A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Petra vs. Sendai for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Petra or Sendai?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Petra and Sendai can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Petra or Sendai?

Petra

Whether you're checking off the Seven Wonders of the World, or you're just a huge Indiana Jones fan, the city of Petra must be on your bucket list. The "rose red city, half as old as time," was the capital of the Nabataean kingdom in the 6th century BC. It was the center for trade and commerce until an earthquake took out buildings and destroyed their water management system. After this destruction, the city of Petra seemed to be lost to western civilization.

Sendai

Sendai, Japan is located in the Toohoku region on the main Honshu island. It is often referred to as "Forest City" due to the large amount of green space throughout the city and the tree filled parks and public spaces. Sendai is a very pleasant city to visit; they are in close proximity to both mountains and the sea and have many large universities throughout the city, making it a popular college town.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in Jordan, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Jordan, The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo.


Which place is cheaper, Sendai or Petra?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Petra is $153, while the average daily cost in Sendai is $133. 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 Petra and Sendai in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Petra $59
    Sendai $61
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Petra $118
    Sendai $122
Compare Hotels in Petra and Sendai

Looking for a hotel in Petra or Sendai? 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 Petra


Hotels in Sendai


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: Petra Hotel Prices and Sendai Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Petra $23
    Sendai $18

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Petra

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Petra:

  • Private transfer Petra to/from Wadi Rum: $140
  • Private Transfer from Ma'in Hotel to Aqaba Airport: $120
  • Private Transfer From Petra to Amman or Airport With Optional : $99
  • Private Transfer Amman Airport to Petra or vice versa via the King's Highway: $120
  • Private Departure Transfer: Petra Hotels to Amman Airport: $93
  • Petra Private Transfer To Multiple Destinations: $115
  • From Eilat: Petra Full-Day Guided Tour with Transfers: $219
  • Comfortable and Reliable Private Transfer: Petra to Wadi Rum: $100
  • Airport Transfer to and from Petra: $92

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sendai

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

  • Sendai City: Private transfer to/from Sendai Airport: $88
  • Odawara to Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) -Departure Private Transfer: $103
  • Private Transfer from Sendai Airport to Sendai City: $187

Is it cheaper to fly into Petra or Sendai?

Prices for flights to both Sendai and Petra 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
    Petra $66
    Sendai $58
Typical Food Prices in Petra

Some typical examples of dining costs in Petra are as follows:


  • Dinner for Two
    $12
  • Juice
    $1.76

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Petra

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

  • Cooking outside in little Petra between the Mountains. : $50
  • Private Outdoor bedouin Dinner in Petra: $150

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sendai

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

  • Local Food Tour in Shiogama, Japan Top Tuna and Sushi Town: $135
  • Michinoku Coastal Trail Sake Tasting with Dinner: $143

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Petra $47
    Sendai $19
Typical Entertainment Prices in Petra

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Petra are as follows:


  • Entry to Petra for One
    $71

Tours and Activities in Petra

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

  • 2-Day Amman to Petra, Wadi Rum & Dead Sea Adventure Tour: $220
  • 3 Hour Horse Riding Adventure around the Petra Area: $145
  • 3-Hour Private Petra Tour: Exclusive Classical Guided Experience: $55
  • 3-hour Private Guided Tour In Petra with hotel pick up.: $75
  • 6 Hours Private Tour in Petra: $125
  • Amman: Petra by Night Tour with Optional Day Visit: $99
  • From Petra Wadi Rum Private 8 hours roundtrip tour : $140
  • Hike Tour of Petra: $10
  • Petra Back Entrance Private Walking Tour | Guide Sami Nawafleh: $225
  • Petra Highlight Tour with Private Guide Sami Nawafleh | 2.5 Hours: $120
  • Petra Secret Backdoor Tour: Hidden Gems & Exclusive Experience: $240
  • Private Full Day Tour to Aqaba Red Sea from Petra Hotels: $200

Tours and Activities in Sendai

For Sendai, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Catch and Dine A Gourmet Fishing Experience in Miyagi: $24
  • Sendai and Matsushima Private Tour with Licensed Guide: $101
  • Local Foodie Tour, wander around the gourmet town: $120
  • Afternoon Cycling Tour in Naruko: $151

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Petra $15
    Sendai $11


When comparing the travel costs between Petra and Sendai, we can see that Petra 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. Even though Petra is in Middle East and Sendai is in Asia, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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


Which is Bigger, Petra or Sendai?

Sendai has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Petra. When comparing the sizes of Petra and Sendai, 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 Petra or Sendai?

Sendai has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Petra experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Petra or Sendai in the Summer?

Both Sendai and Petra during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Petra because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Sendai for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Petra can become quite hot in the summer. In July, Petra is generally a little warmer than Sendai. Daily temperatures in Petra average around 33°C (91°F), and Sendai fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

It's quite sunny in Petra. In the summer, Petra often gets more sunshine than Sendai. Petra gets 384 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sendai receives 124 hours of full sun.

Sendai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Petra usually gets less rain in July than Sendai. Petra gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Petra 33°C (91°F) 
    Sendai 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Petra or Sendai in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Petra and Sendai. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Petra year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Sendai in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Petra is much warmer than Sendai in the autumn. The daily temperature in Petra averages around 27°C (80°F) in October, and Sendai fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

In Petra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Petra usually receives more sunshine than Sendai during autumn. Petra gets 295 hours of sunny skies, while Sendai receives 149 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Sendai receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Petra usually receives less rain than Sendai. Petra gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 103 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Petra 27°C (80°F) 
    Sendai 15°C (59°F)

Should I visit Petra or Sendai in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Petra as well as Sendai. Petra attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Sendai for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Sendai can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Petra is much warmer than Sendai. Typically, the winter temperatures in Petra in January average around 15°C (59°F), and Sendai averages at about 2°C (35°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Petra this time of the year. In the winter, Petra often gets more sunshine than Sendai. Petra gets 234 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sendai receives 149 hours of full sun.

Petra usually gets more rain in January than Sendai. Petra gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Petra 15°C (59°F) 
    Sendai 2°C (35°F)

Should I visit Petra or Sendai in the Spring?

Both Sendai and Petra are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Petra throughout the year. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Sendai because of the beaches and the activities around the city.

In April, Petra is generally much warmer than Sendai. Daily temperatures in Petra average around 25°C (76°F), and Sendai fluctuates around 10°C (51°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Petra. Petra usually receives more sunshine than Sendai during spring. Petra gets 282 hours of sunny skies, while Sendai receives 188 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Petra usually receives less rain than Sendai. Petra gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Petra 25°C (76°F) 
    Sendai 10°C (51°F)

Typical Weather for Sendai and Petra

Petra Sendai
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 15°C (59°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 2°C (35°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
Feb 17°C (62°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 2°C (35°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Mar 20°C (68°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 5°C (40°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Apr 25°C (76°F) 12 mm (0.5 in) 10°C (51°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
May 28°C (83°F) 4 mm (0.2 in) 15°C (60°F) 111 mm (4.4 in)
Jun 31°C (88°F) 0 mm (0 in) 19°C (66°F) 133 mm (5.2 in)
Jul 33°C (91°F) 0 mm (0 in) 23°C (73°F) 151 mm (5.9 in)
Aug 32°C (90°F) 0 mm (0 in) 25°C (77°F) 165 mm (6.5 in)
Sep 30°C (87°F) 0 mm (0 in) 21°C (69°F) 187 mm (7.4 in)
Oct 27°C (80°F) 2 mm (0.1 in) 15°C (59°F) 103 mm (4.1 in)
Nov 21°C (70°F) 15 mm (0.6 in) 9°C (49°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
Dec 16°C (62°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 4°C (40°F) 36 mm (1.4 in)


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