A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Osaka vs. Arequipa for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Osaka or Arequipa?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Osaka or Arequipa, 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: Osaka or Arequipa?

Osaka

The third largest city in Japan, Osaka has a lot to offer travelers. It's at the center of the Kansai region, and is a wonderful place to spend a few days. The city sits at the mouth of the Yodo River on Osaka Bay and is a major commercial hub for the country.

Osaka has a humid subtropical climate with four seasons. The winters are mild with January temperatures having an average high of almost 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Snow is very rare. Springs start cool and become hot and humid. This is also the wettest season with the rainiest time being between May and early July. Summers are hot and humid with July temperatures climbing into the high 90s Fahrenheit. The fall season becomes cooler as winter approaches.

Arequipa

Sitting in the middle of the Misti, Chachani and PichuPichu volcanoes of Peru is the enchanting city of Arequipa. With 468 years of history, the city is full of Spanish colonial architecture. Known to locals as the "white city," the city center, Plaza de Armas, is quite the sight with buildings of sillar white stone made from the rocks of the surrounding volcanoes.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Coach Bus Tours in Japan, The Best Adventure Tours to Japan, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Peru, and The Best Cultural Tours in Peru.


Which place is cheaper, Arequipa or Osaka?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Osaka Prices
    Japan Prices
    Arequipa Prices
    Peru Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Osaka $101
    Arequipa $62

The average daily cost (per person) in Osaka is $101, while the average daily cost in Arequipa is $62. 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 Osaka and Arequipa in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Osaka $44
    Arequipa $25
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Osaka $88
    Arequipa $50
Compare Hotels in Osaka and Arequipa

Looking for a hotel in Osaka or Arequipa? 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 Osaka


Hotels in Arequipa


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: Osaka Hotel Prices and Arequipa Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Osaka $13
    Arequipa $6.53
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Osaka

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Osaka:


  • Subway
    $7.42

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Osaka

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

  • City-to-City Transfer, from Central Osaka to Each City in Kansai: $113
  • Departure Private Transfers: Osaka City to Kansai Airport KIX in Business Car: $204
  • Itami Airport(ITM): Private Transfer from/to Osaka or Kyoto: $42
  • Kansai Airport (KIX) Transfer to Osaka/Kobe/Kyoto/Nara/Wakayama: $59
  • Kansai Airport (KIX) to Kyoto city Arrival Private Transfer: $135
  • Kansai Airport (KIX) to Kyoto hotels - RoundTrip Private Transfer: $278
  • Kansai Airport (KIX): Private Transfer To/From Osaka City Hotels: $139
  • Kansai Airport KIX Transfer to Osaka or Kyoto 7 Seater/10 Seater: $118
  • Kansai Airport Osaka City Private Taxi Transfers: $258
  • Kansai Airport(KIX)to/from Osaka and Kyoto Private Transfer: $123
  • Kansai Area City to City Transfer: $94
  • Kansai Intl. Airport (KIX) Private Transfer to/from Osaka: $80

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Arequipa

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Arequipa are as follows:


  • Taxi Ride
    $1.47
  • Bus Ride
    $0.47
  • Taxi Ride
    $1.03

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arequipa

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Arequipa:

  • transfer Airport - Hotel: $21
  • Private Transfer from Arequipa to Alfredo Rodríguez Ballón (AQP) Airport: $37
  • Private Transfer from Alfredo Rodríguez Ballón Airport to Hotel: $20
  • Private Transfer between Arequipa and Puno: $300
  • Koh Lanta any hotel to Krabi airport Private transfer: $78
  • Full Day Tour to Colca including Transfer to Puno: $60
  • Colca Canyon full day tour with transfer to Puno: $80
  • Colca Canyon Day Trip with Transfer to Puno: $65
  • Colca Canyon 2 days from Arequipa with final transfer to Puno: $85
  • Colca Canyon + Transfer To Puno: $103
  • Arequipa Bus Station Arrival Transfer: $37
  • Arequipa Airport Private Transfer: $38

Is it cheaper to fly into Osaka or Arequipa?

Prices for flights to both Arequipa and Osaka 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
    Osaka $41
    Arequipa $26

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Osaka

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

  • Osaka Cooking Class 17 Tastes Takoyaki Making: $21
  • Osaka Umeda: PICCADILLY DINNER SHOW&NIGHTCLUB with Tasting: $31
  • Japanese Home cooking in Osaka: $31
  • Welcome to Osaka Matrix and Local food tour with Ninja Guide: $36
  • Kobe Beef Bowl Cooking Class in Osaka Afternoon: $38
  • Japanese Breakfast Cooking in Osaka: $38
  • 1.5 Hour Food Tour at the Kuromon Market in Osaka: $41
  • Experience Cooking Takoyaki in its Birthplace, Osaka: $41
  • (1 Group Only) Osaka Dotonbori Food Tour Wagyu & Ramen Takoyaki: $44
  • Osaka Okonomiyaki Cooking Experience!: $47
  • Private Food Tour & Bar Hopping in Namba: $47
  • Osaka Cooking for Japanese Pescatarian dishes: $47

Typical Food Prices in Arequipa

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Arequipa:


  • Coke
    $0.44
  • Lunch
    $3.09
  • Ice Cream
    $1.18
  • Fruit
    $0.88
  • Ice Cream
    $1.03

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Arequipa

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

  • Peruvian Cooking Experience in Arequipa: $35
  • Cooking Class at La Plantation: $36
  • Peruvian Cooking Class in arequipa: $50
  • Peruvian Cooking Class: $63
  • Arequipa Food Tour: Ancestral Cuisine & City Tour: $79
  • Arequipa Food Tour Experience: $115
  • Food Tour Gastronomic Guided: $119

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Osaka $19
    Arequipa $20
Typical Entertainment Prices in Osaka

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Osaka's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Osaka Aquarium (for 2)
    $28

Tours and Activities in Osaka

For Osaka, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Osaka Dotonbori: CHEVAL Nightclub Ticket & Drinks (Foreign Only): $5.04
  • Osaka Umeda: OWL Nightclub Admission Ticket (For Foreign): $6.30
  • Osaka Farplane Parco Bar Admission Ticket with Drink for Foreign: $6.30
  • Osaka Shinsaibashi: AMMONA Nightclub Entry Ticket (For Foreign): $6.30
  • Osaka Dotonbori: GIRAFFE Nightclub Admission Ticket (For Foreign): $6.30
  • Osaka Food Quest: Self-Guided Culinary & History Adventure: $6.98
  • Harukas 300 Observatory Tickets | Osaka: $8.00
  • HEP FIVE Ferris Wheel E-Ticket: $10
  • Osaka Walking Tour with Audioguide on Your Smartphone: $12
  • Osaka Dotonbori River Cruise with Glico Sign & Neon Lights View: $13
  • General Admission ticket to ABENO HARUKAS in Osaka: $13
  • Osaka Dotonbori Wonder Cruise: $13

Typical Entertainment Prices in Arequipa

Here are a few typical costs in Arequipa for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Monastery Entry
    $2.94
  • Salsa Class
    $2.94
  • Movie Ticket
    $3.21
  • Hot Springs
    $2.94

Tours and Activities in Arequipa

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

  • 2 Day Tour to Colca Canyon: $43
  • 2 Days Colca Living Experience Nature Culture and Tradition: $173
  • 2 days 1 night Colca Canyon tour ending in Puno: $145
  • 2 days and 1 night tour in the Colca Canyon: $205
  • 2-Day Group Tour to Colca Canyon from Arequipa: $230
  • 2-Day Hiking Tour to the Colca Canyon: $120
  • 2-Day Tour to the Magical Colca Canyon: $68
  • 3-day Colca Canyon Trek Tour Adventure: $90
  • 3-hour guided tour in Arequipa: $65
  • 8-Hours Tour in Arequipa Laguna de Salinas with Pick-up: $30
  • Añashuayco Quarries and Sillar Route Tour from Arequipa: $25
  • Afternoon : Arequipa Walking tour: $55

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Osaka $11
    Arequipa $17

Sample the Local Flavors in Osaka

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Osaka:

  • Off The Beaten Path Osaka Local Bar Crawl: $15
  • Osaka Pub Crawl and Nightlife Tour: $22
  • Osaka Nights: Ultimate Pub Bar Crawl with an Expert Local Guide: $35
  • Osaka Sake Brewery Tour and Tasting: $40
  • 3Hour Osaka Pub Crawl Bar Hopping Nightlife Guided Tour in Namba: $46
  • Osaka Winery Tour with Wine Tasting & Vineyard Walk: $82

Typical Alcohol Prices in Arequipa

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Arequipa are as follows:


  • Beer
    $2.65


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Osaka and Arequipa, we can see that Osaka is more expensive. And not only is Arequipa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Osaka is in Asia and Arequipa is in South America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Arequipa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Arequipa 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 Osaka would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Osaka than you might in Arequipa.

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


Which is Bigger, Osaka or Arequipa?

Osaka has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Arequipa. When comparing the sizes of Osaka and Arequipa, 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.