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

Should you visit Petra or Osaka?

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 Osaka can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Petra or Osaka?

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.

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.

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


Which place is cheaper, Osaka or Petra?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Petra is $125, while the average daily cost in Osaka is $88. 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 Osaka in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Petra $59
    Osaka $45
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Petra $118
    Osaka $90
Compare Hotels in Petra and Osaka

Looking for a hotel in Petra or Osaka? 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 Petra


Hotels in Osaka


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 Osaka Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Petra $23
    Osaka $14

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Petra

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Petra:

  • Private transfer Petra to/from Wadi Rum: $118
  • Private Transfer from Petra City Hotels to Aqaba Airport: $93
  • Private Transfer Petra to/from Wadi Rum: $135
  • Private Transfer From Petra to Amman or Airport With Optional : $99
  • Private Transfer Amman Airport to Petra or vice versa via the King's Highway: $120
  • Private Transfer Amman Airport to Ma'in Hotel and vice versa: $73
  • Private Departure Transfer: Petra Hotels to Amman Airport: $93
  • Petra to Wadi Rum Private Transfer: $80
  • Petra to Sheikh Hussein Crossing Border Private Transfer: $180
  • Petra to Madaba Private Transfer: $140
  • Petra to Aqaba South Beach Hotels Private Transfer: $110
  • Petra Private Transfer to or from Aqaba: $105

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:

  • Osaka Itami Airport to/from Osaka City: Shared Transfer: $23
  • Shared Arrival Transfer: Osaka Itami Airport to Osaka City: $25
  • Private Transfer by Sedan from Itama Airport ITM to Osaka City : $58
  • Kuchu Teien Observatory Ticket with Private Transfer: $62
  • Private Transfer from Osaka Cruise Port to Osaka city hotels: $66
  • Osaka Int Airport (ITM) to Osaka city - Arrival Private Transfer: $66
  • Private Transfer from Osaka Airport (ITM) to Osaka Cruise Port: $66
  • Shared Arrival Transfer: Osaka Itami Airport to Kyoto City: $66
  • Airport Transfer from Osaka city to Kansai airport: $68
  • Osaka to Osaka Kansai Airport (KIX) - Departure Private Transfer: $70
  • TeamLab Botanical Garden Ticket and Private Transfer: $71
  • Private Transfer from Osaka Port to Osaka Kansai Int Airport: $71

Is it cheaper to fly into Petra or Osaka?

Prices for flights to both Osaka 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Petra $38
    Osaka $25
Typical Food Prices in Petra

Some typical examples of dining costs in Petra are as follows:


  • Dinner for Two
    $12
  • 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 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.
    Petra $47
    Osaka $20
Typical Entertainment Prices in Petra

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Petra are as follows:


  • 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 Horse Riding Adventure around the Petra Area: $145
  • 3-hour Private Guided Tour In Petra with hotel pick up.: $75
  • Petra Back Entrance Private Walking Tour: $215
  • Private Back Trail Tour of Petra starting from the Monastery : $276
  • Private Full-Day Tour to Petra and Wadi Rum from Dead Sea: $269
  • Private Half-Day Tour of Petra with Lunch: $120
  • Private Indiana-Jones Archeological Trail Tour: $90
  • Private Petra Back Entrance Tour with Guide .: $140
  • Wadi Rum Day Tour from Petra ending in Aqaba: $138
  • Wadi Rum Private Tour from Petra with Martian and Star Wars Film Site: $173

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:

  • Osaka Castle: Museum and Tower Entry Ticket: $3.79
  • Table Tennis Experience with Local Players: $4.42
  • Kamigata Ukiyoe Museum Entrance Ticket: $4.42
  • Ryurei Teicha: Chanoyu (Tea Ceremony) Experience in Osaka: $5.05
  • Osaka Sakishima Observatory Advance Ticket: $5.68
  • Dotonbori District Sightseeing Cruise & Beer Discount: $7.58
  • Tsutenkaku Entry Ticket: $7.67
  • Umeda Sky Building E-Ticket: $9.47
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
  • Abeno Harukas 300 Observatory E-Ticket: $11
  • Abeno Harukas 300 Observatory Entry Ticket: $12
  • Kamigata Ukiyoe Museum:Ukiyo-e Woodblock Printing Experience: $12

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Petra $15
    Osaka $12

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 Petra and Osaka, we can see that Petra is more expensive. And not only is Osaka much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Petra is in Middle East and Osaka 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 Osaka would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Osaka 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 Osaka.

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


Which is Bigger, Petra or Osaka?

Osaka has a larger population, and is about 190 times larger than the population of Petra. When comparing the sizes of Petra and Osaka, 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 Osaka?

Osaka 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 Osaka in the Summer?

Both Osaka and Petra during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Petra because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Osaka for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

It's very hot in Petra this time of the year. Petra is a little warmer than Osaka in the summer. The daily temperature in Petra averages around 33°C (91°F) in July, and Osaka fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

It's quite sunny in Petra. In the summer, Petra often gets more sunshine than Osaka. Petra gets 384 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Osaka receives 183 hours of full sun.

Osaka gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Petra usually gets less rain in July than Osaka. Petra gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Osaka receives 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Petra 33°C (91°F) 
    Osaka 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Petra or Osaka in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Petra and Osaka. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Petra year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Osaka in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Petra is a little warmer than Osaka. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Petra in October average around 27°C (80°F), and Osaka averages at about 19°C (66°F).

In Petra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Petra usually receives more sunshine than Osaka during autumn. Petra gets 295 hours of sunny skies, while Osaka receives 159 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Osaka receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Petra usually receives less rain than Osaka. Petra gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Osaka receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Petra 27°C (80°F) 
    Osaka 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Petra or Osaka in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Petra as well as Osaka. Petra attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Osaka for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In January, Petra is generally much warmer than Osaka. Daily temperatures in Petra average around 15°C (59°F), and Osaka fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Petra this time of the year. In the winter, Petra often gets more sunshine than Osaka. Petra gets 234 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Osaka receives 140 hours of full sun.

Petra usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Osaka. Petra gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Osaka receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Petra 15°C (59°F) 
    Osaka 6°C (42°F)

Should I visit Petra or Osaka in the Spring?

Both Osaka and Petra are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Petra throughout the year. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Osaka because of the activities around the city.

Petra is much warmer than Osaka in the spring. The daily temperature in Petra averages around 25°C (76°F) in April, and Osaka fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Petra. Petra usually receives more sunshine than Osaka during spring. Petra gets 282 hours of sunny skies, while Osaka receives 176 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Osaka. In April, Petra usually receives less rain than Osaka. Petra gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Osaka receives 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Petra 25°C (76°F) 
    Osaka 15°C (59°F)

Typical Weather for Osaka and Petra

Petra Osaka
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 15°C (59°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 6°C (42°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Feb 17°C (62°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 6°C (43°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Mar 20°C (68°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 9°C (48°F) 99 mm (3.9 in)
Apr 25°C (76°F) 12 mm (0.5 in) 15°C (59°F) 137 mm (5.4 in)
May 28°C (83°F) 4 mm (0.2 in) 20°C (67°F) 140 mm (5.5 in)
Jun 31°C (88°F) 0 mm (0 in) 24°C (74°F) 204 mm (8 in)
Jul 33°C (91°F) 0 mm (0 in) 28°C (82°F) 157 mm (6.2 in)
Aug 32°C (90°F) 0 mm (0 in) 29°C (84°F) 95 mm (3.7 in)
Sep 30°C (87°F) 0 mm (0 in) 25°C (77°F) 170 mm (6.7 in)
Oct 27°C (80°F) 2 mm (0.1 in) 19°C (66°F) 108 mm (4.3 in)
Nov 21°C (70°F) 15 mm (0.6 in) 13°C (56°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Dec 16°C (62°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 8°C (47°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)