Which place is cheaper, Osaka 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 Osaka?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Pyeongchang or Osaka, 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 Osaka?
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.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Seoul, The Best 10-Day Tours from Seoul, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Japan, and The Best Adventure Tours to Japan.
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Pyeongchang Prices
South Korea PricesOsaka Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPyeongchang $133Osaka $110
The average daily cost (per person) in Pyeongchang is $133, while the average daily cost in Osaka is $110. 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 Osaka in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPyeongchang $61Osaka $48
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPyeongchang $122Osaka $96
Compare Hotels in Pyeongchang and Osaka
Looking for a hotel in Pyeongchang 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.
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 Osaka Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pyeongchang $24Osaka $14
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Osaka
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Osaka:
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Subway$8.11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Osaka
Also for Osaka, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Universal Studios Japan Transfer to or from Osaka English Driver: $150
- Transfer from Osaka City Hotels to Kansai Airport: $108
- Shared Departure Transfer : Osaka City to Kansai International Airport: $120
- Shared Arrival Transfer: Osaka Itami Airport to Kyoto City: $107
- Shared Arrival Transfer : Kansai International Airport to Kyoto City: $135
- Roundtrip Transfer from Osaka Airport ITM to Arima-Onsen Resorts: $222
- Round-Trip Private Transfer from Osaka Kansai Airport to Kobe: $153
- Private transfer from Kansai Airport to any location in Izumisano: $179
- Private departure transfer from central Osaka city to Itami airport (ITM): $104
- Private arrival transfer from Osaka Itami International airport to Kyoto City: $83
- Private arrival transfer from Kansai airport to Kobe City & Arima Onsen: $97
- Private arrival Transfer from Osaka Itami Airport(ITM) to central Osaka city: $126
Is it cheaper to fly into Pyeongchang or Osaka?
Prices for flights to both Osaka 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 $47Osaka $45
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Osaka
For Osaka, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- PICCADILLY PREMIUM DINNER SHOW&NIGHTCLUB with Tasting: $17
- Kobe Beef Bowl Cooking Class in Osaka Afternoon : $42
- Cooking Class for Osaka Style Kushikatsu & Tonjiru (with Onigiri): $45
- Kuromon, Sennichimae & Dotonbori Food Tour with Wagyu: $45
- Osaka Okonomiyaki Cooking Experience!: $52
- Private Food Tour & Bar Hopping in Namba: $52
- Osaka Cooking for Japanese Pescatarian dishes: $56
- Deep Backstreet Osaka Tours (Option to add Dinner): $56
- Discover Osaka Cuisine through Cooking Class Experience: $56
- Japanese home cooking class in Osaka Umeda: $63
- 3 Hours Washoku Cooking Class: $69
- Enjoy artistic TEMPURA Cooking Class: $69
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pyeongchang $50Osaka $21
Tours and Activities in Pyeongchang
For Pyeongchang, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Alpensia 2D1N Ski Lift Tour: $141
- Balwangsan Cable Car & Samyang Ranch One Day Tour: $78
Typical Entertainment Prices in Osaka
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Osaka's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Osaka Aquarium (for 2)$31
Tours and Activities in Osaka
For Osaka, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 6 Hours Osaka Tour with National Licensed Guide: $250
- Arashiyama Kinkakuji Temple Nara Park Tour from Osaka and Kyoto: $100
- Explore Osaka with Wine Class and Tasting Experience: $110
- Miyama Kayabuki no Sato 1 Day Tour from Osaka or Kyoto: $243
- 1 Day Kyoto UNESCO World Heritage Sites Bus Tour: $75
- 1 Day Takoyaki Making and Osaka Castle Walking Tour: $146
- 150min Full Body and Oil Massage with Japanese Healing Experience: $165
- 3 Hours Historical Tour of Princess Saio on an Electric Cart: $34
- 3-Hour Osaka Bike Tour/Customizable : $167
- 3/4/5 Hours Private Tour in Osaka with Local Guide: $125
- 4-hour Private Walking Tour to Historical Town of Saiku: $75
- A Tour to Explore the Symbol of Osaka Castle: $88
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPyeongchang $8.69Osaka $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Osaka
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Osaka:
- Osaka Nights: Ultimate Pub Bar Crawl with an Expert Local Guide: $38
- Off The Beaten Path Osaka Local Bar Crawl: $56
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pyeongchang and Osaka, we can see that Pyeongchang is more expensive. And not only is Osaka much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 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 Osaka.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Pyeongchang Expensive? and Is Osaka Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Pyeongchang or Osaka?
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 Osaka in the Summer?
Both Osaka and Pyeongchang are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Osaka this time of year.
In July, Pyeongchang is generally cooler than Osaka. Daily temperatures in Pyeongchang average around 24°C (76°F), and Osaka fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
Pyeongchang usually receives less sunshine than Osaka during summer. Pyeongchang gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Osaka receives 183 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Osaka. It's quite rainy in Pyeongchang. In July, Pyeongchang usually receives more rain than Osaka. Pyeongchang gets 217 mm (8.5 in) of rain, while Osaka receives 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPyeongchang 24°C (76°F)Osaka 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Pyeongchang or Osaka in the Autumn?
Both Osaka and Pyeongchang during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Osaka for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
Pyeongchang is cooler than Osaka in the autumn. The daily temperature in Pyeongchang averages around 15°C (60°F) in October, and Osaka fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
In the autumn, Pyeongchang often gets more sunshine than Osaka. Pyeongchang gets 185 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Osaka receives 159 hours of full sun.
Osaka gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Pyeongchang. Pyeongchang usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Osaka. Pyeongchang gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Osaka receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPyeongchang 15°C (60°F)Osaka 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Pyeongchang or Osaka in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Pyeongchang and Osaka. Also, many visitors come to Osaka in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Pyeongchang. In the winter, Pyeongchang is much colder than Osaka. Typically, the winter temperatures in Pyeongchang in January average around 0°C (33°F), and Osaka averages at about 6°C (42°F).
Pyeongchang usually receives more sunshine than Osaka during winter. Pyeongchang gets 190 hours of sunny skies, while Osaka receives 140 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Pyeongchang usually receives more rain than Osaka. Pyeongchang gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Osaka receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPyeongchang 0°C (33°F)Osaka 6°C (42°F)
Should I visit Pyeongchang or Osaka in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Pyeongchang as well as Osaka. Also, most visitors come to Osaka for the activities around the city during these months.
In April, Pyeongchang is generally cooler than Osaka. Daily temperatures in Pyeongchang average around 12°C (54°F), and Osaka fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Pyeongchang this time of the year. In the spring, Pyeongchang often gets more sunshine than Osaka. Pyeongchang gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Osaka receives 176 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Osaka. Pyeongchang usually gets less rain in April than Osaka. Pyeongchang gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Osaka receives 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPyeongchang 12°C (54°F)Osaka 15°C (59°F)
Typical Weather for Osaka and Pyeongchang
| Pyeongchang | Osaka | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 0°C (33°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Feb | 1°C (35°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (42°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (54°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 204 mm (8 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (76°F) | 217 mm (8.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 157 mm (6.2 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (77°F) | 262 mm (10.3 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Sep | 20°C (68°F) | 216 mm (8.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| Oct | 15°C (60°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) |
| Nov | 9°C (49°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Dec | 3°C (38°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 35 mm (1.4 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.