Which place is cheaper, Atami or Zhangjiajie?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Zhangjiajie or Atami?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Zhangjiajie and Atami. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Zhangjiajie or Atami?
Zhangjiajie
Zhangjiajie, China is a picturesque city located in the northwest of the Hunan Province. This ancient city, which dates all the way back to the Stone Age, is famous for being home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Wulingyuan Scenic Area. Zhangjiajie is also known for being a popular filming location and and overall great place to escape the bustling Chinese cities. Zhangjiajie has its own dialect, which is a branch of the Hunan and Southern dialects, so Mandarin does not always translate when trying to speak to locals here.
Atami
Sharing a home with the famous Mount Fuji inside the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, Atami is a Japanese city set on the seaside of the Izu Peninsula. With volcanic hills and natural hot springs, visitors are very much drawn to the unique landscape of the place. There are many hot springs resorts that take advantage of the area's natural features, which have been attracting visitors since the 8th century.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in China, The Best 10-Day Tours in China, 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 dayZhangjiajie $63Atami $86
The average daily cost (per person) in Zhangjiajie is $63, while the average daily cost in Atami is $86. 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 Zhangjiajie and Atami in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZhangjiajie $30Atami $43
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZhangjiajie $60Atami $86
Compare Hotels in Zhangjiajie and Atami
Looking for a hotel in Zhangjiajie or Atami? 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: Atami Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zhangjiajie $14Atami $35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zhangjiajie
Also for Zhangjiajie, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Zhangjiajie Private Departure Transfer:City Hotel to Railway Station: $18
- Private transfer from Zhangjiajie(Wulingyuan) to Changsha area: $213
- Private Transfer from Zhangjiajie to Guilin or Yangshuo: $256
- Private Transfer from Zhangjiajie to Fenghuang and stops at Furong old town: $187
- Private Transfer from Zhangjiajie to Fenghuang and stops at Aizhai bridge area: $187
- Private Transfer from Zhangjiajie Train Station to Fenghuang hotel: $149
- Private Car Transfer From WLY to Glass Bridge (Round Trip ): $105
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Atami
Also for Atami, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Narita Airport to/from Izu or Atami City Private Transfer: $650
- Haneda Airport to/from Izu or Atami City Private Transfer: $557
Is it cheaper to fly into Zhangjiajie or Atami?
Prices for flights to both Atami and Zhangjiajie 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 dayZhangjiajie $20Atami $24
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zhangjiajie
For Zhangjiajie, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Full-Day Private Discovery Tour to Tianmen Mountain National Park with Dinner: $184
- 1 Day Zhangjiajie Private Tour Visit Avatar Mount and Tianzi Mount with Dinner: $196
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zhangjiajie $23Atami $7.68
Tours and Activities in Zhangjiajie
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Zhangjiajie.
- Half-Day Self-Guided Fenghuang Night Tour from Zhangjiajie: $200
- (Private Day Tour) Zhangjiajie National Park + Tianzi Mountain: $195
- 1 Day Dragon Sitting Gorge & Red Stone Forest Geo-park TOUR！: $272
- 1 Day Private Expedition Tour to Jiutian Cave and Visit Marshal Helong Memorial: $179
- 1 Day Tianmen Mountain Tour: $139
- 1 Day Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain and Glass Skywalk Tour: $154
- 1 Days Zhangjiajie Natural Beauty Tour with Baofeng Lake: $132
- 1-Day Fenghuang Tour from Zhangjiajie(Wulingyuan) by Round-way Bullet Train: $240
- 1-Day Zhangjiajie Avatar World Nature Hiking Private Tour: $179
- 1-Day Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon(Glass Bridge) & Baofeng Lake Tour: $240
- 1-Day Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain Tour: $146
- 1-day Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge Tour: $132
Tours and Activities in Atami
For Atami, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- ACAO BEACH: Tent Sauna experience at private resort: $114
- "Explore Atami's Culinary Culture" Walking Tour: $44
- Exclusive Geisha Experience: $114
- Hakone one day tour: $157
- Ninja, Samurai, Odawara Castle Experience: $131
- Odawara Castle and Town Guided Discovery Tour: $104
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZhangjiajie $16Atami $5.45
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zhangjiajie and Atami, we can see that Atami is more expensive. And not only is Zhangjiajie much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Zhangjiajie would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Zhangjiajie 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 Atami would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Atami than you might in Zhangjiajie.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Zhangjiajie Expensive? and Is Atami Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zhangjiajie or Atami?
Zhangjiajie has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Atami. When comparing the sizes of Zhangjiajie and Atami, 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 Zhangjiajie or Atami?
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 Zhangjiajie or Atami in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Zhangjiajie and Atami. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Atami because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.
Zhangjiajie is a little warmer than Atami in the summer. The daily temperature in Zhangjiajie averages around 29°C (85°F) in July, and Atami fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
Atami receives a lot of rain in the summer. Zhangjiajie gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Zhangjiajie usually receives less rain than Atami. Zhangjiajie gets 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Atami receives 202 mm (8 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyZhangjiajie 29°C (85°F)Atami 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Zhangjiajie or Atami in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Zhangjiajie as well as Atami. Additionally, the shopping scene are the main draw to Atami this time of year.
In the autumn, Zhangjiajie is around the same temperature as Atami. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Zhangjiajie in October average around 19°C (65°F), and Atami averages at about 18°C (64°F).
It's quite rainy in Atami. Zhangjiajie usually gets less rain in October than Atami. Zhangjiajie gets 90 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Atami receives 154 mm (6.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberZhangjiajie 19°C (65°F)Atami 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Zhangjiajie or Atami in the Winter?
Both Atami and Zhangjiajie are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Atami for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Zhangjiajie is generally around the same temperature as Atami. Daily temperatures in Zhangjiajie average around 5°C (42°F), and Atami fluctuates around 5°C (42°F).
In January, Zhangjiajie usually receives less rain than Atami. Zhangjiajie gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Atami receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryZhangjiajie 5°C (42°F)Atami 5°C (42°F)
Should I visit Zhangjiajie or Atami in the Spring?
Both Atami and Zhangjiajie during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Atami in the spring for the beaches.
Zhangjiajie is a little warmer than Atami in the spring. The daily temperature in Zhangjiajie averages around 17°C (63°F) in April, and Atami fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).
Atami gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Zhangjiajie. Zhangjiajie usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Atami. Zhangjiajie gets 166 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Atami receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilZhangjiajie 17°C (63°F)Atami 14°C (57°F)
Typical Weather for Atami and Zhangjiajie
| Zhangjiajie | Atami | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 5°C (42°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (44°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Mar | 11°C (52°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 153 mm (6 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (63°F) | 166 mm (6.5 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) |
| May | 22°C (72°F) | 179 mm (7 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 164 mm (6.4 in) |
| Jun | 26°C (78°F) | 199 mm (7.8 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 125 mm (4.9 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 202 mm (8 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 222 mm (8.7 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 209 mm (8.2 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (65°F) | 90 mm (3.6 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 154 mm (6.1 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (55°F) | 70 mm (2.7 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 108 mm (4.2 in) |
| Dec | 7°C (45°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 62 mm (2.4 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.