Which place is cheaper, Osaka or Johor Bahru?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Johor Bahru or Osaka?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Johor Bahru or Osaka? 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: Johor Bahru or Osaka?
Johor Bahru
Johor Bahru is the capital of the state of Johor in Southern Malaysia. Though it is largely industrial and does not typically cater to tourists, especially compared to the grandeur of neighboring Singapore, the city does have some opportunities for shopping, dining, and entertainment.
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 Luxury Tours to Malaysia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Japan, and The Best Adventure Tours to Japan.
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Johor Bahru Prices
Malaysia PricesOsaka Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayJohor Bahru $66Osaka $104
The average daily cost (per person) in Johor Bahru is $66, while the average daily cost in Osaka is $104. 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 Johor Bahru and Osaka in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personJohor Bahru $41Osaka $45
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomJohor Bahru $82Osaka $90
Compare Hotels in Johor Bahru and Osaka
Looking for a hotel in Johor Bahru 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: Johor Bahru Hotel Prices and Osaka Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Johor Bahru $13Osaka $13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Johor Bahru
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Johor Bahru:
- ~Chauffeur: Johor Bahru to Singapore Van Transfer: $39
- ~Chauffeur: Johor Bahru to Singapore MPV Transfer: $100
- Universal Studios Singapore Tickets with Round-trip Transfers: $116
- Singapore Universal Studio with Optional One Way Transfer: $100
- Private Transfer from Legoland (Malaysia) to Singapore Changi Airport (SIN): $292
- Private Transfer from Johor Bahru City Center to Singapore Hotels: $102
- Private Transfer : Johor Bharu (JB) to Kuala Lumpur (KL): $136
- Malaysia：Senai International Airport（JHB）One-Way Transfer: $80
- Legoland Johor Bahru to Kuala Lumpur 1-way Transfer: $125
- LEGOLAND Malaysia to Kuala Lumpur City One-way Transfer: $105
- LEGOLAND Malaysia to Kuala Lumpur Airport One-way Transfer: $105
- LEGOLAND Malaysia Admission Ticket with Return Transfer from Kuala Lumpur: $188
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Osaka
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Osaka:
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Subway$7.60
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Osaka
Also for Osaka, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Kansai KIX Airport: Private Transfer to/from Osaka or Kyoto: $24
- Osaka Kansai Airport (KIX) Private Transfer to or from Osaka City: $37
- Itami Airport(ITM): Private Transfer from/to Osaka or Kyoto: $42
- Private Transfer to/from Universal Studios Japan: $42
- Osaka International Airport (ITM) Private Transfer to Osaka/Kyoto: $46
- Shared Departure Transfer: Osaka City to Osaka Itami Airport: $54
- Shared Arrival Transfer: Osaka Itami Airport to Osaka City: $54
- Osaka : Private One-way Transfers to/from Kansai Airport(KIX): $59
- Osaka/Kyoto Private Transfer to Itami Airport (ITM): $62
- Kobe: Highlights Day or Night Tour with Transfers from Osaka: $62
- Osaka Kansai Airport (KIX) to Osaka - Arrival Private Transfer: $67
- Osaka to Osaka Kansai Airport (KIX) - Departure Private Transfer: $67
Is it cheaper to fly into Johor Bahru or Osaka?
Prices for flights to both Osaka and Johor Bahru 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 dayJohor Bahru $16Osaka $42
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Osaka
For Osaka, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Osaka Gourmet EXPO 2025 WaiWai Enkai Dinner Plan: $19
- Dotonbori Ramen Cooking Class- Make Tonkotsu, Shoyu & Miso: $21
- Osaka Cooking Class 17 Tastes Takoyaki Making: $21
- Experience Real Osaka with a Local Guide Walking and Food Tour: $26
- Osaka Umeda: PICCADILLY DINNER SHOW&NIGHTCLUB with Tasting: $32
- Japanese Home cooking in Osaka: $36
- Welcome to Osaka Matrix and Local food tour with Ninja Guide: $36
- Osaka Namba Food Tour: Small-Group with Flexible Ordering: $41
- 1.5 Hour Food Tour at the Kuromon Market in Osaka: $42
- Experience Cooking Takoyaki in its Birthplace, Osaka: $42
- Kuromon, Sennichimae & Dotonbori Food Tour with Wagyu: $45
- 1 Group Only Osaka Dotonbori Food Tour Wagyu and Ramen Takoyaki: $45
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Johor Bahru $8.04Osaka $20
Tours and Activities in Johor Bahru
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Johor Bahru are as follows:
- *15 Hrs Melaka Escorted Van Tour from Johor Bahru w' Tour Guide: $117
- Adventure Cove Waterpark Admission Ticket: $39
- Adventure Cove Waterpark Sentosa Island Singapore AdmissionTicket: $30
- Adventure Cove Waterpark Tickets: $49
- Adventure Waterpark Desaru Coast Admission Ticket in Johor: $29
- Adventure Waterpark Ticket Desaru Coast: $19
- Dino Rescue Squad - Cinematic Walkthrough VR Experience: $19
- Firefly Tour Johor Bahru@Kota Tinggi Firefly Park: $6.53
- Harry Potter Visions of Magic Singapore Entry Ticket with Voucher: $71
- Johor Bahru : Seadoo JetSki 30mins Self Ride Tour (Double): $86
- Johor Bahru : Seadoo JetSki 30mins Self Ride Tour(Single): $62
- Brooklyn Cruise at Puteri Harbour: $11
Typical Entertainment Prices in Osaka
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Osaka's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Osaka Aquarium (for 2)$29
Tours and Activities in Osaka
For Osaka, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Unique Hidden Bar Tour in Dotonbori by Local Guide: $3.23
- Osaka Castle Self-Guided Audio Tour The 1615 Summer Siege: $3.24
- Osaka Food Quest: Self-Guided Culinary & History Adventure: $6.18
- Osaka Dotonbori: CHEVAL Nightclub Ticket & Drinks (Foreign Only): $6.48
- Osaka Dotonbori GALA RESORT Nightclub Entry Ticket: $6.48
- Osaka Umeda: OWL Nightclub Admission Ticket (For Foreign): $6.48
- Osaka Dotonbori: GIRAFFE Nightclub Admission Ticket (For Foreign): $6.48
- Osaka Farplane Parco Bar Admission Ticket with Drink for Foreign: $6.48
- Harukas 300 Observatory Tickets | Osaka: $7.00
- Osaka Katsuo-ji Temple Natural Attraction Ticket: $8.50
- HEP FIVE Ferris Wheel E-Ticket: $11
- Osaka Walking Tour with Audioguide on Your Smartphone: $11
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayJohor Bahru $5.25Osaka $11
Sample the Local Flavors in Osaka
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Osaka:
- Osaka Pub Crawl and Nightlife Tour: $23
- Osaka Nights: Ultimate Pub Bar Crawl with an Expert Local Guide: $36
- Off The Beaten Path Osaka Local Bar Crawl/ 22 Tapas 7 Drinks: $45
- 3Hour Osaka Pub Crawl Bar Hopping Nightlife Guided Tour in Namba: $46
- Osaka Winery Tour with Wine Tasting & Vineyard Walk: $84
- 4-Stop Bar Crawl in Tenma: An Intro to Osaka's Best Bites & Sips: $102
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Johor Bahru and Osaka, we can see that Osaka is more expensive. And not only is Johor Bahru much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Johor Bahru would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Johor Bahru 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 Osaka would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Osaka than you might in Johor Bahru.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Johor Bahru Expensive? and Is Osaka Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Johor Bahru or Osaka?
Osaka has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Johor Bahru. When comparing the sizes of Johor Bahru 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.
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.