A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Eilat vs. Nikko for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Eilat or Nikko?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Eilat or Nikko? 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: Eilat or Nikko?

Eilat

Eilat serves as the gateway to Israel from Egypt. It's located at the southern tip of the country and sits on the Red Sea with views of the Gulf of Aqaba. It's location in the Negev Desert along the beautiful coast make it appealing to both domestic and international vacationers.

Eilat is a resort town with many dive shops and snorkeling opportunities. The population of about 50,000 can easily be overshadowed by vacationers. With no shortage of sun, entertainment, bars, and partying, you will find both Israeli and international tourists looking for an oasis of fun and relaxation.

Although the area's coral reefs were being damaged by overuse, the removal of contraversial fish cages in 2008 has led to a slow recovery and an improvement in the quality of diving and snorkeling in the area. There are also less crowds than you will find in Sharm el-Sheikh or Dahab, Egypt.

Eilat has a hot desert climate. The summers are hot and dry and the winters are warm and dry. Temperatures in the winter can range from 52 to 73 degrees Fahrenheit and summer temperatures are usually between 79 and 104 degrees Fahrenheit.

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 10-Day Tours in Israel, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Israel, The Best 10-Day Tours in Japan, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Japan.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Eilat and Nikko, we can see that Eilat is more expensive. And not only is Nikko much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Eilat is in Middle East and Nikko is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Nikko would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nikko 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 Eilat would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Eilat than you might in Nikko.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Eilat Expensive? and Is Nikko Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Eilat or Nikko?

Eilat has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Nikko. When comparing the sizes of Eilat 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.

When is the best time to visit Eilat or Nikko?

Nikko has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Eilat experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Eilat or Nikko in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Eilat and Nikko. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Eilat year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Nikko for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

The heat can be very extreme in Eilat. In the summer, Eilat is a little warmer than Nikko. Typically, the summer temperatures in Eilat in July average around 33°C (91°F), and Nikko averages at about 25°C (77°F).

In Eilat, it's very sunny this time of the year. Eilat usually receives more sunshine than Nikko during summer. Eilat gets 384 hours of sunny skies, while Nikko receives 136 hours of full sun in the summer.

Nikko receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Eilat usually receives less rain than Nikko. Eilat gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Nikko receives 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Eilat or Nikko in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Eilat as well as Nikko. Eilat attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Nikko because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Eilat is generally much warmer than Nikko. Daily temperatures in Eilat average around 26°C (79°F), and Nikko fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Eilat this time of the year. In the autumn, Eilat often gets more sunshine than Nikko. Eilat gets 295 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nikko receives 167 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Nikko. Eilat usually gets less rain in October than Nikko. Eilat gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Nikko receives 117 mm (4.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Eilat or Nikko in the Winter?

Both Nikko and Eilat are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Eilat throughout the year. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Nikko this time of year.

It's quite cold in Nikko in the winter. Eilat is much warmer than Nikko in the winter. The daily temperature in Eilat averages around 14°C (57°F) in January, and Nikko fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

It's quite sunny in Nikko. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Eilat. Eilat usually receives more sunshine than Nikko during winter. Eilat gets 234 hours of sunny skies, while Nikko receives 212 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Eilat usually receives less rain than Nikko. Eilat gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Nikko receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Eilat or Nikko in the Spring?

Both Nikko and Eilat during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Eilat because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Nikko for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Eilat is much warmer than Nikko. Typically, the spring temperatures in Eilat in April average around 24°C (75°F), and Nikko averages at about 13°C (55°F).

It's quite sunny in Eilat. In the spring, Eilat often gets more sunshine than Nikko. Eilat gets 282 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nikko receives 191 hours of full sun.

Nikko gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Eilat usually gets less rain in April than Nikko. Eilat gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Nikko receives 108 mm (4.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Nikko and Eilat