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

Should you visit Osaka or Shenyang?

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

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

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.

Shenyang

Shenyang, China is the capital, and largest, city in the Liaoning Province in northwest China which borders North Korea. Shenyang has a long, imperial, history and is the birthplace of the Qing Dynasty. The city has a blend of beautifully preserved architecture and modern buildings, creating a pleasant atmosphere for exploring!

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Coach Bus Tours in Japan, The Best Adventure Tours to Japan, The Best 10-Day Tours in China, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in China.


Which place is cheaper, Shenyang or Osaka?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Osaka is $88, while the average daily cost in Shenyang is $70. 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 Shenyang in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Osaka $45
    Shenyang $41
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Osaka $90
    Shenyang $82
Compare Hotels in Osaka and Shenyang

Looking for a hotel in Osaka or Shenyang? 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 Shenyang


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
    Shenyang $19
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Osaka

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


  • Subway
    $7.83

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Osaka

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

  • Universal Studios Japan Entry Pass & Shared 1-way Transfer: $100
  • Shared Arrival Transfer: Osaka Itami Airport to Osaka City: $25
  • Shared Arrival Transfer: Osaka Itami Airport to Kyoto City: $66
  • Roundtrip Transfer from Osaka Airport ITM to Arima-Onsen Resorts: $109
  • Private departure transfer from central Osaka city to Itami airport (ITM): $125
  • Private arrival transfer from Kansai airport to Kobe City & Arima Onsen: $92
  • Private Transfer from Osaka hotels to Osaka Cruise Port: $72
  • Private Transfer from Osaka Port to Osaka Kansai Int Airport(KIX): $79
  • Private Transfer from Osaka Port to Osaka Kansai Int Airport: $71
  • Private Transfer from Osaka Cruise Port to Osaka hotels: $72
  • Private Transfer from Osaka Cruise Port to Osaka city hotels: $66
  • Private Transfer from Osaka City Hotels to Maizuru Cruise Port: $96

Is it cheaper to fly into Osaka or Shenyang?

Prices for flights to both Shenyang 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 $25
    Shenyang $18

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Osaka

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

  • Osaka:Food Tour & Shopping(Grand Opening Limited Time Offer): $25
  • 2-Hour Kuromon Market Walking Street Food Tour: $26
  • Private Takoyaki Cooking Class by Natives in Osaka: $36
  • Japanese home cooking class in Osaka Umeda: $45
  • Osaka Okonomiyaki Cooking Experience!: $49
  • Ramen and Gyoza Cooking Class in Dotonbori: $61
  • Kimono experience and Japanese home-cooking lesson Osaka: $63
  • Osaka Authentic Tempura & Miso Soup Japan Cooking Class: $64
  • RAMEN and 2 types GYOZA (dumplings) Cooking Class: $65
  • Three Types of RAMEN Cooking Class: $65
  • Kimono experience and Japanese home-cooking lesson Osaka Umeda : $65
  • Ramen and Gyoza Cooking Class in Osaka Dotonbori: $66

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Osaka $20
    Shenyang $7.69
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)
    $30

Tours and Activities in Osaka

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

  • "Dotonbori Nightscapes: Photoshooting tour in Dotonbori": $120
  • "Experience Kyoto: A Full-Day Private Tour Adventure": $120
  • 1-Day walking tour in Osakaļ¼šCastle, temples and Ukiyoe: $134
  • 150 mins Deep Samurai Experience near Osaka Castle: $179
  • 2-Hour Osaka Go-Kart Experience with Local Guide from Namba: $138
  • 3 Days Private Osaka Kyoto and Nara Tour with English Driver: $1,579
  • 3 Hours Historical Tour of Princess Saio on an Electric Cart: $32
  • 3/4/5 Hours Private Tour in Osaka with Local Guide: $117
  • 4-Day Private Kyoto Osaka Nara Sightseeing tour with Guide: $2,370
  • 4-hour Private Walking Tour to Historical Town of Saiku: $71
  • 5 Hour Osaka Castle Tsutenkaku and Dotonbori Guided Tour: $71
  • 90mins Samurai Pilgrimage Osaka Castle Tour: $214

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Osaka $12
    Shenyang $5.82

Sample the Local Flavors in Osaka

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

  • Osaka Namba Hidden Places Bar Crawl: $16
  • Osaka Pub Crawl and Nightlife Tour: $23
  • Namba Pub Bar Crawl with a Local Guide: $30
  • Osaka Evening: Ultimate Pub Bar Crawl with an Expert Local Guide: $32
  • Local Bar Crawl in Dotombori and Uranamba Area: $38
  • Osaka Local Bar Crawl in Dotombori & Uranamba Area: $39


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

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


Which is Bigger, Osaka or Shenyang?

Shenyang has a larger population, and is about 35% larger than the population of Osaka. When comparing the sizes of Osaka and Shenyang, 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 Osaka or Shenyang?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Osaka or Shenyang in the Summer?

Both Shenyang and Osaka are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Osaka in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Osaka is generally around the same temperature as Shenyang. Daily temperatures in Osaka average around 28°C (82°F), and Shenyang fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

It's quite sunny in Shenyang. Osaka usually receives less sunshine than Shenyang during summer. Osaka gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Shenyang receives 214 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Shenyang. It's quite rainy in Osaka. In July, Osaka usually receives less rain than Shenyang. Osaka gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Shenyang receives 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Osaka 28°C (82°F) 
    Shenyang 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Osaka or Shenyang in the Autumn?

Both Shenyang and Osaka during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Osaka for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

Osaka is much warmer than Shenyang in the autumn. The daily temperature in Osaka averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Shenyang fluctuates around 10°C (51°F).

In Shenyang, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Osaka often gets less sunshine than Shenyang. Osaka gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Shenyang receives 216 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Osaka. Osaka usually gets more rain in October than Shenyang. Osaka gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Shenyang receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Osaka 19°C (66°F) 
    Shenyang 10°C (51°F)

Should I visit Osaka or Shenyang in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Osaka and Shenyang. The winter months attract visitors to Osaka because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Shenyang in the winter. In the winter, Osaka is much warmer than Shenyang. Typically, the winter temperatures in Osaka in January average around 6°C (42°F), and Shenyang averages at about -11°C (13°F).

Osaka usually receives less sunshine than Shenyang during winter. Osaka gets 140 hours of sunny skies, while Shenyang receives 167 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Osaka usually receives more rain than Shenyang. Osaka gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Shenyang receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Osaka 6°C (42°F) 
    Shenyang -11°C (13°F)

Should I visit Osaka or Shenyang in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Osaka as well as Shenyang. The activities around the city are the main draw to Osaka this time of year.

In April, Osaka is generally a little warmer than Shenyang. Daily temperatures in Osaka average around 15°C (59°F), and Shenyang fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Shenyang. In the spring, Osaka often gets less sunshine than Shenyang. Osaka gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Shenyang receives 241 hours of full sun.

Osaka receives a lot of rain in the spring. Osaka usually gets more rain in April than Shenyang. Osaka gets 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Shenyang receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Osaka 15°C (59°F) 
    Shenyang 10°C (50°F)

Typical Weather for Shenyang and Osaka

Osaka Shenyang
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 6°C (42°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) -11°C (13°F) 8 mm (0.3 in)
Feb 6°C (43°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) -7°C (19°F) 17 mm (0.7 in)
Mar 9°C (48°F) 99 mm (3.9 in) 1°C (34°F) 17 mm (0.7 in)
Apr 15°C (59°F) 137 mm (5.4 in) 10°C (50°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
May 20°C (67°F) 140 mm (5.5 in) 17°C (63°F) 52 mm (2 in)
Jun 24°C (74°F) 204 mm (8 in) 22°C (72°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 157 mm (6.2 in) 25°C (77°F) 174 mm (6.9 in)
Aug 29°C (84°F) 95 mm (3.7 in) 24°C (75°F) 153 mm (6 in)
Sep 25°C (77°F) 170 mm (6.7 in) 18°C (64°F) 76 mm (3 in)
Oct 19°C (66°F) 108 mm (4.3 in) 10°C (51°F) 36 mm (1.4 in)
Nov 13°C (56°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 1°C (34°F) 17 mm (0.7 in)
Dec 8°C (47°F) 35 mm (1.4 in) -7°C (19°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)