A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Minsk vs. Kyoto for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Minsk or Kyoto?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Minsk or Kyoto, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Minsk or Kyoto?

Minsk

Minsk is the capital city of Belarus, centrally located. Situated on the Svislac and Niamiha rivers, it is also capital of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), and was the capital of the former Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic from 1919-1991. It is a modern city dominated by monumental Stalinist architecture with many of its museums, theaters, and other cultural attractions.

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 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo.


Which place is cheaper, Kyoto or Minsk?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Minsk is $64, while the average daily cost in Kyoto is $96. 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 Minsk and Kyoto in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Minsk $32
    Kyoto $63
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Minsk $64
    Kyoto $126
Compare Hotels in Minsk and Kyoto

Looking for a hotel in Minsk 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.

Hotels in Minsk


Hotels in Kyoto


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Minsk $12
    Kyoto $7.56

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kyoto

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kyoto:

  • Shared Departure Transfer : Kyoto City to Kansai International Airport: $69
  • Shared Departure Transfer: Kyoto City to Osaka Itami Airport: $69
  • Kyoto to Osaka Kansai Airport (KIX) - Departure Private Transfer: $72
  • Private departure transfer from Kyoto city to Osaka Itami International airport: $80
  • Private departure transfer from Kyoto city to Kansai International airport: $110
  • Osaka (Itami) Airport to/from Kyoto City Private Transfer: $141
  • Kansai Airport (KIX): Private One-Way Transfer to/from Kyoto: $207
  • Osaka (Itami) Airport ITM Private Transfer to/from Kyoto: $220
  • Osaka City to/from Kyoto City Private transfer: $229
  • Kansai Intl. Airport KIX Private Transfer to/from Kyoto: $230
  • Kansai Int Airport to/from Kyoto City Private Transfer: $274
  • From Private 1-Way Transfer to Kansai Airport: $327

Is it cheaper to fly into Minsk or Kyoto?

Prices for flights to both Kyoto and Minsk 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
    Minsk $21
    Kyoto $24

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kyoto

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kyoto.

  • Private Cooking Class Udon in Kyoto Japan: $41
  • Japanese Washoku Bento Cooking Class with Lunch: $46
  • Nishiki Market Brunch Walking Food Tour: $47
  • Japanese Home Cooking Lesson with Local Hosts in Peaceful Kyoto Suburb Otsu: $49
  • Private Guided Traditional Buddhist Cooking in Japan: $58
  • Kyoto Nishiki Market & Depachika: 2-hours Food Tour with a Local: $59
  • Morning Japanese Bento Cooking Class: $61
  • Afternoon Japanese Izakaya Cooking Class: $61
  • Japanese Cooking Class: $62
  • Sushi - Authentic Japanese Cooking Class - the best souvenir from Kyoto!: $64
  • Japanese Udon and Sushi Cooking Class with Tastings: $64
  • Wagashi(Japanese sweets) Cooking :Kyoto near Fushimiinari: $65

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Minsk $20
    Kyoto $13

Tours and Activities in Kyoto

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

  • Arashiyama self guided tour app multilingual audio guide: $2.15
  • Kyoto Tower Admission Ticket: $6.14
  • Audio guide tour of the Kyoto Imperial Palace & surroundings: $6.54
  • Nijo Castle & Kitano Tenmangu Shrine: Auidio Guide Tour: $6.54
  • Audio Guide Tour through Gion: Kiyomizu-dera and Kodai-ji: $6.54
  • Audio Guide Tour of Kinkaku-ji & Ryōan-ji Areas ~ Zen Echoe: $6.54
  • Audio Guide Tour: Unveiling Kyoto Station Surroundings: $6.54
  • Audio Guide Tour Sanjusangen-do & Chishaku-in: $6.54
  • Arashiyama: Self-Guided Audio Tour through History & Nature: $6.54
  • Kyoto Gion Night Walking Tour. Up to 6 people!: $6.54
  • Ninnaji Temple Entry Ticket: $7.19
  • Kyoto self-guided tour app with multi-language audioguide: $8.61

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Minsk $14
    Kyoto $12

Sample the Local Flavors in Kyoto

Also in Kyoto, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Japanese Sake Brewery and Fushimi Inari Sightseeing Tour: $18
  • Kyoto Local Bar Crawl in Kawaramachi Area: $40
  • Sake Brewery &Great Yakitori Experience: $78
  • Sake Brewery and Tasting Tour in Fushimi: $82
  • Kyoto Sake Brewery & Tasting Walking Tour: $84
  • Insider Sake Brewery Tour with Sake and Food Pairing: $85
  • Rural Brewery Town Walk: Half-Day Private Tour Near Kyoto: $100
  • Kyoto Sake Brewery Tour: $159
  • Rural Villages & Brewery Town: Private 1-Day Cycling Near Kyoto: $187
  • Kyoto Sake Bar and Pub Crawl (Food & Sake Tour): $195
  • Kyoto Sake Bar and Pub Crawl (Food & Sake Tour): $196
  • Private Guided Local Bar Crawl Experience in Kyoto: $223


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Minsk and Kyoto, we can see that Kyoto is more expensive. And not only is Minsk much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Minsk is in Europe and Kyoto is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Minsk would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Minsk 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 Minsk.

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


Which is Bigger, Minsk or Kyoto?

Minsk has a larger population, and is about 19% larger than the population of Kyoto. When comparing the sizes of Minsk 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.


When is the best time to visit Minsk or Kyoto?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Minsk or Kyoto in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Minsk and Kyoto. Furthermore, many travelers come to Kyoto for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Minsk is cooler than Kyoto in the summer. The daily temperature in Minsk averages around 19°C (66°F) in July, and Kyoto fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

In Minsk, it's very sunny this time of the year. Minsk usually receives more sunshine than Kyoto during summer. Minsk gets 258 hours of sunny skies, while Kyoto receives 183 hours of full sun in the summer.

Kyoto receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Minsk usually receives less rain than Kyoto. Minsk gets 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Kyoto receives 236 mm (9.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Minsk 19°C (66°F) 
    Kyoto 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Minsk or Kyoto in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Minsk as well as Kyoto. Additionally, many visitors come to Kyoto in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Minsk is much colder than Kyoto. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Minsk in October average around 8°C (47°F), and Kyoto averages at about 18°C (64°F).

In the autumn, Minsk often gets less sunshine than Kyoto. Minsk gets 99 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kyoto receives 159 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Kyoto. Minsk usually gets less rain in October than Kyoto. Minsk gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Kyoto receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Minsk 8°C (47°F) 
    Kyoto 18°C (64°F)

Should I visit Minsk or Kyoto in the Winter?

Both Kyoto and Minsk are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Kyoto for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Kyoto can be very cold during winter. Minsk can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Minsk is generally much colder than Kyoto. Daily temperatures in Minsk average around -5°C (22°F), and Kyoto fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).

Minsk usually receives less sunshine than Kyoto during winter. Minsk gets 46 hours of sunny skies, while Kyoto receives 140 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Minsk usually receives less rain than Kyoto. Minsk gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Kyoto receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Minsk -5°C (22°F) 
    Kyoto 5°C (40°F)

Should I visit Minsk or Kyoto in the Spring?

Both Kyoto and Minsk during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Kyoto because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

Minsk is much colder than Kyoto in the spring. The daily temperature in Minsk averages around 8°C (46°F) in April, and Kyoto fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

In the spring, Minsk often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Kyoto. Minsk gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kyoto receives 176 hours of full sun.

Kyoto gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Minsk usually gets less rain in April than Kyoto. Minsk gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Kyoto receives 153 mm (6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Minsk 8°C (46°F) 
    Kyoto 14°C (58°F)

Typical Weather for Kyoto and Minsk

Minsk Kyoto
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -5°C (22°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 5°C (40°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Feb -4°C (25°F) 34 mm (1.3 in) 5°C (41°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Mar 0°C (33°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 8°C (47°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Apr 8°C (46°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 14°C (58°F) 153 mm (6 in)
May 15°C (58°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 19°C (67°F) 154 mm (6 in)
Jun 18°C (64°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 23°C (73°F) 251 mm (9.9 in)
Jul 19°C (66°F) 88 mm (3.5 in) 27°C (81°F) 236 mm (9.3 in)
Aug 18°C (65°F) 72 mm (2.8 in) 29°C (83°F) 146 mm (5.7 in)
Sep 14°C (57°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 24°C (75°F) 196 mm (7.7 in)
Oct 8°C (47°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 18°C (64°F) 111 mm (4.4 in)
Nov 3°C (37°F) 52 mm (2 in) 12°C (54°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Dec -2°C (28°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 7°C (45°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)