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

Should you visit Minsk or Tokyo?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Minsk or Tokyo, 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 Tokyo?

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.

Tokyo

Tokyo, the capital of Japan, is by far the most populous city in the world with a staggering 37 million people. As a worldwide hub for technology and business, it hosts millions of visitors annually. But Tokyo is not just a place for business trips. With its incredible mixture of historical temples and shrines, remarkably beautiful parks, endless shopping malls, and genuinely wonderful people, Tokyo is a terrific place to visit and to explore.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Japan, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Japan.


Which place is cheaper, Tokyo 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 Tokyo is $157. 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 Tokyo in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Minsk $32
    Tokyo $77
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Minsk $64
    Tokyo $154
Compare Hotels in Minsk and Tokyo

Looking for a hotel in Minsk or Tokyo? 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 Tokyo


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: Tokyo Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Minsk $12
    Tokyo $17

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tokyo

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

  • Japan Railway Station Shared Departure Transfer : Tokyo City to Tokyo Station: $17
  • Haneda Airport: 1-Way Shared Shuttle Transfer: $31
  • Private Transfer from Tokyo Port to Tokyo Narita Int Airport(NRT): $33
  • Private Transfer from Tokyo Cruise Port to Tokyo City Hotels: $38
  • Private Transfer from Tokyo Haneda Int Airport(HND) to Tokyo Port: $38
  • Private Transfer from Tokyo city hotels to Tokyo Cruise Port: $38
  • Private Transfer from Tokyo Haneda Int Airport(HND) to Tokyo Port: $43
  • Private Transfer from Tokyo Port to Tokyo Haneda Int Airport(HND): $43
  • One-Way Private Transfer From/To Haneda Airport (HND): $46
  • Tokyo to Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) - Departure Private Transfer: $51
  • Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) to Tokyo - Arrival Private Transfer: $52
  • Private Transfer from Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) to Yokohama Port: $59

Is it cheaper to fly into Minsk or Tokyo?

Prices for flights to both Tokyo 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
    Tokyo $37

Typical Food Prices in Tokyo

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Tokyo:


  • Late Night Noodles
    $5.23
  • Conveyor Belt Sushi Snack
    $5.23
  • Meal at Airport
    $6.81

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tokyo

For Tokyo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Takoyaki cooking experience in Kabukicho, Shinjuku: $23
  • Easy Ramen Cooking Experience in Kabukicho, Shinjuku: $26
  • 2 Hours Japanese Style Pub and Food Tour in Ueno: $32
  • Private Sushi Roll Cooking Class in Japan: $39
  • Ueno Private Walking Tour and Night Food Tour: $40
  • Sushi Making Experience in Tsukiji 90-Minute cooking class: $54
  • Tokyo Best Cooking Class! Sushi making class in Tsukiji: $55
  • Japanese Traditional Cooking Class: $58
  • Wagyu and 7 Japanese Dishes Cooking Class: $61
  • 【Contemporary Culture】Food tour I Always Visit in Shibuya: $65
  • Japanese Home Cooking Class near Tokyo Disneyland: $66
  • 【Contemporary Culture】food tour I Always Visit in Shibuya: $67

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Minsk $20
    Tokyo $69

Tours and Activities in Tokyo

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

  • Japan: Zen and Tea Ceremony Audio Guided Tour: $3.27
  • Asakusa Walking Tour with an Experienced Japanese Comedian: $3.34
  • Ancient Orient Museum Admission Ticket: $3.92
  • Samurai and Bushido Audio Guided Tour: $4.71
  • 24-hour, 48-hour, or 72-hour Subway Ticket: $5.23
  • Harajuku: Audio Guide Tour of Takeshita Street: $6.54
  • Ueno: Self-Guided Tour of Ameyoko and Hidden Gems: $6.54
  • Akihabara (Tokyo): English Audio Guide Tour: $6.54
  • Shibuya Sightseeing with an Audio Guide: $6.54
  • Asakusa(Tokyo): Smartphone Audio Guide Tour: $6.54
  • Tokyo Shibuya Bar Hopping Tour: $6.54
  • Ueno Park Self-Guided Tour with Audio Guide: $6.54

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Minsk $14
    Tokyo $33

Typical Alcohol Prices in Tokyo

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Tokyo:


  • Sake
    $3.92

Sample the Local Flavors in Tokyo

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Tokyo:

  • Tokyo Pub Crawl: $25
  • 3-Hour Tokyo Pub Crawl Weekly Welcome Guided Tour in Shibuya: $52
  • Private Shinjuku Nightlife Walking Tour & Golden-Gai Bar Crawl: $80
  • Toshimaya Sake Brewery Tour with Sake Tasting: $92
  • barhopping tour&bar crawl in Retro Town Shimokitazawa: $98
  • Private Sake Tasting at 300 Years Old Sake Brewery in Tokyo : $104
  • Tokyo | 3 Hours Brewery Tour with Sake Sommelier: $105
  • Sake Brewery and Spiritual Nature Tour in Okutama Tokyo: $137
  • Private Local Craft Brewery Tour in Tokyo: $150
  • Wooden Barrel Sake Brewery Tour and Unlimited Tasting Near Tokyo: $167
  • Private Walking Tour with Sake Brewery Visit in Chichibu: $190
  • Private tour: Tokyo's Oldest Sake Brewery and riverside walk.: $233


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Minsk and Tokyo, we can see that Tokyo 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 Tokyo 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 Tokyo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tokyo 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 Tokyo Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Minsk or Tokyo?

Tokyo has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Minsk. When comparing the sizes of Minsk and Tokyo, 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 Tokyo?

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 Minsk or Tokyo in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Minsk as well as Tokyo. Also, most visitors come to Tokyo for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Minsk is cooler than Tokyo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Minsk in July average around 19°C (66°F), and Tokyo averages at about 26°C (78°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Minsk this time of the year. In the summer, Minsk often gets more sunshine than Tokyo. Minsk gets 258 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tokyo receives 137 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Tokyo. Minsk usually gets less rain in July than Tokyo. Minsk gets 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Tokyo receives 127 mm (5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Minsk 19°C (66°F) 
    Tokyo 26°C (78°F)

Should I visit Minsk or Tokyo in the Autumn?

Both Tokyo and Minsk are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Tokyo because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Minsk is generally much colder than Tokyo. Daily temperatures in Minsk average around 8°C (47°F), and Tokyo fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

Minsk usually receives less sunshine than Tokyo during autumn. Minsk gets 99 hours of sunny skies, while Tokyo receives 129 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Tokyo. In October, Minsk usually receives less rain than Tokyo. Minsk gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Tokyo receives 165 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


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

Should I visit Minsk or Tokyo in the Winter?

Both Tokyo and Minsk during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Tokyo this time of year.

The weather in Minsk can be very cold. Minsk is much colder than Tokyo in the winter. The daily temperature in Minsk averages around -5°C (22°F) in January, and Tokyo fluctuates around 5°C (42°F).

In the winter, Minsk often gets less sunshine than Tokyo. Minsk gets 46 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tokyo receives 175 hours of full sun.

Minsk usually gets less rain in January than Tokyo. Minsk gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Tokyo receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Minsk -5°C (22°F) 
    Tokyo 5°C (42°F)

Should I visit Minsk or Tokyo in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Minsk and Tokyo. Furthermore, many travelers come to Tokyo for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Minsk is much colder than Tokyo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Minsk in April average around 8°C (46°F), and Tokyo averages at about 14°C (58°F).

Minsk usually receives more sunshine than Tokyo during spring. Minsk gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Tokyo receives 161 hours of full sun in the spring.

Tokyo receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Minsk usually receives less rain than Tokyo. Minsk gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Tokyo receives 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.


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

Typical Weather for Tokyo and Minsk

Minsk Tokyo
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -5°C (22°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 5°C (42°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Feb -4°C (25°F) 34 mm (1.3 in) 6°C (42°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Mar 0°C (33°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 9°C (47°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)
Apr 8°C (46°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 14°C (58°F) 125 mm (4.9 in)
May 15°C (58°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 19°C (66°F) 138 mm (5.4 in)
Jun 18°C (64°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 22°C (71°F) 186 mm (7.3 in)
Jul 19°C (66°F) 88 mm (3.5 in) 26°C (78°F) 127 mm (5 in)
Aug 18°C (65°F) 72 mm (2.8 in) 27°C (81°F) 148 mm (5.8 in)
Sep 14°C (57°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 23°C (74°F) 180 mm (7.1 in)
Oct 8°C (47°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 18°C (64°F) 165 mm (6.5 in)
Nov 3°C (37°F) 52 mm (2 in) 13°C (55°F) 90 mm (3.5 in)
Dec -2°C (28°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 8°C (46°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)