Which place is cheaper, Kyoto 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 Kyoto?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Mount Kailash or Kyoto? 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 Kyoto?
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.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to China, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo.
-
Mount Kailash Prices
China PricesKyoto Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMount Kailash $95Kyoto $109
The average daily cost (per person) in Mount Kailash is $95, while the average daily cost in Kyoto is $109. 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 Kyoto in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMount Kailash $29Kyoto $61
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMount Kailash $58Kyoto $122
Compare Hotels in Mount Kailash and Kyoto
Looking for a hotel in Mount Kailash 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.
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.Mount Kailash $33Kyoto $7.26
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kyoto
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kyoto:
- Arashiyama Kinkakuji Quiet Trail E-Bike Tour with Hotel Transfer: $121
- City-to-City Transfer, from Central Kyoto to Each City in Kansai: $252
- Departure Transfer from Kyoto to Itami Airport ITM by Minivan: $130
- Kansai Airport(KIX)to/from Osaka or Kyoto Private Transfer: $108
- Kyoto Gion & Fushimi E-Bike Tour with Hotel Transfer: $121
- Kyoto hotels to Kansai Airport (KIX) - Departure Private Transfer: $140
- Naruto & Boruto at Nijigen no Mori Entry & Transfer: $47
- Minivan Departure Transfer from Kyoto City to Kansai Airport KIX: $260
- Osaka Hotel Private Transfer to or from Kyoto Hotel: $207
- Private Transfer from Maizuru Cruise Port to Osaka Airport (ITM): $138
- Private Transfer from Maizuru Cruise Port to Osaka Airport (ITM): $153
- Private Transfer from Maizuru Cruise Port to Osaka city hotels: $223
Is it cheaper to fly into Mount Kailash or Kyoto?
Prices for flights to both Kyoto 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 $45Kyoto $40
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kyoto
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kyoto.
- Kyoto Japanese Sweets (Nerikiri) Cooking Class & Matcha tea: $24
- Kyoto Nishiki Market Food Tour Hidden Tastings and Local Insights: $41
- Kyoto Nishiki Market & Depachika: 2-hours Food Tour with a Local: $48
- Kyoto Home Cooking Class: Okonomiyaki & Japanese Cuisines: $51
- Private Cooking Class Udon in Kyoto Japan: $59
- Japanese Cooking Class: $59
- T9 Kyoto Night Food Tour in Gion and Pontocho: $64
- Private Guided Traditional Buddhist Cooking in Japan: $69
- Izakaya Style Cooking Class: $69
- Ramen Bowl Painting & Cooking in Gion, Kyoto: $70
- Japanese Cuisine Cooking Class in Kyoto: $70
- Gion Food Tour 13 Dishes at 4 Eateries: $70
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mount Kailash $17Kyoto $13
Tours and Activities in Kyoto
Here are a few actual costs in Kyoto for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Kyoto KITSUNE Nightclub Admission Ticket For Foreign: $3.19
- Family Mitsui House Museum with green tea admission ticket: $7.02
- Tea Ceremony Experience (includes Matcha grinding demonstration): $8.11
- Kyoto Fushimi Inari Taisha Walking Tour with Audioguide: $12
- Fushimi Inari Shrine: Explore the 1,000 Torii Gates on an audio walking tour: $12
- Kyoto Hanafuda Card Game Experience with Local English Learners: $13
- Gion and Geisha District Walking Tour: $13
- Nidec Kyoto Tower Observation Deck Admission Ticket: $15
- Kyoto Sightseeing Pass E ticket: $15
- Private Machiya Tea Room & Ikebana Experience near Fushimi Inari: $16
- Kyoto Traditional Kintsugi Repair Experience in Central Kyoto: $16
- Ticket to Sake Tasting Night in Fushimi: $16
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayMount Kailash $2.96Kyoto $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Kyoto
Also in Kyoto, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Kyoto's Sake District Brewery Tour and Tasting: $32
- Fushimi Sake Discovery Tour Tasting and Brewery Visit: $75
- Kyoto sake brewery experience tour (Includes 4 sake tastings): $80
- 3-Hour Kyoto Insider Sake Brewery Tour with Tastings & Pairings: $82
- Kyoto Arashiyama Bamboo, Temple, Monkey or Local Mountain Brewery: $86
- Fushimi Cherry Blossom and Sake Brewery Tour: $95
- Kyoto Sake Brewery & Tasting Walking Tour: $95
- Fushimi Sake Brewery Tour - 18 Tastings in 2.5 Hours: $109
- Kyoto Kyo-Yuzen Craft Workshop Day Tour and Sake Brewery Visit: $141
- Private Kyoto Sake Brewery Tour: Certified Expert & Inside Access: $153
- Visit Whisky Distillery Tour from Kyoto: $225
- Kyoto Sake Brewery Tour with Lunch: $227
When comparing the travel costs between Mount Kailash and Kyoto, we can see that Kyoto is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
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 Kyoto 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.