Which place is cheaper, Tokyo or Xigatse?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Xigatse or Tokyo?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Xigatse and Tokyo 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: Xigatse or Tokyo?
Xigatse
The second largest city in Tibet behind Lhasa, Xigatse, commonly known as Shigatse, is home to sights and attractions like the Tashilhunpo Monastery, plenty of markets, and the ruins of Shigatse temple. All places of interest are fairly walkable, though auto-rickshaws are also available.
Tokyo
Tokyo, the capital of Japan, is by far the most populous city in the world with a staggering 37 million people. As a worldwide hub for technology and business, it hosts millions of visitors annually. But Tokyo is not just a place for business trips. With its incredible mixture of historical temples and shrines, remarkably beautiful parks, endless shopping malls, and genuinely wonderful people, Tokyo is a terrific place to visit and to explore.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, The Best Adventure Tours to China, The Best 2-Week Tours in Japan, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Japan.
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Xigatse Prices
China PricesTokyo Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayXigatse $85Tokyo $178
The average daily cost (per person) in Xigatse is $85, while the average daily cost in Tokyo is $178. 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 Xigatse and Tokyo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personXigatse $30Tokyo $74
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomXigatse $60Tokyo $148
Compare Hotels in Xigatse and Tokyo
Looking for a hotel in Xigatse or Tokyo? 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: Xigatse Hotel Prices and Tokyo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Xigatse $13Tokyo $17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tokyo
Also for Tokyo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- One Way Shuttle Van Transfer, Tokyo ⇔ Nagano: $805
- One Way Shuttle Van Transfer, Tokyo ⇔ Hakone: $426
- Shuttle Van Tour Tokyo for 4 Hours or 6 Hours+Transfer Time: $368
- Yokohama Port: Private Customizable Tour with Transfer: $352
- Private Transfer from Haneda/Narita Airport to Hotel: $308
- Tokyo Disneysea & Disneyland same-day 2-Park Ticket with Transfer: $299
- Tokyo Disneyland & Disneysea same-day 2-Park Ticket with Transfer: $299
- Private Transfer: Tokyo to Haneda Airport HND by Sedan Car: $292
- Private Transfer: Haneda Airport HND to Tokyo by Sedan Car: $292
- Arrival Private Transfer: Haneda Airport HND to Tokyo in Sedan: $292
- Private TOKYO Tour:After Arrival/Before Departure/Transfer Flight: $288
- Haneda Airport (HND)⇆ Tokyo or Disneyland Luxury Private Transfer: $285
Is it cheaper to fly into Xigatse or Tokyo?
Prices for flights to both Tokyo and Xigatse 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 dayXigatse $44Tokyo $63
Typical Food Prices in Tokyo
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Tokyo:
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Late Night Noodles$5.07
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Conveyor Belt Sushi Snack$5.07
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Meal at Airport$6.61
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tokyo
For Tokyo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Tokyo Tsukiji Fish Market: Traditional Culture & Street Food Tour: $19
- Tokyo : Vintage, Music & Food Tour in Shimokitazawa with a Local: $23
- Asakusa: Senso-ji Sightseeing & Street Food Tour with Photos: $29
- Shibuya 7-Dishes vegetarian dinner at a Japanese izakaya: $29
- For First Time Visitor：Tsukiji Food Tour with Tokyo Travel Advice: $32
- Guided Tsukiji’s Local Food Tour: $32
- Ueno Private Walking Tour and Night Food Tour: $39
- Authentic Homestyle Japanese Cooking Class near Tokyo with Risa: $39
- Giant Sushi Cooking Class: Make a 1.5m Sushi Roll in Tokyo: $42
- Private Yanaka District Walking & Food Tour: $45
- Japanese Sushi Cooking Class: $49
- Traditional Matcha Making Cooking Class & Tea Ceremony in Tokyo: $50
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Xigatse $15Tokyo $66
Tours and Activities in Tokyo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tokyo.
- "Ginza → Tsukishima" Walking and Japanese Style Fun Dining Tour: $162
- "TOKYO DRIFT" Film Location Tour Mt Nokogiri & Local Drift Garage: $258
- 1 Day Tour Explore Nikko’s World Heritage and National Park: $190
- 1 Day Tour to Mt. Fuji and Hakone from Tokyo: $189
- 1 Day Walking Tour in Asakusa Traditional Tokyo and Nature: $128
- 1-Day Mt Fuji and Hakone Sightseeing trip from Tokyo: $338
- 1-Day Tokyo Bus Tour: $126
- 100% PRIVATE Anime, Manga, Game & Pop Culture Tour in Akihabara: $99
- 10:30 local gathering and rafting tour half day (3 hours): $39
- 2 Day Package Tour including Haneda Airport Pickup: $203
- 2 Hours Walking Tour in Asakusa: $104
- 2 Hours Yanaka Retro Backstreets Walking tour: $23
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayXigatse $3.42Tokyo $32
Typical Alcohol Prices in Tokyo
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Tokyo:
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Sake$3.80
Sample the Local Flavors in Tokyo
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Tokyo:
- Low-cost local pub & bar crawling: $32
- Tokyo Pub Crawl: Unique Japanese Drinks in Shimokitazawa: $34
- 3 Hours Pub Crawl Welcome Guided Tour in Shibuya: $35
- Tokyo Pub Crawl: Unique Japanese Drinks in Shimokitazawa: $36
- Tokyo Japanese Wine Tasting Experience (Not Sake) | Near Shibuya: $65
- Nikko Toshogu Shrine and Japanese Sake Brewery Day Tour: $84
- Tokyo Shinjuku Gay Bar Crawl with Drinks: $90
- Tokyo Sake Terroir Journey – Guided by Sake Brewery Professional: $91
- Tokyo's Oldest Sake Brewery and jump into historic town: $91
- Shibuya Bar Crawl Tour -3 Drinks & Local Foods-: $104
- Shinjuku Bar Crawl Tour -3 Drinks & Local foods-: $104
- Private Sake Tasting at 300 Years Old Sake Brewery in Tokyo: $123
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Xigatse and Tokyo, we can see that Tokyo is more expensive. And not only is Xigatse much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Xigatse would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Xigatse 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 Tokyo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tokyo than you might in Xigatse.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Xigatse Expensive? and Is Tokyo Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Xigatse or Tokyo?
Tokyo has a larger population, and is about 100 times larger than the population of Xigatse. When comparing the sizes of Xigatse and Tokyo, 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.