Which place is cheaper, Kobe or Dali?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Dali or Kobe?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Dali and Kobe can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Dali or Kobe?
Dali
Dali is a city in southern China with a long and glorious history dating back to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The Xiaguan neighborhood of the city is the modern industrial center where most public transportation arrives; however, the Old Town of Dali is the place that draws the most visitors. Being one of China's ancient cities, Dali is said to have been a gateway to the Silk Road, and still attracts attention with its traditional architecture, beautiful scenery, ethnic cultures, and nightlife.
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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, The Best Adventure Tours to China, The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Japan.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDali $49Kobe $111
The average daily cost (per person) in Dali is $49, 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 Dali and Kobe in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDali $17Kobe $65
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDali $34Kobe $130
Compare Hotels in Dali and Kobe
Looking for a hotel in Dali 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.Dali $9.45Kobe $14
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Dali
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Dali:
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Local Bus$0.43
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dali
Also for Dali, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Dali to Lijiang/Shuhe hotel and Stops at Shaxi Old Town: $160
- Private Transfer from Dali to Lijiang/Shuhe hotel: $149
- Dali Airport Chauffeur Service,Dali Airport Transfer: $40
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kobe
Also for Kobe, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Tokyo: Private Luxury Car Transfer To/From Kobe. (one way): $605
- Private departure transfer from Kobe City & Arima Onsen to Kansai Airport : $97
- Private Transfer from Kobe Port to Osaka Kansai Airport (KIX): $87
- Private Transfer from Kobe Port to Osaka Kansai Airport (KIX): $96
- Private Transfer from Kobe Cruise Port to Kobe Airport (UKB): $45
- Private Transfer from Kobe Cruise Port to Kobe Airport: $49
- Private Transfer from Kobe Airport (UKB) to Kobe Cruise Port: $45
- Private Transfer from Kobe Airport (UKB) to Kobe Cruise Port: $49
- Private Arrival Transfer From Kobe Airport to Kobe City: $155
- Osaka to Arima Hotel Transfer Service: $221
- Osaka Kansai Airport to/from Kobe City Private Transfer: $175
- Osaka (Itami) Airport to/from Kobe City Private Transfer: $114
Is it cheaper to fly into Dali or Kobe?
Prices for flights to both Kobe and Dali 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 dayDali $18Kobe $33
Typical Food Prices in Dali
For Dali, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch$4.54
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Breakfast$3.55
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: $94
- Sushi and Kobe Beef Cooking Class: $152
- Eat Like a Local Private & Personalized Food Tour: $218
- One day in Kobe with beef dinner =standard=: $289
- One day in Kobe with beef dinner =premium=: $316
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dali $18Kobe $25
Tours and Activities in Dali
For Dali, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1-Day Dali tour with the Daili old town, Xizhou Village and Three Pagodas: $195
- 1-Day Erhai Sightseeing in Dali: $129
- 1-Day Tie Dye Experience Tour in Dali: $160
- 2-Days Self-Guided tour from Dali to Lijiang and overnight in Shaxi old town: $205
- All Inclusive Private Day Tour to Shaxi Ancient Town from Dali: $213
- All inclusive Dali Erhai cruise three pagoda xizhou market: $210
- Dali Private Tour to Xizhou Ancient Town and Erhai Lake : $186
- Dali Yunnan Local Market + Pottery Making Eco Tour: $220
- Private Customized Tour: Dali City Highlights in One Day: $213
- Private Day Tour of Dali Explore the Ancient City: $274
- Private Day Tour: Erhai Lake, Three Pagodas, Dali Ancient Town: $217
- Private hiking tour to Cangshan Mountain from Dali: $175
Tours and Activities in Kobe
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Kobe.
- (T4)Private Car and Bullet Train; Kyoto Tour from Kobe Port: $336
- (T7)Kyoto Private Tour from Osaka port with Japanese Guide: $336
- 1-Day Kobe Highlights Tour including Sake Tasting: $179
- 1-Day Walking Tour around Kobe : Mountains, Sea and Sake: $143
- 4 hours Kobe City Tour : $76
- 4-Hour Multicultural Kobe Walking Tour with Genuine Kobe Beef : $178
- A Tour to Learn all about the international port city, Kobe!: $159
- Cruise Shore Excursion: Kobe Sake Tasting with Local Guide: $108
- Exploring Nada Sake Breweries Kobe Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide: $152
- Full Day Walking Tour Around Kobe Mountains Sea and Sake: $159
- Half-Day Private Guided Tour to Kobe City: $152
- Himeji and Full-Day Private Guided Tour: $242
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDali $11Kobe $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: $81
- Private Tour in the Largest Sake Brewery in Japan: $83
- Sake Brewery and Japanese Life Experience Tour in Kobe: $87
- KOBE Sake brewery PRIVATE walking tour with Local guide: $89
- Sake Brewery Tour with Tasting and Kobe Beef Nigiri: $94
- Nada Sake Brewery District Private Walking Tour: $148
- 5-Hour Nadagogo Sake Brewery Private Guided Experience: $186
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dali and Kobe, we can see that Kobe is more expensive. And not only is Dali much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Dali would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Dali 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 Dali.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Dali Expensive? and Is Kobe Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dali or Kobe?
Kobe has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Dali. When comparing the sizes of Dali 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.