Which place is cheaper, Vancouver or Tokyo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Tokyo or Vancouver?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Tokyo or Vancouver? 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 Vancouver?
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.
Vancouver
Vancouver is a beautiful and cosmopolitan city in Western Canada. It is also the largest city in British Columbia, and is dramatically positioned between the coast and mountains. It's a very international city, with a high level of energy and countless activites that you can enjoy while you're in town. In addition to offering all of the activities and entertainment of a modern city, it is also in jumping off distance to any number of outdoor activities.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Japan, The Best Bicycle Tours in Japan, The Best 10-Day Tours from Vancouver, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Canada.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTokyo $157Vancouver $142
The average daily cost (per person) in Tokyo is $157, while the average daily cost in Vancouver is $142. 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 Vancouver in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTokyo $77Vancouver $87
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTokyo $154Vancouver $174
Compare Hotels in Tokyo and Vancouver
Looking for a hotel in Tokyo or Vancouver? 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 and Vancouver Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tokyo $17Vancouver $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tokyo
Also for Tokyo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer between Tokyo and Hakuba or Nozawa: $1,177
- Hakuba: Private transfer from/to Tokyo/HND by minibus max 9: $843
- Private Transfers between Tokyo and Snow Monkey Park: $822
- One Way Shuttle Van Transfer, Tokyo ⇔ Nagano: $732
- Haneda airport to/from Naeba city Private Transfer: $673
- From Tokyo:Private tour to Kamakura with Round-way transfer: $599
- Haneda airport to/from Karuizawa Town Private Transfer: $588
- 10-hour Customizable Private Tour with Hotel Transfer: $562
- One Way Shuttle Van Transfer, Tokyo ⇔ Nikko: $536
- Narita Airport: Private one way transfer by Luxury car/Van: $497
- Haneda Airport to/from Kamakura City Private Transfer: $497
- Private Customizable Tour with Transfer: $471
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Vancouver
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Vancouver are as follows:
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SkyTrain from Airport$6.40
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Taxi from Airport to Downtown$21
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15 min Taxi Ride$8.78
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SkyTrain DayPass$6.58
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vancouver
Also for Vancouver, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Vancouver Airport (YVR) Transfer to Whistler: $611
- Private Transfer from Whistler to Vancouver Airport YVR: $602
- Private Transfer from Downtown Vancouver to Whistler: $571
- Private Transfer from YVR Airport To Whistler: $511
- Vancouver Airport(YVR): Transfer to Canada Place Cruise Port: $428
- Canada Place Cruise Port: Transfer to Vancouver hotels: $428
- Maximize Your Cruise Adventure: Vancouver Tour & Transfer: $292
- Private Transfer, Langley, BC to Vancouver International Airport-VIP Sedan: $280
- Vancouver Cruise Transfers/ City Sightseeing Tour Private: $277
- Private Transfer from Vancouver (YVR) Airport to Vancouver City: $270
- Vancouver, BC: Scenic Seaplane Transfer to Seattle, WA: $258
- Private Transfer, Vancouver Intl. Airport to Vancouver, BC - VIP, SEDAN : $250
Is it cheaper to fly into Tokyo or Vancouver?
Prices for flights to both Vancouver 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 $37Vancouver $31
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$5.23
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Conveyor Belt Sushi Snack$5.23
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Meal at Airport$6.81
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: $23
- Easy Ramen Cooking Experience in Kabukicho, Shinjuku: $26
- 2 Hours Japanese Style Pub and Food Tour in Ueno: $32
- Private Sushi Roll Cooking Class in Japan: $39
- Ueno Private Walking Tour and Night Food Tour: $40
- Sushi Making Experience in Tsukiji 90-Minute cooking class: $54
- Tokyo Best Cooking Class！ Sushi making class in Tsukiji: $55
- Japanese Traditional Cooking Class: $58
- Wagyu and 7 Japanese Dishes Cooking Class: $61
- 【Contemporary Culture】Food tour I Always Visit in Shibuya: $65
- Japanese Home Cooking Class near Tokyo Disneyland: $66
- 【Contemporary Culture】food tour I Always Visit in Shibuya: $67
Typical Food Prices in Vancouver
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Vancouver:
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All You Can Eat Sushi Lunch$8.87
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Vancouver
For Vancouver, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- A Wok Around Food Tour of the Granville Island Public Market: $84
- The Gastown Experience Walking Food Tour: $94
- Gastown Historic Walking Food Tour: $100
- Vancouver Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $100
- North Vancouver Shipyards Food Tour: $108
- Vancouver Authentic Chinese Food Tour: $134
- VIP Granville Island Market Vancouver - Walking Food Tour: $138
- Authentic Asian Eats Walking Food Tour: $142
- 3-Hour Bowen Island Boat Cruise with Dinner: $153
- Evening Cruise with Dinner Buffet: $153
- Vancouver Evening Dinner Cruise: $157
- Granville Island Uncorked Walking Food Tour: $161
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tokyo $69Vancouver $36
Tours and Activities in Tokyo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tokyo.
- 4 Hours Private Shibuya - Shinjuku Night Tour: $100
- Art Japanese Fan Crafting Experience in Tokyo Asakusa: $23
- Authentic Samurai Experience With Real Actors: $100
- 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): $137
- "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 Private Charter Sightseeing Tour with Guide: $500
- 1 Day Tokyo Sightseeing Tour Private Wagon: $490
- 1 Day Walking Tour in Asakusa Traditional Tokyo and Nature: $147
- 1 Day Walking Tour in Shinjuku and Shibuya: The Best of Both: $152
Tours and Activities in Vancouver
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Vancouver.
- Guided Bike /E-bike Tour in Whistler From Vancouver: $219
- Sunshine Coast Escape (Around Vancouver) Small Group Tour: $145
- $99 Vancouver 2 Hours City Tour Private: $102
- 2 Days Leavenworth Christmastown Tour from Vancouver (Chn&Eng): $192
- 2-in-1 Vancouver city Tour: $234
- 3-Day Vancouver City Tour Package With Whistler & Victoria: $2,413
- 3hr Private Sightseeing Tour Vancouver (from Vancouver City): $456
- 3hr Private Sightseeing Tour-Vancouver City (fr YVR/Cruise): $583
- 4-Hour Private Tour of Vancouver's Gardens: $334
- 5 Days in Vancouver Multiactivity Adventure Tour: $2,413
- 5hr Private Sightseeing Tour-Vancouver (from Vancouver City): $710
- 5hr Private Sightseeing Tour-Vancouver City (fr YVR/Cruise): $837
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTokyo $33Vancouver $16
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$3.92
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: $80
- Toshimaya Sake Brewery Tour with Sake Tasting: $92
- barhopping tour&bar crawl in Retro Town Shimokitazawa: $98
- Private Sake Tasting at 300 Years Old Sake Brewery in Tokyo : $104
- Tokyo | 3 Hours Brewery Tour with Sake Sommelier: $105
- Sake Brewery and Spiritual Nature Tour in Okutama Tokyo: $137
- Private Local Craft Brewery Tour in Tokyo: $150
- Wooden Barrel Sake Brewery Tour and Unlimited Tasting Near Tokyo: $167
- Private Walking Tour with Sake Brewery Visit in Chichibu: $190
- Private tour: Tokyo's Oldest Sake Brewery and riverside walk.: $233
Sample the Local Flavors in Vancouver
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Vancouver:
- Vancouver - Granville Pub Crawl ROUTE B: $18
- Gastown Pub Crawl: $22
- Vancouver - Granville Pub Crawl: $26
- 3.5-Hour Craft Brewery Tour: $88
- Fraser Valley Wine Tour with a light Lunch from Vancouver: $134
- Vancouver Wine Tour (Fraser Valley): $134
- From Half-Day Fraser Valley Wine Tour: $138
- From Fraser Valley Wine Tour with Local Tastings: $139
- Taste of the Valley Wine Tour: $148
- Stawamus Chief Hike and Local Brewery Tasting: $165
- Fraser Valley & White Rock Premium Public Wine Tour: $166
- Stawamus Chief Hike & Local Brewery Tasting : $167
When comparing the travel costs between Tokyo and Vancouver, we can see that Tokyo is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Tokyo is in Asia and Vancouver is in North America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tokyo Expensive? and Is Vancouver Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tokyo or Vancouver?
Tokyo has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Vancouver. When comparing the sizes of Tokyo and Vancouver, 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 Vancouver?
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 Vancouver in the Summer?
Both Vancouver and Tokyo are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Tokyo for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Tokyo is a little warmer than Vancouver. Typically, the summer temperatures in Tokyo in July average around 26°C (78°F), and Vancouver averages at about 18°C (64°F).
It's quite sunny in Vancouver. Tokyo usually receives less sunshine than Vancouver during summer. Tokyo gets 137 hours of sunny skies, while Vancouver receives 296 hours of full sun in the summer.
It's quite rainy in Tokyo. In July, Tokyo usually receives more rain than Vancouver. Tokyo gets 127 mm (5 in) of rain, while Vancouver receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyTokyo 26°C (78°F)Vancouver 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Tokyo or Vancouver in the Autumn?
Both Vancouver and Tokyo during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Tokyo because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Tokyo is generally much warmer than Vancouver. Daily temperatures in Tokyo average around 18°C (64°F), and Vancouver fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
In the autumn, Tokyo often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Vancouver. Tokyo gets 129 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vancouver receives 124 hours of full sun.
Vancouver gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Tokyo. Tokyo usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Vancouver. Tokyo gets 165 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Vancouver receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberTokyo 18°C (64°F)Vancouver 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Tokyo or Vancouver in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Tokyo and Vancouver. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Tokyo this time of year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Vancouver. Tokyo is a little warmer than Vancouver in the winter. The daily temperature in Tokyo averages around 5°C (42°F) in January, and Vancouver fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).
Tokyo usually receives more sunshine than Vancouver during winter. Tokyo gets 175 hours of sunny skies, while Vancouver receives 55 hours of full sun in the winter.
Vancouver receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Tokyo usually receives less rain than Vancouver. Tokyo gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Vancouver receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryTokyo 5°C (42°F)Vancouver 4°C (40°F)
Should I visit Tokyo or Vancouver in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Tokyo as well as Vancouver. Many travelers come to Tokyo for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Tokyo is much warmer than Vancouver. Typically, the spring temperatures in Tokyo in April average around 14°C (58°F), and Vancouver averages at about 9°C (49°F).
In the spring, Tokyo often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Vancouver. Tokyo gets 161 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vancouver receives 172 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Vancouver. Tokyo receives a lot of rain in the spring. Tokyo usually gets more rain in April than Vancouver. Tokyo gets 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Vancouver receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilTokyo 14°C (58°F)Vancouver 9°C (49°F)
Typical Weather for Vancouver and Tokyo
| Tokyo | Vancouver | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 5°C (42°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (42°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 179 mm (7.1 in) |
| Mar | 9°C (47°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) |
| Apr | 14°C (58°F) | 125 mm (4.9 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| May | 19°C (66°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (71°F) | 186 mm (7.3 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jul | 26°C (78°F) | 127 mm (5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (74°F) | 180 mm (7.1 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Oct | 18°C (64°F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (55°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) |
| Dec | 8°C (46°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 198 mm (7.8 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.