Which place is cheaper, Okinawa or Lhasa?
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 Lhasa or Okinawa?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Lhasa or Okinawa? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Lhasa or Okinawa?
Lhasa
Lhasa is the famed capital of Tibet, and is one of the most fascinating cities in the world to visit. It's name means "Land of the Gods" and the city dates back more than 1,300 years. It's elevation is 3,650 meters above sea level, making it one of the highest cities in the world. It sits on the northern slopes of the Himalayan Mountains by the Lhasa River and is the second largest city on the Tibetan Plateau after Xining.
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 Sightseeing Tours in China, The Best Cultural Tours in China, The Best G Adventures Tours to Japan, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Tokyo.
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Lhasa Prices
China PricesOkinawa Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLhasa $91Okinawa $125
The average daily cost (per person) in Lhasa is $91, 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 Lhasa and Okinawa in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLhasa $40Okinawa $75
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLhasa $80Okinawa $150
Compare Hotels in Lhasa and Okinawa
Looking for a hotel in Lhasa 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.
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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Lhasa $2.60Okinawa $9.66
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lhasa
Also for Lhasa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Lhasa Kongga Airport Chauffeur Service, Lhasa Airport Transfer, Pickup: $170
- Lhasa Kongga Airport private Transfer: $260
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Okinawa
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Okinawa:
- Private Transfer from Okinawa Airport (OKA) to Nakagusuku Port: $200
- Private Transfer from Okinawa Airport (OKA) to Nakagusuku Port: $220
- 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 Lhasa or Okinawa?
Prices for flights to both Okinawa and Lhasa 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 dayLhasa $46Okinawa $41
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Lhasa $17Okinawa $14
Tours and Activities in Lhasa
For Lhasa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 5-Day Private Tour with Potala Palace & Yamdrok Lake: $1,299
- 17-Day Tibet Tour with Everest Base Camp: $3,759
- 17 Days Kailash Mansarovar Tour & Guge Kingdom Exploration: $13,185
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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLhasa $7.01Okinawa $15
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lhasa and Okinawa, we can see that Okinawa is more expensive. And not only is Lhasa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Lhasa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lhasa 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 Lhasa.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Lhasa Expensive? and Is Okinawa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Lhasa or Okinawa?
Okinawa has a larger population, and is about 6% larger than the population of Lhasa. When comparing the sizes of Lhasa 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.
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.