Which place is cheaper, Kamakura or Lhasa?
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 Lhasa or Kamakura?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Lhasa or Kamakura? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Lhasa or Kamakura?
Lhasa
Lhasa is the famed capital of Tibet, and is one of the most fascinating cities in the world to visit. It's name means "Land of the Gods" and the city dates back more than 1,300 years. It's elevation is 3,650 meters above sea level, making it one of the highest cities in the world. It sits on the northern slopes of the Himalayan Mountains by the Lhasa River and is the second largest city on the Tibetan Plateau after Xining.
Kamakura
An old city center of medieval Japan, Kamakura sits today on the seaside just south of Tokyo. Due to its early beginnings, the city is dotted with Buddhist Zen temples and Shinto shrines. It has become a prominent resort town drawing visitors with its many historic landmarks as well as nearby beaches.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in China, The Best Cultural Tours in China, The Best Adventure Tours to Japan, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan.
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Lhasa Prices
China PricesKamakura Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLhasa $91Kamakura $123
The average daily cost (per person) in Lhasa is $91, while the average daily cost in Kamakura is $123. 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 Lhasa and Kamakura in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLhasa $40Kamakura $78
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLhasa $80Kamakura $156
Compare Hotels in Lhasa and Kamakura
Looking for a hotel in Lhasa or Kamakura? 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: Kamakura Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Lhasa $2.60Kamakura $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lhasa
Also for Lhasa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Lhasa Kongga Airport Chauffeur Service, Lhasa Airport Transfer, Pickup: $170
- Lhasa Kongga Airport private Transfer: $260
Is it cheaper to fly into Lhasa or Kamakura?
Prices for flights to both Kamakura and Lhasa 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 dayLhasa $46Kamakura $36
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kamakura
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kamakura.
- Sushi Roll Bento Cooking Class: $59
- Community Dinner with Locals: $81
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Lhasa $17Kamakura $5.79
Tours and Activities in Lhasa
For Lhasa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 5-Day Private Tour with Potala Palace & Yamdrok Lake: $1,299
- 17-Day Tibet Tour with Everest Base Camp: $3,767
- 17 Days Kailash Mansarovar Tour & Guge Kingdom Exploration: $13,329
Tours and Activities in Kamakura
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kamakura are as follows:
- A Meditative Calligraphy Experience: $74
- Authentic Japanese Tea Ceremony Experience in Kamakura: $37
- Calligraphy Experience in Kamakura: $88
- From Daibutsu Hiking Trail Tour with Local Guide: $149
- Kamakura (Ofuna) : Ramen Crawl Tour with a Local Guide: $51
- Kamakura 6 hr Private Guided Tour & Kimono Experience: $159
- Kamakura Half Day Tour with a Local Expert Guide: $91
- Kamakura Historical Walking Tour with the Great Buddha: $107
- Kamakura Private Custom Tour with Local Guide: $135
- Kamakura Tour with Pro Photographer: Anime Train & Fuji view: $128
- Kamakura Tour with Pro Photographer: Great Buddha & Hase: $202
- Kamakura Tour with Pro Photographer: Tsurugaoka shrine: $196
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLhasa $7.01Kamakura $14
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lhasa and Kamakura, we can see that Kamakura is more expensive. And not only is Lhasa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Lhasa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lhasa 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 Kamakura would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kamakura than you might in Lhasa.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Lhasa Expensive? and Is Kamakura Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Lhasa or Kamakura?
Kamakura has a larger population, and is about 40% larger than the population of Lhasa. When comparing the sizes of Lhasa and Kamakura, 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.