Which place is cheaper, Kanazawa or Mount Kailash?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Mount Kailash or Kanazawa?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Mount Kailash or Kanazawa? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Mount Kailash or Kanazawa?
Mount Kailash
The main point of entry to Mount Kailash is a small village called Darchen. Once an important sheep station for nomads and their flocks, the village has now grown to provide for the pilgrims wishing to embark towards Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar. It contains a number of guest houses and restaurants as well as a hotel where pilgrims must get permission from the Public Security Bureau to make the trek around the mountain. Also in the village are a handful of small stores and kiosks, as well as some grounds for camping. It is about 330 km (a one-day bus drive) from the town of Shiquanhe to the northeast, where Gunsa Airport is located, offering flights twice a week to Lhasa and Chengdu.
Kanazawa
An important city of the Edo-period, Kanazawa is a well preserved city from a time when samurai, merchants, geisha, and lords made up the core of its culture. Though it is often overlooked by foreigners, the city is a gem of Japanese tourism with a number of preserved historic districts, temples, regional handicrafts, art museums, and some of the best food to be had in Japan.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Japan, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Japan.
-
Mount Kailash Prices
China PricesKanazawa Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMount Kailash $95Kanazawa $120
The average daily cost (per person) in Mount Kailash is $95, while the average daily cost in Kanazawa is $120. 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 Mount Kailash and Kanazawa in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMount Kailash $29Kanazawa $61
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMount Kailash $58Kanazawa $122
Compare Hotels in Mount Kailash and Kanazawa
Looking for a hotel in Mount Kailash or Kanazawa? 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: Kanazawa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mount Kailash $33Kanazawa $8.84
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kanazawa
Also for Kanazawa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Airport Transfer: Komatsu Airport (KMQ) ↔ Kanazawa City: $181
- Private Transfer: Kanazawa Port ↔ Kanazawa City: $47
Is it cheaper to fly into Mount Kailash or Kanazawa?
Prices for flights to both Kanazawa and Mount Kailash 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 dayMount Kailash $45Kanazawa $53
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kanazawa
For Kanazawa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Kanazawa Food Tour: Omicho Market & Geisha District: $44
- Kanazawa Omicho Market and Higashi Chaya Food Tour: $69
- Sushi & Japanese Cooking at a 56-Year Cooking School: $98
- Authentic Japanese Cooking and Sushi-Making Lesson: $101
- Kanazawa Night Tour Castle Samurai District and Optional Dinner: $103
- Taste Noto: Local Seafood Market Food Tour: $167
- Kanazawa Private Night Food Tour: $169
- Nanao: Bridal Curtain Culture and Noto Food Tour: $231
- Private Kanazawa Bamboo Sushi Family Cooking Experience: $265
- Fishing Experience with Gyotaku and Cooking: $423
- Geisha Performance with Dinner and Drinks: $1,217
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mount Kailash $17Kanazawa $9.24
Tours and Activities in Kanazawa
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Kanazawa.
- Kanazawa Kimono Self-Photo Experience Japanese Scenery in 1 Hour: $19
- Selfie Photo Experience with Rental Kimono - Moon: $23
- Ring making experience Completed in about 1 hour!: $24
- Private Ring Craft Experience in Kanazawa: $24
- Kanazawa Night Walk and Izakaya Tour with Local Guide: $25
- Selfie Photo Experience with Rental Kimono - Color: $27
- Family-Friendly Kimono & Yukata Experience at WARGO: $30
- Tea Ceremony Experience at Kenrokuen: $30
- Kanazawa:Traditional Experience -kimono rent at wargo: $33
- Walking Tour in the Geiko Districts: $34
- Quiet Highlights Walking Tour in Kanazawa: $34
- Kenrokuen Tea Ceremony Experience: $37
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayMount Kailash $2.95Kanazawa $11
Sample the Local Flavors in Kanazawa
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Kanazawa:
- Kanazawa Historic Brewery: Fermentation Tour, Tasting, Lunch: $81
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mount Kailash and Kanazawa, we can see that Kanazawa is more expensive. And not only is Mount Kailash much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Mount Kailash would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mount Kailash 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 Kanazawa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kanazawa than you might in Mount Kailash.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mount Kailash Expensive? and Is Kanazawa Expensive?.
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.