Which place is cheaper, Tokyo or Qingdao?
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 Qingdao or Tokyo?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Qingdao or Tokyo, 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: Qingdao or Tokyo?
Qingdao
Qingdao, China, located in the Shandong Province, is a very large city right on the Yellow Sea coast. The city, whose name means "The Green Island" due to it's gorgeous landscapes and interesting geography, was named China's most livable city in 2012. The city is rich in history, having almost become a German territory in 1897 and being occupied by the Japanese during WWI. Evidence of these occupiers is present in much of the architecture around the city, which includes a few Catholic and Protestant churches.
Tokyo
Tokyo, the capital of Japan, is by far the most populous city in the world with a staggering 37 million people. As a worldwide hub for technology and business, it hosts millions of visitors annually. But Tokyo is not just a place for business trips. With its incredible mixture of historical temples and shrines, remarkably beautiful parks, endless shopping malls, and genuinely wonderful people, Tokyo is a terrific place to visit and to explore.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in China, The Best Luxury Tours to China, The Best 2-Week Tours in Japan, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Japan.
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Qingdao Prices
China PricesTokyo Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayQingdao $73Tokyo $190
The average daily cost (per person) in Qingdao is $73, while the average daily cost in Tokyo is $190. 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 Qingdao and Tokyo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personQingdao $27Tokyo $79
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomQingdao $54Tokyo $158
Compare Hotels in Qingdao and Tokyo
Looking for a hotel in Qingdao or Tokyo? 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: Tokyo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Qingdao $12Tokyo $18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Qingdao
Also for Qingdao, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Qingdao Liuting Airport Transfer Service by Minivan: $86
- Private Qingdao Airport Arrival Transfer to City Hotels: $80
- Qingdao Private Transfer from Qingdao Airport (TAO) to central Qingdao: $54
- Qingdao Private Transfer from Qingdao central to Qingdao Airport (TAO): $53
- Qingdao Northern Railway Station Arrival Private One-Way Transfer: $42
- Qingdao Cruise Port Departure Transfer from City Hotels: $36
- Qingdao Railway Station Depature Transfer from City Hotels: $36
- Qingdao Railway Station Arrival Transfer to City Hotel: $36
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tokyo
Also for Tokyo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 【Haneda Airport】Luxury Private Transfer : $89
- Yokohama Private Arrival Transfer : Tokyo Hotels to Yokohama Port or Hotels: $231
- Yokohama Port: Private Customizable Tour with Transfer: $352
- Private Transfers to/from Narita Airport(NRT): $79
- Private Transfer to/from Haneda Airport 7 Seater: $124
- Private Transfer from/to Yokohama Port: $191
- Private Transfer from Haneda/Narita Airport to Hotel: $308
- Private One-Way Transfers to/from Yokohama Port: $67
- Private One-Way Transfers to/from Hakone or Mt.Fuji: $156
- Private Customize Day Tour With Hotel Transfer: $200
- One-Way Private Transfer from Haneda Airport: $149
- Hotel Transfer to/from Disneyland or DisneySea: $42
Is it cheaper to fly into Qingdao or Tokyo?
Prices for flights to both Tokyo and Qingdao 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 dayQingdao $35Tokyo $67
Typical Food Prices in Tokyo
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Tokyo:
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Late Night Noodles$5.41
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Conveyor Belt Sushi Snack$5.41
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Meal at Airport$7.05
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tokyo
For Tokyo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Tsukiji Food Tour Explore Markets and Temples in Tokyo: $18
- Hide's Table A Unique Dinner Gathering Every Wednesday Night: $21
- Tokyo : Vintage, Music & Food Tour in Shimokitazawa with a Local: $34
- Guided Tsukiji’s Local Food Tour : $34
- For First Time Visitor：Tsukiji Food Tour with Tokyo Travel Advice: $34
- Authentic Homestyle Japanese Cooking Class near Tokyo with Risa: $39
- Tokyo Bay Yakatabune Dinner/Day Cruise with Japan Show and Drinks: $44
- Weekend Japanese Cooking Demonstration with a Tokyo Mom, Toshiko: $49
- Japanese Sushi Cooking Class: $51
- Tokyo private hidden food tour: $55
- Mastering the Grill A Ninja Yakiniku A5 Wagyu Dinner in Nippori : $56
- Tokyo Retro Backstreet Tokyo Tour Option to Add Dinner: $56
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Qingdao $20Tokyo $71
Tours and Activities in Qingdao
For Qingdao, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Private Qingdao Essentials Tour: City Highlights and Beer Museum: $216
- Alternative City Tour with Navy Museum, Beer Street and TV Tower, Lunch Included: $200
- German Era Tour of Old Town Qingdao with Lunch and Beer Museum: $200
- Half Day Tour and Trek to Fushan Mountain: $170
- Laoshan Mountain Full Day Private Activity Tour: $224
- Private Qingdao Historic architectural day tour with Tsingdao beer during Lunch: $245
- Private Qingdao Laoshan day tour with lunch& round way cable car: $240
- Private Qingdao Laoshan half day tour with one bottle of Tsingdao beer as gift: $199
- Private Qingdao highlights city tour with Lunch and Qingdao beer: $175
- Qingdao After Dark: 4-Hour Illumination Tour with Options: $150
- Qingdao Discover Tour to the Mount Laoshan and Tasting Famous Local Beer: $248
- Qingdao Private Day Tour to Laoshan Mountain with Lunch and Cable Car: $238
Tours and Activities in Tokyo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tokyo.
- 4 Hours Shibuya - Shinjuku Night Tour: $102
- Knife Sharpening Experience in Tokyo : $23
- Kyu-Yasuda, Kiyosumi and Hama-Rikyu Tokyo Garden Tour: $159
- Manga Artist Experience with Professional Guidance in Tokyo: $114
- Mount Fuji and Iconic Scenic Spots Day Tour : $99
- Mt. Fuji Roundtrip Tours From Shinjuku, Japan: $84
- Pick the Hours That Suit You In A Flexible Tokyo Guided Tour: $70
- Private Walking Tour Tokyo's Fukagawa Edo Museum: $102
- Shibuya Tokyo Private Photo Tour Activity: $277
- Shinjuku Mini Ramen Tour: Shoyu, Tonkotsu & Miso: $98
- Tokyo Skytree Private Walking Tour Experience With cafe inside: $184
- Akihabara Otaku Tour - 1.5h Guided Shopping: $94
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayQingdao $14Tokyo $34
Typical Alcohol Prices in Tokyo
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Tokyo:
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Sake$4.06
Sample the Local Flavors in Tokyo
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Tokyo:
- Low-cost local pub & bar crawling: $34
- Tokyo Pub Crawl: Unique Japanese Drinks in Shimokitazawa: $34
- 3 Hours Pub Crawl Welcome Guided Tour in Shibuya: $35
- Tokyo Pub Crawl: Unique Japanese Drinks in Shimokitazawa: $38
- 3-Hour Tokyo Pub Crawl Weekly Welcome Guided Tour in Shibuya: $46
- Private Shinjuku Nightlife Walking Tour & Golden-Gai Bar Crawl: $114
- Tokyo's Oldest Sake Brewery and jump into historic town: $116
- Private Sake Tasting at 300 Years Old Sake Brewery in Tokyo : $132
- Sake Brewery and Spiritual Nature Tour in Okutama Tokyo: $142
- Cultural Sake Brewery Private Tour & Unlimited Tasting Near Tokyo: $172
- From Tokyo：Mt.fuji /Museum/Sake brewery/ 1DAY BUS TOUR: $201
- Private tour: Tokyo's Oldest Sake Brewery and riverside walk.: $242
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Qingdao and Tokyo, we can see that Tokyo is more expensive. And not only is Qingdao much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Qingdao would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Qingdao 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 Tokyo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tokyo than you might in Qingdao.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Qingdao Expensive? and Is Tokyo Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Qingdao or Tokyo?
Tokyo has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Qingdao. When comparing the sizes of Qingdao and Tokyo, 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 Qingdao or Tokyo?
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 Qingdao or Tokyo in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Qingdao and Tokyo. Also, most visitors come to Tokyo for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
Qingdao is around the same temperature as Tokyo in the summer. The daily temperature in Qingdao averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Tokyo fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
Qingdao usually receives more sunshine than Tokyo during summer. Qingdao gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Tokyo receives 137 hours of full sun in the summer.
Tokyo receives a lot of rain in the summer. Qingdao gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Qingdao usually receives more rain than Tokyo. Qingdao gets 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Tokyo receives 127 mm (5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyQingdao 25°C (77°F)Tokyo 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Qingdao or Tokyo in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Qingdao as well as Tokyo. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Tokyo because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Qingdao is around the same temperature as Tokyo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Qingdao in October average around 17°C (62°F), and Tokyo averages at about 18°C (64°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Qingdao this time of the year. In the autumn, Qingdao often gets more sunshine than Tokyo. Qingdao gets 220 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tokyo receives 129 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Tokyo. Qingdao usually gets less rain in October than Tokyo. Qingdao gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Tokyo receives 165 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberQingdao 17°C (62°F)Tokyo 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Qingdao or Tokyo in the Winter?
Both Tokyo and Qingdao are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Tokyo this time of year.
The weather in Qingdao can be very cold. In January, Qingdao is generally much colder than Tokyo. Daily temperatures in Qingdao average around -0°C (32°F), and Tokyo fluctuates around 5°C (42°F).
Qingdao usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Tokyo during winter. Qingdao gets 185 hours of sunny skies, while Tokyo receives 175 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Qingdao usually receives less rain than Tokyo. Qingdao gets 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Tokyo receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryQingdao -0°C (32°F)Tokyo 5°C (42°F)
Should I visit Qingdao or Tokyo in the Spring?
Both Tokyo and Qingdao during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many travelers come to Tokyo for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
Qingdao is cooler than Tokyo in the spring. The daily temperature in Qingdao averages around 12°C (53°F) in April, and Tokyo fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).
It's quite sunny in Qingdao. In the spring, Qingdao often gets more sunshine than Tokyo. Qingdao gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tokyo receives 161 hours of full sun.
Tokyo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Qingdao usually gets less rain in April than Tokyo. Qingdao gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Tokyo receives 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilQingdao 12°C (53°F)Tokyo 14°C (58°F)
Typical Weather for Tokyo and Qingdao
| Qingdao | Tokyo | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -0°C (32°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Feb | 1°C (34°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (53°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 125 mm (4.9 in) |
| May | 17°C (62°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 186 mm (7.3 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 162 mm (6.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 180 mm (7.1 in) |
| Oct | 17°C (62°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) |
| Nov | 10°C (49°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Dec | 3°C (37°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 46 mm (1.8 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.