A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Arusha vs. Osaka for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Arusha or Osaka?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Arusha and Osaka 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: Arusha or Osaka?

Arusha

Arusha is a city in East Africa's Tanzania, located at the base of volcanic Mt. Meru. It’s a gateway to safari destinations and to Africa’s highest peak, Mt. Kilimanjaro, lying some 100 kilometers northeast. To the west lies Serengeti National Park, home to wildlife including lions, rhinoceros, giraffes and leopards. Annual migrations feature huge herds of wildebeests crossing its plains. Arusha is Tanzania’s gateway to the northern circuit of stellar national parks and the starting point of many a memorable safari. It’s also a large, sprawling city which offers a nice break from the rigors of life on the African road – it has excellent places to stay and eat and, for the most part, it’s lush and green and enjoys a temperate climate throughout the year. Arusha is a great destination, and you're sure to enjoy your time here, no matter what your interests are.

Osaka

The third largest city in Japan, Osaka has a lot to offer travelers. It's at the center of the Kansai region, and is a wonderful place to spend a few days. The city sits at the mouth of the Yodo River on Osaka Bay and is a major commercial hub for the country.

Osaka has a humid subtropical climate with four seasons. The winters are mild with January temperatures having an average high of almost 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Snow is very rare. Springs start cool and become hot and humid. This is also the wettest season with the rainiest time being between May and early July. Summers are hot and humid with July temperatures climbing into the high 90s Fahrenheit. The fall season becomes cooler as winter approaches.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Tanzania, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Tanzania, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Japan, and The Best Adventure Tours to Japan.


Which place is cheaper, Osaka or Arusha?

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 Arusha is $201, while the average daily cost in Osaka is $110. 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 Arusha and Osaka in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Arusha $134
    Osaka $48
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Arusha $268
    Osaka $96
Compare Hotels in Arusha and Osaka

Looking for a hotel in Arusha or Osaka? 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 Arusha


Hotels in Osaka


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: Arusha Hotel Prices and Osaka Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Arusha $14
    Osaka $14

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arusha

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

  • Private Transfer from Arusha to Kilimanjaro Airport (KIA): $161
  • Kilimanjaro International Airport to Arusha City Center Transfer: $60
  • Kilimanjaro Airport to Arusha City Private Transfer: $120
  • Kilimanjaro Airport and Arusha Private Transfer: $59
  • Kilimanjaro Airport Transfer to Moshi: $65
  • Kilimanjaro Airport Pick Up & Drop Off | Private Transfer Service: $77
  • Arusha Airport & Hotel Transfers: $40

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Osaka

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Osaka:


  • Subway
    $8.11

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Osaka

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

  • Universal Studios Japan Transfer to or from Osaka English Driver: $150
  • Transfer from Osaka City Hotels to Kansai Airport: $108
  • Shared Departure Transfer : Osaka City to Kansai International Airport: $120
  • Shared Arrival Transfer: Osaka Itami Airport to Kyoto City: $107
  • Shared Arrival Transfer : Kansai International Airport to Kyoto City: $135
  • Roundtrip Transfer from Osaka Airport ITM to Arima-Onsen Resorts: $222
  • Round-Trip Private Transfer from Osaka Kansai Airport to Kobe: $153
  • Private transfer from Kansai Airport to any location in Izumisano: $179
  • Private departure transfer from central Osaka city to Itami airport (ITM): $104
  • Private arrival transfer from Osaka Itami International airport to Kyoto City: $83
  • Private arrival transfer from Kansai airport to Kobe City & Arima Onsen: $97
  • Private arrival Transfer from Osaka Itami Airport(ITM) to central Osaka city: $126

Is it cheaper to fly into Arusha or Osaka?

Prices for flights to both Osaka and Arusha 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
    Arusha $43
    Osaka $45
Typical Food Prices in Arusha

For Arusha, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • A Quick Lunch (for 2)
    $2.23

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Arusha

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

  • Traditional Tanzania Cooking Class & Food Market Tour: $43
  • NGO Lifted Strong - Traditional Tanzanian Cooking Class: $50

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Osaka

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

  • PICCADILLY PREMIUM DINNER SHOW&NIGHTCLUB with Tasting: $17
  • Kobe Beef Bowl Cooking Class in Osaka Afternoon : $42
  • Cooking Class for Osaka Style Kushikatsu & Tonjiru (with Onigiri): $45
  • Kuromon, Sennichimae & Dotonbori Food Tour with Wagyu: $45
  • Osaka Okonomiyaki Cooking Experience!: $52
  • Private Food Tour & Bar Hopping in Namba: $52
  • Osaka Cooking for Japanese Pescatarian dishes: $56
  • Deep Backstreet Osaka Tours (Option to add Dinner): $56
  • Discover Osaka Cuisine through Cooking Class Experience: $56
  • Japanese home cooking class in Osaka Umeda: $63
  • 3 Hours Washoku Cooking Class: $69
  • Enjoy artistic TEMPURA Cooking Class: $69

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Arusha $47
    Osaka $21

Tours and Activities in Arusha

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

  • Arusha National Park Guided Day Tour From Arusha: $290
  • Marangu waterfall & Coffee making Cultural Tour | BURIGI CHATO SAFARIS CO LTD : $150
  • Materuni Waterfalls & Coffee making Cultural Tour | BURIGI CHATO SAFARIS LTD : $167
  • Materuni Waterfalls, Visiting Chagga Village, CoffeeTour Kikuletwa Hotsprings: $100
  • 1 Day Tour Hot Spring (Majimoto): $80
  • 2 Day Mount Meru Private Camping Tour from Arusha: $200
  • A Day at Materuni Waterfalls and Coffee Tour in Mt Kilimanjaro : $160
  • Amazing Lake Duluti Day Trip Experience: $70
  • Arusha African Shopping Tour: $100
  • Arusha City town tour: $101
  • Arusha Full Day Tour to Waterfall and Coffee Tour: $140
  • Arusha Guided Walking City Tour: Culture, History & Local Markets: $20

Typical Entertainment Prices in Osaka

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Osaka's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Osaka Aquarium (for 2)
    $31

Tours and Activities in Osaka

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

  • 6 Hours Osaka Tour with National Licensed Guide: $250
  • Arashiyama Kinkakuji Temple Nara Park Tour from Osaka and Kyoto: $100
  • Explore Osaka with Wine Class and Tasting Experience: $110
  • Miyama Kayabuki no Sato 1 Day Tour from Osaka or Kyoto: $243
  • 1 Day Kyoto UNESCO World Heritage Sites Bus Tour: $75
  • 1 Day Takoyaki Making and Osaka Castle Walking Tour: $146
  • 150min Full Body and Oil Massage with Japanese Healing Experience: $165
  • 3 Hours Historical Tour of Princess Saio on an Electric Cart: $34
  • 3-Hour Osaka Bike Tour/Customizable : $167
  • 3/4/5 Hours Private Tour in Osaka with Local Guide: $125
  • 4-hour Private Walking Tour to Historical Town of Saiku: $75
  • A Tour to Explore the Symbol of Osaka Castle: $88

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Arusha $11
    Osaka $12

Sample the Local Flavors in Osaka

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

  • Osaka Nights: Ultimate Pub Bar Crawl with an Expert Local Guide: $38
  • Off The Beaten Path Osaka Local Bar Crawl: $56


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Arusha and Osaka, we can see that Arusha is more expensive. And not only is Osaka much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Arusha is in Africa and Osaka is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Osaka would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Osaka 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 Arusha would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Arusha than you might in Osaka.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Arusha Expensive? and Is Osaka Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Arusha or Osaka?

Osaka has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Arusha. When comparing the sizes of Arusha and Osaka, 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.