A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Tokyo vs. Havana for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Tokyo or Havana?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Tokyo or Havana? 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 Havana?

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.

Havana

The city of Havana is at the top of most peoples' bucket list - mostly because of the allure of a forbidden land. Before the Communist revolution, Cuba was a popular tourist destination. Since it has reopened in the 1990s, it has drawn tourists from all over the world (except the US).

This capital city is a land trapped in the past. With 50 years of neglect, when you step off the plane, prepare to step back in time. A trip to Havana is meant for those with truly open minds - and when they arrive they'll be swept away.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Japan, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Japan.


Which place is cheaper, Havana or Tokyo?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Tokyo is $179, while the average daily cost in Havana 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 Tokyo and Havana in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Tokyo $75
    Havana $46
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Tokyo $150
    Havana $92
Compare Hotels in Tokyo and Havana

Looking for a hotel in Tokyo or Havana? 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.

Hotels in Tokyo


Hotels in Havana


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Tokyo $17
    Havana $21

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tokyo

Also for Tokyo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • (HND) Haneda Airport Private Transfer to Central Tokyo: $97
  • Airport Shuttle Arrival Transfer : from Haneda Airport to Tokyo City: $62
  • Airport Transfer: Haneda Airport and Tokyo 23 wards: $135
  • Airport Transfer: Tokyo City to Narita Airport NRT by Luxury Van: $260
  • Center Tokyo Private One Way Transfer To Haneda Airport: $110
  • Departure Private Transfer: Tokyo to Haneda Airport HND in Sedan: $276
  • Departure Transfer from Tokyo City to Haneda Airport HND by van: $180
  • Departure Transfer: Tokyo to Narita Airport NRT by Sedan Car: $242
  • Experience Private Transfer Between Yokohama and Tokyo: $130
  • Haneda Airport (HND) Transfers: One-Way to Central Tokyo/Yokohama: $86
  • Haneda Airport (HND) to Tokyo 23 Wards – Private Transfer: $136
  • Haneda Airport (HND): Private Transfer To/From Tokyo Hotels: $119

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Havana

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Havana:


  • Short Taxi Ride
    $0.75

Is it cheaper to fly into Tokyo or Havana?

Prices for flights to both Havana 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Tokyo $63
    Havana $20
Typical Food Prices in Tokyo

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Tokyo:


  • Late Night Noodles
    $5.10
  • Conveyor Belt Sushi Snack
    $5.10
  • Meal at Airport
    $6.65

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tokyo

For Tokyo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Tokyo Tsukiji Fish Market: Traditional Culture & Street Food Tour: $19
  • Asakusa: Senso-ji Sightseeing & Street Food Tour with Photos: $29
  • Shinjuku 7-Dishes vegetarian dinner at a Japanese izakaya: $29
  • Shibuya 7-Dishes vegetarian dinner at a Japanese izakaya: $29
  • Shinjuku: 7-Dishes vegetarian dinner at a Japanese izakaya: $29
  • Guided Tsukiji’s Local Food Tour: $32
  • Ueno Private Walking Tour and Night Food Tour: $39
  • Authentic Homestyle Japanese Cooking Class near Tokyo with Risa: $39
  • Giant Sushi Cooking Class: Make a 1.5m Sushi Roll in Tokyo: $42
  • Weekend Japanese Cooking Demonstration with a Tokyo Mom, Toshiko: $49
  • Traditional Matcha Making Cooking Class & Tea Ceremony in Tokyo: $50
  • Tokyo Home Cooking & Cultural Experience with a Local Family: $57

Typical Food Prices in Havana

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Havana:


  • Pizza
    $0.04

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Tokyo $67
    Havana $12

Tours and Activities in Tokyo

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tokyo.

  • Podcast Tour Wire to Idol - Akihabara's Secret Code: $5.45
  • Tokyo Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.00
  • Mt Fuji/Lake Kawaguchi 1 day Private Bus Tour: $6.50
  • Cross Roppongi Karaoke Nightclub Ticket (For Foreign): $6.76
  • Podcast Tour Tokyo From Market to Sushi Masterpiece: $6.82
  • Tokyo Walking Tour 2h15 and 19 audio reviews: $6.91
  • Tokyo Fuji Art Museum Admission Ticket + Special Exhibition (when being held): $7.79
  • Tokyo Fist of the North Star Original Manga Exhibition Ticket: $8.44
  • Tokyo Metro Subway Ticket: $8.85
  • 24 Hour Tokyo City Sightseeing Ticket: $9.00
  • Authentic Matcha Experience in a Traditional Japanese Tea Room: $10
  • Shibuya drinking tour: $10

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Tokyo $32
    Havana $6.37
Typical Alcohol Prices in Tokyo

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Tokyo:


  • Sake
    $3.83

Sample the Local Flavors in Tokyo

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Tokyo:

  • Low-cost local pub & bar crawling: $32
  • Tokyo Pub Crawl: Unique Japanese Drinks in Shimokitazawa: $34
  • 3 Hours Pub Crawl Welcome Guided Tour in Shibuya: $35
  • Tokyo Pub Crawl: Unique Japanese Drinks in Shimokitazawa: $36
  • 3-Hour Tokyo Pub Crawl Nightlife Welcome Guided Tour in Shibuya: $46
  • Unique Brewery Tour and One-of-a-Kind Sake Tasting Near Tokyo: $64
  • Tokyo Japanese Wine Tasting Experience (Not Sake) | Near Shibuya: $65
  • Nikko Toshogu Shrine and Japanese Sake Brewery Day Tour: $84
  • Tokyo Shinjuku Gay Bar Crawl with Drinks: $90
  • Shibuya Bar Crawl Tour -3 Drinks & Local Foods-: $104
  • Shinjuku Bar Crawl Tour -3 Drinks & Local foods-: $104
  • Tokyo's Oldest Sake Brewery and jump into historic town: $117

Typical Alcohol Prices in Havana

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Havana:


  • Mojito
    $0.17


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tokyo and Havana, we can see that Tokyo is more expensive. And not only is Havana much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Tokyo is in Asia and Havana is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Havana would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Havana 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 Havana.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tokyo Expensive? and Is Havana Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Tokyo or Havana?

Tokyo has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Havana. When comparing the sizes of Tokyo and Havana, 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 Havana?

Tokyo has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Havana experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Tokyo or Havana in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Tokyo as well as Havana. The city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Tokyo this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to Havana throughout the year.

Tokyo is around the same temperature as Havana in the summer. The daily temperature in Tokyo averages around 26°C (78°F) in July, and Havana fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

Tokyo receives a lot of rain in the summer. Tokyo usually gets more rain in July than Havana. Tokyo gets 127 mm (5 in) of rain, while Havana receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Tokyo 26°C (78°F) 
    Havana 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Tokyo or Havana in the Autumn?

Both Havana and Tokyo are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. 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. Plenty of visitors come to Havana because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the autumn, Tokyo is cooler than Havana. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Tokyo in October average around 18°C (64°F), and Havana averages at about 25°C (77°F).

It's quite rainy in Tokyo. In October, Tokyo usually receives more rain than Havana. Tokyo gets 165 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Havana receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Tokyo 18°C (64°F) 
    Havana 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Tokyo or Havana in the Winter?

Both Havana and Tokyo during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Tokyo in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Havana year-round.

In January, Tokyo is generally much colder than Havana. Daily temperatures in Tokyo average around 5°C (42°F), and Havana fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

Tokyo usually gets more rain in January than Havana. Tokyo gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Havana receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Tokyo 5°C (42°F) 
    Havana 21°C (70°F)

Should I visit Tokyo or Havana in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Tokyo and Havana. Most visitors come to Tokyo for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. Havana attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Tokyo is much colder than Havana in the spring. The daily temperature in Tokyo averages around 14°C (58°F) in April, and Havana fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

Tokyo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Tokyo usually receives more rain than Havana. Tokyo gets 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Havana receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Tokyo 14°C (58°F) 
    Havana 24°C (75°F)

Typical Weather for Havana and Tokyo

Tokyo Havana
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 5°C (42°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 21°C (70°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Feb 6°C (42°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 22°C (72°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Mar 9°C (47°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 23°C (73°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Apr 14°C (58°F) 125 mm (4.9 in) 24°C (75°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
May 19°C (66°F) 138 mm (5.4 in) 26°C (79°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Jun 22°C (71°F) 186 mm (7.3 in) 27°C (81°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Jul 26°C (78°F) 127 mm (5 in) 27°C (81°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 148 mm (5.8 in) 27°C (81°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Sep 23°C (74°F) 180 mm (7.1 in) 26°C (79°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Oct 18°C (64°F) 165 mm (6.5 in) 25°C (77°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Nov 13°C (55°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 23°C (73°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Dec 8°C (46°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 22°C (72°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)