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.
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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.
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Kao-hsiung Prices
Taiwan PricesTokyo Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKao-hsiung $127Tokyo $177
The average daily cost (per person) in Kao-hsiung is $127, while the average daily cost in Tokyo is $177. 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
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKao-hsiung $57Tokyo $74
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKao-hsiung $114Tokyo $148
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.
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: Tokyo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kao-hsiung $12Tokyo $17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kao-hsiung
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kao-hsiung:
- Kaohsiung Airport (KHH) to Guanziling Resorts-Round-Trip Transfer: $267
- Kaohsiung Airport (KHH) to Guanziling Resorts - Arrival Transfer: $133
- Private Transfer from Kaohsiung Airport (KHH) to Kaohsiung Port: $85
- Private Transfer from Kaohsiung Airport (KHH) to Kaohsiung Port: $75
- Kaohsiung Airport Chauffeur service , Kaohsiung Airport Transfer: $50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tokyo
Also for Tokyo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Tokyo Private Transfer From or To Haneda Airport (HND): $35
- Private One-Way Transfer to/from Haneda Airport(HND): $42
- Tokyo Private Transfer From or To Haneda Airport (HND): $52
- DECKS Tokyo Beach & Odaiba 1 Way Door to Door Shared Transfer: $52
- Haneda Airport: 1-Way Shared Shuttle Transfer: $54
- Tokyo TeamLab Planets Ticket with Optional Private Transfer: $57
- Tokyo TeamLab Borderless Ticket with Optional Private Transfer: $57
- Private transfer from Central Tokyo to Disney Resort: $58
- Tokyo Private Transfer to Tokyo Cruise Port: $58
- Shared Arrival Transfer : Haneda Airport to Central Tokyo City: $62
- Airport Shuttle Arrival Transfer : from Haneda Airport to Tokyo City: $62
- Tokyo City: One-Way Private Transfer to/from Yokohama City: $63
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
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Food Meals for one dayKao-hsiung $56Tokyo $62
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:
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Late Night Noodles$5.03
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Conveyor Belt Sushi Snack$5.03
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Meal at Airport$6.56
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tokyo
For Tokyo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Hide's Table A Unique Dinner Gathering Every Wednesday Night: $19
- Shinjuku: 7-Dishes vegetarian dinner at a Japanese izakaya: $29
- Shibuya 7-Dishes vegetarian dinner at a Japanese izakaya: $29
- Shinjuku 7-Dishes vegetarian dinner at a Japanese izakaya: $29
- For First Time Visitor：Tsukiji Food Tour with Tokyo Travel Advice: $32
- Guided Tsukiji’s Local Food Tour: $32
- Ueno Private Walking Tour and Night Food Tour: $39
- Authentic Homestyle Japanese Cooking Class near Tokyo with Risa: $39
- Private Yanaka District Walking & Food Tour: $45
- Japanese Sushi Cooking Class: $48
- Weekend Japanese Cooking Demonstration with a Tokyo Mom, Toshiko: $49
- Traditional Matcha Making Cooking Class & Tea Ceremony in Tokyo: $50
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kao-hsiung $21Tokyo $66
Tours and Activities in Kao-hsiung
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kao-hsiung are as follows:
- Alishan Join-in Day Tour from Kaohsiung (Incl. Park Entrance): $86
- Chimei Museum Permanent Exhibition Entry Ticket Tainan: $14
- Classic Kaohsiung Day Tour: Fo Guang Shan x Lotus Pond x Pier-2: $62
- Food and Culture Walking Tour in Tainan: $69
- From Kaohsiung Private Tainan Historical Highlights Tour: $128
- From Taichung/Kaohsiung/Chiayi：Alishan Hidden Gems Private Tour: $220
- Full-Day Private Guided Tour in Kaohsiung Port Shore: $300
- Half Day Kaohsiung City Walks and Night Market Tour: $120
- Kaohsiung Area Classic Tour: $300
- Kaohsiung Cultural Day: TourMoon World, Hakka Lei Cha DIY, Pier-2: $73
- Kaohsiung Departure - Alishan National Park Day Tour: $220
- Kaohsiung Departure - Namasya Indigenous Community Day Tour: $220
Tours and Activities in Tokyo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tokyo.
- Shibuya Walking Tour: Crossing, Hidden Streets & Local Culture: $2.50
- Tsukiji Fish Market Morning Tour Most Fresh Tuna Fish: $3.22
- Old Tokyo Vibes: Asakusa Temples & Street Food Adventure: $4.50
- Tokyo Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.00
- Tsukiji Market Early Morning Tour: $6.44
- Nihonbashi ultime Edo local Tour: $6.44
- Mt Fuji/Lake Kawaguchi 1 day Private Bus Tour: $6.44
- Shinjuku Kabukicho Night Walking Tour: $6.44
- Cross Roppongi Karaoke Nightclub Ticket (For Foreign): $6.76
- Tokyo Walking Tour 2h15 and 19 audio reviews: $6.86
- TOKYO Audio Guide Tour in The East Gardens of the Imperial Palace: $7.72
- Tokyo Fuji Art Museum Admission Ticket + Special Exhibition (when being held): $7.72
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKao-hsiung $10Tokyo $32
Typical Alcohol Prices in Tokyo
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Tokyo:
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Sake$3.77
Sample the Local Flavors in Tokyo
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Tokyo:
- Tokyo Pub Crawl: Unique Japanese Drinks in Shimokitazawa: $34
- 3 Hours Pub Crawl Welcome Guided Tour in Shibuya: $35
- Tokyo Pub Crawl: Unique Japanese Drinks in Shimokitazawa: $35
- 3-Hour Tokyo Pub Crawl Nightlife Welcome Guided Tour in Shibuya: $46
- Tokyo Shinjuku Gay Bar Crawl with Drinks: $90
- Tokyo Sake Terroir Journey – Guided by Sake Brewery Professional: $90
- Mt. Fuji & Hakushu Distillery Whisky Museum Bus Tour from Tokyo: $103
- Shibuya Bar Crawl Tour -3 Drinks & Local Foods-: $103
- Shinjuku Bar Crawl Tour -3 Drinks & Local foods-: $103
- Tokyo's Oldest Sake Brewery and jump into historic town: $109
- Private Sake Tasting at 300 Years Old Sake Brewery in Tokyo: $122
- Chiba Nabedana Sake Brewery Tour and Tasting: $129
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.
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.