Which place is cheaper, Suzhou or Kamakura?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Kamakura or Suzhou?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Kamakura or Suzhou? 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: Kamakura or Suzhou?
Kamakura
An old city center of medieval Japan, Kamakura sits today on the seaside just south of Tokyo. Due to its early beginnings, the city is dotted with Buddhist Zen temples and Shinto shrines. It has become a prominent resort town drawing visitors with its many historic landmarks as well as nearby beaches.
Suzhou
Suzhou is a city in Jiangsu province famed for its beautiful gardens and traditional waterside architecture, featuring elaborate canals and bridges. Located on the Yangtze Delta, the city consists largely of waterways making Suzhou a kind of 'Venice of the Orient.' It is also a hub for scholars, artists, and skilled craftsmen.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Japan, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Shanghai, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKamakura $104Suzhou $101
The average daily cost (per person) in Kamakura is $104, while the average daily cost in Suzhou is $101. 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 Kamakura and Suzhou in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKamakura $75Suzhou $38
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKamakura $150Suzhou $76
Compare Hotels in Kamakura and Suzhou
Looking for a hotel in Kamakura or Suzhou? 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: Kamakura Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kamakura $15Suzhou $57
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Suzhou
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Suzhou:
- Suzhou Private Arrival Transfer:Railway Station to City Hotel: $27
- Nanjing Downtown hotels to Lukou Intl Airport (NKG) - Departure Private Transfer: $33
- Private Arrival Transfer: Suzhou Train Station to Hotels in Suzhou: $44
- Private Round Trip Transfer to Tianping Mountain from Suzhou: $51
- Private Round-Trip Transfer between Tongli Water Town and Suzhou City : $58
- Private Round-Trip Transfer between Zhouzhuang Water Town and Suzhou City: $58
- Private Round Trip Transfer from Suzhou to Luzhi Water Town: $64
- Private Departure Transfer to Shanghai Airport from Suzhou City Hotel: $68
- Shanghai Private Transfer from Suzhou with Stop-over at Zhouzhuang Water Town : $81
- Suzhou Private Transfer to Tongli Water Town with Shanghai Drop-off Option: $84
- Suzhou Private Transfer to Zhouzhuang Water Town with Shanghai Drop-off Option: $84
- Shanghai Pudong International Airport Private Departure Transfer from Suzhou: $87
Is it cheaper to fly into Kamakura or Suzhou?
Prices for flights to both Suzhou and Kamakura 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 dayKamakura $20Suzhou $32
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Suzhou
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Suzhou.
- Suzhou Alleyway Walking Food Tour With Locals: $55
- Half-Day Private Customized Suzhou Highlights with Lunch or Dinner Option: $123
- Private Suzhou Night Tour:Master of the Nets Garden, Ancient Canal with Dinner: $145
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kamakura $5.59Suzhou $9.32
Tours and Activities in Kamakura
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kamakura are as follows:
- Audio Guide Tour of Historic Sites around Kamakura Station: $6.32
- Kita-Kamakura Audio Guide Tour: Discovering Zen Serenity: $6.32
- Traditional Kimono Rental Experience at WARGO: $25
- Tour on the Works of Ninshô in French: $28
- Traditional Kimono Rental Experience at WARGO: $37
- Kamakura; First Samurai Capital walking tour: $38
- Half-Day Tour to Seven Gods of Fortune in Kamakura and Enoshima: $39
- Kamakura Rickshaw Tour: $39
- Private Tour from North Kamakura Temples & Shrine: $40
- Half day Walking tour & Japanese sweets: $44
- Private History and Heritage Tour by Rickshaw: $51
- From Tokyo: Kamakura and Enoshima 1-Day Bus Tour: $57
Tours and Activities in Suzhou
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Suzhou are as follows:
- Suzhou Self-Guided Tour with Private Car and Driver Service : $65
- Zhouzhuang and Tongli Self-Guided Tour from Suzhou with Drop-off Options : $70
- 4-Hour Suzhou Private Customized Tour: $71
- Suzhou Private English Tour Guide Service: $91
- Suzhou Private Walking Tour with Panmen Gate, City Moat and Yiyuan Garden: $101
- Wuxi Self-Guided Tour from Suzhou by Private Car : $103
- 4-Hour Flexible Suzhou City Highlights Private Tour: $114
- Wuzhen and Xitang Self-Guided Tour from Suzhou with Drop-off Options : $123
- 4-Hour Suzhou Private Flexible Tour with Garden and Boat Ride Option: $125
- Private Flexible Suzhou Day Tour with Old and New Highlights: $127
- 4-Hour Tongli Water Town Private Tour from Suzhou with Boat Ride : $127
- Private Suzhou City Amazing Day Tour in Your Way : $127
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKamakura $13Suzhou $6.40
When comparing the travel costs between Kamakura and Suzhou, we can see that Kamakura 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 Kamakura Expensive? and Is Suzhou Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kamakura or Suzhou?
Suzhou has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Kamakura. When comparing the sizes of Kamakura and Suzhou, 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 Kamakura or Suzhou?
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 Kamakura or Suzhou in the Summer?
Both Suzhou and Kamakura are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Kamakura in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
Kamakura is cooler than Suzhou in the summer. The daily temperature in Kamakura averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Suzhou fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
It's quite sunny in Suzhou. Kamakura usually receives less sunshine than Suzhou during summer. Kamakura gets 137 hours of sunny skies, while Suzhou receives 232 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Suzhou. It's quite rainy in Kamakura. In July, Kamakura usually receives more rain than Suzhou. Kamakura gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Suzhou receives 128 mm (5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKamakura 25°C (77°F)Suzhou 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Kamakura or Suzhou in the Autumn?
Both Suzhou and Kamakura during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Kamakura for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.
In the autumn, Kamakura is around the same temperature as Suzhou. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kamakura in October average around 18°C (64°F), and Suzhou averages at about 19°C (65°F).
In the autumn, Kamakura often gets less sunshine than Suzhou. Kamakura gets 129 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Suzhou receives 162 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kamakura. Kamakura usually gets more rain in October than Suzhou. Kamakura gets 177 mm (7 in) of rain, while Suzhou receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKamakura 18°C (64°F)Suzhou 19°C (65°F)
Should I visit Kamakura or Suzhou in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kamakura and Suzhou. The winter months attract visitors to Kamakura because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
It's quite cold in Suzhou in the winter. In January, Kamakura is generally much warmer than Suzhou. Daily temperatures in Kamakura average around 6°C (43°F), and Suzhou fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).
Kamakura usually receives more sunshine than Suzhou during winter. Kamakura gets 175 hours of sunny skies, while Suzhou receives 135 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Kamakura usually receives more rain than Suzhou. Kamakura gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Suzhou receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKamakura 6°C (43°F)Suzhou 4°C (39°F)
Should I visit Kamakura or Suzhou in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Kamakura as well as Suzhou. The beaches are the main draw to Kamakura this time of year.
Kamakura is around the same temperature as Suzhou in the spring. The daily temperature in Kamakura averages around 14°C (58°F) in April, and Suzhou fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).
In the spring, Kamakura often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Suzhou. Kamakura gets 161 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Suzhou receives 153 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Suzhou. Kamakura receives a lot of rain in the spring. Kamakura usually gets more rain in April than Suzhou. Kamakura gets 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain, while Suzhou receives 102 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKamakura 14°C (58°F)Suzhou 15°C (58°F)
Typical Weather for Suzhou and Kamakura
| Kamakura | Suzhou | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 6°C (43°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (44°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Mar | 9°C (48°F) | 127 mm (5 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Apr | 14°C (58°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 102 mm (4 in) |
| May | 19°C (65°F) | 162 mm (6.4 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 113 mm (4.5 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (71°F) | 218 mm (8.6 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 128 mm (5 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 139 mm (5.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (74°F) | 180 mm (7.1 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 156 mm (6.1 in) |
| Oct | 18°C (64°F) | 177 mm (7 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (56°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Dec | 9°C (48°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 7°C (44°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.