Which place is cheaper, Osaka or Kao-hsiung?
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 Kao-hsiung 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 Kao-hsiung 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: Kao-hsiung or Osaka?
Kao-hsiung
Kaohsiung is the second-most populated city and also the largest port city in the country, located in the south of Taiwan. Compared to Taipei, the lifestyle in Kaohsiung is laid-back and noticeably slower, populated with friendly locals. However, with Taipei in the spotlight, Kaohsiung is often overlooked, though it offers so much in the way of art and culture, history, and delicious food.
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 Historical Tours in Taiwan, The Best Adventure Tours to Taiwan, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Japan, and The Best Adventure Tours to Japan.
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Kao-hsiung Prices
Taiwan PricesOsaka Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKao-hsiung $134Osaka $110
The average daily cost (per person) in Kao-hsiung is $134, 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 Kao-hsiung and Osaka in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKao-hsiung $60Osaka $48
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKao-hsiung $120Osaka $96
Compare Hotels in Kao-hsiung and Osaka
Looking for a hotel in Kao-hsiung 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.
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: Kao-hsiung Hotel Prices and Osaka Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kao-hsiung $12Osaka $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kao-hsiung
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kao-hsiung:
- Private Transfer from Kaohsiung Airport to Kenting: $138
- Private Transfer from Kaohsiung Airport (KHH) to Kaohsiung Port : $75
- Private Kaohsiung Airport to Taitung Resorts Arrival Transfer: $192
- Kaohsiung Airport Chauffeur service , Kaohsiung Airport Transfer : $50
- Kaohsiung Airport -> Kaohsiung Hotel Private Transfer (Large room for luggage) : $35
- Kaohsiung Airport (KHH) to Guanziling Resorts - Arrival Transfer: $134
- Guanziling Resorts to Kaohsiung Airport KHH Departure Transfer: $134
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Osaka
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Osaka:
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Subway$8.11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Osaka
Also for Osaka, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer between KIX Airport and Osaka City: $14
- Private Transfer to/from Universal Studios Japan: $42
- Itami Airport(ITM): Private Transfer from/to Osaka or Kyoto: $42
- Private Transfer to/from Universal Studios Japan: $45
- Osaka International Airport (ITM) Private Transfer to Osaka/Kyoto: $46
- Osaka : Private One-way Transfers to/from Kansai Airport(KIX): $59
- Kansai Airport（KIX） to or from Osaka Kyoto Private Transfer: $63
- Private Transfer by Sedan from Itami Airport ITM to Osaka City : $65
- Osaka Kansai Airport (KIX) to Osaka hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $69
- Japan Railway Station Shared Departure Transfer : Osaka to Shin Osaka Station: $71
- Osaka to Osaka Kansai Airport (KIX) - Departure Private Transfer: $73
- Airport Transfer from Osaka city to Kansai airport: $73
Is it cheaper to fly into Kao-hsiung or Osaka?
Prices for flights to both Osaka and Kao-hsiung 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 dayKao-hsiung $59Osaka $45
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kao-hsiung
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kao-hsiung.
- Sunset Dinner on Monkey Mountain : $100
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kao-hsiung $22Osaka $21
Tours and Activities in Kao-hsiung
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kao-hsiung are as follows:
- 1 day tour - Kaohsiung: $200
- Alishan Day Tour from Kaohsiung (Incl. Park Entrance): $90
- Buddha Museum- Half Day Tour : $90
- Classic Northern Kaohsiung Day Tour: $60
- Classic Southern Kaohsiung Day Tour: $60
- Food and Culture Walking Tour in Tainan: $78
- Kaohsiung Area Classic Tour: $255
- Kaohsiung City Walking Day Tour: $70
- Kaohsiung Departure - Tainan City Day Tour: $220
- Kaohsiung Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $48
- Kaohsiung Private Tour with Transportation : $249
- Kaohsiung Suburbs Full-Day Tour: $220
Typical Entertainment Prices in Osaka
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Osaka's activities, tours, and tickets:
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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:
- PICCADILLY PREMIUM Live Show & Nightclub Admission Tickets: $6.95
- Osaka Umeda: OWL Nightclub Admission Ticket (For Foreign): $6.95
- Osaka Dotonbori: GIRAFFE Nightclub Admission Ticket (For Foreign): $6.95
- HEP Ferris Wheel Osaka Entry Ticket: $11
- Osaka Oracle GPS App Walking Tour Mobile Game: $14
- General Admission ticket to ABENO HARUKAS in Osaka: $14
- Osaka Tsutenkaku Tower Ticket: $14
- Osaka Abeno Harukas 300 Observatory ETicket: $14
- LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Admission Ticket: $15
- Osaka Castle Admission Ticket: $15
- Osaka Castle Ticket: $17
- Nara Shared Tour with Crafts Class: $21
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKao-hsiung $11Osaka $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 Kao-hsiung and Osaka, we can see that Kao-hsiung is more expensive. And not only is Osaka much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Kao-hsiung would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kao-hsiung 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 Kao-hsiung Expensive? and Is Osaka Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kao-hsiung or Osaka?
Osaka has a larger population, and is about 71% larger than the population of Kao-hsiung. When comparing the sizes of Kao-hsiung 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.
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.