Which place is cheaper, Kobe or Taiyuan?
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 Taiyuan or Kobe?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Taiyuan and Kobe. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Taiyuan or Kobe?
Taiyuan
With sleek architectural designs and blossoming businesses, this metropolis is simply brimming with invigorating excitement and once-in-a-lifetime entertainment. Despite its glimmering skyscrapers and gorgeous fountains, Taiyuan, China has an extensive history of nearly 2,500 years. During ancient China, Taiyuan, or the "Dragon City," was a major military town. Presently, this city is now one of China's most important industrial cities, producing more than half of the national coal mining output. Taiyuan is both the capital and largest city of the Shanxi province of North China. It is bounded by mountains on three of its sides, allowing this great city to be surrounded by fantastic views of its landscape. Besides its economic significance, Taiyuan also achieves tourist significance due to its plethora of landmarks and sights. Some of these attractions include Jinci Temple, Forest Park, Mengshan Giant Buddha, and Shanxi Museum. Taiyuan is also celebrated internationally for holding their annual Shanxi Taiyuan International Folk Arts Festival, a celebration held in September that hosts exhibition of fine arts, painting, paper-cutting, sculpture, drama, acrobatic and the culture of costume. With such a great deal to do in such a limited window of time, it is best to make the most Taiyuan while you visit!
Kobe
Located between the sea and the Rokko mountain range, Kobe is a port city in Japan also considered to be one of the country's most attractive. Though it was devastated by a historic earthquake in 1995, known locally as the Great Hanshin Earthquake, Kobe has fully recovered to its cosmopolitan splendor with plenty for visitors to see and do.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to China, The Best Tours for Seniors to China, The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Japan.
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Taiyuan Prices
China PricesKobe Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTaiyuan $106Kobe $130
The average daily cost (per person) in Taiyuan is $106, while the average daily cost in Kobe is $130. 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 Taiyuan and Kobe in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTaiyuan $43Kobe $63
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTaiyuan $86Kobe $126
Compare Hotels in Taiyuan and Kobe
Looking for a hotel in Taiyuan or Kobe? 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: Kobe Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Taiyuan $48Kobe $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kobe
Also for Kobe, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Arima-Onsen Resort to Osaka Kansai Airport KIX-Departure Transfer: $299
- Airport Transfer: Kobe Airport UKB to Kobe City by Business Van: $178
- Departure Private Transfers from Kobe City to Kobe Airport UKB in Business Van: $178
- Kobe Airport Transfers : Kobe City to Kobe Airport UKB in Business Van: $178
- Arrival Private Transfers from Kobe Airport UKB to Kobe City in Business Van: $178
- Kobe City: Private transfer to/from Kansai Airport: $176
- Private Transfer from Kobe Port to Osaka Kansai Airport (KIX): $176
- Departure Transfer: Kobe to Kobe Airport UKB by Business Car: $161
- Airport Transfer: Kobe Airport UKB to Kobe City by Business Car: $161
- Private Arrival Transfer From Kobe Airport to Kobe City: $155
- Arrival Private Transfers from Kobe Airport UKB to Kobe City in Business Car: $144
- Kobe Airport Transfers : Kobe City to Kobe Airport UKB in Business Car: $144
Is it cheaper to fly into Taiyuan or Kobe?
Prices for flights to both Kobe and Taiyuan 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 dayTaiyuan $36Kobe $54
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kobe
For Kobe, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Okonomiyaki Cooking Class: Create Your Own Savory Pancake: $55
- Kobe Home Cooking Ramen and Gyoza Cooking Class: $61
- Shinkaichi Evening Food Tour with Local Guide: $71
- Shinkaichi Evening Food Tour with Local Guide: $72
- Discover Kobe's Flavors On A Cooking Class: $76
- Kobe Private Food Tour with Local Guide: $95
- Cooking Class with Kobe Beef Sukiyaki and Origami: $101
- Eat Like a Local Private & Personalized Food Tour: $223
- Private tour in Kobe with beef dinner: $487
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Taiyuan $15Kobe $24
Tours and Activities in Kobe
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Kobe.
- Kobe to Setouchi Triennale Art Festival Day Tour : $264
- 1-Day Kobe Highlights Tour including Sake Tasting: $178
- 1-Day Walking Tour around Kobe : Mountains, Sea and Sake: $143
- 4-Hour Multicultural Kobe Walking Tour with Genuine Kobe Beef : $177
- Arima Onsen History Tour: $46
- Classic Kobe GPS App Walking Tour Mobile Game: $14
- Cruise Shore Excursion: Kobe Sake Tasting with Local Guide: $108
- Full Day Walking Tour Around Kobe Mountains Sea and Sake: $159
- KOBE Sake Tasting Tour at Breweries (tasting fee included): $103
- KOBE Sake Tasting Tour at Breweries (tasting fee included): $108
- KOBE Sake Walking Tour in Japan's Top Sake Breweries: $88
- KOBE, SHIOYA, a quaint fishing town walking tour : $97
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTaiyuan $6.41Kobe $8.87
Sample the Local Flavors in Kobe
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Kobe:
- Private Sake Tour and Tasting at a Kobe Brewery: $82
- Sake Brewery and Japanese Life Experience Tour in Kobe: $87
- Sake Brewery Tour with Tasting Sake: $88
- KOBE Sake brewery PRIVATE walking tour with Local guide: $89
- Sake Brewery Tour with Tasting and Kobe Beef Bites: $108
- 5-Hour Nadagogo Sake Brewery Private Guided Experience: $186
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Taiyuan and Kobe, we can see that Kobe is more expensive. And not only is Taiyuan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Taiyuan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Taiyuan 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 Kobe would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kobe than you might in Taiyuan.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Taiyuan Expensive? and Is Kobe Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Taiyuan or Kobe?
Taiyuan has a larger population, and is about 78% larger than the population of Kobe. When comparing the sizes of Taiyuan and Kobe, 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.
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.