A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Pyeongchang vs. Nikko for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Pyeongchang or Nikko?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Pyeongchang or Nikko, 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 Nikko?

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.

Nikko

Nikko is a small Japanese city located in the mountains north of Tokyo. It is well-known for the site of Toshogu, a famed Shinto shrine established in 1617, in memory of Tokugawa Ieyasu who was the founding ruler of the Edo Period. The town is situated just outside of Nikko National Park which offers scenic mountain landscapes, lakes, waterfalls, hot springs, wild monkeys, and hiking trails.

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 in Japan, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Japan.

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

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

When is the best time to visit Pyeongchang or Nikko?

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 Pyeongchang or Nikko in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Pyeongchang and Nikko. Furthermore, many travelers come to Nikko for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Pyeongchang is around the same temperature as Nikko in the summer. The daily temperature in Pyeongchang averages around 24°C (76°F) in July, and Nikko fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

Pyeongchang usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Nikko during summer. Pyeongchang gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Nikko receives 136 hours of full sun in the summer.

Nikko receives a lot of rain in the summer. Pyeongchang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Pyeongchang usually receives more rain than Nikko. Pyeongchang gets 217 mm (8.5 in) of rain, while Nikko receives 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Pyeongchang or Nikko in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Pyeongchang as well as Nikko. Additionally, many visitors come to Nikko in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Pyeongchang is around the same temperature as Nikko. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Pyeongchang in October average around 15°C (60°F), and Nikko averages at about 16°C (61°F).

In the autumn, Pyeongchang often gets more sunshine than Nikko. Pyeongchang gets 185 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nikko receives 167 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Nikko. Pyeongchang receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Pyeongchang usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Nikko. Pyeongchang gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Nikko receives 117 mm (4.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Pyeongchang or Nikko in the Winter?

Both Nikko and Pyeongchang are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Nikko for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Nikko can be very cold during winter. Pyeongchang can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Pyeongchang is generally much colder than Nikko. Daily temperatures in Pyeongchang average around 0°C (33°F), and Nikko fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

It's quite sunny in Nikko. Pyeongchang usually receives less sunshine than Nikko during winter. Pyeongchang gets 190 hours of sunny skies, while Nikko receives 212 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Pyeongchang usually receives more rain than Nikko. Pyeongchang gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Nikko receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Pyeongchang or Nikko in the Spring?

Both Nikko and Pyeongchang during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Nikko because of the small town charm and the natural beauty.

Pyeongchang is around the same temperature as Nikko in the spring. The daily temperature in Pyeongchang averages around 12°C (54°F) in April, and Nikko fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

It's quite sunny in Pyeongchang. In the spring, Pyeongchang often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Nikko. Pyeongchang gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nikko receives 191 hours of full sun.

Nikko gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Pyeongchang usually gets less rain in April than Nikko. Pyeongchang gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Nikko receives 108 mm (4.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Nikko and Pyeongchang