Which place is cheaper, Osaka or Tehran?
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 Tehran or Osaka?
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 Tehran and Osaka. 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: Tehran or Osaka?
Tehran
The capital of Iran, Tehran is a cosmopolitan city with great museums, art galleries, parks, restaurants, and more. It is located in the northernmost part of Central Iran at the foot of the towering Alborz mountain range. Some of the most popular attractions include the Treasury of the National Jewels, Golestan Palace, and the Tajrish Bazaar.
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 Coach Bus Tours in Japan, and The Best Adventure Tours to Japan.
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Tehran Prices
Iran PricesOsaka Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTehran $2.72Osaka $103
The average daily cost (per person) in Tehran is $2.72, while the average daily cost in Osaka is $103. 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 Tehran and Osaka in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTehran $1.91Osaka $44
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTehran $3.82Osaka $88
Compare Hotels in Tehran and Osaka
Looking for a hotel in Tehran 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.Tehran $0.01Osaka $13
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Osaka
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Osaka:
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Subway$7.55
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Osaka
Also for Osaka, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Osaka Kansai Airport (KIX)to Arima-Onsen Resorts-Arrival Transfer: $299
- Kansai Airport Osaka City Private Taxi Transfers: $264
- Osaka Airport Transfers : Osaka City to Kansai Airport KIX in Business Van: $245
- Osaka Port Cruise Terminal Private Transfer to or from Kyoto city: $239
- Private Transfer Between Kobe Cruise Port and Shin-Osaka Station: $238
- Private Transfer Between Kobe Port and Osaka Hotels: $238
- Kansai Airport (KIX): Private Transfer To/From Kyoto City Hotels: $230
- Private Departure Transfer : Osaka City to Kansai International Airport: $222
- Roundtrip Transfer from Osaka Airport ITM to Arima-Onsen Resorts: $221
- Universal Studios Japan Round Trip Shared Transfer with ticket: $205
- Departure Private Transfers: Osaka City to Kansai Airport KIX in Business Car: $198
- Osaka Airport Transfers : Osaka City to Kansai Airport KIX in Business Car: $198
Is it cheaper to fly into Tehran or Osaka?
Prices for flights to both Osaka and Tehran 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 dayTehran $0.75Osaka $42
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Osaka
For Osaka, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Osaka Gourmet EXPO 2025 WaiWai Enkai Dinner Plan: $19
- Japanese Home cooking in Osaka: $32
- Osaka Umeda: PICCADILLY DINNER SHOW&NIGHTCLUB with Tasting: $32
- Welcome to Osaka Matrix and Local food tour with Ninja Guide: $36
- Kobe Beef Bowl Cooking Class in Osaka Afternoon: $39
- Osaka Food Tour: Customize Your Taste like an Osakan in Namba: $41
- 1.5 Hour Food Tour at the Kuromon Market in Osaka: $42
- Experience Cooking Takoyaki in its Birthplace, Osaka: $42
- 1 Group Only Osaka Dotonbori Food Tour Wagyu and Ramen Takoyaki: $45
- Kyoto Style Miso Soup and Chirashi Sushi Cooking Experience: $46
- Osaka Okonomiyaki Cooking Experience!: $48
- Japanese Breakfast Cooking in Osaka: $48
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tehran $0.14Osaka $19
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)$29
Tours and Activities in Osaka
For Osaka, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1 Day Kyoto UNESCO World Heritage Sites Bus Tour from Osaka/Kyoto: $49
- 10 Hours Private City Tour in Osaka - Chartered Tour: $174
- 2 Hours Private Guided Walking Tour in Osaka: $26
- 2-Day Bus Tour to Shirakawago & Hida No Sato Winter Illumination: $225
- 3/4/5 Hours Private Tour in Osaka with Local Guide: $116
- 4/5/6 Hours Private Osaka Tour Designed for Cruise Passengers: $155
- 5 Hours Tour with Private Vehicle in Osaka: $257
- 6 Hours Osaka Tour with National Licensed Guide: $250
- 90 min Shared Handmade Udon Experience: $51
- 90-Minute Kimono/Yukata Rental Experience in Osaka – Short Plan: $28
- A One Day Tour of Kyoto’s Traditional Japanese Charm: $69
- Abeno Harukas 300 Observatory Admission Ticket Osaka: $19
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTehran -Osaka $11
Sample the Local Flavors in Osaka
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Osaka:
- Off The Beaten Path Osaka Local Bar Crawl/ 22 Tapas 7 Drinks: $5.79
- Osaka Pub Crawl and Nightlife Tour: $23
- Osaka Nights: Ultimate Pub Bar Crawl with an Expert Local Guide: $34
- Osaka Sake Brewery Tour and Tasting: $41
- 3Hour Osaka Pub Crawl Bar Hopping Nightlife Guided Tour in Namba: $46
- Osaka Winery Tour with Wine Tasting & Vineyard Walk: $84
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tehran and Osaka, we can see that Osaka is more expensive. And not only is Tehran much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Tehran is in Middle East and Osaka is in Asia, 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 Tehran would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tehran 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 Tehran.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tehran Expensive? and Is Osaka Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tehran or Osaka?
Tehran has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Osaka. When comparing the sizes of Tehran 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.
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.