Which place is cheaper, Kyoto or Kolkata (Calcutta)?
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 Kolkata (Calcutta) or Kyoto?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Kolkata (Calcutta) or Kyoto, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Kolkata (Calcutta) or Kyoto?
Kolkata (Calcutta)
Formerly known as Calcutta, Kolkata is the capital of West Bengal, India. Featuring colonial architecture, galleries, temples, and festivals, the city has flourished from its roots as an East India Company trading post in the 18th Century to a thriving metropolis. Today Kolkata is a diverse center of culture and bustling activity.
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 4-Week (1-Month) Tours in India, The Best Bicycle Tours in India, The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo.
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Kolkata (Calcutta) Prices
India PricesKyoto Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKolkata (Calcutta) $45Kyoto $118
The average daily cost (per person) in Kolkata (Calcutta) is $45, 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 Kolkata (Calcutta) and Kyoto in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKolkata (Calcutta) $16Kyoto $66
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKolkata (Calcutta) $32Kyoto $132
Compare Hotels in Kolkata (Calcutta) and Kyoto
Looking for a hotel in Kolkata (Calcutta) 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.
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: Kolkata (Calcutta) Hotel Prices and Kyoto Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kolkata (Calcutta) $4.85Kyoto $7.82
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kolkata (Calcutta)
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kolkata (Calcutta):
- Build Your Own: custom private tour of Kolkata with transfers: $69
- Departure transfer from Hotel to Airport in Kolkata: $23
- Kolkata Airport to Kolkata Hotels drop: Private Transfers: $35
- Kolkata Hotels to Kolkata Airport drop: Private Transfers: $35
- Path of Knowledge: A Heritage Walking Tour of Kolkata with Private Transfer: $153
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Kolkata Airport: $23
- Private Transfer from Kolkata to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose (CCU) Airport: $65
- The Second City of Empire: A Kolkata Heritage Walking Tour with Private Transfer: $134
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: $70
- Private departure transfer from Kyoto city to Osaka Itami International airport: $82
- Arashiyama Kinkakuji Quiet Trail E-Bike Tour with Hotel Transfer: $130
- Departure Transfer from Kyoto to Itami Airport ITM by Minivan: $130
- 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): $248
- Minivan Departure Transfer from Kyoto City to Kansai Airport KIX: $260
Is it cheaper to fly into Kolkata (Calcutta) or Kyoto?
Prices for flights to both Kyoto and Kolkata (Calcutta) 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 dayKolkata (Calcutta) $23Kyoto $43
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kolkata (Calcutta)
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kolkata (Calcutta).
- Hooghly River Dinner Cruise: $26
- Bengali Nights Kolkata Food Tour with 13+ Tastings: $35
- Alleyway Food Tour: $46
- Food Tour Delights of Kolkata with Aditya: $118
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 Ramen Spoon Painting & Michelin Cooking Class : $61
- Private Guided Traditional Buddhist Cooking in Japan: $68
- Kyoto Udon and Tempura Cooking Class with Professional Chefs: $71
- Ramen Bowl Painting & Cooking in Gion, Kyoto: $75
- Kyoto Ramen Bowl Painting and Michelin Cooking Class: $75
- Kyoto Wagashi(Japanese sweets) Cooking Class near Fushimiinari: $82
- Nishiki Market Walking Food Tour with Local guide: $82
- Kyoto Food Tour – 12 Dishes & 3 Drinks: $85
- Food Tour at 4 Eateries: $85
- Private Japanese Home Cooking Class in Kyoto with Michiyo: $86
- Japanese 'Bento' cooking class in Kyoto: $87
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kolkata (Calcutta) $14Kyoto $13
Tours and Activities in Kolkata (Calcutta)
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kolkata (Calcutta) are as follows:
- Walking Tour of Kolkata Heritage and Food: $14
- Walk Through Tales ( Heritage Tour ) : $35
- Hooghly River Evening Cruise: $37
- Cultural Confluence of Kolkata - Culture Kaleidoscope Tour: $41
- Kolkata 3-Hour Tour of Kumortuli - The Goddess Beckons: $41
- Photography Tour of Mesmerizing Markets of Kolkata: $41
- Heritage sightseeing tours(Walking tours): $41
- Kolkata's Flower Market - Hooghly's Flower Fest Tour: $41
- Kolkata Midtown Madness- A Street Food & Nightlife Tour : $44
- Kolkata Private Half Day City Tour To Majestic Temples: $45
- Magic Hour Tour: $46
- Private Calcutta Tour: $49
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
- 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
- Experience the 400 year old tradition of BAMBOO TAMASUDARE: $21
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKolkata (Calcutta) $7.85Kyoto $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
- Kyoto Sake Brewery Tour with Lunch: $227
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kolkata (Calcutta) and Kyoto, we can see that Kyoto is more expensive. And not only is Kolkata (Calcutta) much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kolkata (Calcutta) would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kolkata (Calcutta) 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 Kyoto would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kyoto than you might in Kolkata (Calcutta).
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kolkata (Calcutta) Expensive? and Is Kyoto Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kolkata (Calcutta) or Kyoto?
Kolkata (Calcutta) has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Kyoto. When comparing the sizes of Kolkata (Calcutta) 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.
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.