Which place is cheaper, Sendai or Harbin?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Harbin or Sendai?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Harbin and Sendai can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Harbin or Sendai?
Harbin
Harbin, China is the northernmost major city in the country, with a population of over 10 million. Harbin was founded in 1897 by Russia, which has resulted in a lot of Russian influence throughout the city and many Russian citizens. The city is most famous for their annual International Snow and Ice Festival, a two-month-long festival running from January through February of each year.
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 2-Week Tours in China, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo.
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Harbin Prices
China PricesSendai Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHarbin $66Sendai $133
The average daily cost (per person) in Harbin is $66, while the average daily cost in Sendai is $133. 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 Harbin and Sendai in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHarbin $21Sendai $61
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHarbin $42Sendai $122
Compare Hotels in Harbin and Sendai
Looking for a hotel in Harbin 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.
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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Harbin $1.52Sendai $18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Harbin
Also for Harbin, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shared Transfer Service to Ice and Snow World, Sun Island Snow Festival: $250
- Private HRB Airport Departure Transfer from Harbin City Hotel: $70
- Private HRB Airport Arrival Transfer to Harbin City Hotel: $70
- Private Full Day Transfer Service to Harbin Top Winter Attractions: $198
- Private Departure Transfer to Harbin North Railway Station from Harbin City: $100
- Private Arrival Transfer from Harbin West Railway Station to Harbin City Hotel: $65
- Harbin Volga Manor Private Transfer Service with Entry Tickets: $300
- Harbin Taiping Airport Chauffeur Service, Harbin Airport Transfer, Pick up.: $59
- Harbin Ice Festival Tickets and Transfer Service : $148
- Harbin Catholic Church Car Transfer Service: $80
- Harbin Airport (HRB) : Private Arrival Transfer with Meet & Greet Service: $32
- 4 Hour Private Transfer to Sun Island Snow Sculptures: $100
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sendai
Also for Sendai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Sendai City: Private transfer to/from Sendai Airport: $88
- Private Transfer from Sendai Airport to Sendai City: $187
- Odawara to Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) -Departure Private Transfer: $103
Is it cheaper to fly into Harbin or Sendai?
Prices for flights to both Sendai and Harbin 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 dayHarbin $24Sendai $58
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Harbin
For Harbin, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Dinner Show with Costumes and Performances: $29
- Harbin Cultural Tour at Zhongyang Dajie to Baluoke with Dinner: $80
- Central Street, Baluoke Village, and Dinner Tour: $90
- Harbin Dumpling Cooking Class: $154
- Hot Spring Experience with Hot Pot Dinner in Harbin: $300
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sendai
For Sendai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Local Food Tour in Shiogama, Japan Top Tuna and Sushi Town: $135
- Michinoku Coastal Trail Sake Tasting with Dinner: $143
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Harbin $53Sendai $19
Tours and Activities in Harbin
For Harbin, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Harbin Igloos Hot Pot Private Tour: $300
- Private Night Tour to Harbin Ice Festival: $261
- 1-Day Harbin Private Tour: $168
- 2-Day Harbin City Private Tour in Your Way in Winter Season: $280
- All-Inclusive Harbin City History and Local Culture Private Day Tour: $300
- Group Tour to Harbin Ice and Snow World plus Sun Island Snow Sculpture Festival: $298
- Half Day Tour for Harbin Guandong Ancient Lane and Wood Sculpture Museum: $104
- Half-Day Private Old Harbin Street Walking Tour with Meal: $300
- Harbin City Guided Tour to Zhongyang Street and Sophia Church: $180
- Harbin City Private Day Tour in Your Way in Winter Season: $200
- Harbin Ice Festival New Year Eve Countdown Group Tour on December 31: $200
- Harbin Ice Lantern Show and Center Street Tour: $150
Tours and Activities in Sendai
For Sendai, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Afternoon Cycling Tour in Naruko: $151
- Catch and Dine A Gourmet Fishing Experience in Miyagi: $24
- Sendai and Matsushima Private Tour with Licensed Guide: $101
- Local Foodie Tour, wander around the gourmet town: $120
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHarbin $7.96Sendai $11
Sample the Local Flavors in Harbin
Also in Harbin, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Half-Day Private Harbin Beer Museum and Brewery Tour: $250
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Harbin and Sendai, we can see that Sendai is more expensive. And not only is Harbin much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Harbin would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Harbin 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 Harbin.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Harbin Expensive? and Is Sendai Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Harbin or Sendai?
Harbin has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Sendai. When comparing the sizes of Harbin 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 Harbin or Sendai?
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 Harbin or Sendai in the Summer?
Both Sendai and Harbin are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Sendai for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
Harbin is around the same temperature as Sendai in the summer. The daily temperature in Harbin averages around 24°C (75°F) in July, and Sendai fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Sendai. It's quite rainy in Harbin. In July, Harbin usually receives around the same amount of rain as Sendai. Harbin gets 153 mm (6 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHarbin 24°C (75°F)Sendai 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Harbin or Sendai in the Autumn?
Both Sendai and Harbin during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Sendai in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Harbin is much colder than Sendai. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Harbin in October average around 7°C (44°F), and Sendai averages at about 15°C (59°F).
Sendai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Harbin usually gets less rain in October than Sendai. Harbin gets 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 103 mm (4.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHarbin 7°C (44°F)Sendai 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Harbin or Sendai in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Harbin and Sendai. Also, most visitors come to Sendai for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Sendai can be very cold during winter. Harbin can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Harbin is generally much colder than Sendai. Daily temperatures in Harbin average around -18°C (-0°F), and Sendai fluctuates around 2°C (35°F).
In January, Harbin usually receives less rain than Sendai. Harbin gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHarbin -18°C (-0°F)Sendai 2°C (35°F)
Should I visit Harbin or Sendai in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Harbin as well as Sendai. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Sendai because of the beaches and the activities around the city.
Harbin is cooler than Sendai in the spring. The daily temperature in Harbin averages around 8°C (46°F) in April, and Sendai fluctuates around 10°C (51°F).
Harbin usually gets less rain in April than Sendai. Harbin gets 21 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHarbin 8°C (46°F)Sendai 10°C (51°F)
Typical Weather for Sendai and Harbin
| Harbin | Sendai | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -18°C (-0°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | -14°C (7°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Mar | -3°C (26°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Apr | 8°C (46°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| May | 15°C (60°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (75°F) | 153 mm (6 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) |
| Sep | 16°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 187 mm (7.4 in) |
| Oct | 7°C (44°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) |
| Nov | -4°C (24°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Dec | -14°C (7°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 36 mm (1.4 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.