Which place is cheaper, Kyoto or Ubud?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Ubud or Kyoto?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Ubud and Kyoto. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Ubud or Kyoto?
Ubud
Made popular by the film Eat Pray Love, Ubud is located in the uplands of Bali, Indonesia. Beautiful Hindu temples and iconic rice fields are the sight to see in this popular cultural, artistic and religious hub on the island.
Though Ubud is hot and humid during the day, it is still cooler than coastal areas. Still, temperatures linger between mid-70's and low 90's year-round, so it is likely you'll experience warm weather, regardless of when you visit.
Ubud's wet season is from November to June, which makes it an unpopular time for travelers. January and February are when Ubud experiences the heaviest rainfall, so it may be wise to avoid visiting at this time, especially since weather will limit activities, bring out insects, and cause landslides and possible flooding.
Dry season runs from July through October, which is high season for travel. Even during dry season, Ubud is extremely humid, so pack lightweight clothing that breathes and lots of sunblock.
Kyoto
Kyoto is a larger city of Japan, though it is very much set in the old ways. With quiet temples, sublime gardens, colorful shrines, and geisha walking amidst a city surrounded by stunning mountains, Kyoto feels like a world of another time and place. True to ancient Japanese tradition, most aspects of daily life are tied closely with the changing of the seasons.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Indonesia, The Best Budget Tours to Indonesia, The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayUbud $150Kyoto $96
The average daily cost (per person) in Ubud is $150, while the average daily cost in Kyoto is $96. 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 Ubud and Kyoto in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personUbud $133Kyoto $63
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomUbud $266Kyoto $126
Compare Hotels in Ubud and Kyoto
Looking for a hotel in Ubud or Kyoto? 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: Ubud Hotel Prices and Kyoto Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ubud $1.82Kyoto $7.55
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ubud
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ubud:
- 1 DAY Enjoy Lembongan Island! Snorkeling + mangrove exploration + sightseeing on the island such as the scenic spot "Devil's Tears" / marine sports enjoyment banana boat / transfer included: $131
- 2 hours Bali Lulur Massage & Spa Treatment Including Hotel Transfers: $56
- 2 hours Bali Lulur Massage & Spa Treatment Including Transfers: $49
- 3 Days Bali Tour Package with Airport Transfer: $164
- A1 Airport Transfer Service Kuta/Seminyak Area: $14
- ATV Quad Bike Jungle Tunnel Track with lunch & transfer Hotel: $60
- Actively enjoy marine sports / popular flyboard + selectable marine sports (parasailing, etc.) round-trip hotel transfer included: $164
- Airport Pick Up and Transfer ( Airport to Ubud, Ubud to Airport ): $33
- Airport Private Transfer to Kuta, Legian, Seminyak: $19
- Airport Transfer Bali: $22
- Airport Transfer Bali from (DPS) Ngurah Rai Airport to Amed Area: $46
- Airport Transfer Bali from (DPS) Ngurah Rai Airport to Jimbaran Area: $8.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kyoto
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kyoto:
- Chubu Centrair Airport to/from Kyoto Private Transfer: $553
- From Private 1-Way Transfer to Kansai Airport: $316
- Kansai Airport (KIX): Private One-Way Transfer to/from Kyoto: $207
- Kansai Int Airport to/from Kyoto City Private Transfer: $264
- Kansai Intl. Airport KIX Private Transfer to/from Kyoto: $222
- Kyoto Early Bird Half Day Private Tour with Transfer: $291
- Kyoto hotels to Kansai Airport (KIX) - Departure Private Transfer: $66
- Kyoto to Osaka Kansai Airport (KIX) - Departure Private Transfer: $72
- Customizable Private Tour with Hotel Transfers: $504
- One-Way Private Transfer to/from Itami Airport: $316
- Osaka (Itami) Airport ITM Private Transfer to/from Kyoto: $212
- Osaka (Itami) Airport to/from Kyoto City Private Transfer: $136
Is it cheaper to fly into Ubud or Kyoto?
Prices for flights to both Kyoto and Ubud 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 dayUbud $12Kyoto $24
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ubud
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Ubud.
- Jimbaran Bay Sunset Dinner with Discount Voucher and Return Transport : $12
- Uluwatu Sunset & Romantic Dinner: $20
- Balinese Traditional Cooking Classes with Market Tour: $22
- Balinese Traditional Cooking Class with Market Tour: $22
- Ubud Cooking : All Inclusive Cooking Class: $23
- Cooking Class with Transfers and Optional Market Visit: $23
- Balinese Cooking Class and Market Tour with Transfers: $23
- Balinese Cooking Class with Hotel Transfers: $26
- Jimbaran Beach Candle Light Dinner : $26
- Subak cooking class (Balinese cooking school) 9 Dish Cooking and Market Tour: $26
- 8 Hours Private Balinese Cooking Class with Tirta Empul Temple: $28
- Jambangan bali cooking class with morning market tour: $29
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kyoto
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kyoto.
- Private Cooking Class Udon in Kyoto Japan: $40
- Japanese Washoku Bento Cooking Class with Lunch: $41
- Nishiki Market Brunch Walking Food Tour: $45
- Japanese Home Cooking Lesson with Local Hosts in Peaceful Kyoto Suburb Otsu: $49
- Kyoto Nishiki Market & Depachika: 2-hours Food Tour with a Local: $59
- Morning Japanese Bento Cooking Class: $59
- Afternoon Japanese Izakaya Cooking Class: $59
- Japanese Cooking Class: $60
- Sushi - Authentic Japanese Cooking Class - the best souvenir from Kyoto!: $61
- Japanese Udon and Sushi Cooking Class with Tastings: $62
- Wagashi(Japanese sweets) Cooking :Kyoto near Fushimiinari: $63
- Japanese Udon and Sushi Cooking Class with Tastings: $63
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ubud $10Kyoto $13
Tours and Activities in Ubud
Here are a few actual costs in Ubud for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- ATV Tandem or single Adventure Experience With Guaded: $1.54
- ATV Single or Tandem Guided Jungle Adventure: $2.56
- Ubud : ATV Single & Tandem Ride Adventure Local Guided: $3.59
- ATV Single & Tandem Ride and Zipline Adventure: $4.61
- Bali Gate Of Heaven, Jungle Swing & Waterfall Private Tour: $5.00
- Seminyak Driver ( Customized Tour): $5.00
- Mount Batur 4WD Jeep Sunrise Combo Experience in Bali: $5.00
- Bali: Ubud Palace Legong Dance Show Ticket: $6.40
- Ubud Monkay Forest,Waterfall & Rice Terrace Private Tour: $7.68
- Bali: Private Full-day Customized Tours With Transpers: $7.68
- All-inclusive - Private 3 Days Tours Package: Bali Highlights: $8.00
- Bali Tour Customized with Private Tour Driver: $8.46
Tours and Activities in Kyoto
Here are a few actual costs in Kyoto for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Arashiyama self guided tour app multilingual audio guide: $2.14
- Kyoto Tower Admission Ticket: $6.13
- Audio guide tour of the Kyoto Imperial Palace & surroundings: $6.32
- Audio Guide Tour: Unveiling Kyoto Station Surroundings: $6.32
- Audio Guide Tour through Gion: Kiyomizu-dera and Kodai-ji: $6.32
- Audio Guide Tour Sanjusangen-do & Chishaku-in: $6.32
- Nijo Castle & Kitano Tenmangu Shrine: Auidio Guide Tour: $6.32
- Arashiyama: Self-Guided Audio Tour through History & Nature: $6.32
- Audio Guide Tour of Kinkaku-ji & Ryōan-ji Areas ~ Zen Echoe: $6.32
- Ninnaji Temple Entry Ticket: $6.95
- Family Mitsui House Museum with green tea admission ticket: $7.11
- Fushimi Inari Shrine: Explore the 1,000 Torii Gates on an audio walking tour: $7.99
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayUbud $6.88Kyoto $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Kyoto
Also in Kyoto, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Japanese Sake Brewery and Fushimi Inari Sightseeing Tour: $18
- Kyoto Local Bar Crawl in Kawaramachi Area: $39
- Sake Brewery and Tasting Tour in Fushimi: $80
- Insider Sake Brewery Tour with Sake and Food Pairing: $83
- Rural Brewery Town Walk: Half-Day Private Tour Near Kyoto: $97
- Kyoto Sake Brewery Tour: $153
- Rural Villages & Brewery Town: Private 1-Day Cycling Near Kyoto: $181
- Kyoto Sake Bar and Pub Crawl (Food & Sake Tour): $189
- Kyoto Sake Bar and Pub Crawl (Food & Sake Tour): $194
- Kyoto Sake Brewery Tour with Lunch: $236
- Kyoto Nightlife: Local Bar Crawl Experience: $435
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ubud and Kyoto, we can see that Ubud is more expensive. And not only is Kyoto much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kyoto would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kyoto 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 Ubud would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ubud than you might in Kyoto.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ubud Expensive? and Is Kyoto Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ubud or Kyoto?
Kyoto has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Ubud. When comparing the sizes of Ubud and Kyoto, 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.
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.