A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Pingyao vs. Kobe for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Pingyao or Kobe?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Pingyao and Kobe. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Pingyao or Kobe?

Pingyao

Pingyao is a small city in the Shanxi Province of China, dating back over 2700 years. The city is most famous for their old town, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The old town is one of the best preserved ancient walled cities in the world dating back to the Ming and Qing Dynasties.

The climate in Pingyao is influenced by monsoons, and therefore gets hot and humid summers and chillier springs. Autumn is a great time to visit as temperatures are fairly mild-in the 50-60's Fahrenheit- and you can avoid the heavy rains of summer. Winter is also a pleasant time to visit, especially since temperatures tend not to dip below 30 and there is not much snow or bad weather.

Kobe

Located between the sea and the Rokko mountain range, Kobe is a port city in Japan also considered to be one of the country's most attractive. Though it was devastated by a historic earthquake in 1995, known locally as the Great Hanshin Earthquake, Kobe has fully recovered to its cosmopolitan splendor with plenty for visitors to see and do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in China, The Best 10-Day Tours in China, The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Japan.


Which place is cheaper, Kobe or Pingyao?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Pingyao is $54, while the average daily cost in Kobe is $103. 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 Pingyao and Kobe in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Pingyao $23
    Kobe $60
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Pingyao $46
    Kobe $120
Compare Hotels in Pingyao and Kobe

Looking for a hotel in Pingyao or Kobe? 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 Pingyao


Hotels in Kobe


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: Kobe Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Pingyao $13
    Kobe $13
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Pingyao

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Pingyao:


  • Taxi to Train Station
    $1.38

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pingyao

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pingyao:

  • Private Round-Trip Transfer Service to Wutaishan from Pingyao: $190
  • Privater Transfer from Datong to Pingyao with driver: $115
  • Private Transfer Servcie to Mianshan (Mian Mountain) from Pingyao: $60

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kobe

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

  • Kobe Airport (UKB) to Kobe hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $39
  • Private Transfer from Kobe Cruise Port to Kobe Airport: $48
  • Arima Onsen Resorts to Osaka Airport (ITM) Departure Transfer: $55
  • Private Arrival Transfer From Kobe Airport to Kobe City: $63
  • Kobe Airport (UKB) to Kobe hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $79
  • Private departure transfer from Kobe City & Arima Onsen to Kansai Airport : $92
  • Osaka (Itami) Airport to/from Kobe City Private Transfer: $107
  • Departure Private Transfers from Kobe City to Kobe Airport UKB in Business Car: $132
  • Arima-Onsen Resort to Osaka Kansai Airport KIX-Departure Transfer: $133
  • Kobe Airport Transfers : Kobe City to Kobe Airport UKB in Business Van: $163
  • Arrival Private Transfers from Kobe Airport UKB to Kobe City in Business Van: $163
  • Osaka Kansai Airport to/from Kobe City Private Transfer: $164

Is it cheaper to fly into Pingyao or Kobe?

Prices for flights to both Kobe and Pingyao 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
    Pingyao $19
    Kobe $30
Typical Food Prices in Pingyao

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


  • Casual Lunch (for 2)
    $4.97
  • Mango Juice
    $0.69

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kobe

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

  • Eat Like a Local Private & Personalized Food Tour: $207
  • One day in Kobe with beef dinner =standard=: $272
  • One day in Kobe with beef dinner =premium=: $297

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Pingyao $18
    Kobe $23
Typical Entertainment Prices in Pingyao

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


  • All Day Bike Rental (for 2)
    $2.76
  • Temple Entrance Fee (for 2)
    $6.90
  • Bike Parking Fee (for 2)
    $0.55

Tours and Activities in Pingyao

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Pingyao are as follows:

  • 1-Day Pingyao Ancient Town Sightseeing Walking Tour: $113
  • 1-Day Pingyao tour to Wang Family's Compound and Zhangbi Ancient Fortress : $206
  • 2-Hour Guided Private Bike Tour to see the Hidden Pingyao & Tea Break: $60
  • 3-Hour Private Walking Tour of Pingyao Highlights: $125
  • All Inclusive Pingyao Private Tour to Qiao Family Compound and Shuanglin Temple: $142
  • Day tour to Wang Family Compound shuanglin temple &zhangbi castle: $210
  • Half-Day Private Walking Tour of Pingyao Ancient City: $65
  • Mian Mountain Private Day Tour From Pingyao: $188
  • One Day Tour Exploration of Pingyao Old Town and Wang Family Mansion: $183
  • Pingyao Ancient City Full-Day Walking Tour: $129
  • Pingyao Day Tour: Wang Family Mansion and Zhangbi Ancient Castle: $132
  • Pingyao Food Walking Tour : $67

Tours and Activities in Kobe

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

  • Kobe Urban Aquarium AQUARIUM×ART átoa Admission Ticket: $16
  • Mt Rokko night view & Arima Onsen & Sanda Outlet Tour: $57
  • Private Tour - Excursion to Osaka / Kyoto possible: $70
  • Kobe : Private Custom Tour (Excursion to Osaka / Kyoto possible): $71
  • Private tour - Experience Kobe's Best Gems with a local host: $78
  • KOBE Sake Walking Tour in Japan's Top Sake Breweries: $83
  • Sake Tour and Tasting in Kobe: $84
  • Kobe Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide: $90
  • Half-Day Private Guided Tour: $92
  • Half-Day Private Guided Tour to Kobe City: $94
  • Private Walking Tour with Local Guide: $94
  • KOBE, SHIOYA, a quaint fishing town walking tour : $97

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Pingyao $13
    Kobe $8.56

Sample the Local Flavors in Kobe

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

  • 3-hour KOBE Sake brewery & tasting walking tour with guide: $83
  • Sake Brewery and Japanese Life Experience Tour in Kobe: $85
  • Nada Sake Brewery District Private Walking Tour: $133
  • 5-Hour Nadagogo Sake Brewery Private Guided Experience: $174


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pingyao and Kobe, we can see that Kobe is more expensive. And not only is Pingyao much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Pingyao would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pingyao 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 Kobe would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kobe than you might in Pingyao.

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


Which is Bigger, Pingyao or Kobe?

Kobe has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Pingyao. When comparing the sizes of Pingyao and Kobe, 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.