Which place is cheaper, Harbin or Kobe?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Kobe or Harbin?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Kobe and Harbin. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Kobe or Harbin?
Kobe
Located between the sea and the Rokko mountain range, Kobe is a port city in Japan also considered to be one of the country's most attractive. Though it was devastated by a historic earthquake in 1995, known locally as the Great Hanshin Earthquake, Kobe has fully recovered to its cosmopolitan splendor with plenty for visitors to see and do.
Harbin
Harbin, China is the northernmost major city in the country, with a population of over 10 million. Harbin was founded in 1897 by Russia, which has resulted in a lot of Russian influence throughout the city and many Russian citizens. The city is most famous for their annual International Snow and Ice Festival, a two-month-long festival running from January through February of each year.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Japan, The Best 2-Week Tours in China, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKobe $103Harbin $54
The average daily cost (per person) in Kobe is $103, while the average daily cost in Harbin is $54. 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 Kobe and Harbin in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKobe $60Harbin $21
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKobe $120Harbin $42
Compare Hotels in Kobe and Harbin
Looking for a hotel in Kobe or Harbin? 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: Kobe Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kobe $13Harbin $1.49
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kobe
Also for Kobe, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private departure transfer from Kobe City & Arima Onsen to Kansai Airport : $92
- Private Transfer from Kobe Cruise Port to Kobe Airport: $48
- Private Arrival Transfer From Kobe Airport to Kobe City: $63
- Osaka Kansai Airport to/from Kobe City Private Transfer: $164
- Osaka (Itami) Airport to/from Kobe City Private Transfer: $107
- Kobe Airport Transfers : Kobe City to Kobe Airport UKB in Business Van: $163
- Kobe Airport (UKB) to Kobe hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $79
- Kobe Airport (UKB) to Kobe hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $39
- Kansai Airport (KIX): Private One-Way Transfer to/from Kobe: $240
- Itami Airport (ITM): Private One-Way Transfer to/from Kobe: $183
- Departure Private Transfers from Kobe City to Kobe Airport UKB in Business Car: $132
- Arrival Private Transfers from Kobe Airport UKB to Kobe City in Business Van: $163
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Harbin
Also for Harbin, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shared Transfer Service to Ice and Snow World, Sun Island Snow Festival: $250
- Harbin City Car Transfer Service with Driver: $168
- Private Full Day Transfer Service to Harbin Top Winter Attractions: $168
- Shared Night Transfer Service to Harbin Ice and Snow World: $85
- Harbin Taiping Airport Chauffeur Service , Harbin Airport Transfer,Pick up: $78
- Private HRB Airport Departure Transfer from Harbin City Hotel: $70
- Private HRB Airport Arrival Transfer to Harbin City Hotel: $70
- Private Arrival Transfer from Harbin West Railway Station to Harbin City Hotel: $65
- Harbin Airport (HRB) : Private Arrival Transfer with Meet & Greet Service: $32
- Harbin Airport Chauffeur Service, Harbin Airport Transfer: $27
- Private Departure Transfer:City Hotel to Any Harbin Railway Station : $25
Is it cheaper to fly into Kobe or Harbin?
Prices for flights to both Harbin and Kobe 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 dayKobe $30Harbin $14
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kobe
For Kobe, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Eat Like a Local Private & Personalized Food Tour: $207
- One day in Kobe with beef dinner =standard=: $272
- One day in Kobe with beef dinner =premium=: $297
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Harbin
For Harbin, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Half-Day Private Harbin Beer Museum and Food Tour Including Harbin Beer1900: $157
- 4-Hour Private Night Tour to Harbin Ice and Snow World with Dinner Options: $261
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kobe $23Harbin $52
Tours and Activities in Kobe
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Kobe.
- 1-Day Kobe Highlights Tour including Sake Tasting: $168
- 1-Day Walking Tour around Kobe : Mountains, Sea and Sake: $134
- 4-Hour Multicultural Kobe Walking Tour with Genuine Kobe Beef : $167
- A Tour to Learn all about the international port city, Kobe!: $153
- Cruise Stop-Over: Explore The City From Kobe Port: $238
- Exploring Nada Sake Breweries Kobe Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide: $136
- Full Day Walking Tour Around Kobe Mountains Sea and Sake: $149
- Half-Day Private Guided Tour to Kobe City: $94
- Himeji and Private Guided 1 Day Tour: $228
- KOBE Sake Walking Tour in Japan's Top Sake Breweries: $83
- KOBE Walking Tour [Customize Your Itinerary]: $282
- KOBE, SHIOYA, a quaint fishing town walking tour : $97
Tours and Activities in Harbin
For Harbin, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1-Day Harbin Private Tour: $130
- 2-Day Harbin City Private Tour in Your Way in Winter Season: $280
- 4-Hour Private Tour of the Largest Indoor Ice and Snow Paradise: $136
- From Amazing Day Trip Including tickets: $400
- Full Day Private Tour to Harbin Ice and Snow Festival: $250
- Group Tour to Harbin Ice and Snow World plus Sun Island Snow Sculpture Festival: $298
- Harbin City Group Tour including Crossing Songhua River by Ropeway and Ice Swimming Show: $290
- Harbin City Guided Tour to Zhongyang Street and Sophia Church: $180
- Harbin City Private Day Tour in Your Way in Winter Season: $200
- Harbin Ice Festival New Year Eve Countdown Group Tour on December 31: $200
- Private City Tour of Harbin: $360
- Private Half Day City Tour including Russian Town and Harbin Ropeway Ride: $150
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKobe $8.56Harbin $7.83
Sample the Local Flavors in Kobe
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Kobe:
- 3-hour KOBE Sake brewery & tasting walking tour with guide: $83
- Sake Brewery and Japanese Life Experience Tour in Kobe: $85
- Nada Sake Brewery District Private Walking Tour: $133
- 5-Hour Nadagogo Sake Brewery Private Guided Experience: $174
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kobe and Harbin, we can see that Kobe is more expensive. And not only is Harbin much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Harbin would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Harbin 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 Kobe would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kobe than you might in Harbin.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kobe Expensive? and Is Harbin Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kobe or Harbin?
Harbin has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Kobe. When comparing the sizes of Kobe and Harbin, 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 Kobe or Harbin?
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 Kobe or Harbin in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kobe and Harbin. Many travelers come to Kobe for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Kobe is generally a little warmer than Harbin. Daily temperatures in Kobe average around 27°C (80°F), and Harbin fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
Harbin receives a lot of rain in the summer. Kobe gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Kobe usually receives around the same amount of rain as Harbin. Kobe gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 153 mm (6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKobe 27°C (80°F)Harbin 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Kobe or Harbin in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Kobe as well as Harbin. Many visitors come to Kobe in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
Kobe is much warmer than Harbin in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kobe averages around 18°C (65°F) in October, and Harbin fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).
Kobe receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Kobe usually gets more rain in October than Harbin. Kobe gets 102 mm (4 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKobe 18°C (65°F)Harbin 7°C (44°F)
Should I visit Kobe or Harbin in the Winter?
Both Harbin and Kobe are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Kobe for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
The weather in Harbin can be very cold. In the winter, Kobe is much warmer than Harbin. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kobe in January average around 5°C (42°F), and Harbin averages at about -18°C (-0°F).
In January, Kobe usually receives more rain than Harbin. Kobe gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKobe 5°C (42°F)Harbin -18°C (-0°F)
Should I visit Kobe or Harbin in the Spring?
Both Harbin and Kobe during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Kobe because of the activities around the city.
In April, Kobe is generally much warmer than Harbin. Daily temperatures in Kobe average around 15°C (58°F), and Harbin fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kobe. Kobe usually gets more rain in April than Harbin. Kobe gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 21 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKobe 15°C (58°F)Harbin 8°C (46°F)
Typical Weather for Harbin and Kobe
| Kobe | Harbin | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 5°C (42°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | -18°C (-0°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Feb | 5°C (42°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | -14°C (7°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | 9°C (47°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | -3°C (26°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (58°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| May | 19°C (66°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
| Jun | 23°C (73°F) | 219 mm (8.6 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (80°F) | 157 mm (6.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 153 mm (6 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (76°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 18°C (65°F) | 102 mm (4 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (55°F) | 65 mm (2.5 in) | -4°C (24°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Dec | 8°C (46°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | -14°C (7°F) | 5 mm (0.2 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.