Which place is cheaper, Nara 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.
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Should you visit Mount Kailash or Nara?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Mount Kailash or Nara? 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 Nara?
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.
Nara
As Japan's first capital, Nara offers a world of tradition and culture second only to the city of Kyoto. It is home to eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, which are largely concentrated in the area of Nara Park. Here, it is also common to see many deer wandering freely amongst the temples and shrines.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan, and The Best Cultural Tours in Japan.
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Mount Kailash Prices
China PricesNara Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMount Kailash $95Nara $101
The average daily cost (per person) in Mount Kailash is $95, while the average daily cost in Nara is $101. 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 Nara in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMount Kailash $29Nara $49
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMount Kailash $58Nara $98
Compare Hotels in Mount Kailash and Nara
Looking for a hotel in Mount Kailash or Nara? 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: Nara Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mount Kailash $33Nara $5.53
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nara
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Nara:
- City-to-City Transfer, from Nara to Each City in Kansai: $197
- Kansai Airport (KIX): Private Transfer To/From Nara City Hotels: $172
Is it cheaper to fly into Mount Kailash or Nara?
Prices for flights to both Nara 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 $45Nara $46
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nara
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Nara.
- Uji Matcha & Tea Culture Food Tour with Licensed Guide: $103
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mount Kailash $17Nara $7.40
Tours and Activities in Nara
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Nara are as follows:
- Nara Art Clock Making Workshop Experience: $25
- Nara Deer Park Todaiji and Buddha Temple Walking Tour: $25
- Nara Craft Tours - local Craft beers tour experience in Nara City: $26
- If it's a matter of fact, it's a matter of doing Project Fauci's sumi culture experience.: $28
- Samurai Spirit Kendo Experience【Nara】: $37
- All must-sees in 3 hours - Nara Park Classic Tour! From JR Nara!: $41
- Book for 4 or more! “Sushi Experience Course” in Nara: $41
- Nara Deer, Great Buddha & Traditional Mochi Experience: $50
- Nara Highlight Walking Tour with Furoshiki Experience with Lunch: $50
- Must-see attractions tour with English-Speaking Guide: $56
- Quick Nara Tour for the First-Timers by Local Tour Guide: $60
- Perfect Nara Park Half-Day Bus Tour with English Speaking Guide: $62
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMount Kailash $2.95Nara $11
Sample the Local Flavors in Nara
Also in Nara, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Nara Afternoon Sake Walk: Brewery Visit, Tastings & Local Streets: $106
When comparing the travel costs between Mount Kailash and Nara, we can see that Nara 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 Nara 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.