A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Jinghong vs. Kyoto for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Jinghong 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 Jinghong 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: Jinghong or Kyoto?

Jinghong

Located in the southernmost part of the Yunnan Province, Jinghong is a city that attracts visitors each year with its rich culture and folklore, Buddhist temples, and tropical rainforest scenery of palms and mango trees amongst others. It is also an area popular with backpackers as well as a waypoint for travelers passing between China and Laos.

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 The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Beijing, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Lhasa, The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo.


Which place is cheaper, Kyoto or Jinghong?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Jinghong is $83, while the average daily cost in Kyoto is $118. 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 Jinghong and Kyoto in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Jinghong $20
    Kyoto $66
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Jinghong $40
    Kyoto $132
Compare Hotels in Jinghong and Kyoto

Looking for a hotel in Jinghong 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.

Hotels in Jinghong


Hotels in Kyoto


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Jinghong $25
    Kyoto $7.82

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kyoto

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kyoto:

  • Arashiyama Kinkakuji Quiet Trail E-Bike Tour with Hotel Transfer: $131
  • Departure Transfer from Kyoto to Itami Airport ITM by Minivan: $130
  • Japan Railway Station Shared Departure Transfer : Kyoto City to Kyoto Station: $71
  • Kyoto hotels to Kansai Airport (KIX) - Departure Private Transfer: $142
  • Naruto & Boruto at Nijigen no Mori Entry & Transfer: $47
  • Minivan Departure Transfer from Kyoto City to Kansai Airport KIX: $260
  • Private Transfer from Maizuru Cruise Port to Osaka Airport (ITM): $155
  • Private Transfer from Maizuru Port to Osaka Kansai Airport (KIX): $226
  • Private Transfer from Maizuru Port to Osaka Kansai Airport (KIX): $248
  • Private departure transfer from Kyoto city to Kansai International airport: $113
  • Private departure transfer from Kyoto city to Osaka Itami International airport: $82
  • Shared Departure Transfer: Kyoto City to Osaka Itami Airport: $107

Is it cheaper to fly into Jinghong or Kyoto?

Prices for flights to both Kyoto and Jinghong 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 day
    Jinghong $48
    Kyoto $43

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kyoto

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kyoto.

  • Sushi & Tempura Cooking Class: $48
  • Kyoto Nishiki Market & Depachika: 2-hours Food Tour with a Local: $48
  • Sushi Cooking Class (Making three types of sushi): $48
  • Private Cooking Class Udon in Kyoto Japan: $54
  • 1 hour Takoyaki and Okonomiyaki cooking class in Kyoto: $61
  • Kyoto Ramen Spoon Painting & Michelin Cooking Class : $61
  • Dinner with Maiko: $62
  • Private Guided Traditional Buddhist Cooking in Japan: $69
  • Kyoto Udon and Tempura Cooking Class with Professional Chefs: $72
  • Kyoto Ramen Bowl Painting and Michelin Cooking Class: $75
  • Ramen Bowl Painting & Cooking in Gion, Kyoto: $75
  • Gion Food Tour 13 Dishes at 4 Eateries: $76

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Jinghong $9.31
    Kyoto $13

Tours and Activities in Jinghong

Here are a few actual costs in Jinghong for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Best of Dai Villages | 20km E-Bike Tour: $41

Tours and Activities in Kyoto

Here are a few actual costs in Kyoto for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Kyoto KITSUNE Nightclub Admission Ticket For Foreign: $3.42
  • Hidden Temples in Kyoto a Self-Guided Zen Tour: $3.57
  • Fushimi Inari Shrine: Explore the 1,000 Torii Gates on an audio walking tour: $7.99
  • Kyoto Fushimi Inari Taisha Walking Tour with Audioguide: $8.34
  • Kyoto Self-Guided Audio Experience: $9.00
  • Kyoto Tower Entry Ticket: $12
  • Kyoto K Drama GPS App Walking Tour Mobile Game: $14
  • Nidec Kyoto Tower Observation Deck Admission Ticket: $15
  • Kyoto Sightseeing Pass E ticket: $15
  • Kyoto Arashiyama Easy Walk Tour : $18
  • Kyoto's Arashiyama Bamboo Grove: 3-Hour Guided Tour: $20
  • Kyoto Railway Museum Advance Tickets: $20

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Jinghong $5.41
    Kyoto $13

Sample the Local Flavors in Kyoto

Also in Kyoto, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Kyoto Local Bar Crawl in Kawaramachi Area: $41
  • Fushimi Cherry Blossom and Sake Brewery Tour: $101
  • Kyoto Sake Brewery & Tasting Walking Tour: $102
  • Fushimi Sake Brewery Tour - 18 Tastings in 2.5 Hours: $162
  • Kyoto Sake Brewery Tour with Lunch: $227


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Jinghong and Kyoto, we can see that Kyoto is more expensive. And not only is Jinghong much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Jinghong would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Jinghong 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 Jinghong.

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


Which is Bigger, Jinghong or Kyoto?

Kyoto has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Jinghong. When comparing the sizes of Jinghong and Kyoto, 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.