Which place is cheaper, Sendai or Taiyuan?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Taiyuan or Sendai?
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 Sendai. 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 Sendai?
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!
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in China, The Best Cultural Tours in China, The Best Adventure Tours to Japan, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTaiyuan $92Sendai $113
The average daily cost (per person) in Taiyuan is $92, while the average daily cost in Sendai is $113. 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 Sendai in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTaiyuan $43Sendai $64
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTaiyuan $86Sendai $128
Compare Hotels in Taiyuan and Sendai
Looking for a hotel in Taiyuan or Sendai? 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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Taiyuan $48Sendai $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sendai
Also for Sendai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Sendai Airport to/from Sendai city central private transfer: $91
Is it cheaper to fly into Taiyuan or Sendai?
Prices for flights to both Sendai 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 $21Sendai $35
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sendai
For Sendai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Miyagi, Shiogama Local Food Tour with Premium Tuna and Sushi Town: $137
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Taiyuan $15Sendai $20
Tours and Activities in Sendai
For Sendai, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Japanese Taiko Drum Experience at Sairi Yashiki : $77
- Sendai, Okama: Private tour from Sendai city to Okama: $280
- Local Foodie Tour, wander around the gourmet town: $125
- Zao Fox village 1Day Bus Tour with Strawberry picking: $148
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTaiyuan $6.44Sendai $12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Taiyuan and Sendai, we can see that Sendai 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 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 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 Sendai Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Taiyuan or Sendai?
Taiyuan has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Sendai. When comparing the sizes of Taiyuan and Sendai, 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.