Which place is cheaper, Kyoto or Hongcun?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Hongcun or Kyoto?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Hongcun and Kyoto can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Hongcun or Kyoto?
Hongcun
When you picture ancient China, you likely picture old cobblestone streets, white homes with pointed black roofs and a slight air of mysticism in the surroundings. This is Hongcun.
The backdrop for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is not usually on the top of many traveler's lists. This isn't a bustling tourist town with guides offering to show you the sights or carts peddling the latest tacky souvenir. It's a quiet village where you'll see the real Chinese culture. The homes along the complex water canals air their fish in their windows to preserve it for their family dinners. There is no bowing to tourism here.
Kyoto
Kyoto is a larger city of Japan, though it is very much set in the old ways. With quiet temples, sublime gardens, colorful shrines, and geisha walking amidst a city surrounded by stunning mountains, Kyoto feels like a world of another time and place. True to ancient Japanese tradition, most aspects of daily life are tied closely with the changing of the seasons.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, The Best Adventure Tours to China, The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHongcun $52Kyoto $96
The average daily cost (per person) in Hongcun is $52, while the average daily cost in Kyoto 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 Hongcun and Kyoto in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHongcun $23Kyoto $63
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHongcun $46Kyoto $126
Compare Hotels in Hongcun and Kyoto
Looking for a hotel in Hongcun or Kyoto? 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: Kyoto Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hongcun $12Kyoto $7.55
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kyoto
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kyoto:
- Shared Departure Transfer : Kyoto City to Kansai International Airport: $67
- Private departure transfer from Kyoto city to Kansai International airport: $107
- Osaka (Itami) Airport to/from Kyoto City Private Transfer: $136
- Kansai Airport (KIX): Private One-Way Transfer to/from Kyoto: $207
- Osaka (Itami) Airport ITM Private Transfer to/from Kyoto: $212
- Osaka City to/from Kyoto City Private transfer: $221
- Kansai Intl. Airport KIX Private Transfer to/from Kyoto: $222
- Kansai Int Airport to/from Kyoto City Private Transfer: $264
- Kyoto Early Bird Half Day Private Tour with Transfer: $292
- From Private 1-Way Transfer to Kansai Airport: $316
- One-Way Private Transfer to/from Itami Airport: $316
- Customizable Private Tour with Hotel Transfers: $504
Is it cheaper to fly into Hongcun or Kyoto?
Prices for flights to both Kyoto and Hongcun 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 dayHongcun $19Kyoto $24
Typical Food Prices in Hongcun
Some typical examples of dining costs in Hongcun are as follows:
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Lunch for Two$4.83
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Breakfast of Dumplings$2.07
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kyoto
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kyoto.
- Private Cooking Class Udon in Kyoto Japan: $40
- Japanese Washoku Bento Cooking Class with Lunch: $41
- Nishiki Market Brunch Walking Food Tour: $45
- Japanese Home Cooking Lesson with Local Hosts in Peaceful Kyoto Suburb Otsu: $49
- Kyoto Nishiki Market & Depachika: 2-hours Food Tour with a Local: $59
- Afternoon Japanese Izakaya Cooking Class: $59
- Morning Japanese Bento Cooking Class: $59
- Japanese Cooking Class: $60
- Japanese Udon and Sushi Cooking Class with Tastings: $62
- Wagashi(Japanese sweets) Cooking :Kyoto near Fushimiinari: $63
- Bento Box Cooking Class: $66
- Izakaya Style Cooking Class: $66
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hongcun $17Kyoto $13
Typical Entertainment Prices in Hongcun
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Hongcun are as follows:
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Two Entrance Tickets$29
Tours and Activities in Kyoto
Here are a few actual costs in Kyoto for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Arashiyama self guided tour app multilingual audio guide: $2.14
- Kyoto Tower Admission Ticket: $6.13
- Audio Guide Tour of Kinkaku-ji & Ryōan-ji Areas ~ Zen Echoe: $6.32
- Audio Guide Tour Sanjusangen-do & Chishaku-in: $6.32
- Audio Guide Tour through Gion: Kiyomizu-dera and Kodai-ji: $6.32
- Audio Guide Tour: Unveiling Kyoto Station Surroundings: $6.32
- Nijo Castle & Kitano Tenmangu Shrine: Auidio Guide Tour: $6.32
- Arashiyama: Self-Guided Audio Tour through History & Nature: $6.32
- Audio guide tour of the Kyoto Imperial Palace & surroundings: $6.32
- Ninnaji Temple Entry Ticket: $6.95
- Kyoto self-guided tour app with multi-language audioguide: $8.56
- Kyoto Gion Night Walking Tour: $9.47
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHongcun $14Kyoto $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Kyoto
Also in Kyoto, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Japanese Sake Brewery and Fushimi Inari Sightseeing Tour: $18
- Sake Brewery and Tasting Tour in Fushimi: $80
- Insider Sake Brewery Tour with Sake and Food Pairing: $83
- Rural Brewery Town Walk: Half-Day Private Tour Near Kyoto: $97
- Kyoto Sake Brewery Tour: $153
- Rural Villages & Brewery Town: Private 1-Day Cycling Near Kyoto: $181
- Kyoto Sake Bar and Pub Crawl (Food & Sake Tour): $189
- Kyoto Sake Bar and Pub Crawl (Food & Sake Tour): $195
- Private Guided Local Bar Crawl Experience in Kyoto: $223
- Kyoto Nightlife: Local Bar Crawl Experience: $435
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hongcun and Kyoto, we can see that Kyoto is more expensive. And not only is Hongcun much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hongcun would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hongcun 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 Kyoto would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kyoto than you might in Hongcun.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hongcun Expensive? and Is Kyoto Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Hongcun or Kyoto?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Hongcun or Kyoto in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Hongcun and Kyoto. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Kyoto this time of year.
In July, Hongcun is generally around the same temperature as Kyoto. Daily temperatures in Hongcun average around 29°C (85°F), and Kyoto fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
Kyoto receives a lot of rain in the summer. Hongcun gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Hongcun usually receives less rain than Kyoto. Hongcun gets 185 mm (7.3 in) of rain, while Kyoto receives 236 mm (9.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHongcun 29°C (85°F)Kyoto 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Hongcun or Kyoto in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Hongcun as well as Kyoto. Also, many travelers come to Kyoto for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Hongcun is around the same temperature as Kyoto in the autumn. The daily temperature in Hongcun averages around 19°C (65°F) in October, and Kyoto fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
It's quite rainy in Kyoto. Hongcun usually gets less rain in October than Kyoto. Hongcun gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Kyoto receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHongcun 19°C (65°F)Kyoto 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Hongcun or Kyoto in the Winter?
Both Kyoto and Hongcun are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Kyoto in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Kyoto can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Hongcun. In the winter, Hongcun is cooler than Kyoto. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hongcun in January average around 4°C (40°F), and Kyoto averages at about 5°C (40°F).
In January, Hongcun usually receives less rain than Kyoto. Hongcun gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Kyoto receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHongcun 4°C (40°F)Kyoto 5°C (40°F)
Should I visit Hongcun or Kyoto in the Spring?
Both Kyoto and Hongcun during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Kyoto for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.
In April, Hongcun is generally a little warmer than Kyoto. Daily temperatures in Hongcun average around 17°C (62°F), and Kyoto fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).
Kyoto gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Hongcun. Hongcun usually gets more rain in April than Kyoto. Hongcun gets 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Kyoto receives 153 mm (6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHongcun 17°C (62°F)Kyoto 14°C (58°F)
Typical Weather for Kyoto and Hongcun
| Hongcun | Kyoto | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 4°C (40°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (42°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Mar | 10°C (51°F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (62°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 153 mm (6 in) |
| May | 22°C (71°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 154 mm (6 in) |
| Jun | 26°C (78°F) | 235 mm (9.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 251 mm (9.9 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 185 mm (7.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 121 mm (4.7 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (65°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (55°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Dec | 7°C (44°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 40 mm (1.6 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.