Which place is cheaper, Kyoto or Dali?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Dali or Kyoto?
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 Kyoto can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Dali or Kyoto?
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.
Kyoto
Kyoto is a larger city of Japan, though it is very much set in the old ways. With quiet temples, sublime gardens, colorful shrines, and geisha walking amidst a city surrounded by stunning mountains, Kyoto feels like a world of another time and place. True to ancient Japanese tradition, most aspects of daily life are tied closely with the changing of the seasons.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, The Best Adventure Tours to China, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan, and The Best Cultural Tours in Japan.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDali $49Kyoto $104
The average daily cost (per person) in Dali is $49, while the average daily cost in Kyoto 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 Dali and Kyoto in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDali $17Kyoto $68
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDali $34Kyoto $136
Compare Hotels in Dali and Kyoto
Looking for a hotel in Dali or Kyoto? 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: Kyoto Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dali $9.45Kyoto $8.14
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Dali
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Dali:
-
Local Bus$0.43
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dali
Also for Dali, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Dali Airport Chauffeur Service,Dali Airport Transfer: $40
- Private Transfer from Dali to Lijiang/Shuhe hotel: $149
- Private Transfer from Dali to Lijiang/Shuhe hotel and Stops at Shaxi Old Town: $160
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kyoto
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kyoto:
- Shared Departure Transfer : Kyoto City to Kansai International Airport: $135
- Private departure transfer from Kyoto city to Osaka Itami International airport: $82
- Private departure transfer from Kyoto city to Kansai International airport: $113
- Osaka City to/from Kyoto City Private transfer: $235
- Osaka (Itami) Airport to/from Kyoto City Private Transfer: $192
- Osaka (Itami) Airport ITM Private Transfer to/from Kyoto: $247
- One-Way Private Transfer to/from Itami Airport (ITM): $235
- One-Way Private Transfer to/from Itami Airport: $335
- Customizable Private Tour with Hotel Transfers: $508
- Kyoto to Osaka Kansai Airport (KIX) - Departure Private Transfer: $74
- Kyoto hotels to Kansai Airport (KIX) - Departure Private Transfer: $68
- Kansai Intl. Airport KIX Private Transfer to/from Kyoto: $194
Is it cheaper to fly into Dali or Kyoto?
Prices for flights to both Kyoto 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
-
Food Meals for one dayDali $18Kyoto $26
Typical Food Prices in Dali
For Dali, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Lunch$4.54
-
Breakfast$3.55
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kyoto
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kyoto.
- Private Onigiri Rice Ball Cooking Class in Kyoto: $21
- Vegetarian Tempura Cooking Workshop Arashiyama, Kyoto: $34
- Private Cooking Class Udon in Kyoto Japan: $43
- Japanese Home Cooking Lesson with Local Hosts in Peaceful Kyoto Suburb Otsu: $49
- Japanese Washoku Bento Cooking Class with Lunch: $54
- Nishiki Market Brunch Walking Food Tour: $58
- Morning Japanese Bento Cooking Class: $63
- Afternoon Japanese Izakaya Cooking Class: $63
- Japanese Cooking Class: $64
- Sushi - Authentic Japanese Cooking Class - the best souvenir from Kyoto!: $65
- Bento Box Cooking Class: $71
- Izakaya Style Cooking Class: $71
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dali $18Kyoto $14
Tours and Activities in Dali
For Dali, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1-Day Erhai Sightseeing in Dali: $129
- 1-Day Tie Dye Experience Tour in Dali: $160
- Private hiking tour to Cangshan Mountain from Dali: $175
- Private tour to Xizhou old town local market Erhai lake three Pagodas from Dali: $184
- Dali Private Tour to Xizhou Ancient Town and Erhai Lake : $186
- 1-Day Dali tour with the Daili old town, Xizhou Village and Three Pagodas: $195
- 2-Days Self-Guided tour from Dali to Lijiang and overnight in Shaxi old town: $205
- All inclusive Dali Erhai cruise three pagoda xizhou market: $210
- Private Customized Tour: Dali City Highlights in One Day: $213
- All Inclusive Private Day Tour to Shaxi Ancient Town from Dali: $213
- Private Day Tour: Erhai Lake, Three Pagodas, Dali Ancient Town: $217
- Dali Yunnan Local Market + Pottery Making Eco Tour: $220
Tours and Activities in Kyoto
Here are a few actual costs in Kyoto for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Bar Hopping Private Tour in Kyoto(HNNARI area): $50
- Kyoto Private Full-day Walking Tour from Kyoto Station: $158
- Kyoto Private Tour with National Licensed Guide : $240
- "Experience A Full-Day Private Tour Adventure": $200
- (Full/Half Day) Kyoto Private Walking Tour with a Japanese Guide : $103
- (NEW)Authentic Public Bathing Wellness Experience in Kyoto: $69
- (Private) Kyoto E-Bike Adventures Through Timeless Beauty: $456
- (T1)Kyoto Private Walking Tour with Japanese&Local Guide: $97
- (T12)Kobe Private Tour with Japanese&local guide: $188
- (private) CyclingTour in Arashiyama: EBike Tour with Guide: $456
- 1 Day Hiking Tour in the Mountains of Kyoto: $192
- 1 Day Kyoto Tour with a Local Guide: $151
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayDali $11Kyoto $13
Sample the Local Flavors in Kyoto
Also in Kyoto, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Kyoto Local Bar Crawl in Kawaramachi Area: $41
- Sake Brewery and Tasting Tour in Fushimi: $84
- Insider Sake Brewery Tour with Sake and Food Pairing: $87
- Kyoto Sake Brewery & Tasting Walking Tour: $99
- Rural Brewery Town Walk: Half-Day Private Tour Near Kyoto: $103
- Kyoto Sake Brewery Tour: $163
- Rural Villages & Brewery Town: Private 1-Day Cycling Near Kyoto: $192
- Kyoto Sake Bar and Pub Crawl (Food & Sake Tour): $201
- Kyoto Sake Bar and Pub Crawl (Food & Sake Tour): $206
- Nightlife Bar Crawl Tour with Local Guide: $445
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dali and Kyoto, we can see that Kyoto 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 Kyoto would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kyoto 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 Kyoto Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dali or Kyoto?
Kyoto has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Dali. When comparing the sizes of Dali and Kyoto, 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.