Which place is cheaper, Nikko 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 Nikko?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Mount Kailash or Nikko? 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 Nikko?
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.
Nikko
Nikko is a small Japanese city located in the mountains north of Tokyo. It is well-known for the site of Toshogu, a famed Shinto shrine established in 1617, in memory of Tokugawa Ieyasu who was the founding ruler of the Edo Period. The town is situated just outside of Nikko National Park which offers scenic mountain landscapes, lakes, waterfalls, hot springs, wild monkeys, and hiking trails.
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 in Japan, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Japan.
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Mount Kailash Prices
China PricesNikko Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMount Kailash $90Nikko $108
The average daily cost (per person) in Mount Kailash is $90, while the average daily cost in Nikko is $108. 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 Nikko in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMount Kailash $27Nikko $48
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMount Kailash $54Nikko $96
Compare Hotels in Mount Kailash and Nikko
Looking for a hotel in Mount Kailash or Nikko? 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: Nikko Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mount Kailash $32Nikko -
Is it cheaper to fly into Mount Kailash or Nikko?
Prices for flights to both Nikko 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 $43Nikko $55
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mount Kailash $16Nikko $22
Tours and Activities in Nikko
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Nikko.
- Senjogahara Nature Guide Tour in Nikko: $31
- Edo Wonderland Nikko Edomura Admission Ticket: $50
- Oku-Nikko 3-hour Cycling Tour (Half-day) – No lunch: $65
- Nikko Early Morning Tour with English-Speaking Guide: $72
- Bike and Hike on Mt Hangetsu with Outdoor Matcha Experience: $83
- World Heritage Nikko Walking Tour Toshogu and Kanmangafuchi: $89
- Visit the Unexplored Regions of Lake Chuzenji-Scenic Trekking and Rafting Tour: $96
- Hidden Canyoning Adventure in Nikko　: $103
- Bask in the beauty of winter Nikko in this unforgettable ice climbing experience: $116
- Oku-Nikko 5-hour Cycling Tour (Full-day) – Lunch included: $124
- Nikko Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide: $151
- Nikko Private Customizable Half Day Tour: $166
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMount Kailash $2.80Nikko $15
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mount Kailash and Nikko, we can see that Nikko 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 Nikko would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nikko 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 Nikko 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.