Which place is cheaper, Osaka or Qingdao?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Qingdao or Osaka?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Qingdao 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: Qingdao or Osaka?
Qingdao
Qingdao, China, located in the Shandong Province, is a very large city right on the Yellow Sea coast. The city, whose name means "The Green Island" due to it's gorgeous landscapes and interesting geography, was named China's most livable city in 2012. The city is rich in history, having almost become a German territory in 1897 and being occupied by the Japanese during WWI. Evidence of these occupiers is present in much of the architecture around the city, which includes a few Catholic and Protestant churches.
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 Cultural Tours in China, The Best Luxury Tours to China, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Japan, and The Best Adventure Tours to Japan.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayQingdao $58Osaka $88
The average daily cost (per person) in Qingdao is $58, 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 Qingdao and Osaka in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personQingdao $26Osaka $45
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomQingdao $52Osaka $90
Compare Hotels in Qingdao and Osaka
Looking for a hotel in Qingdao 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: Osaka Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Qingdao $12Osaka $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Qingdao
Also for Qingdao, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Qingdao Railway Station Depature Transfer from City Hotels: $36
- Qingdao Railway Station Arrival Transfer to City Hotel: $36
- Qingdao Private Transfer from Qingdao central to Qingdao Airport (TAO): $83
- Qingdao Private Transfer from Qingdao Airport (TAO) to central Qingdao: $83
- Qingdao Northern Railway Station Arrival Private One-Way Transfer: $42
- Qingdao Liuting Airport Transfer Service by Minivan: $86
- Qingdao Cruise Port Departure Transfer from City Hotels: $36
- Private Departure Transfer: City Hotel to Qingdao Railway Station : $36
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Osaka
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Osaka:
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Subway$7.83
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Osaka
Also for Osaka, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Universal Studios Japan Entry Pass & Shared 1-way Transfer: $100
- Shared Arrival Transfer: Osaka Itami Airport to Osaka City: $25
- Shared Arrival Transfer: Osaka Itami Airport to Kyoto City: $66
- Roundtrip Transfer from Osaka Airport ITM to Arima-Onsen Resorts: $109
- Private departure transfer from central Osaka city to Itami airport (ITM): $125
- Private arrival transfer from Kansai airport to Kobe City & Arima Onsen: $92
- Private Transfer from Osaka hotels to Osaka Cruise Port: $72
- Private Transfer from Osaka Port to Osaka Kansai Int Airport(KIX): $79
- Private Transfer from Osaka Port to Osaka Kansai Int Airport: $71
- Private Transfer from Osaka Cruise Port to Osaka hotels: $72
- Private Transfer from Osaka Cruise Port to Osaka city hotels: $66
- Private Transfer from Osaka City Hotels to Maizuru Cruise Port: $96
Is it cheaper to fly into Qingdao or Osaka?
Prices for flights to both Osaka and Qingdao 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 dayQingdao $20Osaka $25
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Qingdao $20Osaka $20
Tours and Activities in Qingdao
For Qingdao, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Private Qingdao Essentials Tour: City Highlights and Beer Museum: $216
- All-Inclusive Private Day Tour: Qingdao Highlights with Lunch: $285
- Laoshan Mountain Full Day Private Activity Tour: $224
- Private Qingdao City tour with Lunch and Qingdao beer: $175
- Private Qingdao Historic architectural day tour with Tsingdao beer during Lunch: $190
- Private Qingdao Laoshan day tour with lunch& round way cable car: $240
- Private Qingdao Laoshan half day tour with one bottle of Tsingdao beer as gift: $199
- Qingdao Discover Tour to the Mount Laoshan and Tasting Famous Local Beer: $248
- Qingdao Private Day Tour to Laoshan Mountain with Lunch and Cable Car: $238
- Qingdao Private Tour: City Highlights and Laoshan Mountain with Lunch+Cable Car: $268
- Qingdao Shore Excursion: Private Full Day Laoshan Mountain Sightseeing Tour: $207
- Qingdao private half day tour with Tsingdao Beer Lunch : $202
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)$30
Tours and Activities in Osaka
For Osaka, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- "Dotonbori Nightscapes: Photoshooting tour in Dotonbori": $120
- "Experience Kyoto: A Full-Day Private Tour Adventure": $120
- 1-Day walking tour in Osakaļ¼Castle, temples and Ukiyoe: $134
- 150 mins Deep Samurai Experience near Osaka Castle: $179
- 2-Hour Osaka Go-Kart Experience with Local Guide from Namba: $138
- 3 Days Private Osaka Kyoto and Nara Tour with English Driver: $1,579
- 3 Hours Historical Tour of Princess Saio on an Electric Cart: $32
- 3/4/5 Hours Private Tour in Osaka with Local Guide: $117
- 4-Day Private Kyoto Osaka Nara Sightseeing tour with Guide: $2,370
- 4-hour Private Walking Tour to Historical Town of Saiku: $71
- 5 Hour Osaka Castle Tsutenkaku and Dotonbori Guided Tour: $71
- 90mins Samurai Pilgrimage Osaka Castle Tour: $214
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayQingdao $14Osaka $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 Qingdao and Osaka, we can see that Osaka is more expensive. And not only is Qingdao much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Qingdao would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Qingdao 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 Osaka would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Osaka than you might in Qingdao.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Qingdao Expensive? and Is Osaka Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Qingdao or Osaka?
Osaka has a larger population, and is about 58% larger than the population of Qingdao. When comparing the sizes of Qingdao 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 Qingdao 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 Qingdao or Osaka in the Summer?
Both Osaka and Qingdao 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.
Qingdao is cooler than Osaka in the summer. The daily temperature in Qingdao averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Osaka fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
Qingdao usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Osaka during summer. Qingdao gets 183 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 Qingdao. In July, Qingdao usually receives more rain than Osaka. Qingdao gets 211 mm (8.3 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 JulyQingdao 25°C (77°F)Osaka 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Qingdao or Osaka in the Autumn?
Both Osaka and Qingdao during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many travelers come to Osaka for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Qingdao is cooler than Osaka. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Qingdao in October average around 17°C (62°F), and Osaka averages at about 19°C (66°F).
It's quite sunny in Qingdao. In the autumn, Qingdao often gets more sunshine than Osaka. Qingdao gets 220 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. Qingdao usually gets less rain in October than Osaka. Qingdao gets 45 mm (1.8 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 OctoberQingdao 17°C (62°F)Osaka 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Qingdao or Osaka in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Qingdao and Osaka. Furthermore, 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 Qingdao. In January, Qingdao is generally much colder than Osaka. Daily temperatures in Qingdao average around -0°C (32°F), and Osaka fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).
Qingdao usually receives more sunshine than Osaka during winter. Qingdao gets 185 hours of sunny skies, while Osaka receives 140 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Qingdao usually receives less rain than Osaka. Qingdao gets 11 mm (0.4 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 JanuaryQingdao -0°C (32°F)Osaka 6°C (42°F)
Should I visit Qingdao or Osaka in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Qingdao as well as Osaka. Additionally, most visitors come to Osaka for the activities around the city during these months.
Qingdao is cooler than Osaka in the spring. The daily temperature in Qingdao averages around 12°C (53°F) in April, and Osaka fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Qingdao this time of the year. In the spring, Qingdao often gets more sunshine than Osaka. Qingdao gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Osaka receives 176 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Osaka. Qingdao usually gets less rain in April than Osaka. Qingdao gets 37 mm (1.5 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 AprilQingdao 12°C (53°F)Osaka 15°C (59°F)
Typical Weather for Osaka and Qingdao
| Qingdao | Osaka | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -0°C (32°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Feb | 1°C (34°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (53°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) |
| May | 17°C (62°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 204 mm (8 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 157 mm (6.2 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 162 mm (6.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| Oct | 17°C (62°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) |
| Nov | 10°C (49°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Dec | 3°C (37°F) | 10 mm (0.4 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.