A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Pyeongchang vs. Nagano for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Pyeongchang or Nagano?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Pyeongchang or Nagano, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Pyeongchang or Nagano?

Pyeongchang

Pyeongchang is a county of South Korea situated in the Taebaek Mountains in Gangwon Province. A popular location for winter sports, it was chosen as the host city for the 2018 Winter Olympics. Other attractions include Buddhist temples, parks, villages, and natural scenery.

Nagano

Nagano city and its surrounding prefecture of Japan is a temple region built around Zenkoji, a 7th century Buddhist temple that overlooks the city. Nagano was also home to the Winter Olympic Games in 1998, with some facilities still existing around town. And then there is the forested mountain Togakushi area to the northwest, which is another draw of Nagano, known for its shrines and status as the home of the Togakure Ninja School.

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

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

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

When is the best time to visit Pyeongchang or Nagano?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Pyeongchang or Nagano in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Pyeongchang and Nagano. Also, many travelers come to Nagano for the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Pyeongchang is around the same temperature as Nagano. Typically, the summer temperatures in Pyeongchang in July average around 24°C (76°F), and Nagano averages at about 25°C (77°F).

Pyeongchang usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Nagano during summer. Pyeongchang gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Nagano receives 136 hours of full sun in the summer.

Nagano receives a lot of rain in the summer. Pyeongchang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Pyeongchang usually receives around the same amount of rain as Nagano. Pyeongchang gets 217 mm (8.5 in) of rain, while Nagano receives 222 mm (8.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Pyeongchang or Nagano in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Pyeongchang as well as Nagano. Also, many visitors come to Nagano in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Pyeongchang is generally around the same temperature as Nagano. Daily temperatures in Pyeongchang average around 15°C (60°F), and Nagano fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

In the autumn, Pyeongchang often gets more sunshine than Nagano. Pyeongchang gets 185 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nagano receives 167 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Nagano. Pyeongchang receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Pyeongchang usually gets less rain in October than Nagano. Pyeongchang gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Nagano receives 227 mm (9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Pyeongchang or Nagano in the Winter?

Both Nagano and Pyeongchang are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Nagano for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Nagano can be very cold during winter. Pyeongchang can get quite cold in the winter. Pyeongchang is much colder than Nagano in the winter. The daily temperature in Pyeongchang averages around 0°C (33°F) in January, and Nagano fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

It's quite sunny in Nagano. Pyeongchang usually receives less sunshine than Nagano during winter. Pyeongchang gets 190 hours of sunny skies, while Nagano receives 212 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Nagano. In January, Pyeongchang usually receives less rain than Nagano. Pyeongchang gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Nagano receives 446 mm (17.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Pyeongchang or Nagano in the Spring?

Both Nagano and Pyeongchang during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Nagano because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Pyeongchang is around the same temperature as Nagano. Typically, the spring temperatures in Pyeongchang in April average around 12°C (54°F), and Nagano averages at about 11°C (52°F).

It's quite sunny in Pyeongchang. In the spring, Pyeongchang often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Nagano. Pyeongchang gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nagano receives 191 hours of full sun.

Pyeongchang usually gets less rain in April than Nagano. Pyeongchang gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Nagano receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Nagano and Pyeongchang