Which place is cheaper, Osaka 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 Osaka?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Lhasa or Osaka? 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 Osaka?
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.
Osaka
The third largest city in Japan, Osaka has a lot to offer travelers. It's at the center of the Kansai region, and is a wonderful place to spend a few days. The city sits at the mouth of the Yodo River on Osaka Bay and is a major commercial hub for the country.
Osaka has a humid subtropical climate with four seasons. The winters are mild with January temperatures having an average high of almost 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Snow is very rare. Springs start cool and become hot and humid. This is also the wettest season with the rainiest time being between May and early July. Summers are hot and humid with July temperatures climbing into the high 90s Fahrenheit. The fall season becomes cooler as winter approaches.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in China, The Best Cultural Tours in China, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Japan, and The Best Adventure Tours to Japan.
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Lhasa Prices
China PricesOsaka Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLhasa $96Osaka $103
The average daily cost (per person) in Lhasa is $96, while the average daily cost in Osaka is $103. 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 Osaka in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLhasa $42Osaka $44
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLhasa $84Osaka $88
Compare Hotels in Lhasa and Osaka
Looking for a hotel in Lhasa or Osaka? 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: Osaka Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Lhasa $2.75Osaka $13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lhasa
Also for Lhasa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- [Airport Transfer] Lhasa Kunga Airport ⇔ Lhasa City Transfer ☆ High reputation for service! : $89
- Lhasa Kongga Airport private Transfer: $260
- Lhasa Kongga Airport Chauffeur Service, Lhasa Airport Transfer, Pickup: $170
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Osaka
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Osaka:
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Subway$7.53
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Osaka
Also for Osaka, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Universal Studios Japan Round Trip Shared Transfer with ticket: $204
- Transfer from Osaka City Hotels to Kansai Airport 10-seats van: $140
- Transfer from Osaka City Hotels to Kansai Airport: $109
- Transfer from Kansai Airport to Osaka City Hotels: $109
- Terminal-to-City Transfer, from Osaka Cruise Port to Each City: $115
- Roundtrip Transfer from Osaka Airport ITM to Arima-Onsen Resorts: $219
- Round-Trip Private Transfer from Osaka Kansai Airport to Kobe: $151
- Private departure transfer from central Osaka city to Itami airport (ITM): $96
- Private departure Transfer from Osaka city to Kansai airport: $67
- Private arrival transfer from Osaka Itami International airport to Kyoto City: $77
- Private Transfer: Kansai Airport (KIX) to Osaka City: $102
- Private Transfer from Osaka to Wakayama,Shirahama&Kushimoto Area: $255
Is it cheaper to fly into Lhasa or Osaka?
Prices for flights to both Osaka 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 $48Osaka $42
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Osaka
For Osaka, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Osaka Cooking Class 17 Tastes Takoyaki Making: $21
- Osaka Umeda: PICCADILLY DINNER SHOW&NIGHTCLUB with Tasting: $32
- Welcome to Osaka Matrix and Local food tour with Ninja Guide: $36
- Kobe Beef Bowl Cooking Class in Osaka Afternoon: $38
- Experience Cooking Takoyaki in its Birthplace, Osaka: $41
- 1.5 Hour Food Tour at the Kuromon Market in Osaka: $41
- (1 Group Only) Osaka Dotonbori Food Tour Wagyu & Ramen Takoyaki: $45
- Osaka Cooking for Japanese Pescatarian dishes: $48
- Private Food Tour & Bar Hopping in Namba: $48
- Deep Osaka Night Walking Tour with Optional Dinner: $51
- Osaka 2 Hour Local Street Food Tour in Dotonbori and Namba: $57
- Japanese home cooking class in Osaka Umeda: $57
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Lhasa $18Osaka $19
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Osaka
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Osaka's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Osaka Aquarium (for 2)$29
Tours and Activities in Osaka
For Osaka, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1 Day Kyoto UNESCO World Heritage Sites Bus Tour: $59
- 1-Day Kimono/Yukata Experience in Osaka – Enjoy Day & Night: $35
- 10 Hours Private City Tour in Osaka - Chartered Tour: $174
- 2 Hours Private Guided Walking Tour in Osaka: $26
- 2-Day Bus Tour to Shirakawago & Hida No Sato Winter Illumination: $223
- 3 Hours Historical Tour of Princess Saio on an Electric Cart: $32
- 3-Hour Osaka Bike Tour/Customizable: $205
- 30-Minute Osaka Micro Pig Interaction Experience at Buta Goya: $16
- 4-hour Private Walking Tour to Historical Town of Saiku: $70
- 4/5/6 Hours Private Osaka Tour Designed for Cruise Passengers: $153
- 5-Hour Osaka Bike Tour to the Neighborhood of Osaka Castle: $84
- 6 Hours Osaka Tour with National Licensed Guide: $250
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLhasa $7.39Osaka $11
Sample the Local Flavors in Osaka
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Osaka:
- Osaka Nights: Ultimate Pub Bar Crawl with an Expert Local Guide: $33
- Osaka Sake Brewery Tour and Tasting: $41
- 3Hour Osaka Pub Crawl Bar Hopping Nightlife Guided Tour in Namba: $46
- Off The Beaten Path Osaka Local Bar Crawl: $51
- Osaka Winery Tour with Wine Tasting & Vineyard Walk: $83
When comparing the travel costs between Lhasa and Osaka, we can see that Osaka 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 Osaka Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Lhasa or Osaka?
Osaka has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Lhasa. When comparing the sizes of Lhasa and Osaka, 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.