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

Should you visit Kao-hsiung 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 Kao-hsiung 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: Kao-hsiung or Kyoto?

Kao-hsiung

Kaohsiung is the second-most populated city and also the largest port city in the country, located in the south of Taiwan. Compared to Taipei, the lifestyle in Kaohsiung is laid-back and noticeably slower, populated with friendly locals. However, with Taipei in the spotlight, Kaohsiung is often overlooked, though it offers so much in the way of art and culture, history, and delicious food.

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 Historical Tours in Taiwan, The Best Adventure Tours to Taiwan, The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo.


Which place is cheaper, Kyoto or Kao-hsiung?

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

  • Kao-hsiung Prices
    Taiwan Prices
    Kyoto Prices
    Japan Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Kao-hsiung $134
    Kyoto $118

The average daily cost (per person) in Kao-hsiung is $134, 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 Kao-hsiung and Kyoto in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kao-hsiung $60
    Kyoto $66
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kao-hsiung $120
    Kyoto $132
Compare Hotels in Kao-hsiung and Kyoto

Looking for a hotel in Kao-hsiung 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 Kao-hsiung


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: Kao-hsiung Hotel Prices and Kyoto Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kao-hsiung $12
    Kyoto $7.82

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kao-hsiung

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kao-hsiung:

  • Guanziling Resorts to Kaohsiung Airport KHH Departure Transfer: $134
  • Kaohsiung Airport (KHH) to Guanziling Resorts - Arrival Transfer: $134
  • Kaohsiung Airport -> Kaohsiung Hotel Private Transfer (Large room for luggage) : $35
  • Kaohsiung Airport Chauffeur service , Kaohsiung Airport Transfer : $50
  • Private Kaohsiung Airport to Taitung Resorts Arrival Transfer: $192
  • Private Transfer from Kaohsiung Airport (KHH) to Kaohsiung Port : $75
  • Private Transfer from Kaohsiung Airport to Kenting: $138

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kyoto

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kyoto:

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

Is it cheaper to fly into Kao-hsiung or Kyoto?

Prices for flights to both Kyoto and Kao-hsiung 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
    Kao-hsiung $59
    Kyoto $43

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kao-hsiung

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kao-hsiung.

  • Sunset Dinner on Monkey Mountain : $100

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.
    Kao-hsiung $22
    Kyoto $13

Tours and Activities in Kao-hsiung

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kao-hsiung are as follows:

  • Suzuka Circuit Park Ticket in Kaohsiung: $33
  • Kaohsiung Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $48
  • Kenting and Pingtung One Day Tour with Departure from Kaohsiung: $52
  • Classic Northern Kaohsiung Day Tour: $60
  • Classic Southern Kaohsiung Day Tour: $60
  • Kaohsiung City Walking Day Tour: $70
  • Food and Culture Walking Tour in Tainan: $78
  • Alishan Day Tour from Kaohsiung (Incl. Park Entrance): $90
  • Buddha Museum- Half Day Tour : $90
  • Tainan Day Tour –Qigu Salt Mountain, Chikan Tower & Anping Castle: $100
  • Private Tour Shore Excursion in Kaohsiung City: $199
  • 1 day tour - Kaohsiung: $200

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
    Kao-hsiung $11
    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 comparing the travel costs between Kao-hsiung and Kyoto, we can see that Kao-hsiung 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 Kao-hsiung Expensive? and Is Kyoto Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Kao-hsiung or Kyoto?

Kao-hsiung has a larger population, and is about 4% larger than the population of Kyoto. When comparing the sizes of Kao-hsiung 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.