Which place is cheaper, Whitsundays or Tokyo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Tokyo or Whitsundays?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Tokyo or Whitsundays? 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 Whitsundays?
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.
Whitsundays
Just off the coast of Queensland, Australia is a cluster of 74 different islands. These islands, the Whitsunday Islands, welcome over a half a million visitors every year to see one of the Seven Wonders of the World - the Great Barrier Reef.
As one of the most famous destinations in the world, it's not uncommon to see expensive yachts sailing around among the private ferries. Most of the islands are designated as national parks with access to snorkeling and diving in the coral reefs, or just to lay in the sand on the famous Whitehaven Beach.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Japan, The Best Bicycle Tours in Japan, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Melbourne, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Australia.
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Tokyo Prices
Japan PricesWhitsundays Prices
Australia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTokyo $190Whitsundays $155
The average daily cost (per person) in Tokyo is $190, while the average daily cost in Whitsundays is $155. 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 Whitsundays in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTokyo $79Whitsundays $69
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTokyo $158Whitsundays $138
Compare Hotels in Tokyo and Whitsundays
Looking for a hotel in Tokyo or Whitsundays? 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 $18Whitsundays $55
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tokyo
Also for Tokyo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- One Way Shuttle Van Transfer, Tokyo ⇔ Nagano: $805
- One Way Shuttle Van Transfer, Tokyo ⇔ Hakone: $426
- Shuttle Van Tour Tokyo for 4 Hours or 6 Hours+Transfer Time: $368
- Yokohama Port: Private Customizable Tour with Transfer: $352
- Private Transfer from Haneda/Narita Airport to Hotel: $308
- Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) to Tachikawa City - Round-Trip Private Transfer : $296
- Private Transfer: Tokyo to Haneda Airport HND by Sedan Car: $291
- Tokyo Departure Private Transfers from Tokyo City to Tokyo-Narita Airport NRT: $289
- Departure Private Transfer: Tokyo to Haneda Airport HND in Sedan: $286
- Private Transfer: Haneda Airport HND to Tokyo in Sedan Car: $274
- Private Departure Transfer : Tokyo Disney Resort to Narita International Airport: $272
- Tokyo Airport Transfers: Tokyo City to Tokyo-Narita Airport NRT in Luxury Van: $271
Is it cheaper to fly into Tokyo or Whitsundays?
Prices for flights to both Whitsundays 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 $67Whitsundays $52
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$5.41
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Conveyor Belt Sushi Snack$5.41
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Meal at Airport$7.05
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tokyo
For Tokyo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Tsukiji Food Tour Explore Markets and Temples in Tokyo: $18
- Hide's Table A Unique Dinner Gathering Every Wednesday Night: $21
- For First Time Visitor：Tsukiji Food Tour with Tokyo Travel Advice: $34
- Tokyo : Vintage, Music & Food Tour in Shimokitazawa with a Local: $34
- Guided Tsukiji’s Local Food Tour : $34
- Authentic Homestyle Japanese Cooking Class near Tokyo with Risa: $39
- Tokyo Bay Yakatabune Dinner/Day Cruise with Japan Show and Drinks: $44
- Weekend Japanese Cooking Demonstration with a Tokyo Mom, Toshiko: $49
- Japanese Sushi Cooking Class: $51
- Tokyo private hidden food tour: $55
- Mastering the Grill A Ninja Yakiniku A5 Wagyu Dinner in Nippori : $56
- Tokyo Retro Backstreet Tokyo Tour Option to Add Dinner: $56
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Whitsundays
For Whitsundays, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Hamilton Island: Whitsundays Sunset Dinner Cruise: $99
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tokyo $71Whitsundays $25
Tours and Activities in Tokyo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tokyo.
- 4 Hours Shibuya - Shinjuku Night Tour: $102
- Knife Sharpening Experience in Tokyo : $23
- Kyu-Yasuda, Kiyosumi and Hama-Rikyu Tokyo Garden Tour: $159
- Manga Artist Experience with Professional Guidance in Tokyo: $114
- Mount Fuji and Iconic Scenic Spots Day Tour : $99
- Mt. Fuji Roundtrip Tours From Shinjuku, Japan: $84
- Pick the Hours That Suit You In A Flexible Tokyo Guided Tour: $70
- Private Walking Tour Tokyo's Fukagawa Edo Museum: $102
- Shibuya Tokyo Private Photo Tour Activity: $277
- Shinjuku Mini Ramen Tour: Shoyu, Tonkotsu & Miso: $98
- Tokyo Skytree Private Walking Tour Experience With cafe inside: $184
- Akihabara Otaku Tour - 1.5h Guided Shopping: $94
Tours and Activities in Whitsundays
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Whitsundays.
- Airlie Beach: Whitsundays Full-Day Camira Sailing Adventure: $164
- MILADY Whitsundays 2-Night Private Yacht Sailing Cruise: $4,953
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTokyo $34Whitsundays $12
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$4.06
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: $34
- 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: $38
- 3-Hour Tokyo Pub Crawl Weekly Welcome Guided Tour in Shibuya: $46
- Private Shinjuku Nightlife Walking Tour & Golden-Gai Bar Crawl: $114
- Tokyo's Oldest Sake Brewery and jump into historic town: $116
- Private Sake Tasting at 300 Years Old Sake Brewery in Tokyo : $132
- Sake Brewery and Spiritual Nature Tour in Okutama Tokyo: $142
- Cultural Sake Brewery Private Tour & Unlimited Tasting Near Tokyo: $172
- From Tokyo：Mt.fuji /Museum/Sake brewery/ 1DAY BUS TOUR: $201
- Private tour: Tokyo's Oldest Sake Brewery and riverside walk.: $242
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tokyo and Whitsundays, we can see that Tokyo is more expensive. And not only is Whitsundays much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Tokyo is in Asia and Whitsundays is in Pacific, 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 Whitsundays would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Whitsundays 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 Whitsundays.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tokyo Expensive? and Is Whitsundays Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Tokyo or Whitsundays?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Whitsundays is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Tokyo has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Tokyo or Whitsundays in the Summer?
Both Whitsundays and Tokyo are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Tokyo because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Tokyo is around the same temperature as Whitsundays. Typically, the summer temperatures in Tokyo in July average around 26°C (78°F), and Whitsundays averages at about 26°C (79°F)in January.
It's quite sunny in Whitsundays. Tokyo usually receives less sunshine than Whitsundays during summer. Tokyo gets 137 hours of sunny skies, while Whitsundays receives 285 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Whitsundays. It's quite rainy in Tokyo. In July, Tokyo usually receives less rain than Whitsundaysin January. Tokyo gets 127 mm (5 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 331 mm (13 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryTokyo 26°C (78°F)Whitsundays 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Tokyo or Whitsundays in the Autumn?
Both Whitsundays and Tokyo during the autumn are popular places to visit. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Tokyo this time of year.
In October, Tokyo is generally cooler than Whitsundaysin April. Daily temperatures in Tokyo average around 18°C (64°F), and Whitsundays fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
In Whitsundays, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Tokyo often gets less sunshine than Whitsundaysin April. Tokyo gets 129 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Whitsundays receives 207 hours of full sun.
Whitsundays gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Tokyo. Tokyo usually gets more rain in October than Whitsundaysin April. Tokyo gets 165 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilTokyo 18°C (64°F)Whitsundays 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Tokyo or Whitsundays in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Tokyo and Whitsundays. Many travelers come to Tokyo for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Tokyo is much colder than Whitsundays in the winter. The daily temperature in Tokyo averages around 5°C (42°F) in January, and Whitsundays fluctuates around 16°C (62°F)in July.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Whitsundays this time of the year. Tokyo usually receives less sunshine than Whitsundays during winter. Tokyo gets 175 hours of sunny skies, while Whitsundays receives 226 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Tokyo usually receives more rain than Whitsundaysin July. Tokyo gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyTokyo 5°C (42°F)Whitsundays 16°C (62°F)
Should I visit Tokyo or Whitsundays in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Tokyo as well as Whitsundays. Many visitors come to Tokyo in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Tokyo is much colder than Whitsundays. Typically, the spring temperatures in Tokyo in April average around 14°C (58°F), and Whitsundays averages at about 23°C (73°F)in October.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Whitsundays. In the spring, Tokyo often gets less sunshine than Whitsundaysin October. Tokyo gets 161 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Whitsundays receives 298 hours of full sun.
Tokyo receives a lot of rain in the spring. Tokyo usually gets more rain in April than Whitsundaysin October. Tokyo gets 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberTokyo 14°C (58°F)Whitsundays 23°C (73°F)
Typical Weather for Whitsundays and Tokyo
| Tokyo | Whitsundays | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 5°C (42°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 331 mm (13 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (42°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 377 mm (14.8 in) |
| Mar | 9°C (47°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 312 mm (12.3 in) |
| Apr | 14°C (58°F) | 125 mm (4.9 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| May | 19°C (66°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (71°F) | 186 mm (7.3 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jul | 26°C (78°F) | 127 mm (5 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (74°F) | 180 mm (7.1 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Oct | 18°C (64°F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (55°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Dec | 8°C (46°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 191 mm (7.5 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.