A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kunming vs. Okinawa for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Kunming or Okinawa?

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 Kunming and Okinawa. 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: Kunming or Okinawa?

Kunming

Kunming, located in southern China, is the modern capital city of the Yunnan province. It is a transportation hub for visitors entering the region, and good transfer point to just about everywhere else in the province by train or bus. Within the city itself there are many things to see and do with a full range of parks and zoos, museums, temples, theatres, and scenic areas.

Okinawa

Okinawa is the southernmost prefecture of Japan and includes hundreds of the Ryukyu Islands. The chain of islands is off the southern mainland portion of the country and is made up of 49 inhabited islands and over one hundred uninhabited islands. Naha is Okinawa's capital, which is located in the southern part of Okinawa Island.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, The Best G Adventures Tours to Japan, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Tokyo.


Which place is cheaper, Okinawa or Kunming?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Kunming Prices
    China Prices
    Okinawa Prices
    Japan Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Kunming $85
    Okinawa $125

The average daily cost (per person) in Kunming is $85, while the average daily cost in Okinawa is $125. 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 Kunming and Okinawa in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kunming $33
    Okinawa $75
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kunming $66
    Okinawa $150
Compare Hotels in Kunming and Okinawa

Looking for a hotel in Kunming or Okinawa? 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 Kunming


Hotels in Okinawa


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.


Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kunming $14
    Okinawa $9.66
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kunming

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Kunming:


  • Taxi Ride
    $1.54

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kunming

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

  • [Airport Transfer] Kunming Changshui Airport ⇔ Kunming City Transfer ☆ High reputation for service! <Charter charter>: $36
  • Kunming Airport Private Transfer - Charge by Vehicle: $48
  • Kunming Changshui Airport Chauffeur Service, Kunming Airport Transfer, Pickup: $83
  • Kunming Private Round Trip Transfer to Fuxianhu Lake: $90

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Okinawa

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Okinawa:

  • Private Transfer from Okinawa Airport (OKA) to Nakagusuku Port: $220
  • Private Transfer from Okinawa Airport (OKA) to Nakagusuku Port: $200
  • Private Transfer from Nakagusuku Port to Okinawa Airport (OKA): $200
  • Nakagusuku Cruise Port to Naha - Arrival Private Transfer: $138
  • Airport Transfer! Center of Naha to Naha Airport (OKA): $125

Is it cheaper to fly into Kunming or Okinawa?

Prices for flights to both Okinawa and Kunming 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
    Kunming $39
    Okinawa $41

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kunming

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

  • Discovery more Kunming evening Food Tour with Local Guide: $78
  • Private Kunming Night Tour with Dinner: $88

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Okinawa

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Okinawa.

  • Naha: Airport Food Tour for a Delicious Start or Farewell: $166

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kunming $18
    Okinawa $14

Tours and Activities in Kunming

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Kunming.

  • Kunming City & Cultural Walking tour: $26
  • Yunnan University & Culture Alley Guided Tour: $26
  • Half Day Private Tour with Customizable Itinerary: $43
  • Kunming City Tour with Private Guide: $44
  • Kunming Western Hills Scenic Area Private Tour: $64
  • Old Town Private Tour (Half Day): $66
  • Guandu Ancient Town Private Tour (Half-Day): $66
  • Kunming Western Hills Scenic Area Private Tour (Half Day): $66
  • Private Tour with Customizable Itinerary: $66
  • Stone Forest + Yiliang Roast Duck + Kunming City Private Tour: $68
  • Stone Forest, Roast Duck Lunch and City Tour: $70
  • Lijiang: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain with Scenic Train Tour: $74

Tours and Activities in Okinawa

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Okinawa are as follows:

  • 1Day BusTour Yanbaru National Park & Cape Hedo,Kouri Island: $91
  • 200m Parasailing Experience in Okinawa depart from Ginowan Marina: $76
  • 2Hour Gorilla Go-Kart Tour in Naha City:(NIGHT SLOTS AVAILABLE): $69
  • 60Min Gorilla Go-Kart Tour in Naha City: (NIGHT SLOTS AVAILABLE): $55
  • Afternoon Adventure: Okinawa Local Cycling with Spectacular Views: $103
  • American Village &Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium Tour from Naha Chatan: $95
  • Beautiful sunset kayak tour in Okinawa: $38
  • E-Bike Nature Tour in Shuri: $103
  • E-Bike Tour with Sushi Making Experience: $171
  • Half Day Naha City Historical Bike Tour: $155
  • Karate History Tour in Okinawa: $112
  • Kerama Islands Okinawa Scuba Diving Adventure: $226

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kunming $18
    Okinawa $15


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kunming and Okinawa, we can see that Okinawa is more expensive. And not only is Kunming much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kunming would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kunming 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 Okinawa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Okinawa than you might in Kunming.

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


Which is Bigger, Kunming or Okinawa?

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