A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Chengdu vs. Nikko for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Chengdu or Nikko?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Chengdu and Nikko. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Chengdu or Nikko?

Chengdu

Chengdu is in China's Sichuan Provence and is in what is known as the Red Basin. It is a particularly fertile region in China that is known for its agriculture. For this reason it is sometimes referred to as the "Land of Milk and Honey". The Funan River cuts through the city but has almost no boat traffic anymore. The city itself has a wonderful relaxed vibe compared to the rest of China and is filled with green parks and places to relax. It is considered one of the most livable cities in China.

Nikko

Nikko is a small Japanese city located in the mountains north of Tokyo. It is well-known for the site of Toshogu, a famed Shinto shrine established in 1617, in memory of Tokugawa Ieyasu who was the founding ruler of the Edo Period. The town is situated just outside of Nikko National Park which offers scenic mountain landscapes, lakes, waterfalls, hot springs, wild monkeys, and hiking trails.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in China, The Best Luxury Tours to China, The Best 10-Day Tours in Japan, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Japan.


Which place is cheaper, Nikko or Chengdu?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Chengdu is $50, while the average daily cost in Nikko is $82. 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 Chengdu and Nikko in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Chengdu $21
    Nikko $46
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Chengdu $42
    Nikko $92
Compare Hotels in Chengdu and Nikko

Looking for a hotel in Chengdu or Nikko? 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 Chengdu


Hotels in Nikko


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: Nikko Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Chengdu $5.93
    Nikko -

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chengdu

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Chengdu:

  • Downtown to Leshan or Mount Emei round way transfer for 2-day service: $251
  • Chengdu Airport to Hotel: Private Transfer for up to 40 pax: $230
  • 1-Day Chengdu Layover Tour: Panda Base, city central with Round Airport Transfer: $192
  • Downtown to Mountain Emei round way transfer for one day service: $189
  • Downtown to Leshan round way transfer for one day service: $172
  • Private Transfer from Chengdu to Mount Emei and Stops at Leshan Giant Buddha: $160
  • Chengdu Airport to Hotel: Private Transfer for up to 5 pax: $120
  • Downtown to Dujiangyan round way transfer: $117
  • Round-Trip Private Transfer between Emei Shan and Chengdu City: $113
  • Private Transfer to Leshan Giant Buddha: $110
  • Arrival Transfer Chengdu Airport CTU to Chengdu by Luxury Sedan: $91
  • Chengdu Private Transfer from Chengdu central to Chengdu Airport (CTU): $80

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nikko

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

  • Haneda Airport to/from Nikko City Private Transfer: $613
  • Kinugawa Osen to Tokyo Haneda Airport Departure Private Transfer: $263
  • Kinugawa Osen to Tokyo Narita Airport Private Departure Transfer: $263
  • Narita Airport to/from Nikko City Private Transfer: $613

Is it cheaper to fly into Chengdu or Nikko?

Prices for flights to both Nikko and Chengdu 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
    Chengdu $22
    Nikko $31

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chengdu

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

  • Sichuan Opera Face-Changing Show And Hotpot Dinner Evening Tour: $40
  • Half-Day Chinese Bun Cooking Class with Local Spice Market Visit: $56
  • Chengdu evening food tour by local guide: $60
  • Half day Chengdu Dumpling making Cooking Class: Make from Scratch: $62
  • Discovery more Chengdu evening food tour with locals : $65
  • Tuktuk Food Tour Through Chengdu's Local Eats: $69
  • Half-Day Professional Mapo Tofu Cooking Class with Local Spice Market Visit: $69
  • Half-Day Dandan Noodles Cooking Class with Local Spice Market Visit: $70
  • Sichuan Opera Show VIP Seat Tickets w/ Transfer or Dinner: $71
  • Half Day Chengdu Tofu Making Class with Mapo Tofu Cooking: $72
  • Half-Day Private Sichuan Hot-Pot Cooking Class with Local Spice Market Visit: $80
  • Spicy Local Food Tour through Chengdu: $80

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Chengdu $16
    Nikko $21

Tours and Activities in Chengdu

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

  • Chengdu Leshan Buddha and Drop off off Railway Station Day Tour: $226
  • Private Chengdu Panda Base and Sichuan Cuisine Museum Day Tour: $120
  • 1 Day Wolong Panda Nature Reserve Tour: $218
  • 1 day Chengdu City Highlights Mini Group tour: $102
  • 1-Day Chengdu Ancient History and Culture City Tour: $179
  • 1-Day Chengdu Cultural Discovery:Jinsha,Shu Brocade Museum & Dufu Cottage Tour : $189
  • 1-Day Chengdu Cultural Tour: Ancient Poets and Temples: $189
  • 1-Day Chengdu Leshan Giant Buddha Private Tour With the Lunch and Boat tour: $242
  • 1-Day Chengdu Panda Base and Leshan Giant Buddha GROUP Tour: $144
  • 1-Day Chengdu Panda Base and Leshan Giant Buddha Private Tour with the Lunch: $246
  • 1-Day Chengdu Private Tour: Dujiangyan Ancient River Irrigation and Temple Site : $213
  • 1-Day Dujiangyan Self-Guided Tour: Panda Volunteer and Water Irrigation System: $123

Tours and Activities in Nikko

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

  • Nikko self-guided tour app with multi-language audioguide: $4.28
  • World Heritage Nikko Walking Tour - Toshogu Shrine, Kanmangafuchi: $59
  • Visit the Unexplored Regions of Lake Chuzenji-Scenic Trekking and Rafting Tour: $76
  • Nikko Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide: $137
  • Nikko Custom Half Day Tour: $144
  • Nikko Custom Full Day Tour: $228
  • Nikko Private Full-Day Sightseeing Day Tour: $474
  • Full Day Private Nikko Tour from Tokyo with English Driver: $474
  • Nikko Toshogu, Lake Chuzenjiko & Kegon Waterfall 1 Day Tour: $483
  • Full-Day Private Nikko Tour with English Speaking Driver: $600

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Chengdu $3.93
    Nikko $15


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

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


Which is Bigger, Chengdu or Nikko?

Chengdu has a larger population, and is about 250 times larger than the population of Nikko. When comparing the sizes of Chengdu and Nikko, 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.