Which place is cheaper, Kyoto 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 Kyoto?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Lhasa or Kyoto? 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 Kyoto?
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.
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 Sightseeing Tours in China, The Best Cultural Tours in China, The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo.
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Lhasa Prices
China PricesKyoto Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLhasa $97Kyoto $110
The average daily cost (per person) in Lhasa is $97, while the average daily cost in Kyoto is $110. 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 Kyoto in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLhasa $42Kyoto $62
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLhasa $84Kyoto $124
Compare Hotels in Lhasa and Kyoto
Looking for a hotel in Lhasa 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: Lhasa Hotel Prices and Kyoto Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Lhasa $2.78Kyoto $7.33
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
- Lhasa Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Airport: $102
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kyoto
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kyoto:
- Shared Departure Transfer: Kyoto City to Osaka Itami Airport: $101
- Shared Departure Transfer : Kyoto City to Kansai International Airport: $127
- Private departure transfer from Kyoto city to Osaka Itami International airport: $78
- Private departure transfer from Kyoto city to Kansai International airport: $107
- Private Transfer: Tempozan Port ↔ Kyoto: $298
- Private Transfer from Maizuru Port to Osaka Kansai Airport (KIX): $238
- Private Transfer from Maizuru Port to Osaka Kansai Airport (KIX): $217
- Private Transfer from Maizuru Cruise Port to Osaka city hotels: $216
- Private Transfer from Maizuru Cruise Port to Osaka City Hotels: $234
- Private Transfer from Maizuru Cruise Port to Osaka Airport (ITM): $149
- Private Transfer from Maizuru Cruise Port to Osaka Airport (ITM): $134
- Private Transfer Between Osaka Cruise Port and Kyoto Hotels: $204
Is it cheaper to fly into Lhasa or Kyoto?
Prices for flights to both Kyoto 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 $49Kyoto $40
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kyoto
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kyoto.
- Kyoto:Exclusive Geisha(Maiko) Show with Dinner, Games & Open Bar: $32
- Kyoto Nishiki Market Food Tour Hidden Tastings and Local Insights: $42
- Kyoto Izakaya Hopping: Pontocho & Gion Local Food Tour: $47
- Kyoto Nishiki Market & Depachika: 2-hours Food Tour with a Local: $48
- Kyoto Home Cooking Class Okonomiyaki and Japanese Cuisines: $52
- Nishiki Market Food Tour-7 Tastings: $52
- Future Train Kyoto Diner & Cafe Night Parade Dinner Party: $52
- 1 hour Takoyaki and Okonomiyaki cooking class in Kyoto: $57
- Private Cooking Class Udon in Kyoto Japan: $60
- Japanese Cooking Class: $60
- Kyoto Private Vegan Cooking : Shojin Ryori with a Local Host: $70
- Bento Box Cooking Class: $71
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Lhasa $18Kyoto $13
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: $3,759
- 17 Days Kailash Mansarovar Tour & Guge Kingdom Exploration: $13,185
Tours and Activities in Kyoto
Here are a few actual costs in Kyoto for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 1 Day Kansai Tour from Osaka: $60
- 1 Day Matcha Farm Tour with Lunch and Bicycle Rental in Kyoto: $285
- 1-Day Kyoto Uji & Nara Tour with Tea Ceremony: $120
- 1-Hour Japanese Archery Experience in Kyoto: $64
- 1.5-Hour Kyoto Insider Sake Experience with Tastings & Pairings: $70
- 10 Hrs Full day Kyoto Tour w/Hotel Pick-up: $629
- 10 Must-see Spots in Kyoto One Day Private Tour: $188
- 2 Hour GuidedTour of Arashiyama Highlights: $52
- 2 Hour Night Walking Tour Throughout Gion with souvenir andsnack: $19
- 3 Hour Vegan Walking Tour with Lunch: $129
- 3 Hours Kyoto Insider Sake Experience | Tasting Konteki: $91
- 3-hour private guided tour of the Silver Pavilion of Kyoto: $112
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLhasa $7.47Kyoto $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Kyoto
Also in Kyoto, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Kyoto Pub Crawl & Bar Hopping Night with Local friend: $29
- Kyoto Nightlife Pub Crawl with Drinks and Karaoke: $34
- Kyoto's Sake District Brewery Tour and Tasting: $40
- Kyoto Night Pub Crawl: Pontocho & Gion Hidden Alley Bars Tour: $42
- Fushimi Sake Discovery Tour Tasting and Brewery Visit: $76
- Kyoto sake brewery experience tour (Includes 4 sake tastings): $81
- 3-Hour Kyoto Insider Sake Brewery Tour with Tastings & Pairings: $86
- Fushimi Cherry Blossom and Sake Brewery Tour: $96
- Hidden Bar Crawl in Pontocho & Gion (Food & Drink Incl.): $105
- Fushimi Sake Brewery Tour - 18 Tastings in 2.5 Hours: $110
- Kyoto Sake Tasting: Private Brewery Tour with Inside Access: $148
- Kyoto Matsui Sake Brewery Experience with Tasting: $194
When comparing the travel costs between Lhasa and Kyoto, we can see that Kyoto is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Lhasa Expensive? and Is Kyoto Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Lhasa or Kyoto?
Kyoto has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Lhasa. When comparing the sizes of Lhasa 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.