Which place is cheaper, Kyoto or Pyeongchang?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Pyeongchang or Kyoto?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Pyeongchang or Kyoto, 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: Pyeongchang or Kyoto?
Pyeongchang
Pyeongchang is a county of South Korea situated in the Taebaek Mountains in Gangwon Province. A popular location for winter sports, it was chosen as the host city for the 2018 Winter Olympics. Other attractions include Buddhist temples, parks, villages, and natural scenery.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Seoul, The Best 10-Day Tours from Seoul, The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo.
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Pyeongchang Prices
South Korea PricesKyoto Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPyeongchang $133Kyoto $118
The average daily cost (per person) in Pyeongchang is $133, while the average daily cost in Kyoto is $118. 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 Pyeongchang and Kyoto in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPyeongchang $61Kyoto $66
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPyeongchang $122Kyoto $132
Compare Hotels in Pyeongchang and Kyoto
Looking for a hotel in Pyeongchang 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: Pyeongchang Hotel Prices and Kyoto Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pyeongchang $24Kyoto $7.82
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kyoto
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kyoto:
- Shared Departure Transfer: Kyoto City to Osaka Itami Airport: $107
- Private departure transfer from Kyoto city to Osaka Itami International airport: $82
- Private departure transfer from Kyoto city to Kansai International airport: $113
- Private Transfer from Maizuru Port to Osaka Kansai Airport (KIX): $226
- Private Transfer from Maizuru Port to Osaka Kansai Airport (KIX): $248
- Private Transfer from Maizuru Cruise Port to Osaka Airport (ITM): $155
- Minivan Departure Transfer from Kyoto City to Kansai Airport KIX: $260
- Naruto & Boruto at Nijigen no Mori Entry & Transfer: $47
- Kyoto hotels to Kansai Airport (KIX) - Departure Private Transfer: $142
- Japan Railway Station Shared Departure Transfer : Kyoto City to Kyoto Station: $71
- Departure Transfer from Kyoto to Itami Airport ITM by Minivan: $130
- Arashiyama Kinkakuji Quiet Trail E-Bike Tour with Hotel Transfer: $131
Is it cheaper to fly into Pyeongchang or Kyoto?
Prices for flights to both Kyoto and Pyeongchang 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 dayPyeongchang $47Kyoto $43
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kyoto
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kyoto.
- Sushi & Tempura Cooking Class: $48
- Kyoto Nishiki Market & Depachika: 2-hours Food Tour with a Local: $48
- Sushi Cooking Class (Making three types of sushi): $48
- Private Cooking Class Udon in Kyoto Japan: $54
- 1 hour Takoyaki and Okonomiyaki cooking class in Kyoto: $61
- Kyoto Ramen Spoon Painting & Michelin Cooking Class : $61
- Dinner with Maiko: $62
- Private Guided Traditional Buddhist Cooking in Japan: $69
- Kyoto Udon and Tempura Cooking Class with Professional Chefs: $72
- Kyoto Ramen Bowl Painting and Michelin Cooking Class: $75
- Ramen Bowl Painting & Cooking in Gion, Kyoto: $75
- Gion Food Tour 13 Dishes at 4 Eateries: $76
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pyeongchang $50Kyoto $13
Tours and Activities in Pyeongchang
For Pyeongchang, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Balwangsan Cable Car & Samyang Ranch One Day Tour: $78
- Alpensia 2D1N Ski Lift Tour: $141
Tours and Activities in Kyoto
Here are a few actual costs in Kyoto for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Explore Nara in a Day Van Tour from Kyoto: $164
- Kyoto K Drama GPS App Walking Tour Mobile Game: $14
- Kyoto Private Full-day Walking Tour from Kyoto Station: $158
- Kyoto Sake Tasting Shared Tour Experience: $58
- Osaka Kyoto Experience Japanese Homogi: $138
- Quick Kyoto Tour for the First-Timers by Local Tour Guide: $60
- 1 Day Kyoto Tour with a Local Guide: $150
- 1 Day Private Sightseeing Tour in Kyoto: $211
- 1-Day Kyoto Uji & Nara Tour with Tea Ceremony: $126
- 1-Hour Japanese Archery Experience in Kyoto: $44
- 1.5 Hours Kyoto Insider Sake Experience: $70
- 10 Hrs Full day Kyoto Tour w/Hotel Pick-up: $629
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPyeongchang $8.69Kyoto $13
Sample the Local Flavors in Kyoto
Also in Kyoto, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Kyoto Local Bar Crawl in Kawaramachi Area: $41
- Fushimi Cherry Blossom and Sake Brewery Tour: $101
- Kyoto Sake Brewery & Tasting Walking Tour: $102
- Fushimi Sake Brewery Tour - 18 Tastings in 2.5 Hours: $162
- Kyoto Sake Brewery Tour with Lunch: $227
When comparing the travel costs between Pyeongchang and Kyoto, we can see that Pyeongchang is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Pyeongchang Expensive? and Is Kyoto Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Pyeongchang or Kyoto?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Pyeongchang or Kyoto in the Summer?
Both Kyoto and Pyeongchang during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Kyoto for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Pyeongchang is cooler than Kyoto. Typically, the summer temperatures in Pyeongchang in July average around 24°C (76°F), and Kyoto averages at about 27°C (81°F).
In the summer, Pyeongchang often gets less sunshine than Kyoto. Pyeongchang gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kyoto receives 183 hours of full sun.
Kyoto gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Pyeongchang. Pyeongchang usually gets less rain in July than Kyoto. Pyeongchang gets 217 mm (8.5 in) of rain, while Kyoto receives 236 mm (9.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPyeongchang 24°C (76°F)Kyoto 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Pyeongchang or Kyoto in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Pyeongchang and Kyoto. Also, many visitors come to Kyoto in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Pyeongchang is generally cooler than Kyoto. Daily temperatures in Pyeongchang average around 15°C (60°F), and Kyoto fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
Pyeongchang usually receives more sunshine than Kyoto during autumn. Pyeongchang gets 185 hours of sunny skies, while Kyoto receives 159 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Kyoto receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Pyeongchang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Pyeongchang usually receives around the same amount of rain as Kyoto. Pyeongchang gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Kyoto receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPyeongchang 15°C (60°F)Kyoto 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Pyeongchang or Kyoto in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Pyeongchang as well as Kyoto. Also, most visitors come to Kyoto for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Kyoto can be very cold during winter. Pyeongchang can get quite cold in the winter. Pyeongchang is much colder than Kyoto in the winter. The daily temperature in Pyeongchang averages around 0°C (33°F) in January, and Kyoto fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).
In the winter, Pyeongchang often gets more sunshine than Kyoto. Pyeongchang gets 190 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kyoto receives 140 hours of full sun.
Pyeongchang usually gets more rain in January than Kyoto. Pyeongchang gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Kyoto receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPyeongchang 0°C (33°F)Kyoto 5°C (40°F)
Should I visit Pyeongchang or Kyoto in the Spring?
Both Kyoto and Pyeongchang are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Kyoto because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Pyeongchang is cooler than Kyoto. Typically, the spring temperatures in Pyeongchang in April average around 12°C (54°F), and Kyoto averages at about 14°C (58°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pyeongchang. Pyeongchang usually receives more sunshine than Kyoto during spring. Pyeongchang gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while Kyoto receives 176 hours of full sun in the spring.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kyoto. In April, Pyeongchang usually receives less rain than Kyoto. Pyeongchang gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Kyoto receives 153 mm (6 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPyeongchang 12°C (54°F)Kyoto 14°C (58°F)
Typical Weather for Kyoto and Pyeongchang
| Pyeongchang | Kyoto | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 0°C (33°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 1°C (35°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (42°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (54°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 153 mm (6 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 154 mm (6 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 251 mm (9.9 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (76°F) | 217 mm (8.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (77°F) | 262 mm (10.3 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Sep | 20°C (68°F) | 216 mm (8.5 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) |
| Oct | 15°C (60°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Nov | 9°C (49°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Dec | 3°C (38°F) | 39 mm (1.5 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.