A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Xigatse vs. Tokyo for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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.


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.

The average daily cost (per person) in Xigatse is $84, while the average daily cost in Tokyo is $176. 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
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Xigatse $30
    Tokyo $74
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Xigatse $60
    Tokyo $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.

Hotels in Xigatse


Hotels in Tokyo


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: Tokyo Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Xigatse $13
    Tokyo $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 Haneda Airport (HND) to Tachikawa City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $292
  • Private Transfer: Haneda Airport HND to Tokyo by Sedan Car: $286
  • Departure Private Transfer: Tokyo to Haneda Airport HND in Sedan: $286
  • Private Airport Transfer: Hotel in Tokyo → Narita Airport (NRT): $284
  • Tokyo 5-Hour Private Charter with NRT/HND Airport Transfer: $273
  • Airport Transfer: Tokyo City to Narita Airport NRT by Luxury Van: $269
  • Tokyo Departure Private Transfers from Tokyo City to Tokyo-Narita Airport NRT: $269

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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Xigatse $44
    Tokyo $62

Typical Food Prices in Tokyo

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Tokyo:


  • Late Night Noodles
    $5.02
  • Conveyor Belt Sushi Snack
    $5.02
  • Meal at Airport
    $6.55

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tokyo

For Tokyo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Hide's Table A Unique Dinner Gathering Every Wednesday Night: $19
  • Tokyo Tsukiji Fish Market: Traditional Culture & Street Food Tour: $19
  • Tokyo : Vintage, Music & Food Tour in Shimokitazawa with a Local: $22
  • Shibuya 7-Dishes vegetarian dinner at a Japanese izakaya: $29
  • Shinjuku 7-Dishes vegetarian dinner at a Japanese izakaya: $29
  • Asakusa: Senso-ji Sightseeing & Street Food Tour with Photos: $29
  • For First Time Visitor:Tsukiji Food Tour with Tokyo Travel Advice: $32
  • Guided Tsukiji’s Local Food Tour: $32
  • Authentic Homestyle Japanese Cooking Class near Tokyo with Risa: $39
  • Private Yanaka District Walking & Food Tour: $45
  • Weekend Japanese Cooking Demonstration with a Tokyo Mom, Toshiko: $49
  • Matcha Making Tokyo Number One Cooking Class: $50

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Xigatse $14
    Tokyo $66

Tours and Activities in Tokyo

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tokyo.

  • “Daikoku Car Meet Night Tour | JDM Experience in Tokyo”: $255
  • "Enjoy Tokyo Tour" Harajuku Meiji-jingu & Delicious Sake Tasting: $64
  • (Private tour)ShinjukuUnfiltered Secret bar restaurant Tour: $255
  • 1 Day Tour to Mt. Fuji and Hakone from Tokyo: $189
  • 1 Day Walking Tour in Asakusa Traditional Tokyo and Nature: $146
  • 1-Day Mt Fuji and Hakone Sightseeing trip from Tokyo: $338
  • 1-Day Mt.Fuji Hiking Tour(Subashiri 5th to 7th) from Tokyo: $101
  • 1-Day Tokyo Bus Tour: $124
  • 1-Hour Tokyo Tour in Lamborghini Huracan: $281
  • 1-Hour Tokyo Tour in Tokyo Drift Mazda RX7: $281
  • 100% PRIVATE Anime, Manga, Game & Pop Culture Tour in Akihabara: $99
  • 10:30 local gathering and rafting tour half day (3 hours): $38

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Xigatse $3.38
    Tokyo $32

Typical Alcohol Prices in Tokyo

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Tokyo:


  • Sake
    $3.77

Sample the Local Flavors in Tokyo

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Tokyo:

  • Tokyo Pub Crawl: Unique Japanese Drinks in Shimokitazawa: $34
  • 3 Hours Pub Crawl Welcome Guided Tour in Shibuya: $35
  • Sake Brewery Tour Igarashi Shuzo Hanno: $41
  • 3-Hour Tokyo Pub Crawl Nightlife Welcome Guided Tour in Shibuya: $46
  • Tokyo Sake Terroir Journey – Guided by Sake Brewery Professional: $89
  • Tokyo Shinjuku Gay Bar Crawl with Drinks: $90
  • Shibuya Bar Crawl Tour -3 Drinks & Local Foods-: $102
  • Tokyo's Oldest Sake Brewery and jump into historic town: $109
  • Private Sake Tasting at 300 Years Old Sake Brewery in Tokyo: $121
  • Sake Brewery and Spiritual Nature Tour in Okutama Tokyo: $131
  • Private Shinjuku Nightlife Walking Tour & Golden-Gai Bar Crawl: $147
  • Private Tour: Tokyo's Oldest Sake Brewery and Riverside Walk: $239


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.