Which place is cheaper, Atami or Darjiling?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Darjiling or Atami?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Darjiling or Atami? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Darjiling or Atami?
Darjiling
What began as a cluster of villages grew to prominence in the 19th Century when the British first established a hill station here and eventually realized that the climate was well-suited for tea plantations. Darjeeling (or Darjiling) has since become known for its teas in addition to cultural diversity, stunning views, and trekking opportunities.
Atami
Sharing a home with the famous Mount Fuji inside the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, Atami is a Japanese city set on the seaside of the Izu Peninsula. With volcanic hills and natural hot springs, visitors are very much drawn to the unique landscape of the place. There are many hot springs resorts that take advantage of the area's natural features, which have been attracting visitors since the 8th century.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to India, The Best Sightseeing Tours in India, The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDarjiling $35Atami $86
The average daily cost (per person) in Darjiling is $35, while the average daily cost in Atami is $86. 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 Darjiling and Atami in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDarjiling $13Atami $43
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDarjiling $26Atami $86
Compare Hotels in Darjiling and Atami
Looking for a hotel in Darjiling or Atami? 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: Darjiling Hotel Prices and Atami Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Darjiling $7.48Atami $35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Darjiling
Also for Darjiling, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Rafting Journey at the Down on Teesta River's White Water with Private Transfer: $197
- Private Transfer Darjeeling Hotels To Bagdogra Airport IXB Drop: $49
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Atami
Also for Atami, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Narita Airport to/from Izu or Atami City Private Transfer: $650
- Haneda Airport to/from Izu or Atami City Private Transfer: $557
Is it cheaper to fly into Darjiling or Atami?
Prices for flights to both Atami and Darjiling 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 dayDarjiling $14Atami $24
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Darjiling $12Atami $7.68
Tours and Activities in Darjiling
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Darjiling.
- 5-Day Private Tour of Gangtok and Darjeeling: $246
- A Full Day Tour Of Darjeeling: $232
- Best of Gangtok (Guided Halfday Sightseeing Tour by Car): $84
- Colonial Heritage Walking Tour in Darjeeling: $31
- Darjeeling Full-Day Sightseeing Tour with Guide & Transports: $98
- Darjeeling Tea Garden Tour : $31
- Day Trip to Buddha Park (Guided Private Sightseeing Tour from Gangtok): $148
- Day Trip to Darjeeling (Guided Private Sightseeing Experience from Gangtok): $148
- Day Trip to Kalimpong (Guided Private Sightseeing Experience from Darjeeling): $148
- Day Trip to Kalimpong (Guided Private Sightseeing Experience from Gangtok): $148
- Day Trip to Singalila (Guided Private Sightseeing Experience from Darjeeling): $258
- Day_Trippers (Darjeeling Full Day Tour).: $117
Tours and Activities in Atami
For Atami, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- ACAO BEACH: Tent Sauna experience at private resort: $114
- "Explore Atami's Culinary Culture" Walking Tour: $44
- Exclusive Geisha Experience: $114
- Hakone one day tour: $157
- Ninja, Samurai, Odawara Castle Experience: $131
- Odawara Castle and Town Guided Discovery Tour: $104
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayDarjiling $8.77Atami $5.45
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Darjiling and Atami, we can see that Atami is more expensive. And not only is Darjiling much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Darjiling would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Darjiling 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 Atami would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Atami than you might in Darjiling.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Darjiling Expensive? and Is Atami Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Darjiling or Atami?
Darjiling has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Atami. When comparing the sizes of Darjiling and Atami, 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.