Which place is cheaper, Havana or Sendai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Sendai or Havana?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sendai or Havana, 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: Sendai or Havana?
Sendai
Sendai, Japan is located in the Toohoku region on the main Honshu island. It is often referred to as "Forest City" due to the large amount of green space throughout the city and the tree filled parks and public spaces. Sendai is a very pleasant city to visit; they are in close proximity to both mountains and the sea and have many large universities throughout the city, making it a popular college town.
Havana
The city of Havana is at the top of most peoples' bucket list - mostly because of the allure of a forbidden land. Before the Communist revolution, Cuba was a popular tourist destination. Since it has reopened in the 1990s, it has drawn tourists from all over the world (except the US).
This capital city is a land trapped in the past. With 50 years of neglect, when you step off the plane, prepare to step back in time. A trip to Havana is meant for those with truly open minds - and when they arrive they'll be swept away.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo.
-
Sendai Prices
Japan PricesHavana Prices
Cuba Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySendai $133Havana $74
The average daily cost (per person) in Sendai is $133, while the average daily cost in Havana is $74. 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 Sendai and Havana in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSendai $61Havana $42
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSendai $122Havana $84
Compare Hotels in Sendai and Havana
Looking for a hotel in Sendai or Havana? 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: Sendai Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sendai $18Havana $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sendai
Also for Sendai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Odawara to Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) -Departure Private Transfer: $103
- Private Transfer from Sendai Airport to Sendai City: $187
- Sendai City: Private transfer to/from Sendai Airport: $88
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Havana
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Havana:
-
Short Taxi Ride$0.68
Is it cheaper to fly into Sendai or Havana?
Prices for flights to both Havana and Sendai 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 daySendai $58Havana $18
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sendai
For Sendai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Local Food Tour in Shiogama, Japan Top Tuna and Sushi Town: $135
- Michinoku Coastal Trail Sake Tasting with Dinner: $143
Typical Food Prices in Havana
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Havana:
-
Pizza$0.03
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sendai $19Havana $11
Tours and Activities in Sendai
For Sendai, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Catch and Dine A Gourmet Fishing Experience in Miyagi: $24
- Sendai and Matsushima Private Tour with Licensed Guide: $101
- Local Foodie Tour, wander around the gourmet town: $120
- Afternoon Cycling Tour in Naruko: $151
Tours and Activities in Havana
Here are a few actual costs in Havana for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Private: City Tour with Lunch, Rum, and Chocolate: $2,000
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one daySendai $11Havana $5.76
Typical Alcohol Prices in Havana
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Havana:
-
Mojito$0.15
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sendai and Havana, we can see that Sendai is more expensive. And not only is Havana much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Sendai is in Asia and Havana is in Caribbean Islands, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Havana would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Havana 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 Sendai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sendai than you might in Havana.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Sendai Expensive? and Is Havana Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sendai or Havana?
Havana has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Sendai. When comparing the sizes of Sendai and Havana, 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 Sendai or Havana?
Sendai has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Havana experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Sendai or Havana in the Summer?
Both Havana and Sendai during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Sendai for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Havana year-round.
In the summer, Sendai is cooler than Havana. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sendai in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Havana averages at about 27°C (81°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Sendai. Sendai usually gets more rain in July than Havana. Sendai gets 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Havana receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulySendai 23°C (73°F)Havana 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Sendai or Havana in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Sendai and Havana. The autumn months attract visitors to Sendai because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Havana attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In October, Sendai is generally much colder than Havana. Daily temperatures in Sendai average around 15°C (59°F), and Havana fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
Sendai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Sendai usually receives more rain than Havana. Sendai gets 103 mm (4.1 in) of rain, while Havana receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSendai 15°C (59°F)Havana 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Sendai or Havana in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Sendai as well as Havana. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Sendai this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to Havana throughout the year.
It's quite cold in Sendai in the winter. Sendai is much colder than Havana in the winter. The daily temperature in Sendai averages around 2°C (35°F) in January, and Havana fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
Sendai usually gets more rain in January than Havana. Sendai gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Havana receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySendai 2°C (35°F)Havana 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Sendai or Havana in the Spring?
Both Havana and Sendai are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Sendai for the beaches and the activities around the city. Plenty of visitors come to Havana because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the spring, Sendai is much colder than Havana. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sendai in April average around 10°C (51°F), and Havana averages at about 24°C (75°F).
In April, Sendai usually receives more rain than Havana. Sendai gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Havana receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilSendai 10°C (51°F)Havana 24°C (75°F)
Typical Weather for Havana and Sendai
| Sendai | Havana | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 2°C (35°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Feb | 2°C (35°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 5°C (40°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Apr | 10°C (51°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| May | 15°C (60°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jun | 19°C (66°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (77°F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Sep | 21°C (69°F) | 187 mm (7.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Oct | 15°C (59°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Nov | 9°C (49°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Dec | 4°C (40°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 30 mm (1.2 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.