Which place is cheaper, Harbin or Okinawa?
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 Okinawa or Harbin?
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 Okinawa and Harbin. 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: Okinawa or Harbin?
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.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Japan, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Tokyo, The Best 2-Week Tours in China, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China.
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Okinawa Prices
Japan PricesHarbin Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayOkinawa $125Harbin $66
The average daily cost (per person) in Okinawa is $125, while the average daily cost in Harbin is $66. 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 Okinawa and Harbin in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personOkinawa $75Harbin $21
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomOkinawa $150Harbin $42
Compare Hotels in Okinawa and Harbin
Looking for a hotel in Okinawa or Harbin? 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.Okinawa $9.66Harbin $1.52
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Harbin
Also for Harbin, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Harbin Airport (HRB) : Private Arrival Transfer with Meet & Greet Service: $32
- Harbin Taiping Airport Chauffeur Service, Harbin Airport Transfer, Pick up.: $59
- Private Arrival Transfer from Harbin West Railway Station to Harbin City Hotel: $65
- Private HRB Airport Departure Transfer from Harbin City Hotel: $70
- Private HRB Airport Arrival Transfer to Harbin City Hotel: $70
- Harbin Catholic Church Car Transfer Service: $80
- 4 Hour Private Transfer to Sun Island Snow Sculptures: $100
- Private Departure Transfer to Harbin North Railway Station from Harbin City: $100
- Harbin Ice Festival Tickets and Transfer Service : $148
- Private Full Day Transfer Service to Harbin Top Winter Attractions: $198
- Shared Transfer Service to Ice and Snow World, Sun Island Snow Festival: $250
- Harbin Volga Manor Private Transfer Service with Entry Tickets: $300
Is it cheaper to fly into Okinawa or Harbin?
Prices for flights to both Harbin and Okinawa 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 dayOkinawa $41Harbin $24
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
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Okinawa $14Harbin $53
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
Tours and Activities in Harbin
For Harbin, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Harbin Ice and Snow World Ticket Booking: $51
- Half Day Tour for Harbin Guandong Ancient Lane and Wood Sculpture Museum: $104
- Harbin Summer Indoor Ice and Snow World Tour: $136
- Harbin Ice Lantern Show and Center Street Tour: $150
- Private Half Day Tour Harbin ConfucianTemple and Temple of Bliss (Jile Si): $157
- 1-Day Harbin Private Tour: $168
- Harbin City Guided Tour to Zhongyang Street and Sophia Church: $180
- Private Half Day City Tour including Russian Town and Harbin Ropeway Ride: $198
- Small Group Night Tour to Harbin Ice and Snow World: $199
- 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
- Private Half Day Tour to Unit 731 Museum and Sites in Harbin: $218
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayOkinawa $15Harbin $7.96
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 Okinawa and Harbin, we can see that Okinawa 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 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 Harbin.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Okinawa Expensive? and Is Harbin Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Okinawa or Harbin?
Harbin has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Okinawa. When comparing the sizes of Okinawa and Harbin, 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 Okinawa or Harbin?
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 Okinawa or Harbin in the Summer?
Both Harbin and Okinawa during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Okinawa for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Okinawa is generally a little warmer than Harbin. Daily temperatures in Okinawa average around 29°C (84°F), and Harbin fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
Harbin gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Okinawa. Okinawa usually gets more rain in July than Harbin. Okinawa gets 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 153 mm (6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyOkinawa 29°C (84°F)Harbin 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Okinawa or Harbin in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Okinawa and Harbin. Many visitors come to Okinawa in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Okinawa is much warmer than Harbin in the autumn. The daily temperature in Okinawa averages around 25°C (77°F) in October, and Harbin fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).
Okinawa gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Okinawa usually receives more rain than Harbin. Okinawa gets 152 mm (6 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberOkinawa 25°C (77°F)Harbin 7°C (44°F)
Should I visit Okinawa or Harbin in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Okinawa as well as Harbin. Most visitors come to Okinawa for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
The weather in Harbin can be very cold. In the winter, Okinawa is much warmer than Harbin. Typically, the winter temperatures in Okinawa in January average around 16°C (61°F), and Harbin averages at about -18°C (-0°F).
Okinawa receives a lot of rain in the winter. Okinawa usually gets more rain in January than Harbin. Okinawa gets 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryOkinawa 16°C (61°F)Harbin -18°C (-0°F)
Should I visit Okinawa or Harbin in the Spring?
Both Harbin and Okinawa are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Okinawa because of the beaches and the natural beauty.
In April, Okinawa is generally much warmer than Harbin. Daily temperatures in Okinawa average around 22°C (71°F), and Harbin fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).
It's quite rainy in Okinawa. In April, Okinawa usually receives more rain than Harbin. Okinawa gets 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 21 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilOkinawa 22°C (71°F)Harbin 8°C (46°F)
Typical Weather for Harbin and Okinawa
| Okinawa | Harbin | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 16°C (61°F) | 125 mm (4.9 in) | -18°C (-0°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Feb | 17°C (62°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | -14°C (7°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | 18°C (65°F) | 156 mm (6.1 in) | -3°C (26°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 22°C (71°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| May | 24°C (76°F) | 254 mm (10 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (80°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (84°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 153 mm (6 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 266 mm (10.5 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (77°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Nov | 22°C (71°F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) | -4°C (24°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Dec | 18°C (65°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | -14°C (7°F) | 5 mm (0.2 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.