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

Should you visit Xi'an or Okinawa?

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 Okinawa 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 Okinawa?

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.

Okinawa

Okinawa is the southernmost prefecture of Japan and includes hundreds of the Ryukyu Islands. The chain of islands is off the southern mainland portion of the country and is made up of 49 inhabited islands and over one hundred uninhabited islands. Naha is Okinawa's capital, which is located in the southern part of Okinawa Island.

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 G Adventures Tours to Japan, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Tokyo.


Which place is cheaper, Okinawa 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.

The average daily cost (per person) in Xi'an is $105, while the average daily cost in Okinawa is $125. 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 Okinawa in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Xi'an $61
    Okinawa $75
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Xi'an $122
    Okinawa $150
Compare Hotels in Xi'an and Okinawa

Looking for a hotel in Xi'an or Okinawa? 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 Okinawa


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.


Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Xi'an $12
    Okinawa $9.66

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Xi'an

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Xi'an:

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

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Okinawa

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Okinawa:

  • Airport Transfer! Center of Naha to Naha Airport (OKA): $125
  • Nakagusuku Cruise Port to Naha - Arrival Private Transfer: $138
  • Private Transfer from Nakagusuku Port to Okinawa Airport (OKA): $200
  • Private Transfer from Okinawa Airport (OKA) to Nakagusuku Port: $200
  • Private Transfer from Okinawa Airport (OKA) to Nakagusuku Port: $220

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

Prices for flights to both Okinawa 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
    Okinawa $41

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:City Wall Multi-Entry or Night Food Tour with Show: $21
  • 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: Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show with Dinner Option: $40
  • 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

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Okinawa

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

  • Naha: Airport Food Tour for a Delicious Start or Farewell: $166

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Xi'an $36
    Okinawa $14

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
  • Private Car Tour to Terra-cotta Army and Xi'an Ctiy Attrations: $22
  • Terracotta Warriors Tickets Booking: $24
  • Xian Day Tour, Terracotta Army, City Wall, Pagoda, Muslim Bazaar: $24
  • Xi'an Exclusive Terracotta Army Tour with Local Family Lunch: $24
  • Terracotta Army Ticket Booking - Optional Guide Service: $25

Tours and Activities in Okinawa

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

  • Okinawa World Admission Ticket: $14
  • Private Ring Craft Experience in Okinawa: $23
  • Okinawa World Admission Ticket | Japan: $23
  • Official Street Go-Kart Tour - Okinawa Shop: $38
  • Beautiful sunset kayak tour in Okinawa: $38
  • Naha: Full-Day Snorkeling Experience in the Kerama Islands, Okinawa: $48
  • Okinawa Jungle Trails & Waterfalls – Private Yanbaru Tour: $49
  • Okinawa Sightseeing Bus Tour: $51
  • Tropical Dream , Ryukyu Mura, Banta Cafe Bus Tour: $53
  • Kintsugi Accessory Experience in Naha, Okinawa: $53
  • Okinawa Hip-hop Bus A Course Tour|Churaumi Aqualium,Kori Island: $54
  • 60Min Gorilla Go-Kart Tour in Naha City: (NIGHT SLOTS AVAILABLE): $55

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Xi'an $7.34
    Okinawa $15

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 Okinawa, we can see that Okinawa 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 Okinawa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Okinawa 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 Okinawa Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Xi'an or Okinawa?

Xi'an has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Okinawa. When comparing the sizes of Xi'an and Okinawa, 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.