Is Nara expensive to visit?
Nara is a moderately priced destination with an average daily cost of $111. Compared to the rest of Asia, it is a moderately priced place to visit. It's ranked in the top 50% of cities in Asia for its travel costs, comparable to places like Koh Lipe and Nagoya.

Ukimido Pavilion, Nara, Japan (©NARA TOURISM FEDERATION/©JNTO)
How expensive is Nara?
On average, visitors spend about $111 per day when visiting Nara (U.S. Dollars). Two travelers together would spend an average of $223 per day. Prices vary dramatically by travel style and length of trip, but if you stay at moderately priced hotels, eat at affordable restaurants, and use public transportation when possible, you can expect to stay close to this budget. See more travel costs for Nara here.
How expensive is a weekend trip (three days) to Nara?
A weekend trip to Nara costs about $334 per person on average, based on the previous expenses of other travelers. This includes accommodation, sightseeting activities, transportation, food, and nightlife. For two people, a weekend trip costs $668.
How expensive is a one week (7-day) trip to Nara?
Based on the travel expenses of others, a one week trip to Nara costs around $779 on average, per person. This includes food, sightseeing, local transportation, accommodation, and nightlife. For two people, a one week trip costs $1,559.
Is it expensive to backpack in Nara?
While Nara attracts a few backpackers, traveling on a budget can be challenging because there are only a few hostels around town. The average cost of a hostel in Nara is $24 per night. The cheapest beds cost about $19 and the most expensive rooms cost around $29. (See hostel prices in Nara here.)
Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Nara.
- $29 for a dorm bed at Yuzan Guesthouse
Are hotels expensive in Nara?
Considering our analysis of hotel prices in Nara, it becomes apparent that they are fairly even and moderately priced in comparison to hotels in other cities. On average, you can expect to spend around $97 per night for a hotel room. The city is home to approximately [5_STAR_COUNT] five-star hotels, presenting an average rate of [5_STAR_PRICE] per night. For a balanced choice catering to both comfort and cost-effectiveness, three-star hotels provide an average rate of $107 per night, while two-star hotels offer an even more budget-friendly alternative at $68 per night.
Hotels by star rating in Nara
Rating | Number of Hotels | Average Hotel Price |
---|---|---|
4 stars | 4 | $224 |
3 stars | 26 | $107 |
2 stars | 17 | $68 |
1 star | 2 | $41 |
How expensive are sightseeing activities in Nara?
Activities and things to do in Nara can vary in price depending on the type of activity, length, and location. Below are a number of popular activities to give you an idea of what to expect when visiting. Generally, previous travelers have spent $8 per day on sightseeing activities and things to do when visiting, which is less than the country's average of $20.
- Perfect Nara Park Half-Day Bus Tour with English Speaking Guide: $72
- Nara: small group tour to meet your favorite tea: $39
- Private Nara Tour and Sake Tasting (Departing from Kyoto/Nara): $180
- Slow Cycling Tour at Uji's Matcha Green Tea Fields and Heritage: $115
- Nara Todaiji Lazy Bird Walking Tour: $95
- Opening Discount!! Nara Sake Tasting Tour by Kampai Sake Tours: $108
- Nara - Private Family Bike Tour: $215
- Uji Tea Ceremony and UNESCO Heritage Walking Tour: $70
Is food expensive in Nara?
Food in Nara can vary in price depending on the restaurant and food options available. Generally, other travelers have spent $51 on food per person per day, which is less than the country's average of $51. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible.
- Full Day Nara E bike Tour and Osaka History Food Tour: $207
- Nara: Cooking class, learning how to make authentic sushi: $124
Is transportation expensive in Nara?
The prices of local transportation in Nara can vary by the type of transit used. Other travelers have spent an average of $6 on local transportation per person per day, which is less than the country's average of $19. To save money, take public transit whenever possible, as it will almost always be cheaper than a taxi or private driver.
More for Nara
If you're planning a trip to Nara, Japan, check out these other informative travel guides.
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.