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

Should you visit Osaka or Datong?

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

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

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.

Datong

If you're looking for an old world city, with a renovated feel, you might want to spend some time in Datong, China. This city was once walled-in and the newest initiative is to rebuild their great wall to maintain their old world charm. Datong is definitely done a lot to make itself a contender in the world of vacation destinations.

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


Which place is cheaper, Datong or Osaka?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Osaka is $110, while the average daily cost in Datong is $71. 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 Datong in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Osaka $48
    Datong $23
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Osaka $96
    Datong $46
Compare Hotels in Osaka and Datong

Looking for a hotel in Osaka or Datong? 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 Datong


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Osaka $14
    Datong $13
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Osaka

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


  • Subway
    $8.11

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Osaka

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

  • Kansai Airport Osaka City Private Taxi Transfers: $282
  • Osaka Airport (ITM) to Osaka city - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $260
  • Osaka Airport Transfers : Osaka City to Kansai Airport KIX in Business Van: $259
  • Departure Private Transfers: Osaka City to Kansai Airport KIX in Business Van: $258
  • Private Transfer from Osaka City Hotels to Maizuru Cruise Port: $244
  • Private Departure Transfer : Osaka City to Kansai International Airport: $238
  • Private Transfer Between Kyoto and Kansai Airport KIX: $234
  • Private Transfer from Osaka Kansai Airport (KIX) to Maizuru Port: $227
  • Roundtrip Transfer from Osaka Airport ITM to Arima-Onsen Resorts: $222
  • Universal Studios Japan Round Trip Shared Transfer with ticket: $219
  • Osaka Airport Transfers : Osaka City to Kansai Airport KIX in Business Car: $209
  • Departure Private Transfers: Osaka City to Kansai Airport KIX in Business Car: $209

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Datong

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

  • Transfer from Datong Railway Stations to Hotels in City Center: $35
  • Private Transfer Service from Yungang Airport to Datong Hotel: $29
  • Private Round-Trip Transfer Service to Hanging Temple and Hengshan from Datong: $118
  • Private One Way Transfer from Datong to Beijing : $211
  • From 4-Day Private Tour to Pingyao with Transfer: $988
  • Dunhuang Private Round Trip Transfer to Jiayuguan and Xuanbi Great Wall : $100
  • Transfer or Tour to Yungang Grottoes&Hanging Temple: $102
  • Datong Yungang Airport Chauffeur Service , to Datong Transfer: $12
  • Datong Hanging Temple Private Transfer from Hotel or Station: $69
  • Chengdu: Private Round-Trip Transfer to Leshan Budda: $128

Is it cheaper to fly into Osaka or Datong?

Prices for flights to both Datong 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 $45
    Datong $35

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Osaka

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

  • PICCADILLY PREMIUM DINNER SHOW&NIGHTCLUB with Tasting: $17
  • Takoyaki DIY Cooking in the Heart of Osaka: $30
  • 1.5 Hour Food Tour at the Kuromon Market in Osaka: $34
  • Kobe Beef Bowl Cooking Class in Osaka Afternoon : $41
  • Cooking Class for Osaka Style Kushikatsu & Tonjiru (with Onigiri): $45
  • Experience Cooking Takoyaki in its Birthplace, Osaka: $45
  • Osaka Okonomiyaki Cooking Experience!: $51
  • Private Food Tour & Bar Hopping in Namba: $52
  • Family Friendly Osaka Tempura Cooking Class: $54
  • Discover Osaka Cuisine through Cooking Class Experience: $55
  • Osaka Cooking for Japanese Pescatarian dishes: $55
  • Deep Backstreet Osaka Tours (Option to add Dinner): $55

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Osaka $21
    Datong $25
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)
    $31

Tours and Activities in Osaka

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

  • 6 Hours Osaka Tour with National Licensed Guide: $250
  • Arashiyama Kinkakuji Temple Nara Park Tour from Osaka and Kyoto: $100
  • Explore Osaka with Wine Class and Tasting Experience: $110
  • Kobe Sanda Premium Outlets Bus Tour Experience: $103
  • Miyama Kayabuki no Sato 1 Day Tour from Osaka or Kyoto: $241
  • Nara Deer Park,Uji Matcha and Hot Spring Full-Day Tour: $52
  • 1 Day Kyoto UNESCO World Heritage Sites Bus Tour: $74
  • 150min Full Body and Oil Massage with Japanese Healing Experience: $164
  • 3 Hours Historical Tour of Princess Saio on an Electric Cart: $34
  • 3-Hour Osaka Bike Tour/Customizable : $165
  • 3/4/5 Hours Private Tour in Osaka with Local Guide: $124
  • 4-hour Private Walking Tour to Historical Town of Saiku: $75

Tours and Activities in Datong

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Datong.

  • 1 Day Datong Yungang Grottoes & Hanging Temple Tour/from Beijing: $275
  • 1-Day Pingyao tour from Datong and ends of Beijing or Xi'an by Bullet Train: $267
  • 2-Day Private Datong Tour:Hanging Temple, Yugang Grottoes,Wooden Pagoda and More: $298
  • 4-8 hours Private Datong Great Wall Tour: $99
  • All Inclusive Private Day Tour to Hanging Temple at Hengshan from Datong : $188
  • All-Inclusive Private Day Tour to Wooden Pagoda and Hanging Temple from Datong: $220
  • All-Inclusive Private Tour to Yungang Grottoes and Hanging Temple from Datong: $220
  • Datong Classic Day Tour: $208
  • Datong Day Tour to Yungang Grottoes and Hanging Temple: $203
  • Datong Hanging Temple Wooden Pagoda Self-guided Tour by Car: $95
  • Datong Private Day Tour to Deshengbu and Zhenchuankou Great Wall with Lunch: $190
  • Datong Private Day Tour to Yanmenguan Great Wall and Yingxian Wooden Pagoda: $258

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Osaka $12
    Datong $12

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: $24
  • Nada Gogo Sake Brewery Tour in Kobe from Osaka: $259


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Osaka and Datong, we can see that Osaka is more expensive. And not only is Datong much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Datong would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Datong 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 Datong.

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


Which is Bigger, Osaka or Datong?

Osaka has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Datong. When comparing the sizes of Osaka and Datong, 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.