A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Yichang vs. Sendai for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Yichang or Sendai?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Yichang or Sendai, 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 Sendai?

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!

Sendai

Sendai, Japan is located in the Toohoku region on the main Honshu island. It is often referred to as "Forest City" due to the large amount of green space throughout the city and the tree filled parks and public spaces. Sendai is a very pleasant city to visit; they are in close proximity to both mountains and the sea and have many large universities throughout the city, making it a popular college town.

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.


Which place is cheaper, Sendai or Yichang?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Yichang is $58, while the average daily cost in Sendai is $105. 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 Sendai in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Yichang $24
    Sendai $59
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Yichang $48
    Sendai $118
Compare Hotels in Yichang and Sendai

Looking for a hotel in Yichang or Sendai? 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 Yichang


Hotels in Sendai


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: Sendai Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Yichang $14
    Sendai $18

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sendai

Also for Sendai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Sendai Airport to/from Sendai City private transfer: $76

Is it cheaper to fly into Yichang or Sendai?

Prices for flights to both Sendai 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Yichang $21
    Sendai $33

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Yichang $18
    Sendai $18

Tours and Activities in Yichang

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

  • From Yichang to Chongqing: 5-Day Cruise with Meals: $761
  • Private Day Tour in Yichang to Sanyou Cave and Sanxia Waterfall : $239
  • Private Tour: Essence of Yichang Day Tour: $165
  • Yichang Tourist Center to Yichang Sanxia Airport (YIH): $53
  • Yichang hotel/Sanxia Tourist Center/Maoping pier to Zhangjiajie: $290

Tours and Activities in Sendai

For Sendai, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Japanese Taiko Drum Experience at Sairi Yashiki : $71
  • Sendai, Okama: Private tour from Sendai city to Okama: $251

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Yichang $14
    Sendai $11


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Yichang and Sendai, we can see that Sendai 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 Sendai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sendai 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 Sendai Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Yichang or Sendai?

Sendai has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Yichang. When comparing the sizes of Yichang and Sendai, 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 Sendai?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Yichang or Sendai in the Summer?

Both Sendai and Yichang during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Sendai this time of year.

In the summer, Yichang is a little warmer than Sendai. Typically, the summer temperatures in Yichang in July average around 29°C (85°F), and Sendai averages at about 23°C (73°F).

It's quite sunny in Yichang. In the summer, Yichang often gets more sunshine than Sendai. Yichang gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sendai receives 124 hours of full sun.

Sendai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Yichang. Yichang usually gets more rain in July than Sendai. Yichang gets 229 mm (9 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Yichang 29°C (85°F) 
    Sendai 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Yichang or Sendai in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Yichang and Sendai. Also, many travelers come to Sendai for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Yichang is generally a little warmer than Sendai. Daily temperatures in Yichang average around 20°C (67°F), and Sendai fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

Yichang usually receives less sunshine than Sendai during autumn. Yichang gets 134 hours of sunny skies, while Sendai receives 149 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Sendai receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Yichang usually receives less rain than Sendai. Yichang gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 103 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Yichang 20°C (67°F) 
    Sendai 15°C (59°F)

Should I visit Yichang or Sendai in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Yichang as well as Sendai. Also, many visitors come to Sendai in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Sendai can get quite cold in the winter. Yichang is much warmer than Sendai in the winter. The daily temperature in Yichang averages around 6°C (43°F) in January, and Sendai fluctuates around 2°C (35°F).

In the winter, Yichang often gets less sunshine than Sendai. Yichang gets 92 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sendai receives 149 hours of full sun.

Yichang usually gets less rain in January than Sendai. Yichang gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Yichang 6°C (43°F) 
    Sendai 2°C (35°F)

Should I visit Yichang or Sendai in the Spring?

Both Sendai and Yichang are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Sendai for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.

In the spring, Yichang is much warmer than Sendai. Typically, the spring temperatures in Yichang in April average around 18°C (65°F), and Sendai averages at about 10°C (51°F).

Yichang usually receives less sunshine than Sendai during spring. Yichang gets 129 hours of sunny skies, while Sendai receives 188 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Yichang usually receives around the same amount of rain as Sendai. Yichang gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Yichang 18°C (65°F) 
    Sendai 10°C (51°F)

Typical Weather for Sendai and Yichang

Yichang Sendai
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 6°C (43°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 2°C (35°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
Feb 8°C (46°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 2°C (35°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Mar 12°C (54°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 5°C (40°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Apr 18°C (65°F) 95 mm (3.7 in) 10°C (51°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
May 23°C (73°F) 124 mm (4.9 in) 15°C (60°F) 111 mm (4.4 in)
Jun 27°C (80°F) 151 mm (5.9 in) 19°C (66°F) 133 mm (5.2 in)
Jul 29°C (85°F) 229 mm (9 in) 23°C (73°F) 151 mm (5.9 in)
Aug 29°C (85°F) 197 mm (7.8 in) 25°C (77°F) 165 mm (6.5 in)
Sep 25°C (76°F) 122 mm (4.8 in) 21°C (69°F) 187 mm (7.4 in)
Oct 20°C (67°F) 87 mm (3.4 in) 15°C (59°F) 103 mm (4.1 in)
Nov 14°C (57°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 9°C (49°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
Dec 8°C (47°F) 22 mm (0.9 in) 4°C (40°F) 36 mm (1.4 in)


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