Which place is cheaper, Harbin or Matsue?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Matsue or Harbin?
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 Harbin 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 Harbin?
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.
Harbin
Harbin, China is the northernmost major city in the country, with a population of over 10 million. Harbin was founded in 1897 by Russia, which has resulted in a lot of Russian influence throughout the city and many Russian citizens. The city is most famous for their annual International Snow and Ice Festival, a two-month-long festival running from January through February of each year.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to Japan, The Best G Adventures Tours to Japan, The Best 2-Week Tours in China, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMatsue $65Harbin $54
The average daily cost (per person) in Matsue is $65, while the average daily cost in Harbin is $54. 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 Harbin in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMatsue $26Harbin $21
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMatsue $52Harbin $42
Compare Hotels in Matsue and Harbin
Looking for a hotel in Matsue or Harbin? 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: Matsue Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Matsue $20Harbin $1.49
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Matsue
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Matsue:
- Private Transfer from Sakaiminato Port to Osaka Int Airport KIX: $200
- Private Transfer from Sakaiminato Cruise Port to Osaka city : $131
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Harbin
Also for Harbin, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Departure Transfer:City Hotel to Any Harbin Railway Station : $25
- Harbin Airport (HRB) : Private Arrival Transfer with Meet & Greet Service: $32
- Harbin Airport Chauffeur Service, Harbin Airport Transfer: $27
- Harbin City Car Transfer Service with Driver: $168
- Harbin Taiping Airport Chauffeur Service , Harbin Airport Transfer,Pick up: $78
- Private Arrival Transfer from Harbin West Railway Station to Harbin City Hotel: $65
- Private Full Day Transfer Service to Harbin Top Winter Attractions: $168
- Private HRB Airport Arrival Transfer to Harbin City Hotel: $70
- Private HRB Airport Departure Transfer from Harbin City Hotel: $70
- Shared Night Transfer Service to Harbin Ice and Snow World: $85
- Shared Transfer Service to Ice and Snow World, Sun Island Snow Festival: $250
Is it cheaper to fly into Matsue or Harbin?
Prices for flights to both Harbin 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
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Food Meals for one dayMatsue $27Harbin $14
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Harbin
For Harbin, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Half-Day Private Harbin Beer Museum and Food Tour Including Harbin Beer1900: $157
- 4-Hour Private Night Tour to Harbin Ice and Snow World with Dinner Options: $261
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Matsue $8.81Harbin $52
Tours and Activities in Matsue
Here are a few actual costs in Matsue for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- An E-Bike cycling tour of Matsue that will add to your enjoyment of the city: $98
- Private Kimono Elegant Experience in the Castle Town of Matsue: $36
- Tour around Matsue Horikawa: $11
Tours and Activities in Harbin
For Harbin, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1-Day Harbin Private Tour: $130
- 4-Hour Private Tour of the Largest Indoor Ice and Snow Paradise: $136
- Private Half Day City Tour including Russian Town and Harbin Ropeway Ride: $150
- Harbin City Guided Tour to Zhongyang Street and Sophia Church: $180
- Small Group Night Tour to Harbin Ice and Snow World: $198
- Harbin Ice Festival New Year Eve Countdown Group Tour on December 31: $200
- Harbin City Private Day Tour in Your Way in Winter Season: $200
- Small Group Tour to Harbin Siberian Park Tiger: $200
- Private Harbin Ice Festival Night Tour: $209
- Songhua River Boat Tour and Food Experience in Harbin: $230
- Full Day Private Tour to Harbin Ice and Snow Festival: $250
- 2-Day Harbin City Private Tour in Your Way in Winter Season: $280
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMatsue $6.85Harbin $7.83
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Matsue and Harbin, we can see that Matsue is more expensive. And not only is Harbin much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Harbin would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Harbin 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 Harbin.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Matsue Expensive? and Is Harbin Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Matsue or Harbin?
Harbin has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Matsue. When comparing the sizes of Matsue and Harbin, 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.
When is the best time to visit Matsue or Harbin?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Matsue or Harbin in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Matsue as well as Harbin. Many visitors come to Matsue in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.
Matsue is around the same temperature as Harbin in the summer. The daily temperature in Matsue averages around 25°C (78°F) in July, and Harbin fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
It's quite rainy in Harbin. Matsue receives a lot of rain in the summer. Matsue usually gets more rain in July than Harbin. Matsue gets 268 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 153 mm (6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMatsue 25°C (78°F)Harbin 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Matsue or Harbin in the Autumn?
Both Harbin and Matsue are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Matsue for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In the autumn, Matsue is much warmer than Harbin. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Matsue in October average around 17°C (62°F), and Harbin averages at about 7°C (44°F).
It's quite rainy in Matsue. In October, Matsue usually receives more rain than Harbin. Matsue gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMatsue 17°C (62°F)Harbin 7°C (44°F)
Should I visit Matsue or Harbin in the Winter?
Both Harbin and Matsue during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Matsue because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
It's quite cold in Harbin in the winter. The weather in Matsue can be very cold. In January, Matsue is generally much warmer than Harbin. Daily temperatures in Matsue average around 4°C (39°F), and Harbin fluctuates around -18°C (-0°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Matsue. Matsue usually gets more rain in January than Harbin. Matsue gets 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMatsue 4°C (39°F)Harbin -18°C (-0°F)
Should I visit Matsue or Harbin in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Matsue and Harbin. The natural beauty are the main draw to Matsue this time of year.
Matsue is much warmer than Harbin in the spring. The daily temperature in Matsue averages around 13°C (55°F) in April, and Harbin fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).
Matsue gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Matsue usually receives more rain than Harbin. Matsue gets 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 21 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMatsue 13°C (55°F)Harbin 8°C (46°F)
Typical Weather for Harbin and Matsue
| Matsue | Harbin | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 4°C (39°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) | -18°C (-0°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Feb | 4°C (40°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) | -14°C (7°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | 7°C (45°F) | 127 mm (5 in) | -3°C (26°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 13°C (55°F) | 124 mm (4.9 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (71°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (78°F) | 268 mm (10.6 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 153 mm (6 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (73°F) | 216 mm (8.5 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 17°C (62°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Nov | 11°C (53°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | -4°C (24°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Dec | 7°C (44°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | -14°C (7°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
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.