A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Matsue vs. Datong for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Matsue or Datong?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Matsue and Datong can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Matsue or Datong?

Matsue

Matsue, Japan is located on the scenic shores of Lake Shinji in the Shimane Prefecture. Matsue is the capital city of the prefecture and is known as the water city due to being located between Lake Shinji, Lake Nakaumi, and the Sea of Japan. This historically rich city is famous for being a laid back samurai village with stunning sunsets and traditional confectioneries.

Datong

If you're looking for an old world city, with a renovated feel, you might want to spend some time in Datong, China. This city was once walled-in and the newest initiative is to rebuild their great wall to maintain their old world charm. Datong is definitely done a lot to make itself a contender in the world of vacation destinations.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to Japan, The Best G Adventures Tours to Japan, The Best Cultural Tours in China, and The Best Luxury Tours to China.


Which place is cheaper, Datong or Matsue?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Matsue is $88, while the average daily cost in Datong is $71. 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 Matsue and Datong in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Matsue $27
    Datong $23
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Matsue $54
    Datong $46
Compare Hotels in Matsue and Datong

Looking for a hotel in Matsue or Datong? 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.

Hotels in Matsue


Hotels in Datong


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: Matsue Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Matsue $20
    Datong $13

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Matsue

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Matsue:

  • Private Transfer Yonago Airport: $62

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Datong

Also for Datong, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Chengdu: Private Round-Trip Transfer to Leshan Budda: $128
  • Datong Hanging Temple Private Transfer from Hotel or Station: $69
  • Datong Yungang Airport Chauffeur Service , to Datong Transfer: $12
  • Transfer or Tour to Yungang Grottoes&Hanging Temple: $102
  • Dunhuang Private Round Trip Transfer to Jiayuguan and Xuanbi Great Wall : $100
  • From 4-Day Private Tour to Pingyao with Transfer: $988
  • Private One Way Transfer from Datong to Beijing : $211
  • Private Round-Trip Transfer Service to Hanging Temple and Hengshan from Datong: $118
  • Private Transfer Service from Yungang Airport to Datong Hotel: $29
  • Transfer from Datong Railway Stations to Hotels in City Center: $35

Is it cheaper to fly into Matsue or Datong?

Prices for flights to both Datong and Matsue 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Matsue $49
    Datong $35

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Matsue $9.13
    Datong $25

Tours and Activities in Matsue

Here are a few actual costs in Matsue for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Matsue 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide: $104
  • Private Kimono Elegant Experience in the Castle Town of Matsue: $38
  • Sakaiminato Private Tour for Shore Excursion: $300
  • Tour around Matsue Horikawa: $11

Tours and Activities in Datong

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Datong.

  • Yungang Grottoes Ticket Booking: $21
  • Yungang Grottoes Entrance Ticket with Optional Tour Services: $24
  • Yungang Grottoes Entrance Ticket Only: $33
  • Datong Private Self-guided Tour with Chartered Car: $35
  • Pingyao Ancient City Scenic Area Pass Ticket Only: $36
  • YungangGrottoe HangingTemple Private Self-guided Tour by Car: $79
  • Datong Hanging Temple Wooden Pagoda Self-guided Tour by Car: $95
  • 4-8 hours Private Datong Great Wall Tour: $99
  • Private day tour to Yungang Grottoes and Hanging Temple in Datong: $100
  • Private Guided Tour of Yungang Grottoes&Huayan Monastery : $148
  • Yungang Grottoes and Jinhua Palace 2-Day Tour: $168
  • Hanging Temple and Yungang Grottoes Private Tour: $174

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Matsue $7.10
    Datong $12


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Matsue and Datong, we can see that Matsue is more expensive. And not only is Datong much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Datong would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Datong 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 Matsue would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Matsue than you might in Datong.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Matsue Expensive? and Is Datong Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Matsue or Datong?

Datong has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Matsue. When comparing the sizes of Matsue and Datong, 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.

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