Which place is cheaper, Shangri-La or Nikko?
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 Nikko or Shangri-La?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Nikko and Shangri-La 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: Nikko or Shangri-La?
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.
Shangri-La
The original Shangri-La existed in the fictional world of James Hilton's novel "The Lost Horizon." It was a hidden paradise, a place so beautiful that it couldn't possibly exist on earth. The Shangri-La that exists in Yunnan, China today was renamed from its former title Zhongdian in 2001 in order to associate the place with the mystical allure created in Hilton's novel. Visitors come to admire the traditional monasteries and temples set against a backdrop of mountain preserves and pristine lakes.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Japan, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Japan, The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China.
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Nikko Prices
Japan PricesShangri-La Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNikko $108Shangri-La $61
The average daily cost (per person) in Nikko is $108, while the average daily cost in Shangri-La is $61. 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 Nikko and Shangri-La in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNikko $48Shangri-La $19
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNikko $96Shangri-La $38
Compare Hotels in Nikko and Shangri-La
Looking for a hotel in Nikko or Shangri-La? 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.Nikko -Shangri-La $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Shangri-La
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Shangri-La:
- Private Transfer from Shangri-La to Lijiang and Stops at Tiger Leaping Gorge: $160
- Private Transfer from Shangri-la(Diqing) hotel to Lijiang/Shuhe hotel : $149
Is it cheaper to fly into Nikko or Shangri-La?
Prices for flights to both Shangri-La and Nikko 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 dayNikko $55Shangri-La $33
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Nikko $22Shangri-La $16
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: $66
- Nikko Early Morning Tour with English-Speaking Guide: $73
- Bike and Hike on Mt Hangetsu with Outdoor Matcha Experience: $83
- World Heritage Nikko Walking Tour Toshogu and Kanmangafuchi: $90
- Visit the Unexplored Regions of Lake Chuzenji-Scenic Trekking and Rafting Tour: $97
- Hidden Canyoning Adventure in Nikko　: $104
- 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: $152
- Nikko Private Customizable Half Day Tour: $166
Tours and Activities in Shangri-La
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Shangri-La are as follows:
- 1 Day Shangri-La Songzanlin and Potatso National Park Tour: $280
- 1 Day Shangri-la City Tour with Pudacuo National Park: $209
- 1-Day Shangri-La Private Tour: Potatso National Park and Baiji Temple: $169
- 1-Day Shangri-La Tour to Ganden Monastery, Nixi Pottery Village and Tibetan Town: $185
- 1-Day Shangri-La tour with Ganden Monastery, Napahai Lake and Tibetan Town: $190
- Private tour Songzanlin Monastry & Tibetan lunch from Zhongdian: $240
- Shangri-La Day Tour Songzanlin Monastery and Napa Sea: $67
- Tibetan Village Scenic E-Bike Tour: $117
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNikko $15Shangri-La $13
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nikko and Shangri-La, we can see that Nikko is more expensive. And not only is Shangri-La much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Shangri-La would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Shangri-La 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 Shangri-La.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Nikko Expensive? and Is Shangri-La 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.