Which place is cheaper, Nikko or Tiger Leaping Gorge?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Tiger Leaping Gorge or Nikko?
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 Tiger Leaping Gorge and Nikko. 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: Tiger Leaping Gorge or Nikko?
Tiger Leaping Gorge
One of the deepest gorges in the world, Tiger Leaping Gorge gets its name from legend, where a tiger used a great rock in the center of the gorge as a stepping stone to leap from one side to the other. It is surrounded by stunning mountain scenery on either side with the Yangtze River rushing down through its center. Visitors come to Tiger Leaping Gorge to hike and witness its natural beauty.
Nikko
Nikko is a small Japanese city located in the mountains north of Tokyo. It is well-known for the site of Toshogu, a famed Shinto shrine established in 1617, in memory of Tokugawa Ieyasu who was the founding ruler of the Edo Period. The town is situated just outside of Nikko National Park which offers scenic mountain landscapes, lakes, waterfalls, hot springs, wild monkeys, and hiking trails.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Beijing, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Lhasa, The Best 10-Day Tours in Japan, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Japan.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTiger Leaping Gorge $41Nikko $82
The average daily cost (per person) in Tiger Leaping Gorge is $41, while the average daily cost in Nikko is $82. 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 Tiger Leaping Gorge and Nikko in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTiger Leaping Gorge $13Nikko $46
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTiger Leaping Gorge $26Nikko $92
Compare Hotels in Tiger Leaping Gorge and Nikko
Looking for a hotel in Tiger Leaping Gorge or Nikko? 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: Nikko Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tiger Leaping Gorge $17Nikko -
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nikko
Also for Nikko, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Haneda Airport to/from Nikko City Private Transfer: $613
- Kinugawa Osen to Tokyo Haneda Airport Departure Private Transfer: $263
- Kinugawa Osen to Tokyo Narita Airport Private Departure Transfer: $263
- Narita Airport to/from Nikko City Private Transfer: $613
Is it cheaper to fly into Tiger Leaping Gorge or Nikko?
Prices for flights to both Nikko and Tiger Leaping Gorge 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 dayTiger Leaping Gorge $16Nikko $31
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tiger Leaping Gorge $15Nikko $21
Tours and Activities in Nikko
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Nikko.
- Nikko self-guided tour app with multi-language audioguide: $4.28
- World Heritage Nikko Walking Tour - Toshogu Shrine, Kanmangafuchi: $59
- Visit the Unexplored Regions of Lake Chuzenji-Scenic Trekking and Rafting Tour: $76
- Nikko Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide: $137
- Nikko Custom Half Day Tour: $144
- Nikko Custom Full Day Tour: $228
- Nikko Private Full-Day Sightseeing Day Tour: $474
- Full Day Private Nikko Tour from Tokyo with English Driver: $474
- Nikko Toshogu, Lake Chuzenjiko & Kegon Waterfall 1 Day Tour: $483
- Full-Day Private Nikko Tour with English Speaking Driver: $600
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTiger Leaping Gorge $6.36Nikko $15
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tiger Leaping Gorge and Nikko, we can see that Nikko is more expensive. And not only is Tiger Leaping Gorge much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Tiger Leaping Gorge would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tiger Leaping Gorge 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 Nikko would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nikko than you might in Tiger Leaping Gorge.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tiger Leaping Gorge Expensive? and Is Nikko Expensive?.
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.