Which place is cheaper, Harbin or Kobe?
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 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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Kobe Prices
Japan PricesHarbin Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKobe $130Harbin $66
The average daily cost (per person) in Kobe is $130, while the average daily cost in Harbin is $66. 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 $63Harbin $21
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKobe $126Harbin $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 $14Harbin $1.52
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kobe
Also for Kobe, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Kobe Port to Osaka Kansai Airport (KIX): $176
- Private Transfer from Kobe Port to Osaka Kansai Airport (KIX): $71
- Private Transfer from Kobe Cruise Port to Kobe Airport (UKB): $71
- Private Transfer from Kobe Cruise Port to Kobe Airport (UKB): $91
- Private Transfer from Kobe Airport (UKB) to Kobe Cruise Port: $71
- Private Transfer Kobe Airport UKB to Osaka and Kobe City: $58
- Private Arrival Transfer From Kobe Airport to Kobe City: $155
- Kobe to Osaka Kansai Airport (KIX) - Departure Private Transfer: $76
- Kobe hotels to Kobe Airport (UKB) - Departure Private Transfer: $71
- Kobe City: Private transfer to/from Kansai Airport: $176
- Kobe City: Private transfer to/from Itami Airport: $115
- Kobe Airport Transfers : Kobe City to Kobe Airport UKB in Business Van: $178
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Harbin
Also for Harbin, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Harbin Volga Manor Private Transfer Service with Entry Tickets: $300
- Shared Transfer Service to Ice and Snow World, Sun Island Snow Festival: $250
- Private Full Day Transfer Service to Harbin Top Winter Attractions: $198
- Harbin Ice Festival Tickets and Transfer Service : $148
- 4 Hour Private Transfer to Sun Island Snow Sculptures: $100
- Private Departure Transfer to Harbin North Railway Station from Harbin City: $100
- Harbin Catholic Church Car Transfer Service: $80
- 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 Taiping Airport Chauffeur Service, Harbin Airport Transfer, Pick up.: $59
- Harbin Airport (HRB) : Private Arrival Transfer with Meet & Greet Service: $32
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 $54Harbin $24
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kobe
For Kobe, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Okonomiyaki Cooking Class: Create Your Own Savory Pancake: $55
- Kobe Home Cooking Ramen and Gyoza Cooking Class: $61
- Shinkaichi Evening Food Tour with Local Guide: $71
- Shinkaichi Evening Food Tour with Local Guide: $72
- Discover Kobe's Flavors On A Cooking Class: $76
- Kobe Private Food Tour with Local Guide: $95
- Cooking Class with Kobe Beef Sukiyaki and Origami: $101
- Eat Like a Local Private & Personalized Food Tour: $223
- Private tour in Kobe with beef dinner: $487
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Harbin
For Harbin, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Dinner Show with Costumes and Performances: $29
- Harbin Cultural Tour at Zhongyang Dajie to Baluoke with Dinner: $80
- Central Street, Baluoke Village, and Dinner Tour: $90
- Harbin Dumpling Cooking Class: $154
- Hot Spring Experience with Hot Pot Dinner in Harbin: $300
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kobe $24Harbin $53
Tours and Activities in Kobe
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Kobe.
- Kobe to Setouchi Triennale Art Festival Day Tour : $264
- 1-Day Kobe Highlights Tour including Sake Tasting: $178
- 1-Day Walking Tour around Kobe : Mountains, Sea and Sake: $143
- 4-Hour Multicultural Kobe Walking Tour with Genuine Kobe Beef : $177
- Arima Onsen History Tour: $46
- Classic Kobe GPS App Walking Tour Mobile Game: $14
- Cruise Shore Excursion: Kobe Sake Tasting with Local Guide: $108
- Full Day Walking Tour Around Kobe Mountains Sea and Sake: $159
- KOBE Sake Tasting Tour at Breweries (tasting fee included): $103
- KOBE Sake Tasting Tour at Breweries (tasting fee included): $108
- KOBE Sake Walking Tour in Japan's Top Sake Breweries: $88
- 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:
- Harbin Igloos Hot Pot Private Tour: $300
- Private Night Tour to Harbin Ice Festival: $261
- 1-Day Harbin Private Tour: $168
- 2-Day Harbin City Private Tour in Your Way in Winter Season: $280
- All-Inclusive Harbin City History and Local Culture Private Day Tour: $300
- Group Tour to Harbin Ice and Snow World plus Sun Island Snow Sculpture Festival: $298
- Half Day Tour for Harbin Guandong Ancient Lane and Wood Sculpture Museum: $104
- Half-Day Private Old Harbin Street Walking Tour with Meal: $300
- 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
- Harbin Ice Lantern Show and Center Street Tour: $150
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKobe $8.87Harbin $7.96
Sample the Local Flavors in Kobe
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Kobe:
- Private Sake Tour and Tasting at a Kobe Brewery: $82
- Sake Brewery and Japanese Life Experience Tour in Kobe: $87
- Sake Brewery Tour with Tasting Sake: $88
- KOBE Sake brewery PRIVATE walking tour with Local guide: $89
- Sake Brewery Tour with Tasting and Kobe Beef Bites: $108
- 5-Hour Nadagogo Sake Brewery Private Guided Experience: $186
Sample the Local Flavors in Harbin
Also in Harbin, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Half-Day Private Harbin Beer Museum and Brewery Tour: $250
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.