Which place is cheaper, Osaka or Taipei?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Taipei or Osaka?
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 Taipei and Osaka. 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: Taipei or Osaka?
Taipei
Few cities in the world are full of more diverse opportunities than the cultural crosshairs city of Taipei. As the capital of Taiwan, this 300-year-old city is the financial, cultural and governmental center of Taiwan. Located in the northern part of the island between the Yangming Mountains and Central Mountains, this city of 2.6 million people is always ready to welcome more visitors.
Osaka
The third largest city in Japan, Osaka has a lot to offer travelers. It's at the center of the Kansai region, and is a wonderful place to spend a few days. The city sits at the mouth of the Yodo River on Osaka Bay and is a major commercial hub for the country.
Osaka has a humid subtropical climate with four seasons. The winters are mild with January temperatures having an average high of almost 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Snow is very rare. Springs start cool and become hot and humid. This is also the wettest season with the rainiest time being between May and early July. Summers are hot and humid with July temperatures climbing into the high 90s Fahrenheit. The fall season becomes cooler as winter approaches.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Taiwan, The Best Tours for Seniors to Taiwan, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Japan, and The Best Adventure Tours to Japan.
-
Taipei Prices
Taiwan PricesOsaka Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTaipei $206Osaka $110
The average daily cost (per person) in Taipei is $206, while the average daily cost in Osaka is $110. 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 Taipei and Osaka in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTaipei $155Osaka $48
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTaipei $310Osaka $96
Compare Hotels in Taipei and Osaka
Looking for a hotel in Taipei or Osaka? 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: Taipei Hotel Prices and Osaka Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Taipei $11Osaka $14
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Taipei
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Taipei:
-
Easycard$2.15
-
Easycard$9.92
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Taipei
Also for Taipei, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Taipei HTL-APT (TSA): $28
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Taipei APT-HTL (TSA): $28
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Taipei APT- HTL (TPE): $41
- Taoyuan International Airport（TPE）⇄Taoyuan One-way Transfer: $48
- Taoyuan Airport (TPE) Private Transfer to Multiple Destinations: $28
- Taiwan International Airport Private Transfer: $90
- Taoyuan Airport (TPE) Return Bus Transfer: $9.26
- Taipei Taoyuan Airport (TPE) to Taian Township -Arrival Transfer: $192
- Taipei City to Taoyuan Airport Private Transfer: $46
- Taipei City to Keelung Port Private Transfer: $42
- Taipei City to Keelung (Taipei) Cruise Port - Departure Private Transfer: $104
- Taipei Arrival Private Transfer: Taiwan Taoyuan (TPE) to Hotel: $55
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Osaka
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Osaka:
-
Subway$8.11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Osaka
Also for Osaka, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Universal Studios Japan Transfer to or from Osaka English Driver: $150
- Transfer from Osaka City Hotels to Kansai Airport: $106
- Transfer from Kansai Airport to Osaka City Hotels: $44
- Shared Departure Transfer: Osaka City to Osaka Itami Airport: $57
- Shared Arrival Transfer: Osaka Itami Airport to Kyoto City: $107
- Shared Arrival Transfer : Kansai International Airport to Kyoto City: $134
- Private transfer from Kansai Airport to any location in Izumisano: $180
- Private arrival transfer from Osaka Itami International airport to Kyoto City: $83
- Private arrival transfer from Kansai airport to Kobe City & Arima Onsen: $97
- Private arrival Transfer from Osaka Itami Airport(ITM) to central Osaka city: $125
- Private Transfer from Osaka hotels to Osaka Cruise Port: $184
- Private Transfer from Osaka Port to Osaka Kansai Int Airport(KIX): $170
Is it cheaper to fly into Taipei or Osaka?
Prices for flights to both Osaka and Taipei 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 dayTaipei $29Osaka $45
Typical Food Prices in Taipei
For Taipei, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
EasyCard$17
-
Lunch at The Can$7.28
-
EasyCard$33
-
Lunch$3.14
-
Lunch$1.98
-
Dinner$6.62
-
Lunch$3.80
-
Lunch$4.96
-
Louisa coffee$3.14
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Taipei
For Taipei, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Taipei Food Tour Taiwan Traditional Breakfast and Market and Tea: $45
- Food Tours w/ Top 10 Taiwan Food (Breakfast/Dinner): $45
- Taipei Food Tour: Night Market & Convenience Store(Food Included): $45
- Taipei Walking Food Tour in Ningxia Night Market(10 Foods Incl.): $45
- Local Favorites: Taiwan Night Market Food Tour in 2 hours: $49
- Taipei Hidden Eats, Market & Street Food Tour with 8+ Tastings: $55
- Street Food & Hidden Eats Night Market Food Tour: $55
- Xiao long bao, Pork thick soup, Bubble milk tea. (Taiwan Cooking Class)-B : $65
- Private Walking Food Tour in Ningxia Night Market(10 Foods Incl.): $70
- Xiao Long Bao, Chicken vermicelli with mushroom and sesame oil, Tofu strips salad, Bubble milk tea. Taiwan Traditional Delicacies Experience-A (Taipei Cooking Class): $77
- Iconic Food Tour: Local Street Food, Drinks & Sites: $83
- Private Street Food Tour of Taipei with a Local Guide: $84
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Osaka
For Osaka, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- PICCADILLY PREMIUM DINNER SHOW&NIGHTCLUB with Tasting: $17
- Kobe Beef Bowl Cooking Class in Osaka Afternoon : $41
- Cooking Class for Osaka Style Kushikatsu & Tonjiru (with Onigiri): $44
- Osaka Okonomiyaki Cooking Experience!: $51
- Private Food Tour & Bar Hopping in Namba: $51
- Deep Backstreet Osaka Tours (Option to add Dinner): $55
- Discover Osaka Cuisine through Cooking Class Experience: $55
- Enjoy artistic TEMPURA Cooking Class: $68
- Osaka Japanese Cooking And Matcha Class near Osaka Castle: $68
- 3 Hours Washoku Cooking Class: $68
- Osaka Takoyaki Okonomi Experience Tour and cooking class: $68
- Private Takoyaki Cooking Class by Natives in Osaka: $68
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Taipei $18Osaka $21
Tours and Activities in Taipei
For Taipei, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 9 Hour Northeast Coast Bay View Tour in Yilan : $61
- Yamingshan Volcano, Beitou Thermal Valley, Danshui Private Tour: $173
- 2 Days Sun Moon Lake & Lukang Historic Area Tour: $232
- 2 days Yeliou (or Pingxi sky lantern) & Sun Moon Lake tour (Taichung city end) : $200
- 2-Hour Private Dadaocheng Walking Tour: $35
- 2-Hour Private Walking Tour in Beitou, Taiwan: $55
- 4 Days Private Tour Taipei, Jiufen, Sun Moon Lake & Taichung: $1,079
- 4 Hour Afternoon Cycling City Tour North with Snack: $83
- 4-Hour Morning Cycling City Tour (incl. breakfast): $83
- 5 Hours Sightseeing and Bar Tour in Taipei: $72
- 8-hour Northern Taiwan Tour with an English-Speaking Licensed Guide & Driver: $240
- 9 Hour Tamsui Historic Site and Beitou Hot Spring Culture Tour: $57
Typical Entertainment Prices in Osaka
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Osaka's activities, tours, and tickets:
-
Osaka Aquarium (for 2)$31
Tours and Activities in Osaka
For Osaka, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 6 Hours Osaka Tour with National Licensed Guide: $250
- Explore Osaka with Wine Class and Tasting Experience: $109
- Kobe Sanda Premium Outlets Bus Tour Experience: $102
- Nara Deer Park,Uji Matcha and Hot Spring Full-Day Tour: $52
- 1 Day Kyoto UNESCO World Heritage Sites Bus Tour: $61
- 1 Day Yoshino Tour get Out to the Cool of the Countryside : $55
- 10 Hours Private City Tour in Osaka - Chartered Tour: $174
- 150min Full Body and Oil Massage with Japanese Healing Experience: $163
- 3 Hours Historical Tour of Princess Saio on an Electric Cart: $35
- 4-hour Private Walking Tour to Historical Town of Saiku: $76
- 5-Hour Osaka Bike Tour to the Neighborhood of Osaka Castle: $74
- All You Can Drink Meet Locals Adventure Osaka International Party: $59
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayTaipei $19Osaka $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Taipei
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Taipei:
- Taipei Nightlife: Taipei Pub Crawls (2 Different Routes): $27
- Private Tour to Yilan Kavalan Whisky Distillery: $145
Sample the Local Flavors in Osaka
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Osaka:
- Nada Gogo Sake Brewery Tour in Kobe from Osaka: $259
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Taipei and Osaka, we can see that Taipei is more expensive. And not only is Osaka much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Osaka would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Osaka 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 Taipei would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Taipei than you might in Osaka.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Taipei Expensive? and Is Osaka Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Taipei or Osaka?
Taipei has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Osaka. When comparing the sizes of Taipei and Osaka, 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.
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.