87
  • Wadi Rum Full Day Jeep Tour + Overnight in Bedouin Camp & Dinner : $88
  • 2 Day Wadi Rum Tour: Traditional Dinner and Starlit Cave Camp: $115
  • Wadi Rum Full Day Jeep Tour + Overnight + Dinner Under the Stars: $135
  • From Wadi Rum Full-Day Private Jeep Tour with Dinner: $169
  • From Aqaba to Wadi Rum ,Jeep Tour with Dinner (Half Day): $185

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Osaka

For Osaka, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Osaka:Food Tour & Shopping(Grand Opening Limited Time Offer): $25
  • 2-Hour Kuromon Market Walking Street Food Tour: $26
  • Private Takoyaki Cooking Class by Natives in Osaka: $36
  • Japanese home cooking class in Osaka Umeda: $45
  • Osaka Okonomiyaki Cooking Experience!: $49
  • Ramen and Gyoza Cooking Class in Dotonbori: $61
  • Kimono experience and Japanese home-cooking lesson Osaka: $63
  • Osaka Authentic Tempura & Miso Soup Japan Cooking Class: $64
  • RAMEN and 2 types GYOZA (dumplings) Cooking Class: $65
  • Three Types of RAMEN Cooking Class: $65
  • Kimono experience and Japanese home-cooking lesson Osaka Umeda : $65
  • Ramen and Gyoza Cooking Class in Osaka Dotonbori: $66

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Aqaba $54
    Osaka $20

Tours and Activities in Aqaba

Here are a few actual costs in Aqaba for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Day Tour in Jeep Tour with Bedouin Guide: $81
  • Discover the Depths: Aqaba's Ultimate private Dive Experience: $55
  • Full-Day Jeep Tour in Wadi Rum without Overnight Stay: $85
  • 03 Hrs Jeep tour in Wadi Rum: $47
  • 06 Hours Jeep Tour in Wadi Rum : $84
  • 1 Day & 1 Night | Stay & Jeep + Camel Tour in Wadi Rum | Magic Bedouin Star: $136
  • 2 Days & 1 Night | Jeep & Hike Tour in Wadi Rum Desert | Magic Bedouin Star: $258
  • 2 Days Guided Hiking Tour To Wadi Rum Jebal Al Hash: $103
  • 2 Days private tour Petra, Wadi Rum (overnight) from Amman: $682
  • 2 Hour Jeep Tour - Wadi Rum Desert & Canyon: $35
  • 2 Hours Morning or Sunset Jeep Tour in Wadi Rum Desert Highlights: $35
  • 2 hours Jeep tour in Wadi Rum with Bedouin guide (incl. bottled water and tea): $100

Typical Entertainment Prices in Osaka

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Osaka's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Osaka Aquarium (for 2)
    $30

Tours and Activities in Osaka

For Osaka, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Osaka Castle: Museum and Tower Entry Ticket: $3.79
  • Table Tennis Experience with Local Players: $4.42
  • Kamigata Ukiyoe Museum Entrance Ticket: $4.42
  • Ryurei Teicha: Chanoyu (Tea Ceremony) Experience in Osaka: $5.05
  • Osaka Sakishima Observatory Advance Ticket: $5.68
  • Dotonbori District Sightseeing Cruise & Beer Discount: $7.58
  • Tsutenkaku Entry Ticket: $7.67
  • Umeda Sky Building E-Ticket: $9.47
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
  • Abeno Harukas 300 Observatory E-Ticket: $11
  • Abeno Harukas 300 Observatory Entry Ticket: $12
  • Kamigata Ukiyoe Museum:Ukiyo-e Woodblock Printing Experience: $12

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Aqaba $9.07
    Osaka $12

Sample the Local Flavors in Osaka

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Osaka:

  • Osaka Namba Hidden Places Bar Crawl: $16
  • Osaka Pub Crawl and Nightlife Tour: $23
  • Namba Pub Bar Crawl with a Local Guide: $30
  • Osaka Evening: Ultimate Pub Bar Crawl with an Expert Local Guide: $32
  • Local Bar Crawl in Dotombori and Uranamba Area: $38
  • Osaka Local Bar Crawl in Dotombori & Uranamba Area: $39


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Aqaba and Osaka, we can see that Aqaba is more expensive. And not only is Osaka much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Aqaba is in Middle East and Osaka is in Asia, 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 Osaka would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Osaka 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 Aqaba would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Aqaba than you might in Osaka.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Aqaba Expensive? and Is Osaka Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Aqaba or Osaka?

Osaka has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Aqaba. When comparing the sizes of Aqaba and Osaka, 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.


When is the best time to visit Aqaba or Osaka?

Osaka has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Aqaba experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Aqaba or Osaka in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Aqaba as well as Osaka. Aqaba attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Osaka this time of year.

The heat can be very extreme in Aqaba. In the summer, Aqaba is a little warmer than Osaka. Typically, the summer temperatures in Aqaba in July average around 33°C (91°F), and Osaka averages at about 28°C (82°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Aqaba this time of the year. In the summer, Aqaba often gets more sunshine than Osaka. Aqaba gets 384 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Osaka receives 183 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Osaka. Aqaba usually gets less rain in July than Osaka. Aqaba gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Osaka receives 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Aqaba 33°C (91°F) 
    Osaka 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Aqaba or Osaka in the Autumn?

Both Osaka and Aqaba are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Aqaba throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Osaka for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Aqaba is generally a little warmer than Osaka. Daily temperatures in Aqaba average around 26°C (79°F), and Osaka fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Aqaba. Aqaba usually receives more sunshine than Osaka during autumn. Aqaba gets 295 hours of sunny skies, while Osaka receives 159 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Osaka. In October, Aqaba usually receives less rain than Osaka. Aqaba gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Osaka receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Aqaba 26°C (79°F) 
    Osaka 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Aqaba or Osaka in the Winter?

Both Osaka and Aqaba during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Aqaba because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Osaka in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Aqaba is much warmer than Osaka in the winter. The daily temperature in Aqaba averages around 14°C (57°F) in January, and Osaka fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

It's quite sunny in Aqaba. In the winter, Aqaba often gets more sunshine than Osaka. Aqaba gets 234 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Osaka receives 140 hours of full sun.

Aqaba usually gets less rain in January than Osaka. Aqaba gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Osaka receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Aqaba 14°C (57°F) 
    Osaka 6°C (42°F)

Should I visit Aqaba or Osaka in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Aqaba and Osaka. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Aqaba year-round. Also, most visitors come to Osaka for the activities around the city during these months.

In the spring, Aqaba is much warmer than Osaka. Typically, the spring temperatures in Aqaba in April average around 24°C (75°F), and Osaka averages at about 15°C (59°F).

In Aqaba, it's very sunny this time of the year. Aqaba usually receives more sunshine than Osaka during spring. Aqaba gets 282 hours of sunny skies, while Osaka receives 176 hours of full sun in the spring.

Osaka receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Aqaba usually receives less rain than Osaka. Aqaba gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Osaka receives 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Aqaba 24°C (75°F) 
    Osaka 15°C (59°F)

Typical Weather for Osaka and Aqaba

Aqaba Osaka
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 14°C (57°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 6°C (42°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Feb 16°C (61°F) 1 mm (0 in) 6°C (43°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Mar 19°C (66°F) 1 mm (0 in) 9°C (48°F) 99 mm (3.9 in)
Apr 24°C (75°F) 1 mm (0 in) 15°C (59°F) 137 mm (5.4 in)
May 27°C (81°F) 0 mm (0 in) 20°C (67°F) 140 mm (5.5 in)
Jun 31°C (88°F) 0 mm (0 in) 24°C (74°F) 204 mm (8 in)
Jul 33°C (91°F) 0 mm (0 in) 28°C (82°F) 157 mm (6.2 in)
Aug 33°C (91°F) 0 mm (0 in) 29°C (84°F) 95 mm (3.7 in)
Sep 31°C (88°F) 0 mm (0 in) 25°C (77°F) 170 mm (6.7 in)
Oct 26°C (79°F) 1 mm (0 in) 19°C (66°F) 108 mm (4.3 in)
Nov 20°C (68°F) 2 mm (0.1 in) 13°C (56°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Dec 15°C (59°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 8°C (47°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)