Which place is cheaper, Kobe or Chongqing?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Chongqing or Kobe?
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 Chongqing and Kobe. 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: Chongqing or Kobe?
Chongqing
Chongqing, China is a large city in central China and one of only four cities in the country that are not part of a province. While Chongqing is famous for being an economically important city, brush away its industrial surface and you'll find a naturally beautiful city with plenty of hidden wonders. Although you'll find many expats in the city, English is rarely spoken, meaning knowing some basic Mandarin will come in handy.
Kobe
Located between the sea and the Rokko mountain range, Kobe is a port city in Japan also considered to be one of the country's most attractive. Though it was devastated by a historic earthquake in 1995, known locally as the Great Hanshin Earthquake, Kobe has fully recovered to its cosmopolitan splendor with plenty for visitors to see and do.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to China, The Best Tours for Seniors to China, The Best Cultural Tours in Japan, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Japan.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChongqing $89Kobe $111
The average daily cost (per person) in Chongqing is $89, while the average daily cost in Kobe is $111. 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 Chongqing and Kobe in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChongqing $50Kobe $65
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChongqing $100Kobe $130
Compare Hotels in Chongqing and Kobe
Looking for a hotel in Chongqing or Kobe? 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: Kobe Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Chongqing $19Kobe $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chongqing
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Chongqing:
- Dazu Rock Carvings Private Transfer or Tour: $278
- Chongqing Private Round Trip Transfer to Wulong National Park: $168
- Chongqing Private Round Trip Transfer to Dazu Rock Carvings: $128
- Transfer betwn hotel airport and railway station (Chongqing): $116
- Chongqing Jiangbei Airport Chauffeur Service, Chongqing Airport Transfer, Pickup: $60
- Datong Yungang Airport Chauffeur Service , to Datong Transfer: $40
- Private Departure Transfer:Hotel to Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport CKG: $39
- Private Arrival Transfer: Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport(CKG) to Hotel: $39
- Private Transfer from Chongqing hotel to Chongqing Train Station : $27
- Chongqing Jiangbei Airport (CKG) private round-trip transfer: $25
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Any Railway Station in Chongqing: $24
- Private Arrival Transfer:Any Chongqing Railway Station to Hotel: $24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kobe
Also for Kobe, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Arima Onsen Resorts to Osaka Airport (ITM) Departure Transfer: $57
- Departure Private Transfers from Kobe City to Kobe Airport UKB in Business Van: $169
- Itami Airport (ITM): Private One-Way Transfer to/from Kobe: $184
- Kansai Airport (KIX): Private One-Way Transfer to/from Kobe: $242
- Kobe Airport (UKB) to Kobe hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $41
- Kobe Airport (UKB) to Kobe hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $82
- Kobe Airport Transfers : Kobe Airport UKB to Kobe City in Business Van: $169
- Kobe Airport Transfers : Kobe City to Kobe Airport UKB in Business Car: $137
- Kobe hotels to Kobe Airport (UKB) - Departure Private Transfer: $41
- Kobe to Osaka Kansai Airport (KIX) - Departure Private Transfer: $89
- Osaka (Itami) Airport to/from Kobe City Private Transfer: $120
- Osaka Kansai Airport to/from Kobe City Private Transfer: $183
Is it cheaper to fly into Chongqing or Kobe?
Prices for flights to both Kobe and Chongqing 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
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Food Meals for one dayChongqing $25Kobe $33
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chongqing
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Chongqing.
- Chongqing Local Flavors Walking Food Tour: $98
- 4 Hour Walking Historical Local Food Tour: $111
- CHONGQING:Strolling through the city(Include dinner): $127
- Chongqing City Private Night Tour with Hot Pot Dinner: $158
- Chongqing Liangjiang Night Cruise Including Authentic Hot Pot Dinner: $183
- Chongqing Port Transfer Service with Half-Day Tour and Hot Pot Dinner: $193
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kobe
For Kobe, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Kobe Private Food Tour with Local Guide: $99
- Eat Like a Local Private & Personalized Food Tour: $222
- One day in Kobe with beef dinner =standard=: $303
- One day in Kobe with beef dinner =premium=: $331
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chongqing $14Kobe $25
Tours and Activities in Chongqing
Here are a few actual costs in Chongqing for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Dazu Rock Carvings Private Day Tour With the baoding Mountain and Beishan site: $251
- 1 Day Chongqing Megacity Walking Tour: $75
- 1-Day Chongqing Dazu Rock Carvings Private Tour With the Lunch: $143
- 3-Hour Walking Tour of Chongqing Shancheng (Mountain City) Lane: $65
- 4D3N Yangtze River Victoria Cruise: Chongqing to Yichang: $638
- 5D4N Yangtze River Victoria Cruise: Yichang to Chongqing: $638
- All-In-One Chongqing Trendy Spots Private Tour: $220
- All-in-one Chongqing Night view private tour: $150
- City Night Cruise and Local Snacks Tour: $218
- Chongqing Dazu stone carving day tour: $193
- Chongqing Half day Private Tour With Entire City Night View: $220
- Chongqing Private City Tour Extention: $220
Tours and Activities in Kobe
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Kobe.
- Port Tower Admission Ticket: $7.04
- Kobe Urban Aquarium AQUARIUM×ART átoa Admission Ticket: $18
- Uroko-no-ie & Kitano Tenman Shrine - Scenic Tour: $53
- KOBE : SUSHI making experience and SUSHI lunch after lesson: $54
- Kobe Port, Kitano, Arima Onsen & Mount Rokko Night Tour: $60
- Osaka: Kobe Port, Mt. Rokko Night View, Arima Onsen Day Tour: $61
- Guided Tour of Japan’s 3 Leading Sake Breweries in 3H: $62
- Mt Rokko night view & Arima Onsen & Sanda Outlet Tour: $63
- Kobe Guided Tour Including Port Area and Arima Onsen Town: $63
- 3-Hour Top Sights Tour: $68
- Guided Tour of Nunobiki Waterfalls and Herb Garden: $68
- Kobe Guided Tour Including Port Area and Arima Onsen Town: $72
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayChongqing $7.09Kobe $9.23
Sample the Local Flavors in Kobe
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Kobe:
- Sake Brewery Tour with Tasting Sake: $84
- Private Sake Tour and Tasting at a Kobe Brewery: $86
- Sake Brewery and Japanese Life Experience Tour in Kobe: $91
- KOBE Sake brewery PRIVATE walking tour with Local guide: $92
- Sake Brewery Tour with Tasting and Kobe Beef Nigiri: $99
- Nada Sake Brewery District Private Walking Tour: $155
- 5-Hour Nadagogo Sake Brewery Private Guided Experience: $193
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chongqing and Kobe, we can see that Kobe is more expensive. And not only is Chongqing much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Chongqing would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chongqing 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 Kobe would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kobe than you might in Chongqing.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Chongqing Expensive? and Is Kobe Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Chongqing or Kobe?
Chongqing has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Kobe. When comparing the sizes of Chongqing and Kobe, 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.