Which place is cheaper, Osaka or Arusha?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Arusha or Osaka?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Arusha and Osaka can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Arusha or Osaka?
Arusha
Arusha is a city in East Africa's Tanzania, located at the base of volcanic Mt. Meru. It’s a gateway to safari destinations and to Africa’s highest peak, Mt. Kilimanjaro, lying some 100 kilometers northeast. To the west lies Serengeti National Park, home to wildlife including lions, rhinoceros, giraffes and leopards. Annual migrations feature huge herds of wildebeests crossing its plains. Arusha is Tanzania’s gateway to the northern circuit of stellar national parks and the starting point of many a memorable safari. It’s also a large, sprawling city which offers a nice break from the rigors of life on the African road – it has excellent places to stay and eat and, for the most part, it’s lush and green and enjoys a temperate climate throughout the year. Arusha is a great destination, and you're sure to enjoy your time here, no matter what your interests are.
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 G Adventures Tours to Tanzania, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Tanzania, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Japan, and The Best Adventure Tours to Japan.
-
Arusha Prices
Tanzania PricesOsaka Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayArusha $188Osaka $104
The average daily cost (per person) in Arusha is $188, while the average daily cost in Osaka is $104. 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 Arusha and Osaka in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personArusha $125Osaka $45
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomArusha $250Osaka $90
Compare Hotels in Arusha and Osaka
Looking for a hotel in Arusha 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.
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: Arusha Hotel Prices and Osaka Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Arusha $13Osaka $13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arusha
Also for Arusha, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Moshi - Arusha Transfer: $149
- Kilimanjaro International Airport to Arusha City Center Transfer: $60
- Kilimanjaro International Airport Transfers: $160
- Kilimanjaro Airport and Arusha Private Transfer: $59
- Kilimanjaro Airport Transfer to Moshi: $65
- Arusha Airport and Hotel Transfer: $35
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Osaka
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Osaka:
-
Subway$7.65
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Osaka
Also for Osaka, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Universal Studios Japan（USJ）: Osaka/Kyoto Private Transfer: $78
- Universal Studios Japan Round Trip Shared Transfer with ticket: $207
- Transfer from Osaka City Hotels to Kansai Airport: $182
- Transfer from Kansai Airport to Osaka City Hotels: $110
- Terminal-to-City Transfer, from Osaka Cruise Port to Each City: $117
- Shin-Osaka Osaka Station Private Transfer To or From Osaka Hotels: $109
- Shared Departure Transfer : Osaka City to Kansai International Airport: $112
- Shared Arrival Transfer: Osaka Itami Airport to Osaka City: $54
- Shared Arrival Transfer : Kansai International Airport to Kyoto City: $127
- Roundtrip Transfer from Osaka Airport ITM to Arima-Onsen Resorts: $212
- Private transfer from Kansai Airport to any location in Izumisano: $169
- Private departure transfer from central Osaka city to Itami airport (ITM): $97
Is it cheaper to fly into Arusha or Osaka?
Prices for flights to both Osaka and Arusha 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 dayArusha $40Osaka $42
Typical Food Prices in Arusha
For Arusha, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
A Quick Lunch (for 2)$2.08
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Arusha
For Arusha, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Arusha Cooking Class and Local Market Tour: $30
- Traditional Tanzania Cooking Class & Food Market Tour: $43
- NGO Lifted Strong - Traditional Tanzanian Cooking Class: $50
- Local Tanzanian Food Cooking Class by Kingstone Asilia (Arusha): $75
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Osaka
For Osaka, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Osaka Gourmet EXPO 2025 WaiWai Enkai Dinner Plan: $19
- Osaka Cooking Class 17 Tastes Takoyaki Making: $21
- Japanese Breakfast Cooking Class with Miso Making in Osaka: $23
- Dotonbori Ramen Cooking Class- Make Tonkotsu, Shoyu & Miso: $26
- Experience Real Osaka with a Local Guide Walking and Food Tour: $26
- Osaka Umeda: PICCADILLY DINNER SHOW&NIGHTCLUB with Tasting: $32
- Japanese Home cooking in Osaka: $36
- Welcome to Osaka Matrix and Local food tour with Ninja Guide: $36
- Osaka Namba Food Tour: Small-Group with Flexible Ordering: $42
- 1.5 Hour Food Tour at the Kuromon Market in Osaka: $42
- Experience Cooking Takoyaki in its Birthplace, Osaka: $42
- Kuromon, Sennichimae & Dotonbori Food Tour with Wagyu: $45
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Arusha $44Osaka $20
Tours and Activities in Arusha
For Arusha, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1 Day Tour Hot Spring (Majimoto): $80
- 1 Day trip to Materuni Waterfalls & Coffee Tour: $127
- 1 day trip Materuni Waterfall, Village & Coffee Walking Tour: $127
- 4 Hours Cycling Tour in Shimo La Mungu Crater: $50
- Arusha A Walking City Tour Museum Culture and Everyday Life: $60
- Arusha African Shopping Tour: $100
- Arusha Bike Town Tour Experience: $55
- Arusha City Culture and Historical Walking Tour: $40
- Arusha City Tour with Local Guide and Hotel Pickup: $25
- Arusha City Walking Tour: Markets, Culture & Hotel Pickup: $20
- Arusha Guided City Tour &Hotel Pickup (History, Culture &Market: $21
- Arusha Guided City Tour: Culture, History and Markets with Pickup: $18
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)$29
Tours and Activities in Osaka
For Osaka, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1-Day Kimono/Yukata Experience in Osaka – Enjoy Day & Night: $36
- 2 Hours Private Guided Walking Tour in Osaka: $26
- 2-Day Bus Tour to Shirakawago & Hida No Sato Winter Illumination: $227
- 3 Hour Local Osaka Bar Hopping Tour: $123
- 3-Hour Osaka Bike Tour/Customizable: $182
- 3/4/5 Hours Private Tour in Osaka with Local Guide: $117
- 4/5/6 Hours Private Osaka Tour Designed for Cruise Passengers: $155
- 5 Hours Tour with Private Vehicle in Osaka: $260
- 5-hour Master Osaka’s Must See Tour Kuromon Dotonbori and Castle: $62
- 6 Hours Osaka Tour with National Licensed Guide: $250
- 90-Minute Kimono/Yukata Rental Experience in Osaka – Short Plan: $29
- A Tour to Explore the Symbol of Osaka Castle: $82
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayArusha $10Osaka $11
Sample the Local Flavors in Osaka
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Osaka:
- Osaka Pub Crawl and Nightlife Tour: $23
- Off The Beaten Path Osaka Local Bar Crawl/ 22 Tapas 7 Drinks: $45
- 3Hour Osaka Pub Crawl Bar Hopping Nightlife Guided Tour in Namba: $46
- Osaka Sake Brewery Tour Taste and Learn Near Umeda Sky Building: $78
- Osaka Winery Tour with Wine Tasting & Vineyard Walk: $84
- 4-Stop Bar Crawl in Tenma: An Intro to Osaka's Best Bites & Sips: $103
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Arusha and Osaka, we can see that Arusha is more expensive. And not only is Osaka much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Arusha is in Africa 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 Arusha would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Arusha 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 Arusha Expensive? and Is Osaka Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Arusha or Osaka?
Osaka has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Arusha. When comparing the sizes of Arusha 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.
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.