Which place is cheaper, Kobe or Xiamen?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Xiamen or Kobe?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Xiamen and Kobe can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Xiamen or Kobe?
Xiamen
Xiamen is a coastal city in the Fujian Province of China and has been a major port city and gateway to China for centuries. This vibrant and modern city was named the most livable city in the world in 2002 and one of the first cities to be named a Special Economic Zone. Xiamen is best known for being home to Gulangyu Island, a beautiful island full of historic colonial buildings and lovely walking paths.
Kobe
Located between the sea and the Rokko mountain range, Kobe is a port city in Japan also considered to be one of the country's most attractive. Though it was devastated by a historic earthquake in 1995, known locally as the Great Hanshin Earthquake, Kobe has fully recovered to its cosmopolitan splendor with plenty for visitors to see and do.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, The Best Historical Tours in China, The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Japan.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayXiamen $64Kobe $103
The average daily cost (per person) in Xiamen is $64, while the average daily cost in Kobe is $103. 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 Xiamen and Kobe in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personXiamen $30Kobe $60
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomXiamen $60Kobe $120
Compare Hotels in Xiamen and Kobe
Looking for a hotel in Xiamen or Kobe? 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: Kobe Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Xiamen $5.98Kobe $13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Xiamen
Also for Xiamen, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Tianluokeng Tulou Village: $115
- Private Transfer to Tianluokeng Tulou and Hekeng Hakka Tulou from Xiamen City : $98
- Private Transfer to Gaobei Tulou and Hongkeng Tulou from Xiamen City: $98
- Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster : $89
- Private Transfer Service between Xiamen and Anxi : $89
- Private Transfer Between Xiamen City and HongKeng Hakka Tulou Cluster: $89
- Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Hua’an Earth Building: $89
- Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport Chauffeur Service ,Xiamen Airport Transfer: $47
- Private Transfer between Riyue Gu Hotspring Resort and Xiamen City : $32
- Private Xiamen Gaoqi Airport Arrival Transfer to City Area: $30
- Xiamen North Railway Station Private Transfer from City Area: $19
- Xiamen Gaoqi Airport Private Transfer to Local Railway Station : $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kobe
Also for Kobe, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private departure transfer from Kobe City & Arima Onsen to Kansai Airport : $92
- Private Transfer from Kobe Cruise Port to Kobe Airport: $48
- Private Arrival Transfer From Kobe Airport to Kobe City: $63
- Osaka Kansai Airport to/from Kobe City Private Transfer: $164
- Osaka (Itami) Airport to/from Kobe City Private Transfer: $107
- Kobe Airport Transfers : Kobe City to Kobe Airport UKB in Business Van: $163
- Kobe Airport (UKB) to Kobe hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $79
- Kobe Airport (UKB) to Kobe hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $39
- Kansai Airport (KIX): Private One-Way Transfer to/from Kobe: $240
- Itami Airport (ITM): Private One-Way Transfer to/from Kobe: $183
- Departure Private Transfers from Kobe City to Kobe Airport UKB in Business Car: $132
- Arrival Private Transfers from Kobe Airport UKB to Kobe City in Business Van: $163
Is it cheaper to fly into Xiamen or Kobe?
Prices for flights to both Kobe and Xiamen 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 dayXiamen $26Kobe $30
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kobe
For Kobe, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Eat Like a Local Private & Personalized Food Tour: $207
- One day in Kobe with beef dinner =standard=: $272
- One day in Kobe with beef dinner =premium=: $297
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Xiamen $16Kobe $23
Tours and Activities in Xiamen
For Xiamen, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Fujian Tulou Private Day Tour to World Heritage Site Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster: $178
- Xiamen Private One Day Tailor Made Tour with Gulangyu and City Highlights : $176
- 1-Day Xiamen City Highlights and Gulangyu Island Private Tour: $244
- 4-Hour Xiamen Private Shore Excursion Tour in Your Way: $121
- 4-hour Xiamen Private Flexible Tour in Your Way: $113
- A Night Tour to Xiamen Gulang Island: $100
- Day Tour to Admire the Panorama of Gulangyu Island and Visit the Precious Birds: $110
- Dongshan Island Highlights Full-Day Private Tour: $232
- Flexible Private Half-Day Tour to Visit the Top Attraction Xiamen Yuanbo Garden: $110
- Flexible Private Xiamen Layover Tour with Meal: $176
- Flexible Xiamen Private Half Day Tour to Experience Xiamen Botanical Garden: $105
- Flexible Xiamen Private Half Day Tour with Meal Option: $109
Tours and Activities in Kobe
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Kobe.
- 1-Day Kobe Highlights Tour including Sake Tasting: $168
- 1-Day Walking Tour around Kobe : Mountains, Sea and Sake: $134
- 4-Hour Multicultural Kobe Walking Tour with Genuine Kobe Beef : $167
- A Tour to Learn all about the international port city, Kobe!: $153
- Cruise Stop-Over: Explore The City From Kobe Port: $238
- Exploring Nada Sake Breweries Kobe Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide: $136
- Full Day Walking Tour Around Kobe Mountains Sea and Sake: $149
- Half-Day Private Guided Tour to Kobe City: $94
- Himeji and Private Guided 1 Day Tour: $228
- KOBE Sake Walking Tour in Japan's Top Sake Breweries: $83
- KOBE Walking Tour [Customize Your Itinerary]: $282
- KOBE, SHIOYA, a quaint fishing town walking tour : $97
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayXiamen $17Kobe $8.56
Sample the Local Flavors in Kobe
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Kobe:
- 3-hour KOBE Sake brewery & tasting walking tour with guide: $83
- Sake Brewery and Japanese Life Experience Tour in Kobe: $85
- Nada Sake Brewery District Private Walking Tour: $133
- 5-Hour Nadagogo Sake Brewery Private Guided Experience: $174
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Xiamen and Kobe, we can see that Kobe is more expensive. And not only is Xiamen much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Xiamen would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Xiamen 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 Kobe would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kobe than you might in Xiamen.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Xiamen Expensive? and Is Kobe Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Xiamen or Kobe?
Kobe has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Xiamen. When comparing the sizes of Xiamen and Kobe, 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 Xiamen or Kobe?
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 Xiamen or Kobe in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Xiamen and Kobe. Furthermore, many travelers come to Kobe for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
Xiamen is a little warmer than Kobe in the summer. The daily temperature in Xiamen averages around 30°C (86°F) in July, and Kobe fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
Kobe receives a lot of rain in the summer. Xiamen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Xiamen usually receives less rain than Kobe. Xiamen gets 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Kobe receives 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyXiamen 30°C (86°F)Kobe 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Xiamen or Kobe in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Xiamen as well as Kobe. Additionally, many visitors come to Kobe in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Xiamen is a little warmer than Kobe. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Xiamen in October average around 25°C (77°F), and Kobe averages at about 18°C (65°F).
It's quite rainy in Kobe. Xiamen usually gets less rain in October than Kobe. Xiamen gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Kobe receives 102 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberXiamen 25°C (77°F)Kobe 18°C (65°F)
Should I visit Xiamen or Kobe in the Winter?
Both Kobe and Xiamen are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Kobe for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
In January, Xiamen is generally much warmer than Kobe. Daily temperatures in Xiamen average around 14°C (58°F), and Kobe fluctuates around 5°C (42°F).
In January, Xiamen usually receives less rain than Kobe. Xiamen gets 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Kobe receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryXiamen 14°C (58°F)Kobe 5°C (42°F)
Should I visit Xiamen or Kobe in the Spring?
Both Kobe and Xiamen during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Kobe because of the activities around the city.
Xiamen is a little warmer than Kobe in the spring. The daily temperature in Xiamen averages around 20°C (69°F) in April, and Kobe fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).
Kobe gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Xiamen. Xiamen usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Kobe. Xiamen gets 147 mm (5.8 in) of rain, while Kobe receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilXiamen 20°C (69°F)Kobe 15°C (58°F)
Typical Weather for Kobe and Xiamen
| Xiamen | Kobe | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 14°C (58°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 14°C (57°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 16°C (61°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
| Apr | 20°C (69°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| May | 24°C (76°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.7 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 219 mm (8.6 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 157 mm (6.2 in) |
| Aug | 30°C (85°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (77°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 102 mm (4 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (69°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 65 mm (2.5 in) |
| Dec | 16°C (61°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 38 mm (1.5 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.