Which place is cheaper, Nagano or Mount Kailash?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Mount Kailash or Nagano?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Mount Kailash or Nagano? 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 Nagano?
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.
Nagano
Nagano city and its surrounding prefecture of Japan is a temple region built around Zenkoji, a 7th century Buddhist temple that overlooks the city. Nagano was also home to the Winter Olympic Games in 1998, with some facilities still existing around town. And then there is the forested mountain Togakushi area to the northwest, which is another draw of Nagano, known for its shrines and status as the home of the Togakure Ninja School.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Japan, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Japan.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMount Kailash $71Nagano $90
The average daily cost (per person) in Mount Kailash is $71, while the average daily cost in Nagano is $90. 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 Nagano in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMount Kailash $27Nagano $61
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMount Kailash $54Nagano $122
Compare Hotels in Mount Kailash and Nagano
Looking for a hotel in Mount Kailash or Nagano? 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: Nagano Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mount Kailash $31Nagano $9.79
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nagano
Also for Nagano, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer Between Station & Snow Monkey Park: $685
Is it cheaper to fly into Mount Kailash or Nagano?
Prices for flights to both Nagano 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
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Food Meals for one dayMount Kailash $24Nagano $22
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mount Kailash $15Nagano $8.16
Tours and Activities in Nagano
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Nagano.
- Nagano Sake Tasting Walking Tour: $47
- Welcome to Private Tour with a Local: $55
- Food & Cultural Walking Tour around Zenkoji temple in Nagano: $85
- Izakaya Food Night Tour in Nagano: $98
- Full-Day Tour: Matsumoto Castle & Kamikochi Alpine Valley: $177
- Zenkoji Experience Tour: Overnight 'Shukubo' (Temple Lodge): $221
- Snow Monkey & ZinkoJi With Sake Tasting Private Tour: $537
- 4 Day - From Nagano to Kanazawa: Ultimate Central Japan tour: $782
- Private Snow Monkey Tour: From Nagano City / Ski Resorts: $1,334
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMount Kailash $2.76Nagano -
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mount Kailash and Nagano, we can see that Nagano 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 Nagano would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nagano 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 Nagano 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.