Which place is cheaper, Kanazawa or Hefei?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Hefei or Kanazawa?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Hefei or Kanazawa? 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: Hefei or Kanazawa?
Hefei
While most would consider the city of Hefei a pass-through destination, there are plenty of things to see in the capital city of China's Anhui province.
Kanazawa
An important city of the Edo-period, Kanazawa is a well preserved city from a time when samurai, merchants, geisha, and lords made up the core of its culture. Though it is often overlooked by foreigners, the city is a gem of Japanese tourism with a number of preserved historic districts, temples, regional handicrafts, art museums, and some of the best food to be had in Japan.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to China, The Best Sightseeing Tours in China, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Japan, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Japan.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHefei $62Kanazawa $103
The average daily cost (per person) in Hefei is $62, while the average daily cost in Kanazawa is $103. 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 Hefei and Kanazawa in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHefei $28Kanazawa $64
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHefei $56Kanazawa $128
Compare Hotels in Hefei and Kanazawa
Looking for a hotel in Hefei or Kanazawa? 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: Kanazawa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hefei $17Kanazawa $9.32
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kanazawa
Also for Kanazawa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Kanazawa City to/from Wakura City Private transfer: $247
- Noto Airport to/from Kanazawa City Private Transfer: $308
Is it cheaper to fly into Hefei or Kanazawa?
Prices for flights to both Kanazawa and Hefei 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 dayHefei $21Kanazawa $32
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kanazawa
For Kanazawa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Sneaking into a Cooking Class for Japanese: $57
- Private Japanese Cooking Classes in Kanazawa: $76
- Private Japanese Cooking Classes in Kanazawa: $78
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hefei $19Kanazawa $9.74
Tours and Activities in Kanazawa
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Kanazawa.
- Selfie Experience in Kanazawa - Monochrome Plan: $13
- Selfie Experience in Kanazawa - Moon Plan: $13
- Selfie Experience in Kanazawa - Color Plan: $19
- Traditional Kimono Rental Experience at WARGO: $25
- Kenrokuen Tea Ceremony Experience: $30
- Traditional Kimono Rental Experience at WARGO: $37
- Kanazawa Like a Local: Customized Guided Tour: $55
- Kanazawa Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $55
- Guided Night Tour to Feel the Samurai Culture in Kanazawa: $56
- [Day trip bus tour from Kanazawa Station] Weekend only! World Heritage Shirakawago Day Bus Tour: $66
- [One-day bus tour departing from Kanazawa Station] Shirakawa-go and Gokayama - Two World Heritage Villages Enjoyable Bus Tour: $76
- “Be a Local” Kanazawa Izakaya Hop Tour: $78
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHefei $11Kanazawa $12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hefei and Kanazawa, we can see that Kanazawa is more expensive. And not only is Hefei much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hefei would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hefei 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 Kanazawa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kanazawa than you might in Hefei.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hefei Expensive? and Is Kanazawa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hefei or Kanazawa?
Hefei has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Kanazawa. When comparing the sizes of Hefei and Kanazawa, 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 Hefei or Kanazawa?
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 Hefei or Kanazawa in the Summer?
Both Kanazawa and Hefei during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Kanazawa for the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Hefei is generally a little warmer than Kanazawa. Daily temperatures in Hefei average around 29°C (83°F), and Kanazawa fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
Kanazawa gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Hefei. Hefei usually gets less rain in July than Kanazawa. Hefei gets 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Kanazawa receives 251 mm (9.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHefei 29°C (83°F)Kanazawa 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Hefei or Kanazawa in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Hefei and Kanazawa. Also, many visitors come to Kanazawa in the autumn for the shopping scene.
Hefei is around the same temperature as Kanazawa in the autumn. The daily temperature in Hefei averages around 18°C (64°F) in October, and Kanazawa fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).
Kanazawa receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Hefei usually receives less rain than Kanazawa. Hefei gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Kanazawa receives 203 mm (8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHefei 18°C (64°F)Kanazawa 17°C (62°F)
Should I visit Hefei or Kanazawa in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Hefei as well as Kanazawa. Also, most visitors come to Kanazawa for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Kanazawa can be very cold during winter. Hefei can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Hefei is around the same temperature as Kanazawa. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hefei in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Kanazawa averages at about 3°C (38°F).
It's quite rainy in Kanazawa. Hefei usually gets less rain in January than Kanazawa. Hefei gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Kanazawa receives 294 mm (11.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHefei 3°C (38°F)Kanazawa 3°C (38°F)
Should I visit Hefei or Kanazawa in the Spring?
Both Kanazawa and Hefei are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.
In April, Hefei is generally a little warmer than Kanazawa. Daily temperatures in Hefei average around 16°C (61°F), and Kanazawa fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kanazawa. In April, Hefei usually receives less rain than Kanazawa. Hefei gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Kanazawa receives 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHefei 16°C (61°F)Kanazawa 12°C (54°F)
Typical Weather for Kanazawa and Hefei
| Hefei | Kanazawa | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (38°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 294 mm (11.6 in) |
| Feb | 5°C (40°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 192 mm (7.6 in) |
| Mar | 10°C (50°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 156 mm (6.1 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (61°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) |
| May | 22°C (71°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (78°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 202 mm (8 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 251 mm (9.9 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (74°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 248 mm (9.8 in) |
| Oct | 18°C (64°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 203 mm (8 in) |
| Nov | 11°C (53°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 266 mm (10.5 in) |
| Dec | 5°C (42°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 306 mm (12 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.