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.
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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.
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Osaka Prices
Japan PricesArequipa Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayOsaka $104Arequipa $61
The average daily cost (per person) in Osaka is $104, while the average daily cost in Arequipa 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 Osaka and Arequipa in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personOsaka $45Arequipa $25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomOsaka $90Arequipa $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.
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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Osaka $13Arequipa $6.42
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Osaka
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Osaka:
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Subway$7.60
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Osaka
Also for Osaka, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport-to-City Transfer, from Kansai Airport to Each City: $204
- City-to-City Transfer, from Central Osaka to Each City in Kansai: $116
- Departure Private Transfers: Osaka City to Kansai Airport KIX in Business Car: $200
- Departure Private Transfers: Osaka City to Kansai Airport KIX in Business Van: $248
- Itami Airport (ITM) Private Transfer to Osaka/Kyoto: $74
- Itami Airport(ITM): Private Transfer from/to Osaka or Kyoto: $42
- Itami Airport(ITM): Private Transfer to/from Osaka or Kyoto city: $126
- Japan Railway Station Shared Arrival Transfer : Shin Osaka Station to Osaka City: $66
- Japan Railway Station Shared Departure Transfer : Osaka to Shin Osaka Station: $66
- Kansai Airport (KIX) to Kyoto city Arrival Private Transfer: $132
- Kansai Airport (KIX) to Kyoto hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $136
- Kansai Airport (KIX) to Kyoto hotels - RoundTrip Private Transfer: $272
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Arequipa
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Arequipa are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$1.45
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Bus Ride$0.46
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Taxi Ride$1.01
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arequipa
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Arequipa:
- Private Transfer from Alfredo Rodríguez Ballón Airport to Hotel: $20
- Koh Lanta any hotel to Krabi airport Private transfer: $78
- 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 Airport Private Transfer: $38
- Arequipa Airport Departure Transfer: $19
- Arequipa Airport Arrival Transfer: $13
- 2 Days Colca Canyon Tour with Transfer to Puno: $138
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
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Food Meals for one dayOsaka $42Arequipa $25
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Osaka
For Osaka, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Osaka Gourmet EXPO 2025 WaiWai Enkai Dinner Plan: $19
- Dotonbori Ramen Cooking Class- Make Tonkotsu, Shoyu & Miso: $26
- Experience Real Osaka with a Local Guide Walking and Food Tour: $26
- Japanese Home cooking in Osaka: $36
- Osaka Namba Food Tour: Small-Group with Flexible Ordering: $41
- 1.5 Hour Food Tour at the Kuromon Market in Osaka: $42
- Kuromon, Sennichimae & Dotonbori Food Tour with Wagyu: $45
- 1 Group Only Osaka Dotonbori Food Tour Wagyu and Ramen Takoyaki: $45
- Osaka Okonomiyaki Cooking Experience!: $49
- Osaka Cooking for Japanese Pescatarian dishes: $49
- "BE A SUSHI MASTER" SUSU Sushi Cooking Class: $52
- Deep Osaka Night Walking Tour with Optional Dinner: $52
Typical Food Prices in Arequipa
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Arequipa:
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Coke$0.43
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Lunch$3.04
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Ice Cream$1.16
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Fruit$0.87
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Ice Cream$1.01
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
- Arequipa Nights Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $59
- Almuerzo Arequipa Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $59
- Peruvian Cooking Class: $63
- Arequipa : Food Tour and History (3 Restaurants and Market): $80
- Arequipa Food Tour Experience: $115
- Food Tour Gastronomic Guided: $119
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Osaka $20Arequipa $19
Typical Entertainment Prices in Osaka
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Osaka's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Osaka Aquarium (for 2)$29
Tours and Activities in Osaka
For Osaka, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Osaka Castle Self-Guided Audio Tour The 1615 Summer Siege: $3.23
- Osaka Food Quest: Self-Guided Culinary & History Adventure: $6.17
- Osaka Dotonbori: CHEVAL Nightclub Ticket & Drinks (Foreign Only): $6.46
- Osaka Dotonbori: GIRAFFE Nightclub Admission Ticket (For Foreign): $6.46
- Osaka Dotonbori GALA RESORT Nightclub Entry Ticket: $6.47
- Osaka Farplane Parco Bar Admission Ticket with Drink for Foreign: $6.47
- Osaka Katsuo-ji Temple Natural Attraction Ticket: $8.50
- Osaka Dotonbori River Cruise with Glico Sign: $13
- Unique Hidden Bar Tour in Dotonbori by Local Guide: $13
- General Admission ticket to ABENO HARUKAS in Osaka: $13
- Osaka Dotonbori River Cruise with Glico Sign & Neon Lights View: $13
- Osaka Oracle GPS App Walking Tour Mobile Game: $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:
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Monastery Entry$2.89
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Salsa Class$2.89
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Movie Ticket$3.15
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Hot Springs$2.89
Tours and Activities in Arequipa
Here are a few actual costs in Arequipa for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2 Day - Colca Canyon and Condor Tour from Arequipa, Peru - Group Service: $288
- 2 Day Tour to Colca Canyon: $43
- 2 Days Climbing Volcano Chachani Tour, Conquer Your First 6,070m: $200
- 2 Days of Natural Experience in the Colca Canyon: $150
- 2 days 1 night Colca Canyon tour ending in Puno: $145
- 2 days and 1 night tour in the Colca Canyon: $205
- 2-Day Hiking Tour to the Colca Canyon: $120
- 2-Day Tour to the Magical Colca Canyon: $68
- 3 Hour Congata Rover Biking Ride Tour in Arequipa: $45
- 8-Hours Tour in Arequipa Laguna de Salinas with Pick-up: $30
- Afternoon : Arequipa Walking tour: $55
- All inclusive Full day tour Colca Canyon: all Meals & Entrances: $94
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayOsaka $11Arequipa $17
Sample the Local Flavors in Osaka
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Osaka:
- Osaka Pub Crawl and Nightlife Tour: $23
- Osaka Dotombori Food & Local Izakaya Bar Crawl Tour: $35
- Osaka Nights: Ultimate Pub Bar Crawl with an Expert Local Guide: $36
- Osaka Sake Brewery Tour and Tasting: $41
- Off The Beaten Path Osaka Local Bar Crawl/ 22 Tapas 7 Drinks: $45
- 3Hour Osaka Pub Crawl Bar Hopping Nightlife Guided Tour in Namba: $46
- Osaka Winery Tour with Wine Tasting & Vineyard Walk: $84
- 4-Stop Bar Crawl in Tenma: An Intro to Osaka's Best Bites & Sips: $102
Typical Alcohol Prices in Arequipa
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Arequipa are as follows:
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Beer$2.60
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.
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.