Which place is cheaper, Osaka or Guangzhou?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Guangzhou or Osaka?
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 Guangzhou and Osaka can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Guangzhou or Osaka?
Guangzhou
With a population of more than 12 million, Guangzhou is the third largest city in China after Beijing and Shanghai. Though it has a long history, founded in 214 BC, the city has also many modern attractions, a mix of the old and new with temples and parks as well as skyscrapers and shopping centers. Its location on the Pearl River has contributed to this growth, making Guangzhou a major port and commercial hub.
Osaka
The third largest city in Japan, Osaka has a lot to offer travelers. It's at the center of the Kansai region, and is a wonderful place to spend a few days. The city sits at the mouth of the Yodo River on Osaka Bay and is a major commercial hub for the country.
Osaka has a humid subtropical climate with four seasons. The winters are mild with January temperatures having an average high of almost 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Snow is very rare. Springs start cool and become hot and humid. This is also the wettest season with the rainiest time being between May and early July. Summers are hot and humid with July temperatures climbing into the high 90s Fahrenheit. The fall season becomes cooler as winter approaches.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in China, The Best 2-Week Tours in China, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Japan, and The Best Adventure Tours to Japan.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGuangzhou $89Osaka $88
The average daily cost (per person) in Guangzhou is $89, while the average daily cost in Osaka is $88. 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 Guangzhou and Osaka in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGuangzhou $57Osaka $45
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGuangzhou $114Osaka $90
Compare Hotels in Guangzhou and Osaka
Looking for a hotel in Guangzhou or Osaka? 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: Osaka Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Guangzhou $14Osaka $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guangzhou
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guangzhou:
- Zhuhai City Private Arrival Transfer from Guangzhou Baiyun Int'l Airport : $108
- Private Transfer: Guangzhou Baiyun Airport to Guangzhou Nan Railway Station: $38
- Private Transfer from Guangzhou South Railway Station to Baiyun Airport : $53
- Private Transfer from Guangzhou Int Airport (CAN) to Shekou Port: $68
- Private Transfer from Guangzhou City Center to South Railway Station: $49
- Private Transfer from Guangzhou Baiyun Airport to Guangzhou Hotel: $88
- Private Transfer between Guangzhou and Shenzhen City Area: $104
- Private Transfer between Guangzhou Baiyun Mountain and City Area: $44
- Private Guided Guangzhou Pearl River Cruise Tour With Hotel Transfer: $109
- Private Baiyun Airport Transfer to Guangzhou Railway or East Railway Station: $49
- Private Arrival Transfer in English-speaking: Airport to Hotel: $99
- Pearl River Night Cruise with Private Transfers in Guangzhou: $129
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Osaka
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Osaka:
-
Subway$7.83
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Osaka
Also for Osaka, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- One Way Transfer between Universal Studios Japan and Osaka: $97
- Airport Transfer from Osaka city to Kansai airport: $68
- Airport Transfer! Hotel in center of Osaka to Osaka International Airport (ITM): $150
- Airport Transfer! Osaka Airport (ITM) to Center of hotel in Osaka: $150
- Arrival Private Transfer from Itama Airport ITM to Osaka City by Minivan: $75
- Departure Private Transfer from Osaka City to Itama Airport ITM by Minivan: $75
- Departure Private Transfers: Osaka City to Kansai Airport KIX in Business Car: $191
- Departure Private Transfers: Osaka City to Kansai Airport KIX in Business Van: $236
- Itami Airport (ITM): Private One-Way Transfer to/from Kyoto: $199
- Itami Airport (ITM): Private One-Way Transfer to/from Nara: $215
- Itami Airport (ITM): Private One-Way Transfer to/from Osaka: $87
- Itami Airport (ITM): Private One-Way Transfer ⇋ Osaka: $158
Is it cheaper to fly into Guangzhou or Osaka?
Prices for flights to both Osaka and Guangzhou 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 dayGuangzhou $19Osaka $25
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guangzhou
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Guangzhou.
- Guangzhou Evening Food Tour Through Local Neighborhood: $65
- Guangzhou Night View Cruise Tour with Dinner: $90
- Private Guangzhou Night Tour VIP Cruise and Dim-Sum Dinner Option: $146
- 3-Hour Guangzhou Private Cooking Class with Local Market Visit : $165
- Private Guangzhou Night Tour with Canton Tower and Dim-Sum Dinner: $176
- Private Guangzhou Food Tour Michelin Restaurant&Local Food Market: $180
- Private Guangzhou Food Tour Yumcha and Local Food Market Explore: $180
- Guangzhou Private Night Tour: Lychee Bay, Beijing Road, Cruise, Dinner: $204
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Osaka
For Osaka, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Osaka:Food Tour & Shopping(Grand Opening Limited Time Offer): $25
- 2-Hour Kuromon Market Walking Street Food Tour: $26
- Private Takoyaki Cooking Class by Natives in Osaka: $36
- Experience Cooking Takoyaki in its Birthplace, Osaka: $42
- Japanese home cooking class in Osaka Umeda: $45
- Osaka Okonomiyaki Cooking Experience!: $48
- Home Cooking Class: $50
- Enjoy artistic TEMPURA Cooking Class: $58
- Ramen and Gyoza Cooking Class in Dotonbori: $61
- Kimono experience and Japanese home-cooking lesson Osaka: $63
- Osaka Authentic Tempura & Miso Soup Japan Cooking Class: $64
- RAMEN and 2 types GYOZA (dumplings) Cooking Class: $65
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Guangzhou $18Osaka $20
Tours and Activities in Guangzhou
Here are a few actual costs in Guangzhou for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Guangzhou Self-Guided Tour with Private Car and Driver Service: $75
- Liuxihe National Forest Park Private Day Tour from Guangzhou: $266
- Private Tour of Foshan: The Ancestral Temple and Other Options from Guangzhou : $167
- 1 Day Historical Guangzhou Layover Tour from Airport: $260
- 4 Hours Half Day Guangzhou Airport Layover Visa-Free Private Tour: $180
- 4-Hour Baiyun Mountain Yuntai Garden Private Guangzhou City Tour: $180
- 5-Hour Sai Kwan Walking Tour with Unique Food Tasting: $72
- AAAAA Top National Natural Preserve Dinghu Mountain Private Tour: $300
- All Inclusive Private Day Tour to Lotus Hill and Shawan Old Town from Guangzhou: $229
- Ancient Foshan Day Tour from Guangzhou: $201
- Best of Guangzhou City Sightseeing: $110
- Big Buddha Mountain Martial Art Culture Countryside Private Tour: $220
Typical Entertainment Prices in Osaka
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Osaka's activities, tours, and tickets:
-
Osaka Aquarium (for 2)$30
Tours and Activities in Osaka
For Osaka, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Osaka Castle: Museum and Tower Entry Ticket: $3.79
- Table Tennis Experience with Local Players: $4.42
- Kamigata Ukiyoe Museum Entrance Ticket: $4.42
- Ryurei Teicha: Chanoyu (Tea Ceremony) Experience in Osaka: $5.05
- Osaka Sakishima Observatory Advance Ticket: $5.68
- Dotonbori District Sightseeing Cruise & Beer Discount: $7.58
- Tsutenkaku Entry Ticket: $7.67
- Osaka Dotonbori Wonder Cruise: $7.75
- Osaka Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Umeda Sky Building E-Ticket: $9.47
- Osaka Tsutenkaku Admission Ticket: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayGuangzhou $14Osaka $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Osaka
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Osaka:
- Osaka Namba Hidden Places Bar Crawl: $16
- Osaka Pub Crawl and Nightlife Tour: $23
- Namba Pub Bar Crawl with a Local Guide: $30
- Pub Bar Crawl Enjoy Unique Japanese Drinks with Local: $32
- Local Bar Crawl in Dotombori and Uranamba Area: $38
- Osaka Local Bar Crawl in Dotombori & Uranamba Area: $39
- 3 Hour Osaka Pub Crawl Weekly Welcome Guided Tour in Namba : $52
When comparing the travel costs between Guangzhou and Osaka, we can see that Guangzhou is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Guangzhou Expensive? and Is Osaka Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Guangzhou or Osaka?
Guangzhou has a larger population, and is about 22% larger than the population of Osaka. When comparing the sizes of Guangzhou and Osaka, 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 Guangzhou or Osaka?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Guangzhou or Osaka in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Guangzhou as well as Osaka. Also, many travelers come to Osaka for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Guangzhou is generally around the same temperature as Osaka. Daily temperatures in Guangzhou average around 29°C (84°F), and Osaka fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Guangzhou this time of the year. In the summer, Guangzhou often gets more sunshine than Osaka. Guangzhou gets 220 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Osaka receives 183 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Osaka. Guangzhou receives a lot of rain in the summer. Guangzhou usually gets more rain in July than Osaka. Guangzhou gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Osaka receives 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyGuangzhou 29°C (84°F)Osaka 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Guangzhou or Osaka in the Autumn?
Both Osaka and Guangzhou are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Osaka in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
Guangzhou is a little warmer than Osaka in the autumn. The daily temperature in Guangzhou averages around 25°C (76°F) in October, and Osaka fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
Guangzhou usually receives more sunshine than Osaka during autumn. Guangzhou gets 192 hours of sunny skies, while Osaka receives 159 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Osaka. In October, Guangzhou usually receives less rain than Osaka. Guangzhou gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Osaka receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberGuangzhou 25°C (76°F)Osaka 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Guangzhou or Osaka in the Winter?
Both Osaka and Guangzhou during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Osaka for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
In the winter, Guangzhou is much warmer than Osaka. Typically, the winter temperatures in Guangzhou in January average around 14°C (58°F), and Osaka averages at about 6°C (42°F).
In the winter, Guangzhou often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Osaka. Guangzhou gets 133 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Osaka receives 140 hours of full sun.
Guangzhou usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Osaka. Guangzhou gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Osaka receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryGuangzhou 14°C (58°F)Osaka 6°C (42°F)
Should I visit Guangzhou or Osaka in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Guangzhou and Osaka. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Osaka because of the activities around the city.
In April, Guangzhou is generally a little warmer than Osaka. Daily temperatures in Guangzhou average around 22°C (72°F), and Osaka fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
Guangzhou usually receives less sunshine than Osaka during spring. Guangzhou gets 78 hours of sunny skies, while Osaka receives 176 hours of full sun in the spring.
Osaka receives a lot of rain in the spring. Guangzhou gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Guangzhou usually receives more rain than Osaka. Guangzhou gets 182 mm (7.2 in) of rain, while Osaka receives 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilGuangzhou 22°C (72°F)Osaka 15°C (59°F)
Typical Weather for Osaka and Guangzhou
| Guangzhou | Osaka | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 14°C (58°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Feb | 15°C (59°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Mar | 18°C (65°F) | 85 mm (3.4 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Apr | 22°C (72°F) | 182 mm (7.2 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 284 mm (11.2 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.1 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 204 mm (8 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (84°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 157 mm (6.2 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 221 mm (8.7 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 172 mm (6.8 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (76°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) |
| Nov | 20°C (68°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Dec | 16°C (61°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
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.