Which place is cheaper, Nikko 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 Nikko?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Lhasa or Nikko? 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 Nikko?
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.
Nikko
Nikko is a small Japanese city located in the mountains north of Tokyo. It is well-known for the site of Toshogu, a famed Shinto shrine established in 1617, in memory of Tokugawa Ieyasu who was the founding ruler of the Edo Period. The town is situated just outside of Nikko National Park which offers scenic mountain landscapes, lakes, waterfalls, hot springs, wild monkeys, and hiking trails.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in China, The Best Cultural Tours in China, The Best 10-Day Tours in Japan, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Japan.
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Lhasa Prices
China PricesNikko Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLhasa $96Nikko $99
The average daily cost (per person) in Lhasa is $96, while the average daily cost in Nikko is $99. 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 Nikko in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLhasa $42Nikko $44
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLhasa $84Nikko $88
Compare Hotels in Lhasa and Nikko
Looking for a hotel in Lhasa or Nikko? 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 Nikko Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Lhasa $2.74Nikko -
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lhasa
Also for Lhasa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Lhasa Kongga Airport private Transfer: $260
- Lhasa Kongga Airport Chauffeur Service, Lhasa Airport Transfer, Pickup: $170
- Lhasa Private Arrival Transfer: Railway Station to Hotel: $88
Is it cheaper to fly into Lhasa or Nikko?
Prices for flights to both Nikko 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 $48Nikko $50
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Lhasa $18Nikko $20
Tours and Activities in Lhasa
For Lhasa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 17 Days Kailash Mansarovar Tour & Guge Kingdom Exploration: $13,185
- 17-Day Tibet Tour with Everest Base Camp: $3,759
- 5-Day Private Tour with Potala Palace & Yamdrok Lake: $1,299
Tours and Activities in Nikko
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Nikko.
- 1 Day Nikko Wonders Tour from Tokyo: $406
- Bask in the beauty of winter Nikko in this unforgettable ice climbing experience: $105
- Edo Wonderland Nikko Edomura Admission Ticket: $60
- Edo Wonderland Nikko Edomura Admission Ticket, Tochigi: $55
- Nikko – Beautiful Full-Day Personal and Private Tour: $395
- Nikko Customized Private Car Tour: English Driver, No Guide: $247
- Nikko Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide: $147
- Nikko Cycling Tour with Local Guide: $243
- Nikko Early Morning Tour (Tokyo Departure Option Available): $69
- Nikko Guided Cycling Tour with a Local Monk: $243
- Nikko Half-Day Private Car Tour: English Driver, No Guide: $160
- Nikko Private Custom Tour with Local Guide: $187
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLhasa $7.38Nikko $14
When comparing the travel costs between Lhasa and Nikko, we can see that Nikko 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 Nikko Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Lhasa or Nikko?
Lhasa has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Nikko. When comparing the sizes of Lhasa and Nikko, 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.