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

Should you visit Tokyo or Plzen?

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

Should I visit Tokyo or Plzen? 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 Plzen?

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.

Plzen

Renowned as the home of the pilsner beer, Plzen is a city located in the West Bohemia region of the Czech Republic. Beyond beer, it also features a number of impressive landmarks some of which include St. Bartholomew's Cathedral and the Great Synagogue.

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


Which place is cheaper, Plzen 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 $176, while the average daily cost in Plzen is $141. 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 Plzen in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Tokyo $74
    Plzen $70
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Tokyo $148
    Plzen $140
Compare Hotels in Tokyo and Plzen

Looking for a hotel in Tokyo or Plzen? 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 Plzen


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 and Plzen Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Tokyo $17
    Plzen $9.45

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tokyo

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

  • Hotel Transfer to/from Disneyland or DisneySea: $40
  • Tokyo Disneyland/DisneySea: Private Transfer To/From Tokyo Hotels: $44
  • HND Airport Private Transfer to/from Tokyo City Center: $45
  • DECKS Tokyo Beach & Odaiba 1 Way Door to Door Shared Transfer: $51
  • Haneda Airport: 1-Way Shared Shuttle Transfer: $54
  • Private transfer from Central Tokyo to Disney Resort: $57
  • Airport Shuttle Arrival Transfer : from Haneda Airport to Tokyo City: $61
  • Tokyo City: One-Way Private Transfer to/from Yokohama City: $63
  • Private Transfer from Tokyo Port to Tokyo Haneda Int Airport(HND): $81
  • Private Transfer from Nagasaki hotels to Nagasaki Cruise Port: $86
  • Japan Haneda Airport to Tokyo City, Transfer (HND): $88
  • Private departure transfer from Tokyo City to Narita International airport: $89

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Plzen

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Plzen:

  • Private Transfer from Pilsen(Plzen) to Prague: $292
  • Private Transfer from Pilsen to Prague with 2 hours for sightseeing: $124
  • Private Transfer from Pilsen to Prague: $94

Is it cheaper to fly into Tokyo or Plzen?

Prices for flights to both Plzen 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 $62
    Plzen $61
Typical Food Prices in Tokyo

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


  • Late Night Noodles
    $5.02
  • Conveyor Belt Sushi Snack
    $5.02
  • Meal at Airport
    $6.55

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tokyo

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

  • Hide's Table A Unique Dinner Gathering Every Wednesday Night: $19
  • Tokyo Tsukiji Fish Market: Traditional Culture & Street Food Tour: $19
  • Tokyo : Vintage, Music & Food Tour in Shimokitazawa with a Local: $22
  • Shibuya 7-Dishes vegetarian dinner at a Japanese izakaya: $29
  • Shinjuku 7-Dishes vegetarian dinner at a Japanese izakaya: $29
  • Asakusa: Senso-ji Sightseeing & Street Food Tour with Photos: $29
  • For First Time Visitor:Tsukiji Food Tour with Tokyo Travel Advice: $32
  • Guided Tsukiji’s Local Food Tour: $32
  • Authentic Homestyle Japanese Cooking Class near Tokyo with Risa: $39
  • Private Yanaka District Walking & Food Tour: $45
  • Weekend Japanese Cooking Demonstration with a Tokyo Mom, Toshiko: $49
  • Matcha Making Tokyo Number One Cooking Class: $50

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Tokyo $66
    Plzen $24

Tours and Activities in Tokyo

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

  • Imperial Palace or Edo Castle Time Trip Learning Walking Tour: $3.19
  • Self-Guided Tour of Tokyo's Hidden Alleys: $3.53
  • Experience Japan’s Beloved Morning Exercise – Radio Taiso”!: $5.10
  • Tokyo Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.00
  • Tsukiji Market Early Morning Tour: $6.38
  • Shinjuku Kabukicho Night Walking Tour: $6.38
  • Cross Roppongi Karaoke Nightclub Ticket (For Foreign): $6.76
  • Tokyo Walking Tour 2h15 and 19 audio reviews: $6.79
  • TOKYO Audio Guide Tour in The East Gardens of the Imperial Palace: $7.65
  • Tokyo Fuji Art Museum Admission Ticket + Special Exhibition (when being held): $7.65
  • Tokyo Castle, Imperial Palace Gardens, Shogun History Tour: $7.66
  • Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in Tokyo: $8.24

Tours and Activities in Plzen

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Plzen are as follows:

  • An Audio Tour of the City of Beer: Pilsen's History and Legends: $7.99
  • Experience Pilsen through Digital Audio Guide in English: $11
  • Pilsen Private Walking Tour: $246
  • Pilsen Walking Tour: Explore Sights & Hidden Gems: $39
  • Pilsen: Beer & Spirit Tasting Tour: $59
  • Pilsen: Historic Underground Tour with a Glass of Beer: $12
  • Pilsen: Old Town Gastronomy Tour: $35
  • Pilsen: Old Town Guided Walking Tour: $59
  • Pilsen: Panoramic Sightseeing - Bus Tour with audio guide: $19
  • Plzeň: Big Bunker Shooting Experience: $186
  • Prague Walking and Beer Tour Discover Hidden Gems: $114

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Tokyo $32
    Plzen $27
Typical Alcohol Prices in Tokyo

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


  • Sake
    $3.77

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: Unique Japanese Drinks in Shimokitazawa: $34
  • 3 Hours Pub Crawl Welcome Guided Tour in Shibuya: $35
  • Sake Brewery Tour Igarashi Shuzo Hanno: $41
  • 3-Hour Tokyo Pub Crawl Nightlife Welcome Guided Tour in Shibuya: $46
  • Tokyo Sake Terroir Journey – Guided by Sake Brewery Professional: $89
  • Tokyo Shinjuku Gay Bar Crawl with Drinks: $90
  • Shibuya Bar Crawl Tour -3 Drinks & Local Foods-: $102
  • Tokyo's Oldest Sake Brewery and jump into historic town: $109
  • Private Sake Tasting at 300 Years Old Sake Brewery in Tokyo: $121
  • Sake Brewery and Spiritual Nature Tour in Okutama Tokyo: $131
  • Private Shinjuku Nightlife Walking Tour & Golden-Gai Bar Crawl: $147
  • Private Tour: Tokyo's Oldest Sake Brewery and Riverside Walk: $239

Sample the Local Flavors in Plzen

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Plzen:

  • Pilsen: Brewery Museum Entrance with a Glass of Beer: $7.62
  • Pilsen: Pilsner Urquell Brewery Tour with Beer Tasting: $21
  • Pilsen Highlights Small-Group Tour and Pilsner Brewery Tour including Lunch and Beer Tasting: $130


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

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


Which is Bigger, Tokyo or Plzen?

Tokyo has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Plzen. When comparing the sizes of Tokyo and Plzen, 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 Plzen?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Tokyo or Plzen in the Summer?

Both Plzen and Tokyo during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Tokyo in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Tokyo is a little warmer than Plzen. Typically, the summer temperatures in Tokyo in July average around 26°C (78°F), and Plzen averages at about 20°C (67°F).

In Plzen, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Tokyo often gets less sunshine than Plzen. Tokyo gets 137 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Plzen receives 212 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Tokyo. Tokyo usually gets more rain in July than Plzen. Tokyo gets 127 mm (5 in) of rain, while Plzen receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Tokyo 26°C (78°F) 
    Plzen 20°C (67°F)

Should I visit Tokyo or Plzen in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Tokyo and Plzen. Most visitors come to Tokyo for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Tokyo is generally much warmer than Plzen. Daily temperatures in Tokyo average around 18°C (64°F), and Plzen fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Tokyo usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Plzen during autumn. Tokyo gets 129 hours of sunny skies, while Plzen receives 120 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Tokyo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Tokyo usually receives more rain than Plzen. Tokyo gets 165 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Plzen receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Tokyo 18°C (64°F) 
    Plzen 11°C (51°F)

Should I visit Tokyo or Plzen in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Tokyo as well as Plzen. The winter months attract visitors to Tokyo because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Plzen in the winter. Tokyo is much warmer than Plzen in the winter. The daily temperature in Tokyo averages around 5°C (42°F) in January, and Plzen fluctuates around -1°C (31°F).

In the winter, Tokyo often gets more sunshine than Plzen. Tokyo gets 175 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Plzen receives 45 hours of full sun.

Tokyo usually gets more rain in January than Plzen. Tokyo gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Plzen receives 25 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Tokyo 5°C (42°F) 
    Plzen -1°C (31°F)

Should I visit Tokyo or Plzen in the Spring?

Both Plzen and Tokyo are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Tokyo this time of year.

In the spring, Tokyo is a little warmer than Plzen. Typically, the spring temperatures in Tokyo in April average around 14°C (58°F), and Plzen averages at about 11°C (51°F).

Tokyo usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Plzen during spring. Tokyo gets 161 hours of sunny skies, while Plzen receives 164 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Tokyo. In April, Tokyo usually receives more rain than Plzen. Tokyo gets 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Plzen receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Tokyo 14°C (58°F) 
    Plzen 11°C (51°F)

Typical Weather for Plzen and Tokyo

Tokyo Plzen
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 5°C (42°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) -1°C (31°F) 25 mm (1 in)
Feb 6°C (42°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 2°C (35°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Mar 9°C (47°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 6°C (42°F) 27 mm (1.1 in)
Apr 14°C (58°F) 125 mm (4.9 in) 11°C (51°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)
May 19°C (66°F) 138 mm (5.4 in) 15°C (59°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Jun 22°C (71°F) 186 mm (7.3 in) 18°C (64°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Jul 26°C (78°F) 127 mm (5 in) 20°C (67°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 148 mm (5.8 in) 19°C (67°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Sep 23°C (74°F) 180 mm (7.1 in) 16°C (61°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
Oct 18°C (64°F) 165 mm (6.5 in) 11°C (51°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Nov 13°C (55°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 5°C (41°F) 32 mm (1.3 in)
Dec 8°C (46°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 1°C (34°F) 23 mm (0.9 in)