Which place is cheaper, Nagano or Darjiling?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Darjiling or Nagano?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Darjiling or Nagano? 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 Nagano?
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.
Nagano
Nagano city and its surrounding prefecture of Japan is a temple region built around Zenkoji, a 7th century Buddhist temple that overlooks the city. Nagano was also home to the Winter Olympic Games in 1998, with some facilities still existing around town. And then there is the forested mountain Togakushi area to the northwest, which is another draw of Nagano, known for its shrines and status as the home of the Togakure Ninja School.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Religious Tours in India, The Best Yoga Tours and Retreats in India, 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 dayDarjiling $35Nagano $96
The average daily cost (per person) in Darjiling is $35, while the average daily cost in Nagano is $96. 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 Nagano in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDarjiling $13Nagano $65
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDarjiling $26Nagano $130
Compare Hotels in Darjiling and Nagano
Looking for a hotel in Darjiling or Nagano? 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 Nagano Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Darjiling $7.45Nagano $11
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: $182
- Private Transfer Darjeeling Hotels To Bagdogra Airport IXB Drop: $73
- Private Transfer from Gangtok to Bagdogra: $55
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nagano
Also for Nagano, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer Between Station & Snow Monkey Park: $688
Is it cheaper to fly into Darjiling or Nagano?
Prices for flights to both Nagano 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
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Food Meals for one dayDarjiling $14Nagano $24
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Darjiling $12Nagano $8.79
Tours and Activities in Darjiling
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Darjiling.
- A Full Day Tour Of Darjeeling: $232
- Best of Darjeeling (Guided Halfday Sightseeing Tour by Car): $82
- Colonial Heritage Walking Tour in Darjeeling: $31
- Cultural & Nature Walking Tour in Darjeeling: $40
- Darjeeling City Tour with Uber: $65
- Darjeeling Exquisite Estate Tour: $156
- Darjeeling Full-Day Sightseeing Tour with Guide & Transports: $98
- Darjeeling Tea Garden Tour : $55
- Day Trip to Buddha Park (Guided Private Sightseeing Tour from Gangtok): $147
- Day Trip to Darjeeling (Guided Private Sightseeing Experience from Gangtok): $146
- Day Trip to Gangtok (Guided Private Sightseeing Experience from Darjeeling): $147
- Day Trip to Kalimpong (Guided Private Sightseeing Experience from Darjeeling): $146
Tours and Activities in Nagano
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Nagano.
- 1 Day Tour: Snow Monkeys & Snow Fun in Shiga Kogen: $183
- 4 Day - From Nagano to Kanazawa: Ultimate Central Japan tour: $827
- Food & Cultural Walking Tour around Zenkoji temple in Nagano: $98
- Full-Day Tour: Matsumoto Castle & Kamikochi Alpine Valley: $199
- Izakaya Food Night Tour in Nagano: $117
- Nagano Sake Tasting Walking Tour: $63
- Nagano's Hidden Samurai Town & Tomyo Lantern Festival Tour: $1,654
- 1-Day Snow Monkey & Cherry Blossom Tour in Spring: $149
- November 23: Ebisu-ko Fireworks & Snow Monkey Tour: $241
- Private Snow Monkey Tour: From Nagano City / Ski Resorts: $1,500
- Snow Monkey Park Day Tour Pick-up and Drop-off From Nagano: $650
- Tateyama-Kurobe Tour: Walking on the 'Roof of Japan': $256
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDarjiling $8.73Nagano -
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Darjiling and Nagano, we can see that Nagano 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 Nagano would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nagano 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 Nagano Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Darjiling or Nagano?
Nagano has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Darjiling. When comparing the sizes of Darjiling and Nagano, 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.