Which place is cheaper, Harbin or Nagano?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Nagano or Harbin?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Nagano and Harbin can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Nagano or Harbin?
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.
Harbin
Harbin, China is the northernmost major city in the country, with a population of over 10 million. Harbin was founded in 1897 by Russia, which has resulted in a lot of Russian influence throughout the city and many Russian citizens. The city is most famous for their annual International Snow and Ice Festival, a two-month-long festival running from January through February of each year.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Japan, The Best 2-Week Tours in Japan, The Best 2-Week Tours in China, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNagano $90Harbin $54
The average daily cost (per person) in Nagano is $90, while the average daily cost in Harbin is $54. 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 Nagano and Harbin in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNagano $61Harbin $21
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNagano $122Harbin $42
Compare Hotels in Nagano and Harbin
Looking for a hotel in Nagano or Harbin? 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.Nagano $9.79Harbin $1.49
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Harbin
Also for Harbin, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shared Transfer Service to Ice and Snow World, Sun Island Snow Festival: $250
- Harbin City Car Transfer Service with Driver: $168
- Private Full Day Transfer Service to Harbin Top Winter Attractions: $168
- Shared Night Transfer Service to Harbin Ice and Snow World: $85
- Harbin Taiping Airport Chauffeur Service , Harbin Airport Transfer,Pick up: $78
- Private HRB Airport Departure Transfer from Harbin City Hotel: $70
- Private HRB Airport Arrival Transfer to Harbin City Hotel: $70
- Private Arrival Transfer from Harbin West Railway Station to Harbin City Hotel: $65
- Private Departure Transfer to Harbin West Railway Station from Harbin City Hotel: $60
- Private Departure Transfer to Harbin Railway Station from Harbin City Hotel: $50
- Harbin Airport Chauffeur Service, Harbin Airport Transfer: $40
- Harbin Airport (HRB) : Private Arrival Transfer with Meet & Greet Service: $32
Is it cheaper to fly into Nagano or Harbin?
Prices for flights to both Harbin and Nagano 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 dayNagano $22Harbin $14
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Harbin
For Harbin, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Harbin Dumpling Cooking Class: $154
- Half-Day Private Harbin Beer Museum and Food Tour Including Harbin Beer1900: $157
- 4-Hour Private Night Tour to Harbin Ice and Snow World with Dinner Options: $261
- Private Full Day Tour to Harbin Beifang Forest Zoo and Optional Seafood Dinner: $261
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Nagano $8.16Harbin $52
Tours and Activities in Nagano
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Nagano.
- 4 Day - From Nagano to Kanazawa: Ultimate Central Japan tour: $782
- Food & Cultural Walking Tour around Zenkoji temple in Nagano: $85
- Full-Day Tour: Matsumoto Castle & Kamikochi Alpine Valley: $177
- Izakaya Food Night Tour in Nagano: $98
- Nagano Sake Tasting Walking Tour: $47
- Private Snow Monkey Tour: From Nagano City / Ski Resorts: $1,334
- Snow Monkey & ZinkoJi With Sake Tasting Private Tour: $537
- Welcome to Private Tour with a Local: $55
- Zenkoji Experience Tour: Overnight 'Shukubo' (Temple Lodge): $221
Tours and Activities in Harbin
For Harbin, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1-Day Harbin Private Tour: $130
- 2-Day Harbin City Private Tour in Your Way in Winter Season: $280
- 4-Hour Private Tour of the Largest Indoor Ice and Snow Paradise: $136
- From Amazing Day Trip Including tickets: $400
- Full Day Private Tour to Harbin Ice and Snow Festival: $250
- Group Tour to Harbin Ice and Snow World plus Sun Island Snow Sculpture Festival: $298
- Half Day Tour for Harbin Guandong Ancient Lane and Wood Sculpture Museum: $104
- Harbin City Group Tour including Crossing Songhua River by Ropeway and Ice Swimming Show: $290
- Harbin City Guided Tour to Zhongyang Street and Sophia Church: $180
- Harbin City Private Day Tour in Your Way in Winter Season: $200
- Harbin City Walking Sightseeing : $198
- Harbin Ice Festival New Year Eve Countdown Group Tour on December 31: $200
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNagano -Harbin $7.83
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nagano and Harbin, we can see that Nagano is more expensive. And not only is Harbin much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Harbin would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Harbin 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 Harbin.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Nagano Expensive? and Is Harbin Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Nagano or Harbin?
Harbin has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Nagano. When comparing the sizes of Nagano and Harbin, 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 Nagano or Harbin?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Nagano or Harbin in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Nagano and Harbin. Many visitors come to Nagano in the summer for the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
Nagano is around the same temperature as Harbin in the summer. The daily temperature in Nagano averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Harbin fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
Harbin receives a lot of rain in the summer. Nagano gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Nagano usually receives more rain than Harbin. Nagano gets 222 mm (8.8 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 153 mm (6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyNagano 25°C (77°F)Harbin 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Nagano or Harbin in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Nagano as well as Harbin. Most visitors come to Nagano for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In the autumn, Nagano is much warmer than Harbin. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Nagano in October average around 16°C (60°F), and Harbin averages at about 7°C (44°F).
Nagano receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Nagano usually gets more rain in October than Harbin. Nagano gets 227 mm (9 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberNagano 16°C (60°F)Harbin 7°C (44°F)
Should I visit Nagano or Harbin in the Winter?
Both Harbin and Nagano are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Nagano because of the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
It's quite cold in Harbin in the winter. The weather in Nagano can be very cold. In January, Nagano is generally much warmer than Harbin. Daily temperatures in Nagano average around 2°C (36°F), and Harbin fluctuates around -18°C (-0°F).
It's quite rainy in Nagano. In January, Nagano usually receives more rain than Harbin. Nagano gets 446 mm (17.5 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryNagano 2°C (36°F)Harbin -18°C (-0°F)
Should I visit Nagano or Harbin in the Spring?
Both Harbin and Nagano during the spring are popular places to visit. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Nagano this time of year.
Nagano is a little warmer than Harbin in the spring. The daily temperature in Nagano averages around 11°C (52°F) in April, and Harbin fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).
Nagano usually gets more rain in April than Harbin. Nagano gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 21 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilNagano 11°C (52°F)Harbin 8°C (46°F)
Typical Weather for Harbin and Nagano
| Nagano | Harbin | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 2°C (36°F) | 446 mm (17.5 in) | -18°C (-0°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Feb | 2°C (36°F) | 275 mm (10.8 in) | -14°C (7°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | 5°C (40°F) | 191 mm (7.5 in) | -3°C (26°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 11°C (52°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| May | 16°C (62°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 222 mm (8.8 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 153 mm (6 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (80°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 232 mm (9.1 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (60°F) | 227 mm (9 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Nov | 10°C (50°F) | 339 mm (13.3 in) | -4°C (24°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Dec | 5°C (41°F) | 440 mm (17.3 in) | -14°C (7°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
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.