Which place is cheaper, Osaka or Xiamen?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Xiamen or Osaka?
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 Osaka 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 Osaka?
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.
Osaka
The third largest city in Japan, Osaka has a lot to offer travelers. It's at the center of the Kansai region, and is a wonderful place to spend a few days. The city sits at the mouth of the Yodo River on Osaka Bay and is a major commercial hub for the country.
Osaka has a humid subtropical climate with four seasons. The winters are mild with January temperatures having an average high of almost 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Snow is very rare. Springs start cool and become hot and humid. This is also the wettest season with the rainiest time being between May and early July. Summers are hot and humid with July temperatures climbing into the high 90s Fahrenheit. The fall season becomes cooler as winter approaches.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, The Best Historical Tours in China, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Japan, and The Best Adventure Tours to Japan.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayXiamen $64Osaka $88
The average daily cost (per person) in Xiamen is $64, while the average daily cost in Osaka is $88. 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 Osaka in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personXiamen $30Osaka $45
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomXiamen $60Osaka $90
Compare Hotels in Xiamen and Osaka
Looking for a hotel in Xiamen or Osaka? 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: Osaka Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Xiamen $5.98Osaka $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Xiamen
Also for Xiamen, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Xiamen North Railway Station Private Transfer from City Area: $19
- Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport Chauffeur Service ,Xiamen Airport Transfer: $47
- Xiamen Gaoqi Airport Private Transfer to Local Railway Station : $19
- Private Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport Transfers in Xiamen City: $12
- Private Xiamen Gaoqi Airport Departure Transfer from City Areas: $33
- Private Xiamen Gaoqi Airport Arrival Transfer to City Area: $30
- Private Transfer to Tianluokeng Tulou and HongKeng Hakka Tulou from Xiamen City : $98
- Private Transfer to Tianluokeng Tulou and Hekeng Hakka Tulou from Xiamen City : $98
- Private Transfer to Gaobei Tulou and Yunshuiyao Village from Xiamen City: $98
- Private Transfer to Gaobei Tulou and Hongkeng Tulou from Xiamen City: $98
- Private Transfer from Xiamen North Railway Station to City Area: $19
- Private Transfer from Railway Station to Xiamen City: $10
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Osaka
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Osaka:
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Subway$7.83
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Osaka
Also for Osaka, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Universal Studios Japan Entry Pass & Shared 1-way Transfer: $100
- Shared Arrival Transfer: Osaka Itami Airport to Osaka City: $25
- Shared Arrival Transfer: Osaka Itami Airport to Kyoto City: $66
- Roundtrip Transfer from Osaka Airport ITM to Arima-Onsen Resorts: $109
- Private departure transfer from central Osaka city to Itami airport (ITM): $125
- Private arrival transfer from Kansai airport to Kobe City & Arima Onsen: $92
- Private Transfer from Osaka hotels to Osaka Cruise Port: $72
- Private Transfer from Osaka Port to Osaka Kansai Int Airport(KIX): $79
- Private Transfer from Osaka Port to Osaka Kansai Int Airport: $71
- Private Transfer from Osaka Cruise Port to Osaka hotels: $72
- Private Transfer from Osaka Cruise Port to Osaka city hotels: $66
- Private Transfer from Osaka City Hotels to Maizuru Cruise Port: $96
Is it cheaper to fly into Xiamen or Osaka?
Prices for flights to both Osaka 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 $26Osaka $25
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Osaka
For Osaka, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Osaka:Food Tour & Shopping(Grand Opening Limited Time Offer): $25
- 2-Hour Kuromon Market Walking Street Food Tour: $26
- Private Takoyaki Cooking Class by Natives in Osaka: $36
- Japanese home cooking class in Osaka Umeda: $45
- Osaka Okonomiyaki Cooking Experience!: $49
- Ramen and Gyoza Cooking Class in Dotonbori: $61
- Kimono experience and Japanese home-cooking lesson Osaka: $63
- Osaka Authentic Tempura & Miso Soup Japan Cooking Class: $64
- RAMEN and 2 types GYOZA (dumplings) Cooking Class: $65
- Three Types of RAMEN Cooking Class: $65
- Kimono experience and Japanese home-cooking lesson Osaka Umeda : $65
- Ramen and Gyoza Cooking Class in Osaka Dotonbori: $66
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Xiamen $16Osaka $20
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 2 Days 1 Night Group Tour to Explore Kinmen Island: $216
- A Night Tour to Xiamen Gulang Island: $100
- All Inclusive Xiamen Private Layover Tour to Hakka Tulou Village with Options: $234
- 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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Osaka
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Osaka's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Osaka Aquarium (for 2)$30
Tours and Activities in Osaka
For Osaka, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- "Dotonbori Nightscapes: Photoshooting tour in Dotonbori": $120
- "Experience Kyoto: A Full-Day Private Tour Adventure": $120
- 1-Day walking tour in Osakaļ¼Castle, temples and Ukiyoe: $134
- 150 mins Deep Samurai Experience near Osaka Castle: $179
- 2-Hour Osaka Go-Kart Experience with Local Guide from Namba: $138
- 3 Days Private Osaka Kyoto and Nara Tour with English Driver: $1,579
- 3 Hours Historical Tour of Princess Saio on an Electric Cart: $32
- 3/4/5 Hours Private Tour in Osaka with Local Guide: $117
- 4-Day Private Kyoto Osaka Nara Sightseeing tour with Guide: $2,370
- 4-hour Private Walking Tour to Historical Town of Saiku: $71
- 5 Hour Osaka Castle Tsutenkaku and Dotonbori Guided Tour: $71
- 90mins Samurai Pilgrimage Osaka Castle Tour: $214
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayXiamen $17Osaka $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Osaka
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Osaka:
- Osaka Namba Hidden Places Bar Crawl: $16
- Osaka Pub Crawl and Nightlife Tour: $23
- Namba Pub Bar Crawl with a Local Guide: $30
- Osaka Evening: Ultimate Pub Bar Crawl with an Expert Local Guide: $32
- Local Bar Crawl in Dotombori and Uranamba Area: $38
- Osaka Local Bar Crawl in Dotombori & Uranamba Area: $39
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Xiamen and Osaka, we can see that Osaka 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 Osaka would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Osaka 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 Osaka Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Xiamen or Osaka?
Osaka has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Xiamen. When comparing the sizes of Xiamen and Osaka, 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 Osaka?
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 Osaka in the Summer?
Both Osaka and Xiamen are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Osaka because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
Xiamen is around the same temperature as Osaka in the summer. The daily temperature in Xiamen averages around 30°C (86°F) in July, and Osaka fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Osaka. It's quite rainy in Xiamen. In July, Xiamen usually receives less rain than Osaka. Xiamen gets 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Osaka 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)Osaka 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Xiamen or Osaka in the Autumn?
Both Osaka and Xiamen during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Osaka this time of year.
In the autumn, Xiamen is a little warmer than Osaka. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Xiamen in October average around 25°C (77°F), and Osaka averages at about 19°C (66°F).
Osaka gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Xiamen usually gets less rain in October than Osaka. Xiamen gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Osaka receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberXiamen 25°C (77°F)Osaka 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Xiamen or Osaka in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Xiamen and Osaka. Also, many travelers come to Osaka for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Xiamen is generally much warmer than Osaka. Daily temperatures in Xiamen average around 14°C (58°F), and Osaka fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).
In January, Xiamen usually receives less rain than Osaka. Xiamen gets 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Osaka receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryXiamen 14°C (58°F)Osaka 6°C (42°F)
Should I visit Xiamen or Osaka in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Xiamen as well as Osaka. Also, many visitors come to Osaka in the spring for the activities around the city.
Xiamen is a little warmer than Osaka in the spring. The daily temperature in Xiamen averages around 20°C (69°F) in April, and Osaka fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
It's quite rainy in Osaka. Xiamen receives a lot of rain in the spring. Xiamen usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Osaka. Xiamen gets 147 mm (5.8 in) of rain, while Osaka receives 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilXiamen 20°C (69°F)Osaka 15°C (59°F)
Typical Weather for Osaka and Xiamen
| Xiamen | Osaka | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 14°C (58°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Feb | 14°C (57°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Mar | 16°C (61°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Apr | 20°C (69°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) |
| May | 24°C (76°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.7 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 204 mm (8 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 157 mm (6.2 in) |
| Aug | 30°C (85°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (77°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (69°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Dec | 16°C (61°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 35 mm (1.4 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.