A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Xi'an vs. Kamakura for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Xi'an or Kamakura?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Xi'an and Kamakura 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: Xi'an or Kamakura?

Xi'an

Xi'an is an ancient city in the Shaanxi Province in China. Today it is most notable as the location of the Terracotta Warriors, but for visitors who choose to linger, there is so much more to see and do in the area. The city itself is more than 3,000 years old and for about one thousand years, through 13 dynasties and 73 emperors, it was the capital. Because of its rich history there are many historical ruins and a strong culture in the city. Today the city is a pleasant place to visit, although much of it's influence and power has dwindled. The city has both cosmopolitan and modern areas as well as historic and culturally rich areas. The neighborhoods are diverse and by exploring the city in depth you can learn a little more about what China really has to offer.

Kamakura

An old city center of medieval Japan, Kamakura sits today on the seaside just south of Tokyo. Due to its early beginnings, the city is dotted with Buddhist Zen temples and Shinto shrines. It has become a prominent resort town drawing visitors with its many historic landmarks as well as nearby beaches.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in China, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in China, The Best Adventure Tours to Japan, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan.


Which place is cheaper, Kamakura or Xi'an?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Xi'an Prices
    China Prices
    Kamakura Prices
    Japan Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Xi'an $105
    Kamakura $123

The average daily cost (per person) in Xi'an is $105, while the average daily cost in Kamakura is $123. 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 Xi'an and Kamakura in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Xi'an $61
    Kamakura $78
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Xi'an $122
    Kamakura $156
Compare Hotels in Xi'an and Kamakura

Looking for a hotel in Xi'an or Kamakura? 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.

Hotels in Xian


Hotels in Kamakura


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: Kamakura Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Xi'an $12
    Kamakura $15

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Xi'an

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Xi'an:

  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Xi'an Central Train Station: $21
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Xi'an Central Train Station to Hotel: $21
  • Private Departure Transfer to Xi'an International Airport from City Hotels: $22
  • Xian Xianyang Airport (XIY) to Xian City - Arrival Private Transfer: $28
  • Xian City to Xian Xianyang Airport (XIY) - Departure Private Transfer: $28
  • Xian to Xian Xianyang Airport (XIY) - Departure Private Transfer: $29
  • Xian Xianyang Airport (XIY) to Xian - Arrival Private Transfer: $29
  • Xi’an Railway Station Private Departure Transfer from City Area: $29
  • Xi’an Xianyang International Airport Private Arrival Transfer to City Area: $29
  • Private Arrival Transfer:Any Xi'an Railway Station to Xi'an City Hotel: $30
  • Private Transfer from Xi'an Hotel to Xi'an Xianyang International Airport (XIY): $30
  • Xi'an Terracotta Army Tickets with Optional Guide/Transfer: $30

Is it cheaper to fly into Xi'an or Kamakura?

Prices for flights to both Kamakura and Xi'an 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Xi'an $22
    Kamakura $36

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Xi'an

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Xi'an.

  • Xi'An: Tang Dynasty Show Ticket w/ Transfer or Dinner: $33
  • Top 3 Xian Sites to Terracotta Army & Dinner Show w/ Options: $35
  • Xi'an Tang Dynasty Show Ticket Optional Dumplings or Royal Dinner: $37
  • Skip the Line: Xi'an Tang Dynasty Show Ticket & Dumpling Dinner or Royal Banquet: $37
  • Xian Tang Dynasty Show -Optional Dumpling Dinner or Royal Banquet: $38
  • Xi'an Homemade Food Cooking Dumplings / BIANGBIANGNoodles: $58
  • Xi’an: Market Tour and Cooking Class with Local Family: $59
  • Xi'an Vegetarian Food Tour: $60
  • Xi'an Muslim Quarter Walking Food Tour: $61
  • Private Xi'an Food Tour: $65
  • Xian: Morning Food Tour of the Muslim Quarter: $67
  • Private Old Xi'an Authentic Local Beer Dinner Tour: $68

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kamakura

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kamakura.

  • Sushi Roll Bento Cooking Class: $59
  • Community Dinner with Locals: $81

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Xi'an $36
    Kamakura $5.79

Tours and Activities in Xi'an

Here are a few actual costs in Xi'an for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Xi'an: Daci'en Temple(Great Wild Goose Pagoda) E-ticket: $9.99
  • Xi'an: City Wall & Old Town Walking Tour w/ 10+ Food Tasting: $14
  • Xi’an City Wall – E-Ticket: $15
  • Xi'an: Xi’an City Wall South Gate(Yongningmen) Entry Ticket: $15
  • Xi'an Virtual Tour: Emperor Qin Shi Huang and His Terracotta Army: $15
  • Xi'an: City Wall Moat Smart Boat Tour: $17
  • Xian: Terracotta Army Ticket & Guided Bus Tour with Options: $20
  • Xi'an :City Wall Entry Electronic Ticket: $20
  • Private Car Tour to Terra-cotta Army and Xi'an Ctiy Attrations: $22
  • Terracotta Warriors Tickets Booking: $24
  • Xi'an Exclusive Terracotta Army Tour with Local Family Lunch: $24
  • Xian Day Tour, Terracotta Army, City Wall, Pagoda, Muslim Bazaar: $24

Tours and Activities in Kamakura

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kamakura are as follows:

  • Ofuna Kannon Temple and Japanese Sweets Tour: $27
  • Authentic Japanese Tea Ceremony Experience in Kamakura: $37
  • Walking Tour through the City of Samurai: $44
  • Kamakura; First Samurai Capital walking tour: $47
  • Kamakura (Ofuna) : Ramen Crawl Tour with a Local Guide: $51
  • Tsurugaoka Hachimangu & Komachi Street Tour: $51
  • Visit Daibutsu and shopping experience: $52
  • Private History and Heritage Tour by Rickshaw: $54
  • Night Izakaya Bar Hopping Tour: $57
  • Half day Walking tour & Japanese sweets: $57
  • Customized Half-Day Tour with Local Guide: $59
  • Kamakura:Largest Wooden Buddha, Temples, Cultural Experience: $67

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Xi'an $7.34
    Kamakura $14

Sample the Local Flavors in Xi'an

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Xi'an:

  • Xi'an Bar Crawl: Drink, Gaming, Snacks & Meet with Locals: $29


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Xi'an and Kamakura, we can see that Kamakura is more expensive. And not only is Xi'an much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Xi'an would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Xi'an 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 Kamakura would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kamakura than you might in Xi'an.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Xi'an Expensive? and Is Kamakura Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Xi'an or Kamakura?

Xi'an has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Kamakura. When comparing the sizes of Xi'an and Kamakura, 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.