Which place is cheaper, Harbin or Kyoto?
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 Kyoto or Harbin?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Kyoto and Harbin 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: Kyoto or Harbin?
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.
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 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo, The Best 2-Week Tours in China, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China.
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Kyoto Prices
Japan PricesHarbin Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKyoto $118Harbin $66
The average daily cost (per person) in Kyoto is $118, 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 Kyoto and Harbin in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKyoto $66Harbin $21
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKyoto $132Harbin $42
Compare Hotels in Kyoto and Harbin
Looking for a hotel in Kyoto 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: Kyoto Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kyoto $7.82Harbin $1.52
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kyoto
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kyoto:
- Shared Departure Transfer: Kyoto City to Osaka Itami Airport: $107
- Private departure transfer from Kyoto city to Osaka Itami International airport: $82
- Private departure transfer from Kyoto city to Kansai International airport: $113
- Private Transfer from Maizuru Port to Osaka Kansai Airport (KIX): $226
- Private Transfer from Maizuru Port to Osaka Kansai Airport (KIX): $248
- Private Transfer from Maizuru Cruise Port to Osaka Airport (ITM): $155
- Minivan Departure Transfer from Kyoto City to Kansai Airport KIX: $260
- Naruto & Boruto at Nijigen no Mori Entry & Transfer: $47
- Kyoto hotels to Kansai Airport (KIX) - Departure Private Transfer: $142
- Japan Railway Station Shared Departure Transfer : Kyoto City to Kyoto Station: $71
- Departure Transfer from Kyoto to Itami Airport ITM by Minivan: $130
- Arashiyama Kinkakuji Quiet Trail E-Bike Tour with Hotel Transfer: $131
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Harbin
Also for Harbin, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 4 Hour Private Transfer to Sun Island Snow Sculptures: $100
- Harbin Airport (HRB) : Private Arrival Transfer with Meet & Greet Service: $32
- Harbin Catholic Church Car Transfer Service: $80
- Harbin Ice Festival Tickets and Transfer Service : $148
- Harbin Taiping Airport Chauffeur Service, Harbin Airport Transfer, Pick up.: $59
- Harbin Volga Manor Private Transfer Service with Entry Tickets: $300
- Private Arrival Transfer from Harbin West Railway Station to Harbin City Hotel: $65
- Private Departure Transfer to Harbin North Railway Station from Harbin City: $100
- Private Full Day Transfer Service to Harbin Top Winter Attractions: $198
- Private HRB Airport Arrival Transfer to Harbin City Hotel: $70
- Private HRB Airport Departure Transfer from Harbin City Hotel: $70
- Shared Transfer Service to Ice and Snow World, Sun Island Snow Festival: $250
Is it cheaper to fly into Kyoto or Harbin?
Prices for flights to both Harbin and Kyoto 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 dayKyoto $43Harbin $24
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 Nishiki Market & Depachika: 2-hours Food Tour with a Local: $48
- Sushi Cooking Class (Making three types of sushi): $48
- Private Cooking Class Udon in Kyoto Japan: $54
- 1 hour Takoyaki and Okonomiyaki cooking class in Kyoto: $61
- Kyoto Ramen Spoon Painting & Michelin Cooking Class : $61
- Dinner with Maiko: $62
- Private Guided Traditional Buddhist Cooking in Japan: $69
- Kyoto Udon and Tempura Cooking Class with Professional Chefs: $72
- Kyoto Ramen Bowl Painting and Michelin Cooking Class: $75
- Ramen Bowl Painting & Cooking in Gion, Kyoto: $75
- Gion Food Tour 13 Dishes at 4 Eateries: $76
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.Kyoto $13Harbin $53
Tours and Activities in Kyoto
Here are a few actual costs in Kyoto for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Explore Nara in a Day Van Tour from Kyoto: $164
- Kyoto K Drama GPS App Walking Tour Mobile Game: $14
- Kyoto Private Full-day Walking Tour from Kyoto Station: $158
- Kyoto Sake Tasting Shared Tour Experience: $58
- Osaka Kyoto Experience Japanese Homogi: $138
- Quick Kyoto Tour for the First-Timers by Local Tour Guide: $60
- 1 Day Kyoto Tour with a Local Guide: $150
- 1 Day Private Sightseeing Tour in Kyoto: $211
- 1-Day Kyoto Uji & Nara Tour with Tea Ceremony: $126
- 1-Hour Japanese Archery Experience in Kyoto: $44
- 1.5 Hours Kyoto Insider Sake Experience: $70
- 10 Hrs Full day Kyoto Tour w/Hotel Pick-up: $629
Tours and Activities in Harbin
For Harbin, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Harbin Ice and Snow World Ticket Booking: $51
- Half Day Tour for Harbin Guandong Ancient Lane and Wood Sculpture Museum: $104
- Harbin Summer Indoor Ice and Snow World Tour: $136
- Harbin Ice Lantern Show and Center Street Tour: $150
- Private Half Day Tour Harbin ConfucianTemple and Temple of Bliss (Jile Si): $157
- 1-Day Harbin Private Tour: $168
- Harbin City Guided Tour to Zhongyang Street and Sophia Church: $180
- Private Half Day City Tour including Russian Town and Harbin Ropeway Ride: $198
- Small Group Night Tour to Harbin Ice and Snow World: $199
- 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 Half Day Tour to Unit 731 Museum and Sites in Harbin: $218
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKyoto $13Harbin $7.96
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
- Fushimi Sake Brewery Tour - 18 Tastings in 2.5 Hours: $162
- Kyoto Sake Brewery Tour with Lunch: $227
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 Kyoto and Harbin, we can see that Kyoto 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 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 Harbin.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kyoto Expensive? and Is Harbin Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kyoto or Harbin?
Harbin has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Kyoto. When comparing the sizes of Kyoto 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 Kyoto or Harbin?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Kyoto or Harbin in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Kyoto as well as Harbin. Many visitors come to Kyoto in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
Kyoto is a little warmer than Harbin in the summer. The daily temperature in Kyoto averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Harbin fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
It's quite rainy in Harbin. Kyoto receives a lot of rain in the summer. Kyoto usually gets more rain in July than Harbin. Kyoto gets 236 mm (9.3 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 153 mm (6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKyoto 27°C (81°F)Harbin 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Kyoto or Harbin in the Autumn?
Both Harbin and Kyoto are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Kyoto for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In the autumn, Kyoto is much warmer than Harbin. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kyoto in October average around 18°C (64°F), and Harbin averages at about 7°C (44°F).
It's quite rainy in Kyoto. In October, Kyoto usually receives more rain than Harbin. Kyoto gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKyoto 18°C (64°F)Harbin 7°C (44°F)
Should I visit Kyoto or Harbin in the Winter?
Both Harbin and Kyoto during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Kyoto because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
It's quite cold in Harbin in the winter. The weather in Kyoto can be very cold. In January, Kyoto is generally much warmer than Harbin. Daily temperatures in Kyoto average around 5°C (40°F), and Harbin fluctuates around -18°C (-0°F).
Kyoto usually gets more rain in January than Harbin. Kyoto gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKyoto 5°C (40°F)Harbin -18°C (-0°F)
Should I visit Kyoto or Harbin in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kyoto and Harbin. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Kyoto this time of year.
Kyoto is much warmer than Harbin in the spring. The daily temperature in Kyoto averages around 14°C (58°F) in April, and Harbin fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).
Kyoto gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Kyoto usually receives more rain than Harbin. Kyoto gets 153 mm (6 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 21 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKyoto 14°C (58°F)Harbin 8°C (46°F)
Typical Weather for Harbin and Kyoto
| Kyoto | Harbin | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 5°C (40°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | -18°C (-0°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Feb | 5°C (41°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | -14°C (7°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | 8°C (47°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | -3°C (26°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 14°C (58°F) | 153 mm (6 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| May | 19°C (67°F) | 154 mm (6 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
| Jun | 23°C (73°F) | 251 mm (9.9 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 153 mm (6 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 18°C (64°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Nov | 12°C (54°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | -4°C (24°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Dec | 7°C (45°F) | 40 mm (1.6 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.