Which place is cheaper, Kyoto or Nanjing?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Nanjing or Kyoto?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Nanjing or Kyoto? 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: Nanjing or Kyoto?
Nanjing
Nanjing is the capital city of the Jiangsu Province on the central eastern coast of China, just north of Shanghai. This historically and culturally rich city lies at the lower end of the Yangtze river, resulting in lush and scenic landscapes. Nanjing is well-known for having many popular historical sites, some of which have been listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites.
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 Historical Tours in China, The Best 10-Day Tours in China, The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNanjing $96Kyoto $96
The average daily cost (per person) in Nanjing is $96, 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 Nanjing and Kyoto in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNanjing $46Kyoto $63
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNanjing $92Kyoto $126
Compare Hotels in Nanjing and Kyoto
Looking for a hotel in Nanjing 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.
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: Kyoto Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nanjing $38Kyoto $7.55
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nanjing
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Nanjing:
- Nanjing Railway Station Private Transfer from City Center: $32
- Huangshan Tunxi International Airport Private Arrival Transfer to City Area: $20
- Nanjing Airport (NKG) to Nanjing - Arrival Private Transfer : $36
- Nanjing Airport (NKG) to Nanjing - Round-Trip Private Transfer : $72
- Nanjing Lukou Airport Chauffeur Service, Nanjing Airport Transfer, Pickup: $63
- Nanjing Lukou Int Airport (NKG): Private Transfer to Nanjing: $175
- Nanjing Lukou International Airport Private Arrival Transfer to City Center: $45
- Nanjing Lukou Intl Airport (NKG) to Nanjing hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $66
- Nanjing Private Round Trip Transfer to Niushoushan Cultural Park: $67
- Nanjing Private Transfer from Nanjing central to Nanjing Lukou Airport (NKG): $114
- Nanjing Railway Station Private Arrival Transfer to City Hotels: $35
- Nanjing Railway Station Private Transfer to Lukou International Airport: $45
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kyoto
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kyoto:
- Chubu Centrair Airport to/from Kyoto Private Transfer: $553
- From Private 1-Way Transfer to Kansai Airport: $316
- Kansai Airport (KIX): Private One-Way Transfer to/from Kyoto: $207
- Kansai Int Airport to/from Kyoto City Private Transfer: $264
- Kansai Intl. Airport KIX Private Transfer to/from Kyoto: $222
- Kyoto Early Bird Half Day Private Tour with Transfer: $292
- Customizable Private Tour with Hotel Transfers: $504
- One-Way Private Transfer to/from Itami Airport: $316
- Osaka (Itami) Airport ITM Private Transfer to/from Kyoto: $212
- Osaka (Itami) Airport to/from Kyoto City Private Transfer: $136
- Osaka City to/from Kyoto City Private transfer: $221
- Private departure transfer from Kyoto city to Kansai International airport: $107
Is it cheaper to fly into Nanjing or Kyoto?
Prices for flights to both Kyoto and Nanjing 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 dayNanjing $28Kyoto $24
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nanjing
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Nanjing.
- 3-Hour Nanjing Authentic Local Food Tour by Public Transportation: $93
- Flexible Private Nanjing City Night Tour with Dinner Option : $112
- Nanjing City Private Night Tour with Qinghuai River Cruise and Dinner Option: $114
- Nanjing Tangshan Mountain Hot Spring Experience and Hot Pot Dinner: $175
- Private Amazing Nanjing Airport Layover Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $181
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Nanjing $9.27Kyoto $13
Tours and Activities in Nanjing
Here are a few actual costs in Nanjing for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Flexible Private Nanjing Independent Tour : $63
- Nanjing Self-Guided Day Tour with Private Car and Driver Service: $70
- Nanjing Private English Tour Guide Service: $75
- Private Amazing Nanjing City Day Tour in Your Way: $75
- Nanjing Professional English Tour Guide Service: $91
- Half-Day Nanjing Purple Mountain Private Tour in Your Way: $94
- Yangzhou Self-Guided Tour from Nanjing with Private Car and Driver Service : $94
- 4-Hour Nanjing City Private Tailor-Made Tour in Your Way : $109
- Half-Day Nanjing City Private Flexible Tour : $109
- 4-Hour Nanjing Private Tour: Xiaoling Tomb, Ming City Wall and Memorial Hall : $115
- Nanjing Private Flexible Day Tour with Ancient and Modern History: $119
- Half-Day Private Customized Nanjing City Tour: $122
Tours and Activities in Kyoto
Here are a few actual costs in Kyoto for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Arashiyama self guided tour app multilingual audio guide: $2.14
- Kyoto Tower Admission Ticket: $6.13
- Audio Guide Tour of Kinkaku-ji & Ryōan-ji Areas ~ Zen Echoe: $6.32
- Audio Guide Tour Sanjusangen-do & Chishaku-in: $6.32
- Audio Guide Tour through Gion: Kiyomizu-dera and Kodai-ji: $6.32
- Audio Guide Tour: Unveiling Kyoto Station Surroundings: $6.32
- Nijo Castle & Kitano Tenmangu Shrine: Auidio Guide Tour: $6.32
- Arashiyama: Self-Guided Audio Tour through History & Nature: $6.32
- Audio guide tour of the Kyoto Imperial Palace & surroundings: $6.32
- Ninnaji Temple Entry Ticket: $6.95
- Kyoto self-guided tour app with multi-language audioguide: $8.56
- Kyoto Gion Night Walking Tour: $9.47
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNanjing $9.46Kyoto $12
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 comparing the travel costs between Nanjing and Kyoto, we can see that Kyoto 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 Nanjing Expensive? and Is Kyoto Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Nanjing or Kyoto?
Nanjing has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Kyoto. When comparing the sizes of Nanjing 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 Nanjing or Kyoto?
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 Nanjing or Kyoto in the Summer?
Both Kyoto and Nanjing are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Kyoto for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
Nanjing is around the same temperature as Kyoto in the summer. The daily temperature in Nanjing averages around 28°C (83°F) in July, and Kyoto fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kyoto. It's quite rainy in Nanjing. In July, Nanjing usually receives less rain than Kyoto. Nanjing gets 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Kyoto receives 236 mm (9.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyNanjing 28°C (83°F)Kyoto 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Nanjing or Kyoto in the Autumn?
Both Kyoto and Nanjing during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Kyoto because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Nanjing is around the same temperature as Kyoto. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Nanjing in October average around 17°C (63°F), and Kyoto averages at about 18°C (64°F).
Kyoto gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Nanjing usually gets less rain in October than Kyoto. Nanjing gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Kyoto receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberNanjing 17°C (63°F)Kyoto 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Nanjing or Kyoto in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Nanjing and Kyoto. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Kyoto this time of year.
It's quite cold in Kyoto in the winter. The weather in Nanjing can be very cold. In January, Nanjing is generally much colder than Kyoto. Daily temperatures in Nanjing average around 3°C (37°F), and Kyoto fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).
In January, Nanjing usually receives less rain than Kyoto. Nanjing gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Kyoto receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryNanjing 3°C (37°F)Kyoto 5°C (40°F)
Should I visit Nanjing or Kyoto in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Nanjing as well as Kyoto. Additionally, many travelers come to Kyoto for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
Nanjing is around the same temperature as Kyoto in the spring. The daily temperature in Nanjing averages around 15°C (60°F) in April, and Kyoto fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).
It's quite rainy in Kyoto. Nanjing receives a lot of rain in the spring. Nanjing usually gets less rain in April than Kyoto. Nanjing gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Kyoto receives 153 mm (6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilNanjing 15°C (60°F)Kyoto 14°C (58°F)
Typical Weather for Kyoto and Nanjing
| Nanjing | Kyoto | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (37°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 4°C (40°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Mar | 9°C (48°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (60°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 153 mm (6 in) |
| May | 21°C (69°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 154 mm (6 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (77°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 251 mm (9.9 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (74°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) |
| Oct | 17°C (63°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Nov | 11°C (52°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Dec | 5°C (41°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 40 mm (1.6 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.