Which place is cheaper, Kyoto or Yichang?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Yichang or Kyoto?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Yichang or Kyoto, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Yichang or Kyoto?
Yichang
Yichang, China is an ancient city situated on the northern bank of the Yangtze River in central China. The city is located just below the famed Three Gorges Dam and is a popular ending point for many Yangtze River cruises. Yichang offers beautiful natural scenery and ancient relics from the Three Kingdom Period.
Yichang experiences cool, rainy, winters and hot, humid, summers. Temperatures tend to stay in the 40's Fahrenheit during winter and the 80's in the summer. Spring, Summer, and Autumn are fantastic times to visit, although if you prefer to beat the heat, stay away during late summer!
Kyoto
Kyoto is a larger city of Japan, though it is very much set in the old ways. With quiet temples, sublime gardens, colorful shrines, and geisha walking amidst a city surrounded by stunning mountains, Kyoto feels like a world of another time and place. True to ancient Japanese tradition, most aspects of daily life are tied closely with the changing of the seasons.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Beijing, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Lhasa, The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayYichang $58Kyoto $96
The average daily cost (per person) in Yichang is $58, while the average daily cost in Kyoto is $96. 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 Yichang and Kyoto in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personYichang $24Kyoto $63
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomYichang $48Kyoto $126
Compare Hotels in Yichang and Kyoto
Looking for a hotel in Yichang or Kyoto? 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: Kyoto Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Yichang $14Kyoto $7.55
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kyoto
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kyoto:
- Shared Departure Transfer : Kyoto City to Kansai International Airport: $67
- Private departure transfer from Kyoto city to Kansai International airport: $107
- Osaka (Itami) Airport to/from Kyoto City Private Transfer: $136
- Kansai Airport (KIX): Private One-Way Transfer to/from Kyoto: $207
- Osaka (Itami) Airport ITM Private Transfer to/from Kyoto: $212
- Osaka City to/from Kyoto City Private transfer: $221
- Kansai Intl. Airport KIX Private Transfer to/from Kyoto: $222
- Kansai Int Airport to/from Kyoto City Private Transfer: $264
- Kyoto Early Bird Half Day Private Tour with Transfer: $292
- From Private 1-Way Transfer to Kansai Airport: $316
- One-Way Private Transfer to/from Itami Airport: $316
- Customizable Private Tour with Hotel Transfers: $504
Is it cheaper to fly into Yichang or Kyoto?
Prices for flights to both Kyoto and Yichang 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 dayYichang $21Kyoto $24
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kyoto
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kyoto.
- Private Cooking Class Udon in Kyoto Japan: $40
- Japanese Washoku Bento Cooking Class with Lunch: $41
- Nishiki Market Brunch Walking Food Tour: $45
- Japanese Home Cooking Lesson with Local Hosts in Peaceful Kyoto Suburb Otsu: $49
- Kyoto Nishiki Market & Depachika: 2-hours Food Tour with a Local: $59
- Afternoon Japanese Izakaya Cooking Class: $59
- Morning Japanese Bento Cooking Class: $59
- Japanese Cooking Class: $60
- Japanese Udon and Sushi Cooking Class with Tastings: $62
- Wagashi(Japanese sweets) Cooking :Kyoto near Fushimiinari: $63
- Bento Box Cooking Class: $66
- Izakaya Style Cooking Class: $66
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Yichang $18Kyoto $13
Tours and Activities in Yichang
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Yichang are as follows:
- Yichang Tourist Center to Yichang Sanxia Airport (YIH): $53
- Private Tour: Essence of Yichang Day Tour: $165
- Private Day Tour in Yichang to Sanyou Cave and Sanxia Waterfall : $239
- Yichang hotel/Sanxia Tourist Center/Maoping pier to Zhangjiajie: $290
- From Yichang to Chongqing: 5-Day Cruise with Meals: $761
Tours and Activities in Kyoto
Here are a few actual costs in Kyoto for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Arashiyama self guided tour app multilingual audio guide: $2.14
- Kyoto Tower Admission Ticket: $6.13
- Audio Guide Tour of Kinkaku-ji & Ryōan-ji Areas ~ Zen Echoe: $6.32
- Audio Guide Tour Sanjusangen-do & Chishaku-in: $6.32
- Audio Guide Tour through Gion: Kiyomizu-dera and Kodai-ji: $6.32
- Audio Guide Tour: Unveiling Kyoto Station Surroundings: $6.32
- Nijo Castle & Kitano Tenmangu Shrine: Auidio Guide Tour: $6.32
- Arashiyama: Self-Guided Audio Tour through History & Nature: $6.32
- Audio guide tour of the Kyoto Imperial Palace & surroundings: $6.32
- Ninnaji Temple Entry Ticket: $6.95
- Kyoto self-guided tour app with multi-language audioguide: $8.56
- Kyoto Gion Night Walking Tour: $9.47
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayYichang $14Kyoto $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Kyoto
Also in Kyoto, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Japanese Sake Brewery and Fushimi Inari Sightseeing Tour: $18
- Sake Brewery and Tasting Tour in Fushimi: $80
- Insider Sake Brewery Tour with Sake and Food Pairing: $83
- Rural Brewery Town Walk: Half-Day Private Tour Near Kyoto: $97
- Kyoto Sake Brewery Tour: $153
- Rural Villages & Brewery Town: Private 1-Day Cycling Near Kyoto: $181
- Kyoto Sake Bar and Pub Crawl (Food & Sake Tour): $189
- Kyoto Sake Bar and Pub Crawl (Food & Sake Tour): $195
- Private Guided Local Bar Crawl Experience in Kyoto: $223
- Kyoto Nightlife: Local Bar Crawl Experience: $435
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Yichang and Kyoto, we can see that Kyoto is more expensive. And not only is Yichang much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Yichang would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Yichang 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 Kyoto would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kyoto than you might in Yichang.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Yichang Expensive? and Is Kyoto Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Yichang or Kyoto?
Kyoto has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Yichang. When comparing the sizes of Yichang and Kyoto, 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 Yichang or Kyoto?
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 Yichang or Kyoto in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Yichang and Kyoto. Also, many travelers come to Kyoto for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Yichang is around the same temperature as Kyoto. Typically, the summer temperatures in Yichang in July average around 29°C (85°F), and Kyoto averages at about 27°C (81°F).
In Yichang, it's very sunny this time of the year. Yichang usually receives more sunshine than Kyoto during summer. Yichang gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Kyoto receives 183 hours of full sun in the summer.
Kyoto receives a lot of rain in the summer. Yichang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Yichang usually receives around the same amount of rain as Kyoto. Yichang gets 229 mm (9 in) of rain, while Kyoto receives 236 mm (9.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyYichang 29°C (85°F)Kyoto 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Yichang or Kyoto in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Yichang as well as Kyoto. Also, many visitors come to Kyoto in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Yichang is generally around the same temperature as Kyoto. Daily temperatures in Yichang average around 20°C (67°F), and Kyoto fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
In the autumn, Yichang often gets less sunshine than Kyoto. Yichang gets 134 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kyoto receives 159 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Kyoto. Yichang usually gets less rain in October than Kyoto. Yichang gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Kyoto receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberYichang 20°C (67°F)Kyoto 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Yichang or Kyoto in the Winter?
Both Kyoto and Yichang are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Kyoto for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Kyoto can be very cold during winter. Yichang is a little warmer than Kyoto in the winter. The daily temperature in Yichang averages around 6°C (43°F) in January, and Kyoto fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).
Yichang usually receives less sunshine than Kyoto during winter. Yichang gets 92 hours of sunny skies, while Kyoto receives 140 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Yichang usually receives less rain than Kyoto. Yichang gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Kyoto receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryYichang 6°C (43°F)Kyoto 5°C (40°F)
Should I visit Yichang or Kyoto in the Spring?
Both Kyoto and Yichang during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Kyoto because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Yichang is a little warmer than Kyoto. Typically, the spring temperatures in Yichang in April average around 18°C (65°F), and Kyoto averages at about 14°C (58°F).
In the spring, Yichang often gets less sunshine than Kyoto. Yichang gets 129 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kyoto receives 176 hours of full sun.
Kyoto gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Yichang usually gets less rain in April than Kyoto. Yichang gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Kyoto receives 153 mm (6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilYichang 18°C (65°F)Kyoto 14°C (58°F)
Typical Weather for Kyoto and Yichang
| Yichang | Kyoto | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 6°C (43°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 8°C (46°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Mar | 12°C (54°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Apr | 18°C (65°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 153 mm (6 in) |
| May | 23°C (73°F) | 124 mm (4.9 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 154 mm (6 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (80°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 251 mm (9.9 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 229 mm (9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (85°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (76°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) |
| Oct | 20°C (67°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Nov | 14°C (57°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Dec | 8°C (47°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 40 mm (1.6 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.