Which place is cheaper, Kanazawa or Nanjing?
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 Nanjing or Kanazawa?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Nanjing or Kanazawa? 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: Nanjing or Kanazawa?
Nanjing
Nanjing is the capital city of the Jiangsu Province on the central eastern coast of China, just north of Shanghai. This historically and culturally rich city lies at the lower end of the Yangtze river, resulting in lush and scenic landscapes. Nanjing is well-known for having many popular historical sites, some of which have been listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Kanazawa
An important city of the Edo-period, Kanazawa is a well preserved city from a time when samurai, merchants, geisha, and lords made up the core of its culture. Though it is often overlooked by foreigners, the city is a gem of Japanese tourism with a number of preserved historic districts, temples, regional handicrafts, art museums, and some of the best food to be had in Japan.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in China, The Best 10-Day Tours in China, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Japan, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Japan.
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Nanjing Prices
China PricesKanazawa Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNanjing $118Kanazawa $131
The average daily cost (per person) in Nanjing is $118, while the average daily cost in Kanazawa is $131. 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 Nanjing and Kanazawa in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNanjing $47Kanazawa $66
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNanjing $94Kanazawa $132
Compare Hotels in Nanjing and Kanazawa
Looking for a hotel in Nanjing or Kanazawa? 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: Kanazawa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nanjing $39Kanazawa $9.66
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nanjing
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Nanjing:
- Private Day Tour: Nanjing City Highlights with Hotel or Railway Station Transfer: $285
- Nanjing To Huangshan Bullet Train Ticket with Local Private Transfers: $129
- Nanjing Private Transfer from Nanjing Lukou Airport (NKG) to central Nanjing: $125
- Private Nanjing Airport Transfer to Zhenjiang City: $110
- Private Transfer to Yangzhou City from Nanjing Lukou Airport : $109
- Nanjing to Suzhou Bullet Train Ticket with Train Station Transfer: $96
- Private Transfer to Zhenjiang from Nanjing City Center: $94
- Nanjing Airport (NKG) to Nanjing - Round-Trip Private Transfer : $91
- Private Round Trip Transfer to Yangzhou Attractions from Nanjing: $89
- Private Transfer to Yangzhou from Nanjing City Center: $89
- Nanjing to Wuxi Bullet Train Ticket with Train Station Transfer: $88
- Yangzhou Private Transfer Service from Nanjing City or Lukou Airport : $80
Is it cheaper to fly into Nanjing or Kanazawa?
Prices for flights to both Kanazawa and Nanjing 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 dayNanjing $49Kanazawa $58
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nanjing
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Nanjing.
- 3-Hour Nanjing Authentic Local Food Tour by Public Transportation: $93
- Flexible Private Nanjing City Night Tour with Dinner Option : $112
- Private Amazing Nanjing Airport Layover Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $181
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kanazawa
For Kanazawa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Authentic Japanese Cooking and Sushi-Making Lesson: $101
- traditional Japanese & sushi cooking classes: $103
- Fishing Experience with Gyotaku and Cooking: $423
- Geisha Performance with Dinner and Drinks: $1,217
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Nanjing $9.41Kanazawa $10
Tours and Activities in Nanjing
Here are a few actual costs in Nanjing for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Half-Day Nanjing City Private Flexible Tour : $109
- 2-Day Unlimited Nanjing Private Flexible Tour with Lunch Option : $295
- 4-Hour Nanjing City Private Tailor-Made Tour in Your Way : $109
- 4-Hour Nanjing Private Tour with Xiaoling Tomb and Sun Yatsen Mausoleum : $124
- 6-Hour Private Tour of Xiaoling Tomb,City Wall & Memorial Hall : $115
- All Inclusive Nanjing City Private Day Tour with Tailor-Made Highlights: $213
- Flexible Private Nanjing City Highlights Day Tour: $160
- Flexible Private Nanjing City Highlights Day Tour: $168
- Flexible Private Nanjing Independent Tour : $63
- Flexible Private Nanjing Layover Tour: $171
- Flexible Yangzhou Private Day Tour from Nanjing: $212
- Half Day Nanjing City Private Flexible Tour with Night River Cruise: $206
Tours and Activities in Kanazawa
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Kanazawa.
- Rental Kimono Selfie Photo Experience: $21
- Ring making experience　 Completed in about 1 hour! : $23
- Private Ring Craft Experience in Kanazawa: $23
- Selfie Photo Experience with Rental Kimono - Moon: $23
- Selfie Photo Experience with Rental Kimono - Color: $27
- Tea Ceremony Experience at Kenrokuen: $30
- Kanazawa:Traditional Experience -kimono rent at wargo: $33
- Kenrokuen Tea Ceremony Experience: $37
- Kanazawa Private/Group Walking Tour: Local & Major Highlight: $50
- Private Custom Tour with Local Guide: $54
- Private Walking Tour with a Local: $55
- Market Tastings and Castle Town Adventure in Kanazawa: $55
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNanjing $9.61Kanazawa $13
Sample the Local Flavors in Kanazawa
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Kanazawa:
- Kanazawa Historic Brewery: Fermentation Tour, Tasting, Lunch: $81
When comparing the travel costs between Nanjing and Kanazawa, we can see that Kanazawa is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Nanjing Expensive? and Is Kanazawa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Nanjing or Kanazawa?
Nanjing has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Kanazawa. When comparing the sizes of Nanjing and Kanazawa, 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 Nanjing or Kanazawa?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Nanjing or Kanazawa in the Summer?
Both Kanazawa and Nanjing during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Kanazawa for the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Nanjing is generally a little warmer than Kanazawa. Daily temperatures in Nanjing average around 28°C (83°F), and Kanazawa fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
Kanazawa gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Nanjing. Nanjing usually gets less rain in July than Kanazawa. Nanjing gets 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Kanazawa receives 251 mm (9.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyNanjing 28°C (83°F)Kanazawa 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Nanjing or Kanazawa in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Nanjing and Kanazawa. Also, many visitors come to Kanazawa in the autumn for the shopping scene.
Nanjing is around the same temperature as Kanazawa in the autumn. The daily temperature in Nanjing averages around 17°C (63°F) in October, and Kanazawa fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).
Kanazawa receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Nanjing usually receives less rain than Kanazawa. Nanjing gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Kanazawa receives 203 mm (8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberNanjing 17°C (63°F)Kanazawa 17°C (62°F)
Should I visit Nanjing or Kanazawa in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Nanjing as well as Kanazawa. Also, most visitors come to Kanazawa for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Kanazawa can be very cold during winter. Nanjing can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Nanjing is cooler than Kanazawa. Typically, the winter temperatures in Nanjing in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Kanazawa averages at about 3°C (38°F).
It's quite rainy in Kanazawa. Nanjing usually gets less rain in January than Kanazawa. Nanjing gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Kanazawa receives 294 mm (11.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryNanjing 3°C (37°F)Kanazawa 3°C (38°F)
Should I visit Nanjing or Kanazawa in the Spring?
Both Kanazawa and Nanjing are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.
In April, Nanjing is generally a little warmer than Kanazawa. Daily temperatures in Nanjing average around 15°C (60°F), and Kanazawa fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kanazawa. It's quite rainy in Nanjing. In April, Nanjing usually receives less rain than Kanazawa. Nanjing gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Kanazawa receives 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilNanjing 15°C (60°F)Kanazawa 12°C (54°F)
Typical Weather for Kanazawa and Nanjing
| Nanjing | Kanazawa | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (37°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 294 mm (11.6 in) |
| Feb | 4°C (40°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 192 mm (7.6 in) |
| Mar | 9°C (48°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 156 mm (6.1 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (60°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) |
| May | 21°C (69°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (77°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 202 mm (8 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 251 mm (9.9 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (74°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 248 mm (9.8 in) |
| Oct | 17°C (63°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 203 mm (8 in) |
| Nov | 11°C (52°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 266 mm (10.5 in) |
| Dec | 5°C (41°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 306 mm (12 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.