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

Should you visit Kao-hsiung or Tokyo?

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 Tokyo 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 Tokyo?

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.

Tokyo

Tokyo, the capital of Japan, is by far the most populous city in the world with a staggering 37 million people. As a worldwide hub for technology and business, it hosts millions of visitors annually. But Tokyo is not just a place for business trips. With its incredible mixture of historical temples and shrines, remarkably beautiful parks, endless shopping malls, and genuinely wonderful people, Tokyo is a terrific place to visit and to explore.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in Taiwan, The Best Adventure Tours to Taiwan, The Best 2-Week Tours in Japan, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Japan.


Which place is cheaper, Tokyo 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
    Tokyo Prices
    Japan Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Kao-hsiung $134
    Tokyo $190

The average daily cost (per person) in Kao-hsiung is $134, while the average daily cost in Tokyo is $190. 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 Tokyo in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kao-hsiung $60
    Tokyo $79
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kao-hsiung $120
    Tokyo $158
Compare Hotels in Kao-hsiung and Tokyo

Looking for a hotel in Kao-hsiung or Tokyo? 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 Tokyo


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 Tokyo Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kao-hsiung $12
    Tokyo $18

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kao-hsiung

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kao-hsiung:

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

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tokyo

Also for Tokyo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Haneda Airport to Tokyo One Way Transfer : $14
  • Private Airport Transfer Haneda Airport to or from Tokyo City: $20
  • Disneyland or Disneysea Transfer to or from Tokyo English Driver: $20
  • Haneda Airport Private Transfer to Tokyo/Yokohama/MountFuji/Osaka: $42
  • Hotel Transfer to/from Disneyland or DisneySea: $42
  • Haneda Airport: 1-Way Shared Shuttle Transfer: $54
  • DECKS Tokyo Beach & Odaiba 1 Way Door to Door Shared Transfer: $56
  • Private transfer from Central Tokyo to Disney Resort: $62
  • Tokyo City: One-Way Private Transfer to/from Yokohama City: $63
  • Airport Shuttle Arrival Transfer : from Haneda Airport to Tokyo City: $65
  • Shared Departure Transfer : Central Tokyo Hotel to Haneda Airport: $66
  • Shared Arrival Transfer : Haneda Airport to Central Tokyo City: $66

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

Prices for flights to both Tokyo 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
    Tokyo $67

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

Typical Food Prices in Tokyo

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Tokyo:


  • Late Night Noodles
    $5.41
  • Conveyor Belt Sushi Snack
    $5.41
  • Meal at Airport
    $7.05

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tokyo

For Tokyo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Tsukiji Food Tour Explore Markets and Temples in Tokyo: $18
  • Hide's Table A Unique Dinner Gathering Every Wednesday Night: $21
  • Tokyo Ramen Dojo: Authentic Ramen Cooking Class & Tasting: $34
  • Guided Tsukiji’s Local Food Tour : $34
  • Tokyo : Vintage, Music & Food Tour in Shimokitazawa with a Local: $34
  • For First Time Visitor:Tsukiji Food Tour with Tokyo Travel Advice: $34
  • Authentic Homestyle Japanese Cooking Class near Tokyo with Risa: $39
  • Tokyo Bay Yakatabune Dinner/Day Cruise with Japan Show and Drinks: $44
  • Weekend Japanese Cooking Demonstration with a Tokyo Mom, Toshiko: $49
  • Japanese Sushi Cooking Class: $51
  • Tokyo private hidden food tour: $55
  • Mastering the Grill A Ninja Yakiniku A5 Wagyu Dinner in Nippori : $56

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kao-hsiung $22
    Tokyo $71

Tours and Activities in Kao-hsiung

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

  • 1 day tour - Kaohsiung: $200
  • Alishan Day Tour from Kaohsiung (Incl. Park Entrance): $90
  • Buddha Museum- Half Day Tour : $90
  • Classic Northern Kaohsiung Day Tour: $60
  • Classic Southern Kaohsiung Day Tour: $60
  • Food and Culture Walking Tour in Tainan: $78
  • Kaohsiung Area Classic Tour: $255
  • Kaohsiung City Walking Day Tour: $70
  • Kaohsiung Departure - Tainan City Day Tour: $220
  • Kaohsiung Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $48
  • Kaohsiung Private Tour with Transportation : $249
  • Kaohsiung Suburbs Full-Day Tour: $220

Tours and Activities in Tokyo

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tokyo.

  • Imperial Palace or Edo Castle Time Trip Learning Walking Tour: $3.42
  • Tokyo 4‑Day Self‑Guided PDF Tour of Senso‑ji, Shibuya and more: $3.42
  • Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre Guided Tour: $3.46
  • Self-Guided Tour of Tokyo's Hidden Alleys: $3.57
  • Cross Roppongi Karaoke Nightclub Ticket (For Foreign): $6.76
  • Tokyo Asakusa & Senso-ji Tour with Audioguide: $8.34
  • Tokyo Metro Subway Ticket: $8.85
  • Horse Racing Tour with Local Fans in Tokyo: $10
  • Shibuya drinking tour: $10
  • Gyoda Oshi Castle Ninja Experience : $11
  • Tokyo Subway Ticket : $11
  • Water Bus Ticket Odaiba ↔ Asakusa: $12

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kao-hsiung $11
    Tokyo $34

Typical Alcohol Prices in Tokyo

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Tokyo:


  • Sake
    $4.06

Sample the Local Flavors in Tokyo

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Tokyo:

  • Low-cost local pub & bar crawling: $34
  • 3 Hours Pub Crawl Welcome Guided Tour in Shibuya: $35
  • Tokyo Pub Crawl: Unique Japanese Drinks in Shimokitazawa: $38
  • 3-Hour Tokyo Pub Crawl Weekly Welcome Guided Tour in Shibuya: $46
  • Private Shinjuku Nightlife Walking Tour & Golden-Gai Bar Crawl: $114
  • Tokyo's Oldest Sake Brewery and jump into historic town: $116
  • Private Sake Tasting at 300 Years Old Sake Brewery in Tokyo : $132
  • Sake Brewery and Spiritual Nature Tour in Okutama Tokyo: $142
  • Cultural Sake Brewery Private Tour & Unlimited Tasting Near Tokyo: $172
  • From Tokyo:Mt.fuji /Museum/Sake brewery/ 1DAY BUS TOUR: $201
  • Private tour: Tokyo's Oldest Sake Brewery and riverside walk.: $242


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kao-hsiung and Tokyo, we can see that Tokyo is more expensive. And not only is Kao-hsiung much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kao-hsiung would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kao-hsiung 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 Tokyo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tokyo than you might in Kao-hsiung.

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 Tokyo Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Kao-hsiung or Tokyo?

Tokyo has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Kao-hsiung. When comparing the sizes of Kao-hsiung and Tokyo, 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.