A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Mumbai vs. Kyoto for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Mumbai or Kyoto?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Mumbai or Kyoto, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Mumbai or Kyoto?

Mumbai

Mumbai is the largest city in India and the capital of Maharashtra state. It is still occasionally referred to as Bombay, but most people know it now as Mumbai. It's the commercial capital of the country and is a major port city. It's also famous for Bollywood, which is the movie capital of the country and famous for it's music filled Bollywood flicks that have become popular around the world. Mumbai is arguably the most cosmopolitan city in India and has some of the most liberal views of an otherwise conservative country. Many immigrants and expats live in Mumbai and it's easy to see the blend of cultures.

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 2-Week Tours from Mumbai, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to India, The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo.


Which place is cheaper, Kyoto or Mumbai?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Mumbai is $69, while the average daily cost in Kyoto is $96. 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 Mumbai and Kyoto in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Mumbai $34
    Kyoto $63
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Mumbai $68
    Kyoto $126
Compare Hotels in Mumbai and Kyoto

Looking for a hotel in Mumbai 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.

Hotels in Mumbai


Hotels in Kyoto


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: Mumbai Hotel Prices and Kyoto Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Mumbai $7.77
    Kyoto $7.55

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mumbai

Also for Mumbai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Affordable transfer from Mumbai Airport to Pune: $28
  • Arrival Private Transfers: Mumbai Airport BOM to Mumbai City in Business Car: $60
  • Arrival Private Transfers: Mumbai Airport BOM to Mumbai City in Luxury Van: $93
  • Departure Private Transfers: Mumbai City to Mumbai Airport BOM in Business Car: $60
  • Departure Private Transfers: Mumbai City to Mumbai Airport BOM in Luxury Van: $93
  • Dharavi Slum Tour in Mumbai with Combo Packages & Transfers: $12
  • Dharavi Tour Including Car Transfer: $42
  • Global Vipassana Pagoda : Half Day Tour with Transfer: $84
  • Luxury Mumbai Package with Hotel,Private Airport Transfers and Sightseeing Tour: $270
  • Mumbai & Beyond transfer & travel in a Insured vehicle: Goa-Rajasthan-Gujrat etc: $53
  • Mumbai - private arrival transfer from Airport to Hotel : $64
  • Mumbai Airport Transfer in Private Vehicle: $28

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kyoto

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kyoto:

  • Chubu Centrair Airport to/from Kyoto Private Transfer: $553
  • Customizable Private Tour with Hotel Transfers: $504
  • From Private 1-Way Transfer to Kansai Airport: $316
  • One-Way Private Transfer to/from Itami Airport: $316
  • Kyoto Early Bird Half Day Private Tour with Transfer: $292
  • Kansai Int Airport to/from Kyoto City Private Transfer: $264
  • Kansai Intl. Airport KIX Private Transfer to/from Kyoto: $222
  • Osaka City to/from Kyoto City Private transfer: $221
  • Osaka (Itami) Airport ITM Private Transfer to/from Kyoto: $212
  • Kansai Airport (KIX): Private One-Way Transfer to/from Kyoto: $207
  • Osaka (Itami) Airport to/from Kyoto City Private Transfer: $136
  • Private departure transfer from Kyoto city to Kansai International airport: $107

Is it cheaper to fly into Mumbai or Kyoto?

Prices for flights to both Kyoto and Mumbai 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 day
    Mumbai $26
    Kyoto $24

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mumbai

For Mumbai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Virtual Authentic Indian Tea and Paratha Cooking Class: $14
  • Hidden Gems and Street Food Tour: $15
  • Discover Mumbai's street & beach with food tour: $17
  • Mumbai Food Tour: $20
  • Vegetarian Indian Cuisine Virtual Cooking Class Experience from Mumbai: $20
  • Mumbai Food Tour: $25
  • Street Food Tour - Eat like a Local with sunset view: $26
  • Old Bombay Bazaar and Food Tour with local Guide: $27
  • Guided Food Tour Through the Vibrant Markets of Old Bombay: $28
  • Street Food Tour: $32
  • Indian cusine demonstration cum hands on with Hi Tea / Dinner at a Family home: $33
  • Mumbai Street Food Tour with Sun Set View: $38

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kyoto

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kyoto.

  • Private Cooking Class Udon in Kyoto Japan: $40
  • Japanese Washoku Bento Cooking Class with Lunch: $41
  • Nishiki Market Brunch Walking Food Tour: $45
  • Japanese Home Cooking Lesson with Local Hosts in Peaceful Kyoto Suburb Otsu: $49
  • Kyoto Nishiki Market & Depachika: 2-hours Food Tour with a Local: $59
  • Afternoon Japanese Izakaya Cooking Class: $59
  • Morning Japanese Bento Cooking Class: $59
  • Japanese Cooking Class: $60
  • Japanese Udon and Sushi Cooking Class with Tastings: $62
  • Wagashi(Japanese sweets) Cooking :Kyoto near Fushimiinari: $63
  • Bento Box Cooking Class: $66
  • Izakaya Style Cooking Class: $66

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Mumbai $2.66
    Kyoto $13

Tours and Activities in Mumbai

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Mumbai.

  • Audio Guided Walking Tour on HopOn India App – From Gateway to Fountain, Mumbai: $5.32
  • Elephanta Caves Audio Guided Walking Tour, Mumbai on HopOn India App: $5.34
  • Highlights Bus Full-Day Tour in Hindi: $5.40
  • Dharavi Slum Tour with Local guide: $6.00
  • Audio Guided Tour of Matunga & Dadar Parsi Colony, Mumbai: $6.14
  • Malabar District, Scavenger Hunt & Self-Guided Tour: $6.56
  • Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $6.56
  • Mumbai (Malabar District) Self-Guided Tour: $6.67
  • Dharavi Slum Tour: $8.63
  • Dharavi Slum Tour: $8.99
  • Inside Dharavi: Unveiling Mumbai's Slum Culture Tour: $9.11
  • Dharavi Slum Experience with Local Resident English Guide: $9.50

Tours and Activities in Kyoto

Here are a few actual costs in Kyoto for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Bar Hopping Private Tour in Kyoto: $48
  • Kyoto Private Full-day Walking Tour from Kyoto Station: $149
  • "Unlock Kyoto's Charm: Government-Certified Group Tour: $90
  • 1 Day Hiking Tour in the Mountains of Kyoto: $169
  • 1-Hour Japanese Archery Experience in Kyoto: $38
  • 10 Hrs Full day Kyoto Tour w/Hotel Pick-up: $568
  • 2 Hour Night Walking Tour Throughout Gion in a Small Group: $32
  • 2 Hours Shared Kendo Experience In Kyoto Japan: $116
  • 2-Hour Shopping Tour Plan / private: $126
  • 3 Hour Private Bar Hopping Experience at Kyoto City: $39
  • 3 Hours Kyoto Insider Sake Experience: $84
  • 3-Hour Japanese Sake Breweries Tour in Fushimi Kyoto: $105

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Mumbai $3.69
    Kyoto $12

Sample the Local Flavors in Mumbai

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Mumbai:

  • Bombay Party (Bar Crawl): $25
  • South Bombay Pub Crawl: $39
  • South Bombay Pub Crawl: $39
  • Mumbai Pub Crawl: History, Iconic Bars, Cocktail Workshop, Stories and Drinks : $90
  • Mumbai Private Bar Crawl with City Night Tour: $124
  • Nashik: Private Full-Day Wine Tour with Tastings From Mumbai: $128
  • Full-Day Private Wine Tour at Sula Vineyards from Mumbai: $152
  • Wine Tasting Tour Sula Vineyards Nashik - (Day excursion from Mumbai): $163

Sample the Local Flavors in Kyoto

Also in Kyoto, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Japanese Sake Brewery and Fushimi Inari Sightseeing Tour: $18
  • Sake Brewery and Tasting Tour in Fushimi: $80
  • Insider Sake Brewery Tour with Sake and Food Pairing: $83
  • Rural Brewery Town Walk: Half-Day Private Tour Near Kyoto: $97
  • Kyoto Sake Brewery Tour: $153
  • Rural Villages & Brewery Town: Private 1-Day Cycling Near Kyoto: $181
  • Kyoto Sake Bar and Pub Crawl (Food & Sake Tour): $189
  • Kyoto Sake Bar and Pub Crawl (Food & Sake Tour): $195
  • Private Guided Local Bar Crawl Experience in Kyoto: $223
  • Kyoto Nightlife: Local Bar Crawl Experience: $435


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mumbai and Kyoto, we can see that Kyoto is more expensive. And not only is Mumbai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Mumbai would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mumbai 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 Kyoto would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kyoto than you might in Mumbai.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mumbai Expensive? and Is Kyoto Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Mumbai or Kyoto?

Mumbai has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Kyoto. When comparing the sizes of Mumbai and Kyoto, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.


When is the best time to visit Mumbai or Kyoto?

Kyoto has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Mumbai experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Mumbai or Kyoto in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Mumbai as well as Kyoto. Mumbai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Kyoto for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Mumbai is around the same temperature as Kyoto. Typically, the summer temperatures in Mumbai in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Kyoto averages at about 27°C (81°F).

In the summer, Mumbai often gets less sunshine than Kyoto. Mumbai gets 73 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kyoto receives 183 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Kyoto. Mumbai receives a lot of rain in the summer. Mumbai usually gets more rain in July than Kyoto. Mumbai gets 640 mm (25.2 in) of rain, while Kyoto receives 236 mm (9.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Mumbai 28°C (82°F) 
    Kyoto 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Mumbai or Kyoto in the Autumn?

Both Kyoto and Mumbai are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Mumbai throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Kyoto in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Mumbai is generally much warmer than Kyoto. Daily temperatures in Mumbai average around 29°C (84°F), and Kyoto fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mumbai. Mumbai usually receives more sunshine than Kyoto during autumn. Mumbai gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while Kyoto receives 159 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Kyoto. In October, Mumbai usually receives less rain than Kyoto. Mumbai gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Kyoto receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Mumbai 29°C (84°F) 
    Kyoto 18°C (64°F)

Should I visit Mumbai or Kyoto in the Winter?

Both Kyoto and Mumbai during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Mumbai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, most visitors come to Kyoto for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Kyoto can be very cold during winter. Mumbai is much warmer than Kyoto in the winter. The daily temperature in Mumbai averages around 24°C (75°F) in January, and Kyoto fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).

It's quite sunny in Mumbai. In the winter, Mumbai often gets more sunshine than Kyoto. Mumbai gets 270 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kyoto receives 140 hours of full sun.

Mumbai usually gets less rain in January than Kyoto. Mumbai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Kyoto receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Mumbai 24°C (75°F) 
    Kyoto 5°C (40°F)

Should I visit Mumbai or Kyoto in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Mumbai and Kyoto. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Mumbai year-round. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Kyoto because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Mumbai is much warmer than Kyoto. Typically, the spring temperatures in Mumbai in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Kyoto averages at about 14°C (58°F).

In Mumbai, it's very sunny this time of the year. Mumbai usually receives more sunshine than Kyoto during spring. Mumbai gets 284 hours of sunny skies, while Kyoto receives 176 hours of full sun in the spring.

Kyoto receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Mumbai usually receives less rain than Kyoto. Mumbai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Kyoto receives 153 mm (6 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Mumbai 29°C (84°F) 
    Kyoto 14°C (58°F)

Typical Weather for Kyoto and Mumbai

Mumbai Kyoto
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (75°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 5°C (40°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Feb 25°C (77°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 5°C (41°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Mar 27°C (81°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 8°C (47°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Apr 29°C (84°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 14°C (58°F) 153 mm (6 in)
May 30°C (86°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 19°C (67°F) 154 mm (6 in)
Jun 29°C (84°F) 560 mm (22 in) 23°C (73°F) 251 mm (9.9 in)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 640 mm (25.2 in) 27°C (81°F) 236 mm (9.3 in)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 520 mm (20.5 in) 29°C (83°F) 146 mm (5.7 in)
Sep 28°C (82°F) 320 mm (12.6 in) 24°C (75°F) 196 mm (7.7 in)
Oct 29°C (84°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 18°C (64°F) 111 mm (4.4 in)
Nov 28°C (82°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 12°C (54°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Dec 26°C (79°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 7°C (45°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)