Which place is cheaper, Kyoto or Lijiang?
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 Lijiang or Kyoto?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Lijiang and Kyoto can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Lijiang or Kyoto?
Lijiang
Lijiang is a city in Southwestern China with a history of rule under the Mu family during the Ming and Qing dynasties. It played a key role along the Ancient Southern Silk Road, which started from Burma, crossed Lijiang, Shangri-La County, Tibet, journeyed through Iran, the Fertile Crescent, and ultimately to the Mediterranean Sea. The area was once a center for trade, politics, culture, and education, which is still evident in the rich culture seen today. Lijiang has also been the home of centuries to the Naxi people who still inhabit the area.
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 2-Week Tours from Beijing, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo.
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Lijiang Prices
China PricesKyoto Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLijiang $55Kyoto $118
The average daily cost (per person) in Lijiang is $55, while the average daily cost in Kyoto is $118. 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 Lijiang and Kyoto in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLijiang $16Kyoto $66
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLijiang $32Kyoto $132
Compare Hotels in Lijiang and Kyoto
Looking for a hotel in Lijiang 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: Kyoto Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Lijiang $5.67Kyoto $7.82
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lijiang
Also for Lijiang, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Lijiang Sanyi International Airport Chauffeur Service,Lijiang Airport Transfer: $57
- Private Transfer from Lijiang hotel/airport(LJG) to Dali : $149
- Private Transfer from Lijiang to Shangri-La and Stops at Tiger Leaping Gorge: $159
- Private Transfer from Lijiang/Shuhe hotel to Dali and Stops at Shaxi Old Town: $160
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Lijiang or Kyoto?
Prices for flights to both Kyoto and Lijiang 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 dayLijiang $30Kyoto $43
Typical Food Prices in Lijiang
For Lijiang, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch for Two$4.21
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lijiang
For Lijiang, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Lijiang Naxi Cuisine Cooking Class & Market Visit: $59
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Lijiang $20Kyoto $13
Tours and Activities in Lijiang
For Lijiang, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Via Ferrata with Zipline Experience in Lijiang: $42
- 4 Hour Private Lijiang City Highlights Walking Tour: $72
- Lijiang to Shangri-La Scenic Drive Tour with Tiger Leaping Gorge: $119
- Tiger Leaping Gorge Private Hiking Tour: $128
- 1 Day Private Tour to Shaxi Ancient Town from Lijiang or Dali: $165
- 1 Day Tiger Teaping Gorge Private Tour from Lijiang or Shangri-La: $170
- Beautiful Country road Biking tour to Xinhua village Heqing start from Lijiang: $173
- Private Jade Dragon Snow Mountains and Naxi Village Tour: $187
- 2 Days Tiger Leaping Gorge Hiking Tour by public coach: $189
- Lijiang Day Tour to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Black Dragon Pool and Old Town: $193
- Private Day Tour Tiger Leaping Gorge and Black Dragon Pond from Lijiang: $207
- Flexible Lijiang City Highlights Private Day Tour with Lunch: $208
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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLijiang $7.98Kyoto $13
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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lijiang and Kyoto, we can see that Kyoto is more expensive. And not only is Lijiang much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Lijiang would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lijiang 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 Lijiang.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Lijiang Expensive? and Is Kyoto Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Lijiang or Kyoto?
Kyoto has a larger population, and is about 28% larger than the population of Lijiang. When comparing the sizes of Lijiang 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.