A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Arusha vs. Tokyo for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Arusha or Tokyo?

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 Tokyo 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 Tokyo?

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.

Tokyo

Tokyo, the capital of Japan, is by far the most populous city in the world with a staggering 37 million people. As a worldwide hub for technology and business, it hosts millions of visitors annually. But Tokyo is not just a place for business trips. With its incredible mixture of historical temples and shrines, remarkably beautiful parks, endless shopping malls, and genuinely wonderful people, Tokyo is a terrific place to visit and to explore.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Tanzania, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Tanzania, The Best 2-Week Tours in Japan, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Japan.


Which place is cheaper, Tokyo or Arusha?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Arusha is $189, while the average daily cost in Tokyo is $178. 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 Tokyo in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Arusha $126
    Tokyo $74
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Arusha $252
    Tokyo $148
Compare Hotels in Arusha and Tokyo

Looking for a hotel in Arusha or Tokyo? 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 Arusha


Hotels in Tokyo


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 Tokyo Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Arusha $13
    Tokyo $17

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
  • Private Transfer from Arusha to Jomo Kenyatta Airport (NBO): $46
  • Arusha Airport and Hotel Transfer: $35

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tokyo

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

  • Yokohama Port: Private Customizable Tour with Transfer: $352
  • Yokohama Port Shared Transfer : from Tokyo Hotels to Yokohama Port: $101
  • Transfer from Tokyo City Center to Haneda Airport (HND): $88
  • Tokyo:TeamLab Private Transfer with Hotel Pickup & Drop-off: $204
  • Private Transfers to/from Narita Airport(NRT): $79
  • Private Transfer to/from Haneda Airport 7 Seater: $124
  • Private Transfer from/to Yokohama Port: $181
  • Private Transfer from Haneda/Narita Airport to Hotel: $308
  • Private One-Way Transfers to/from Yokohama Port: $67
  • Private One-Way Transfers to/from Hakone or Mt.Fuji: $156
  • Private Airport Transfer in a Luxury SUV with Meet & Greet: $84
  • One-Way Private Transfer from Haneda Airport: $149

Is it cheaper to fly into Arusha or Tokyo?

Prices for flights to both Tokyo 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 day
    Arusha $40
    Tokyo $63
Typical Food Prices in Arusha

For Arusha, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • A Quick Lunch (for 2)
    $2.09

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Arusha

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

  • 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
  • Homestay + Cooking + Animal Care + Fruit Harvesting + Much More: $187

Typical Food Prices in Tokyo

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Tokyo:


  • Late Night Noodles
    $5.07
  • Conveyor Belt Sushi Snack
    $5.07
  • Meal at Airport
    $6.61

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tokyo

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

  • Tokyo Tsukiji Fish Market: Traditional Culture & Street Food Tour: $19
  • Tokyo : Vintage, Music & Food Tour in Shimokitazawa with a Local: $23
  • Shinjuku 7-Dishes vegetarian dinner at a Japanese izakaya: $29
  • Asakusa: Senso-ji Sightseeing & Street Food Tour with Photos: $29
  • Shibuya 7-Dishes vegetarian dinner at a Japanese izakaya: $29
  • For First Time Visitor:Tsukiji Food Tour with Tokyo Travel Advice: $32
  • Guided Tsukiji’s Local Food Tour: $32
  • Ueno Private Walking Tour and Night Food Tour: $39
  • Authentic Homestyle Japanese Cooking Class near Tokyo with Risa: $39
  • Giant Sushi Cooking Class: Make a 1.5m Sushi Roll in Tokyo: $42
  • Private Yanaka District Walking & Food Tour: $45
  • Japanese Sushi Cooking Class: $48

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Arusha $44
    Tokyo $66

Tours and Activities in Arusha

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

  • 4 Hours Cycling Tour in Shimo La Mungu Crater: $50
  • Arusha African Shopping Tour: $100
  • Arusha City Culture and Historical Walking Tour: $40
  • Arusha City Tour with Local Culture and Food Markets: $25
  • Arusha City Walking Tour: Markets, Culture & Hotel Pickup: $15
  • Arusha City town tour: $101
  • Arusha Guided City Tour &Hotel Pickup (History, Culture &Market: $21
  • Arusha Mountain Village and Coffee Tour: $24
  • Arusha Nightlife Tour: $60
  • Arusha Private City Tour: $75
  • Arusha Serval Wildlife Sanctuary Tour with Pickup: $295
  • Arusha Town Day Tour (Geneva of Africa ): $71

Tours and Activities in Tokyo

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tokyo.

  • "Enjoy Tokyo Tour" Harajuku Meiji-jingu & Delicious Sake Tasting: $65
  • "Ginza → Tsukishima" Walking and Japanese Style Fun Dining Tour: $162
  • "TOKYO DRIFT" Film Location Tour Mt Nokogiri & Local Drift Garage: $257
  • (Private tour)ShinjukuUnfiltered Secret bar restaurant Tour: $259
  • 1 Day Tour Explore Nikko’s World Heritage and National Park: $190
  • 1 Day Tour to Mt. Fuji and Hakone from Tokyo: $189
  • 1 Day Walking Tour in Asakusa Traditional Tokyo and Nature: $128
  • 1-Day Mt Fuji and Hakone Sightseeing trip from Tokyo: $338
  • 1-Day Tokyo Bus Tour: $126
  • 1.5 Hours Private Tour at Asakusa Tokyo with Local Expert Guide: $84
  • 10:30 local gathering and rafting tour half day (3 hours): $39
  • 2 Day Ginzan Onsen and Zao Snow Monsters Tour from Tokyo: $291

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Arusha $11
    Tokyo $32

Typical Alcohol Prices in Tokyo

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Tokyo:


  • Sake
    $3.80

Sample the Local Flavors in Tokyo

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

  • Low-cost local pub & bar crawling: $32
  • Tokyo Pub Crawl: Unique Japanese Drinks in Shimokitazawa: $34
  • 3 Hours Pub Crawl Welcome Guided Tour in Shibuya: $35
  • Tokyo Pub Crawl: Unique Japanese Drinks in Shimokitazawa: $36
  • 3-Hour Tokyo Pub Crawl Nightlife Welcome Guided Tour in Shibuya: $46
  • Tokyo Japanese Wine Tasting Experience (Not Sake) | Near Shibuya: $65
  • Nikko Toshogu Shrine and Japanese Sake Brewery Day Tour: $84
  • Tokyo Shinjuku Gay Bar Crawl with Drinks: $90
  • Tokyo's Oldest Sake Brewery and jump into historic town: $91
  • Tokyo Sake Terroir Journey – Guided by Sake Brewery Professional: $91
  • Shibuya Bar Crawl Tour -3 Drinks & Local Foods-: $103
  • Shinjuku Bar Crawl Tour -3 Drinks & Local foods-: $103


When comparing the travel costs between Arusha and Tokyo, we can see that Arusha is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Arusha is in Africa and Tokyo is in Asia, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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


Which is Bigger, Arusha or Tokyo?

Tokyo has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Arusha. When comparing the sizes of Arusha and Tokyo, 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.