Which place is cheaper, Kyoto or Petra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Petra or Kyoto?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Petra and Kyoto can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Petra or Kyoto?
Petra
Whether you're checking off the Seven Wonders of the World, or you're just a huge Indiana Jones fan, the city of Petra must be on your bucket list. The "rose red city, half as old as time," was the capital of the Nabataean kingdom in the 6th century BC. It was the center for trade and commerce until an earthquake took out buildings and destroyed their water management system. After this destruction, the city of Petra seemed to be lost to western civilization.
Kyoto
Kyoto is a larger city of Japan, though it is very much set in the old ways. With quiet temples, sublime gardens, colorful shrines, and geisha walking amidst a city surrounded by stunning mountains, Kyoto feels like a world of another time and place. True to ancient Japanese tradition, most aspects of daily life are tied closely with the changing of the seasons.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in Jordan, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Jordan, The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPetra $125Kyoto $96
The average daily cost (per person) in Petra is $125, while the average daily cost in Kyoto is $96. 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 Petra and Kyoto in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPetra $59Kyoto $63
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPetra $118Kyoto $126
Compare Hotels in Petra and Kyoto
Looking for a hotel in Petra or Kyoto? 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: Petra Hotel Prices and Kyoto Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Petra $23Kyoto $7.55
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Petra
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Petra:
- Petra Private Transfer to or from Aqaba: $105
- Petra to Aqaba South Beach Hotels Private Transfer: $110
- Petra to Madaba Private Transfer: $140
- Petra to Sheikh Hussein Crossing Border Private Transfer: $180
- Petra to Wadi Rum Private Transfer: $80
- Private Departure Transfer: Petra Hotels to Amman Airport: $93
- Private Transfer Amman Airport to Ma'in Hotel and vice versa: $73
- Private Transfer Amman Airport to Petra or vice versa via the King's Highway: $120
- Private Transfer From Petra to Amman or Airport With Optional : $99
- Private Transfer Petra to/from Wadi Rum: $135
- Private Transfer from Petra City Hotels to Aqaba Airport: $93
- Private transfer Petra to/from Wadi Rum: $118
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kyoto
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kyoto:
- Shared Departure Transfer : Kyoto City to Kansai International Airport: $67
- Private departure transfer from Kyoto city to Kansai International airport: $107
- Osaka (Itami) Airport to/from Kyoto City Private Transfer: $136
- Kansai Airport (KIX): Private One-Way Transfer to/from Kyoto: $207
- Osaka (Itami) Airport ITM Private Transfer to/from Kyoto: $212
- Osaka City to/from Kyoto City Private transfer: $221
- Kansai Intl. Airport KIX Private Transfer to/from Kyoto: $222
- Kansai Int Airport to/from Kyoto City Private Transfer: $264
- Kyoto Early Bird Half Day Private Tour with Transfer: $292
- From Private 1-Way Transfer to Kansai Airport: $316
- One-Way Private Transfer to/from Itami Airport: $316
- Customizable Private Tour with Hotel Transfers: $504
Is it cheaper to fly into Petra or Kyoto?
Prices for flights to both Kyoto and Petra 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 dayPetra $38Kyoto $24
Typical Food Prices in Petra
Some typical examples of dining costs in Petra are as follows:
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Dinner for Two$12
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Juice$1.76
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Petra
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Petra.
- Cooking outside in little Petra between the Mountains. : $45
- Private Outdoor bedouin Dinner in Petra: $300
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kyoto
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kyoto.
- Private Cooking Class Udon in Kyoto Japan: $40
- Japanese Washoku Bento Cooking Class with Lunch: $41
- Nishiki Market Brunch Walking Food Tour: $45
- Japanese Home Cooking Lesson with Local Hosts in Peaceful Kyoto Suburb Otsu: $49
- Kyoto Nishiki Market & Depachika: 2-hours Food Tour with a Local: $59
- Afternoon Japanese Izakaya Cooking Class: $59
- Morning Japanese Bento Cooking Class: $59
- Japanese Cooking Class: $60
- Japanese Udon and Sushi Cooking Class with Tastings: $62
- Wagashi(Japanese sweets) Cooking :Kyoto near Fushimiinari: $63
- Bento Box Cooking Class: $66
- Izakaya Style Cooking Class: $66
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Petra $47Kyoto $13
Typical Entertainment Prices in Petra
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Petra are as follows:
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Entry to Petra for One$71
Tours and Activities in Petra
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Petra are as follows:
- 3-hour Private Guided Tour In Petra with hotel pick up.: $75
- Private Indiana-Jones Archeological Trail Tour: $90
- Private Half-Day Tour of Petra with Lunch: $120
- Wadi Rum Day Tour from Petra ending in Aqaba: $138
- Private Petra Back Entrance Tour with Guide .: $140
- 3 Hour Horse Riding Adventure around the Petra Area: $145
- Wadi Rum Private Tour from Petra with Martian and Star Wars Film Site: $173
- Petra Back Entrance Private Walking Tour: $215
- Private Full-Day Tour to Petra and Wadi Rum from Dead Sea: $269
- Private Back Trail Tour of Petra starting from the Monastery : $276
Tours and Activities in Kyoto
Here are a few actual costs in Kyoto for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Arashiyama self guided tour app multilingual audio guide: $2.14
- Kyoto Tower Admission Ticket: $6.13
- Audio Guide Tour of Kinkaku-ji & Ryōan-ji Areas ~ Zen Echoe: $6.32
- Audio Guide Tour Sanjusangen-do & Chishaku-in: $6.32
- Audio Guide Tour through Gion: Kiyomizu-dera and Kodai-ji: $6.32
- Audio Guide Tour: Unveiling Kyoto Station Surroundings: $6.32
- Nijo Castle & Kitano Tenmangu Shrine: Auidio Guide Tour: $6.32
- Arashiyama: Self-Guided Audio Tour through History & Nature: $6.32
- Audio guide tour of the Kyoto Imperial Palace & surroundings: $6.32
- Ninnaji Temple Entry Ticket: $6.95
- Kyoto self-guided tour app with multi-language audioguide: $8.56
- Kyoto Gion Night Walking Tour: $9.47
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPetra $15Kyoto $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Kyoto
Also in Kyoto, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Japanese Sake Brewery and Fushimi Inari Sightseeing Tour: $18
- Sake Brewery and Tasting Tour in Fushimi: $80
- Insider Sake Brewery Tour with Sake and Food Pairing: $83
- Rural Brewery Town Walk: Half-Day Private Tour Near Kyoto: $97
- Kyoto Sake Brewery Tour: $153
- Rural Villages & Brewery Town: Private 1-Day Cycling Near Kyoto: $181
- Kyoto Sake Bar and Pub Crawl (Food & Sake Tour): $189
- Kyoto Sake Bar and Pub Crawl (Food & Sake Tour): $195
- Private Guided Local Bar Crawl Experience in Kyoto: $223
- Kyoto Nightlife: Local Bar Crawl Experience: $435
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Petra and Kyoto, we can see that Petra is more expensive. And not only is Kyoto much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Petra is in Middle East and Kyoto is in Asia, 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 Kyoto would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kyoto 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 Petra would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Petra than you might in Kyoto.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Petra Expensive? and Is Kyoto Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Petra or Kyoto?
Kyoto has a larger population, and is about 100 times larger than the population of Petra. When comparing the sizes of Petra and Kyoto, 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 Petra or Kyoto?
Kyoto has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Petra experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Petra or Kyoto in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Petra and Kyoto. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Petra year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Kyoto in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
Petra can become quite hot in the summer. In July, Petra is generally a little warmer than Kyoto. Daily temperatures in Petra average around 33°C (91°F), and Kyoto fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
In Petra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Petra usually receives more sunshine than Kyoto during summer. Petra gets 384 hours of sunny skies, while Kyoto receives 183 hours of full sun in the summer.
Kyoto receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Petra usually receives less rain than Kyoto. Petra gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Kyoto receives 236 mm (9.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPetra 33°C (91°F)Kyoto 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Petra or Kyoto in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Petra as well as Kyoto. Petra attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Kyoto for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
Petra is much warmer than Kyoto in the autumn. The daily temperature in Petra averages around 27°C (80°F) in October, and Kyoto fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Petra this time of the year. In the autumn, Petra often gets more sunshine than Kyoto. Petra gets 295 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kyoto receives 159 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Kyoto. Petra usually gets less rain in October than Kyoto. Petra gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Kyoto receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPetra 27°C (80°F)Kyoto 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Petra or Kyoto in the Winter?
Both Kyoto and Petra are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Petra throughout the year. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Kyoto because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Kyoto can be very cold. In the winter, Petra is much warmer than Kyoto. Typically, the winter temperatures in Petra in January average around 15°C (59°F), and Kyoto averages at about 5°C (40°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Petra. Petra usually receives more sunshine than Kyoto during winter. Petra gets 234 hours of sunny skies, while Kyoto receives 140 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Petra usually receives around the same amount of rain as Kyoto. Petra gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Kyoto receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPetra 15°C (59°F)Kyoto 5°C (40°F)
Should I visit Petra or Kyoto in the Spring?
Both Kyoto and Petra during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Petra because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Kyoto this time of year.
In April, Petra is generally much warmer than Kyoto. Daily temperatures in Petra average around 25°C (76°F), and Kyoto fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).
It's quite sunny in Petra. In the spring, Petra often gets more sunshine than Kyoto. Petra gets 282 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kyoto receives 176 hours of full sun.
Kyoto gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Petra usually gets less rain in April than Kyoto. Petra gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Kyoto receives 153 mm (6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPetra 25°C (76°F)Kyoto 14°C (58°F)
Typical Weather for Kyoto and Petra
| Petra | Kyoto | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 15°C (59°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 17°C (62°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Mar | 20°C (68°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Apr | 25°C (76°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 153 mm (6 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 154 mm (6 in) |
| Jun | 31°C (88°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 251 mm (9.9 in) |
| Jul | 33°C (91°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) |
| Aug | 32°C (90°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Sep | 30°C (87°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (80°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (70°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Dec | 16°C (62°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
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.