Which place is cheaper, Harbin or Tokyo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Tokyo or Harbin?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Tokyo or Harbin? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Tokyo or Harbin?
Tokyo
Tokyo, the capital of Japan, is by far the most populous city in the world with a staggering 37 million people. As a worldwide hub for technology and business, it hosts millions of visitors annually. But Tokyo is not just a place for business trips. With its incredible mixture of historical temples and shrines, remarkably beautiful parks, endless shopping malls, and genuinely wonderful people, Tokyo is a terrific place to visit and to explore.
Harbin
Harbin, China is the northernmost major city in the country, with a population of over 10 million. Harbin was founded in 1897 by Russia, which has resulted in a lot of Russian influence throughout the city and many Russian citizens. The city is most famous for their annual International Snow and Ice Festival, a two-month-long festival running from January through February of each year.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Japan, The Best Bicycle Tours in Japan, The Best 2-Week Tours in China, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTokyo $157Harbin $54
The average daily cost (per person) in Tokyo is $157, while the average daily cost in Harbin is $54. 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 Tokyo and Harbin in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTokyo $76Harbin $21
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTokyo $152Harbin $42
Compare Hotels in Tokyo and Harbin
Looking for a hotel in Tokyo or Harbin? 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: Tokyo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tokyo $17Harbin $1.49
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tokyo
Also for Tokyo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- [Private airport transfer]Haneda Airport (HND)⇔Tokyo City: $150
- Yokohama Private Arrival Transfer : Tokyo Hotels to Yokohama Port or Hotels: $152
- Yokohama Port: Private Customizable Tour with Transfer: $328
- Transfer in private vehicle from Tokyo City Center to Narita Airport: $90
- Transfer in private minivan from Tokyo City Center to Narita Airport: $110
- Transfer in Private Minivan from Tokyo Narita Airport to City Center: $110
- Tokyo:Haneda Airport (HND) Private One-Way Transfer to Tokyo: $125
- Private transfer to/from Yokohama Osanbashi Port: $189
- Private Transfer from/to Tokyo Narita Airport: $226
- Private Transfer from/to Tokyo Haneda Airport: $136
- Private Transfer from Haneda Airport for Arrivals: $75
- Private One-Way Transfer to/from Haneda Airport: $95
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Harbin
Also for Harbin, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shared Transfer Service to Ice and Snow World, Sun Island Snow Festival: $250
- Harbin City Car Transfer Service with Driver: $168
- Private Full Day Transfer Service to Harbin Top Winter Attractions: $168
- Shared Night Transfer Service to Harbin Ice and Snow World: $85
- Harbin Taiping Airport Chauffeur Service , Harbin Airport Transfer,Pick up: $78
- Private HRB Airport Departure Transfer from Harbin City Hotel: $70
- Private HRB Airport Arrival Transfer to Harbin City Hotel: $70
- Private Arrival Transfer from Harbin West Railway Station to Harbin City Hotel: $65
- Harbin Airport (HRB) : Private Arrival Transfer with Meet & Greet Service: $32
- Harbin Airport Chauffeur Service, Harbin Airport Transfer: $27
- Private Departure Transfer:City Hotel to Any Harbin Railway Station : $25
Is it cheaper to fly into Tokyo or Harbin?
Prices for flights to both Harbin and Tokyo 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 dayTokyo $37Harbin $14
Typical Food Prices in Tokyo
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Tokyo:
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Late Night Noodles$5.22
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Conveyor Belt Sushi Snack$5.22
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Meal at Airport$6.80
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tokyo
For Tokyo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Takoyaki cooking experience in Kabukicho, Shinjuku: $22
- Easy Ramen Cooking Experience in Kabukicho, Shinjuku: $25
- 2 Hours Japanese Style Pub and Food Tour in Ueno: $32
- 【Contemporary Culture】Food tour I Always Visit in Shibuya: $38
- 【Contemporary Culture】food tour I Always Visit in Shibuya: $39
- Tokyo Best Cooking Class! Sushi Making Experience in Tsukiji: $52
- Tokyo Best Cooking Class！ Sushi making class in Tsukiji: $55
- Japanese Traditional Cooking Class: $58
- Wagyu and 7 Japanese Dishes Cooking Class: $59
- Tokyo Wagyu Culinary Tour Cooking Culture and Tasting: $65
- Small-Group Wagyu Beef and 7 Japanese Dishes Tokyo Cooking Class: $68
- Private Food Tour in Downtown Yanesen and Nezu Shrine: $72
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Harbin
For Harbin, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Half-Day Private Harbin Beer Museum and Food Tour Including Harbin Beer1900: $157
- 4-Hour Private Night Tour to Harbin Ice and Snow World with Dinner Options: $261
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tokyo $68Harbin $52
Tours and Activities in Tokyo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tokyo.
- Art Japanese Fan Crafting Experience in Tokyo Asakusa: $23
- Authentic Samurai Experience With Real Actors: $97
- Mt. Fuji Roundtrip Tours From Shinjuku, Japan: $84
- “Your name.” Going on an electric bicycle <Roppongi, Shinanomachi, Shinjuku> A 6-hour tour of a sacred place. (With support car): $133
- "Nippori Fabric Town" Walking Tour: $41
- *Starting / Ending at Your Hotel* 3hr Private E-bike Tour Tokyo: $134
- 1 Day Bus Tour To Mitsumine Shrine From Shinjuku: $88
- 1 Day Tokyo Charter Private Tour with English & Hindi Driver: $347
- 1 Day Tokyo Private Charter Sightseeing Tour with Guide: $484
- 1 Day Tokyo Sightseeing Tour Private Wagon: $474
- 1 Day Walking Tour in Asakusa Traditional Tokyo and Nature: $143
- 1 Day private Tour in Hakone with Hakone Freepass & Train Ticket: $84
Tours and Activities in Harbin
For Harbin, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1-Day Harbin Private Tour: $130
- 2-Day Harbin City Private Tour in Your Way in Winter Season: $280
- 4-Hour Private Tour of the Largest Indoor Ice and Snow Paradise: $136
- From Amazing Day Trip Including tickets: $400
- Full Day Private Tour to Harbin Ice and Snow Festival: $250
- Group Tour to Harbin Ice and Snow World plus Sun Island Snow Sculpture Festival: $298
- Harbin City Group Tour including Crossing Songhua River by Ropeway and Ice Swimming Show: $290
- Harbin City Guided Tour to Zhongyang Street and Sophia Church: $180
- Harbin City Private Day Tour in Your Way in Winter Season: $200
- Harbin Ice Festival New Year Eve Countdown Group Tour on December 31: $200
- Private City Tour of Harbin: $360
- Private Half Day City Tour including Russian Town and Harbin Ropeway Ride: $150
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTokyo $33Harbin $7.83
Typical Alcohol Prices in Tokyo
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Tokyo:
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Sake$3.91
Sample the Local Flavors in Tokyo
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Tokyo:
- Tokyo Pub Crawl: $25
- 3-Hour Tokyo Pub Crawl Weekly Welcome Guided Tour in Shibuya: $52
- Private Shinjuku Nightlife Walking Tour & Golden-Gai Bar Crawl: $78
- barhopping tour&bar crawl in Retro Town Shimokitazawa: $82
- Toshimaya Sake Brewery Tour with Sake Tasting: $88
- Tokyo | 3 Hours Brewery Tour with Sake Sommelier: $101
- Private Sake Tasting at 300 Years Old Sake Brewery in Tokyo : $104
- Sake Brewery and Spiritual Nature Tour in Okutama Tokyo: $133
- Private Local Craft Brewery Tour in Tokyo: $150
- Wooden Barrel Sake Brewery Tour and Unlimited Tasting Near Tokyo: $161
- Private Walking Tour with Sake Brewery Visit in Chichibu: $190
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tokyo and Harbin, we can see that Tokyo is more expensive. And not only is Harbin much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Harbin would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Harbin 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 Tokyo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tokyo than you might in Harbin.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tokyo Expensive? and Is Harbin Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tokyo or Harbin?
Tokyo has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Harbin. When comparing the sizes of Tokyo and Harbin, 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 Tokyo or Harbin?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Tokyo or Harbin in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Tokyo and Harbin. The city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Tokyo this time of year.
In July, Tokyo is generally around the same temperature as Harbin. Daily temperatures in Tokyo average around 26°C (78°F), and Harbin fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
Harbin receives a lot of rain in the summer. Tokyo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Tokyo usually receives less rain than Harbin. Tokyo gets 127 mm (5 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 153 mm (6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyTokyo 26°C (78°F)Harbin 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Tokyo or Harbin in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Tokyo as well as Harbin. Many travelers come to Tokyo for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Tokyo is much warmer than Harbin in the autumn. The daily temperature in Tokyo averages around 18°C (64°F) in October, and Harbin fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).
Tokyo receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Tokyo usually gets more rain in October than Harbin. Tokyo gets 165 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberTokyo 18°C (64°F)Harbin 7°C (44°F)
Should I visit Tokyo or Harbin in the Winter?
Both Harbin and Tokyo are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Tokyo in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Harbin can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Tokyo is much warmer than Harbin. Typically, the winter temperatures in Tokyo in January average around 5°C (42°F), and Harbin averages at about -18°C (-0°F).
In January, Tokyo usually receives more rain than Harbin. Tokyo gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryTokyo 5°C (42°F)Harbin -18°C (-0°F)
Should I visit Tokyo or Harbin in the Spring?
Both Harbin and Tokyo during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Tokyo for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.
In April, Tokyo is generally much warmer than Harbin. Daily temperatures in Tokyo average around 14°C (58°F), and Harbin fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Tokyo. Tokyo usually gets more rain in April than Harbin. Tokyo gets 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 21 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilTokyo 14°C (58°F)Harbin 8°C (46°F)
Typical Weather for Harbin and Tokyo
| Tokyo | Harbin | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 5°C (42°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | -18°C (-0°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (42°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | -14°C (7°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | 9°C (47°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | -3°C (26°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 14°C (58°F) | 125 mm (4.9 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| May | 19°C (66°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (71°F) | 186 mm (7.3 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 26°C (78°F) | 127 mm (5 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 153 mm (6 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (74°F) | 180 mm (7.1 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 18°C (64°F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (55°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | -4°C (24°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Dec | 8°C (46°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | -14°C (7°F) | 5 mm (0.2 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.