Which place is cheaper, Nikko or Dali?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Dali or Nikko?
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 Nikko can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Dali or Nikko?
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.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Lhasa, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Shanghai, The Best Contiki Tours to Japan, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Japan.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDali $49Nikko $89
The average daily cost (per person) in Dali is $49, while the average daily cost in Nikko is $89. 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 Nikko in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDali $17Nikko $50
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDali $34Nikko $100
Compare Hotels in Dali and Nikko
Looking for a hotel in Dali 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.
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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dali $9.45Nikko -
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 Nikko
Also for Nikko, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer to/from Narita Airport (NRT): $683
- Kinugawa Osen to Tokyo Narita Airport Private Departure Transfer: $272
- Kinugawa Osen to Tokyo Haneda Airport Departure Private Transfer: $272
- Haneda Airport to/from Nikko City Private Transfer: $683
Is it cheaper to fly into Dali or Nikko?
Prices for flights to both Nikko 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 $18Nikko $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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dali $18Nikko $23
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 Nikko
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Nikko.
- 1 Day Nikko Wonders Tour from Tokyo: $469
- Edo Wonderland Nikko Edomura Admission Ticket: $64
- From Tokyo : Nikko Full Day Private Sightseeing Tour: $493
- From Tokyo: Custom Nikko Day Tour with English Driver Flexib: $406
- From Tokyo: Nikko 1 Day Private Tour with English Driver: $499
- From Tokyo: Nikko Full Day Private Sightseeing Tour: $408
- From Tokyo: Nikko Full-Day Sightseeing Trip: $434
- From Tokyo: Nikko Tour with Toshogu Shrine and Kegon Falls: $408
- From Tokyo: Nikko World Heritage & Edo Wonderland Day Tour: $431
- From Tokyo; Nikko Private Full Day Tour Hotel Pick-Up By Car: $408
- From tokyo: Nikko Full-Day private Sightseeing Day Trip: $528
- Full-Day Private Nikko Tour with English Speaking Driver: $528
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDali $11Nikko $16
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dali and Nikko, we can see that Nikko 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 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 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 Nikko Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dali or Nikko?
Dali has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Nikko. When comparing the sizes of Dali 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.
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.