Which place is cheaper, Sendai or Nanjing?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Nanjing or Sendai?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Nanjing or Sendai? 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 Sendai?
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.
Sendai
Sendai, Japan is located in the Toohoku region on the main Honshu island. It is often referred to as "Forest City" due to the large amount of green space throughout the city and the tree filled parks and public spaces. Sendai is a very pleasant city to visit; they are in close proximity to both mountains and the sea and have many large universities throughout the city, making it a popular college town.
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 $96Sendai $105
The average daily cost (per person) in Nanjing is $96, while the average daily cost in Sendai is $105. 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 Sendai in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNanjing $46Sendai $59
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNanjing $92Sendai $118
Compare Hotels in Nanjing and Sendai
Looking for a hotel in Nanjing or Sendai? 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: Sendai Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nanjing $38Sendai $18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nanjing
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Nanjing:
- [Airport transfer] Nanjing Lukou International Airport ⇔ Nanjing city transfer ☆ High reputation for service! <Charter charter>: $27
- Zhenjiang Private Transfer Service from Nanjing City or Lukou Airport : $78
- Yangzhou Private Transfer Service from Nanjing City or Lukou Airport : $80
- Tangshan Hot Spring Resorts Private Transfer from Nanjing Railway Station: $44
- Private Transfer to Zhenjiang from Nanjing City Center: $94
- Private Transfer to Yangzhou from Nanjing City Center: $89
- Private Transfer to Yangzhou City from Nanjing Lukou Airport : $109
- Private Transfer to Nanjing Railway Station from Lukou Airport : $45
- Private Transfer to Gaochun City from Nanjing Lukou Airport: $88
- Private Transfer to Gaochun City from Nanjing : $88
- Private Transfer between Nanjing Olympic Stadium and City Hotel: $33
- Private Transfer between Nanjing Jinniuhu Wild Animal Park and City Hotels: $62
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sendai
Also for Sendai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Sendai Airport to/from Sendai City private transfer: $76
Is it cheaper to fly into Nanjing or Sendai?
Prices for flights to both Sendai 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 $28Sendai $33
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Nanjing $9.27Sendai $18
Tours and Activities in Nanjing
Here are a few actual costs in Nanjing for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Half-Day Nanjing City Private Flexible Tour : $109
- 2-Day Unlimited Nanjing Private Flexible Tour with Lunch Option : $295
- 4-Hour Nanjing City Private Tailor-Made Tour in Your Way : $109
- 4-Hour Nanjing Private Tour with Xiaoling Tomb and Sun Yatsen Mausoleum : $124
- 4-Hour Nanjing Private Tour: Nanjing Jiming Temple, Ming City Wall, Xuanwu Lake: $147
- 4-Hour Nanjing Private Tour: Sun Yatsen Mausoleum, Xiaoling Tomb and City Wall: $190
- 4-Hour Nanjing Private Tour: Xiaoling Tomb, Ming City Wall and Memorial Hall : $115
- All Inclusive Amazing Nanjing City Highlights Private Day Tour: $193
- All Inclusive Nanjing City Private Day Tour with Tailor-Made Highlights: $213
- All-Inclusive Nanjing Purple Mountain Scenic Area Private Day Tour: $187
- All-inclusive Customized Nanjing Layover Tour: $201
- Beijing Great Wall Tour from Nanjing by Bullet Train with Private Car Service: $282
Tours and Activities in Sendai
For Sendai, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Japanese Taiko Drum Experience at Sairi Yashiki : $71
- Sendai, Okama: Private tour from Sendai city to Okama: $251
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNanjing $9.46Sendai $11
When comparing the travel costs between Nanjing and Sendai, we can see that Sendai 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 Sendai Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Nanjing or Sendai?
Nanjing has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Sendai. When comparing the sizes of Nanjing and Sendai, 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 Sendai?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Nanjing or Sendai in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Nanjing as well as Sendai. Also, many visitors come to Sendai in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
Nanjing is a little warmer than Sendai in the summer. The daily temperature in Nanjing averages around 28°C (83°F) in July, and Sendai fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
It's quite rainy in Sendai. Nanjing receives a lot of rain in the summer. Nanjing usually gets more rain in July than Sendai. Nanjing gets 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyNanjing 28°C (83°F)Sendai 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Nanjing or Sendai in the Autumn?
Both Sendai and Nanjing are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Sendai for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.
In the autumn, Nanjing is a little warmer than Sendai. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Nanjing in October average around 17°C (63°F), and Sendai averages at about 15°C (59°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Sendai. In October, Nanjing usually receives less rain than Sendai. Nanjing gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 103 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberNanjing 17°C (63°F)Sendai 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Nanjing or Sendai in the Winter?
Both Sendai and Nanjing during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Sendai because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Sendai can be very cold. Nanjing can be very cold during winter. In January, Nanjing is generally much warmer than Sendai. Daily temperatures in Nanjing average around 3°C (37°F), and Sendai fluctuates around 2°C (35°F).
Nanjing usually gets less rain in January than Sendai. Nanjing gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryNanjing 3°C (37°F)Sendai 2°C (35°F)
Should I visit Nanjing or Sendai in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Nanjing and Sendai. Furthermore, the beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Sendai this time of year.
Nanjing is a little warmer than Sendai in the spring. The daily temperature in Nanjing averages around 15°C (60°F) in April, and Sendai fluctuates around 10°C (51°F).
Nanjing gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Nanjing usually receives around the same amount of rain as Sendai. Nanjing gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilNanjing 15°C (60°F)Sendai 10°C (51°F)
Typical Weather for Sendai and Nanjing
| Nanjing | Sendai | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (37°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 4°C (40°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Mar | 9°C (48°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (60°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| May | 21°C (69°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (77°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (74°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 187 mm (7.4 in) |
| Oct | 17°C (63°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) |
| Nov | 11°C (52°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Dec | 5°C (41°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 36 mm (1.4 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.