Which place is cheaper, Nikko or Tianjin?
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 Tianjin or Nikko?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Tianjin or Nikko? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Tianjin or Nikko?
Tianjin
Tianjin is a large metropolis on the north east coast of China. This ancient city, which dates back to prehistoric times, is one of five National Central Cities of China and is rich in culture and history. Tianjin is most famous for its beautiful walking streets and history of European concession territories.
Tianjin experiences hot and humid summers, with temperatures reaching 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Winters are cool and dry with temperatures around 15° (F). Spring and Autumn tend to be the best times to visit as weather is a little more mild, although Spring has a tendency to be a little rainy.
Nikko
Nikko is a small Japanese city located in the mountains north of Tokyo. It is well-known for the site of Toshogu, a famed Shinto shrine established in 1617, in memory of Tokugawa Ieyasu who was the founding ruler of the Edo Period. The town is situated just outside of Nikko National Park which offers scenic mountain landscapes, lakes, waterfalls, hot springs, wild monkeys, and hiking trails.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in China, The Best Cultural Tours in China, The Best 10-Day Tours in Japan, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Japan.
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Tianjin Prices
China PricesNikko Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTianjin $92Nikko $108
The average daily cost (per person) in Tianjin is $92, while the average daily cost in Nikko is $108. 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 Tianjin and Nikko in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTianjin $35Nikko $48
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTianjin $70Nikko $96
Compare Hotels in Tianjin and Nikko
Looking for a hotel in Tianjin or Nikko? 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: Nikko Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tianjin $37Nikko -
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tianjin
Also for Tianjin, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Cruise Transfer from Tianjin Port to Beijing Hotels : $225
- Private Round-Trip Transfer: Tianjin Hotels to Mutianyu Great Wall: $212
- Private Transfer from Tianjin International Airport to Beijing Downtown: $208
- Private One Way Tianjin Port Transfer to Beijing including Great Wall Sightseeing: $198
- Tianjin Private Transfer to Gubei Water Town and Simatai Great Wall: $196
- Private Transfer to Huangyaguan Great Wall from Tianjin City: $178
- Private Tianjin Port Transfer to Huangyaguan Great Wall: $178
- Private PEK Airport Departure Transfer from Tianjin with Bullet Train Experience: $168
- Private Transfer: Tianjin Cruise Port to Great Wall of China with Beijing Drop-Off: $168
- Private Tianjin Port Transfer: Between Beijing to Tianjin Port: $160
- Private 1-Way Transfer Between Tianjin Port to Beijing: $138
- Private One Way Transfer Between Tianjin Port and Beijing: $132
Is it cheaper to fly into Tianjin or Nikko?
Prices for flights to both Nikko and Tianjin 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 dayTianjin $36Nikko $55
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tianjin $10Nikko $22
Tours and Activities in Tianjin
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tianjin.
- Private Tour to Uncover Tianjin’s Must-Visit Bucket-List Spots : $248
- 1 Day Tianjin City Essence Tour from Tianjin Port: $235
- 4-Hour Tianjin Shore Excursion to Shijia Mansion with Bullet Train Experience: $210
- 5-Hour Private Tianjin Shopping Tour from Tianjin Cruise Port: $179
- All-inclusive Day Tour: China House, Five Avenues, Ancient Street & Tianjin Eye: $224
- All-inclusive Tianjin Day Tour to Qing Emperor's Tomb & Huangyaguan Great Wall : $278
- Bullet Train Private Tour: Beijing Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City & Great Wall: $239
- From Beijing: Tianjin Highlights Day Tour by High-Speed Rail: $289
- Huangyaguan Great Wall Layover Tour from Tianjin Cruise Port: $265
- Private Great Wall Tour from Tianjin Cruise Port: $248
- Private Tianjin City Highlight Day Tour: $188
- Private Tianjin City Night Tour with Haihe River Cruise: $176
Tours and Activities in Nikko
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Nikko.
- 1 Day Nikko Wonders Tour from Tokyo: $406
- Bask in the beauty of winter Nikko in this unforgettable ice climbing experience: $116
- Bike and Hike on Mt Hangetsu with Outdoor Matcha Experience: $83
- Edo Wonderland Nikko Edomura Admission Ticket: $50
- Hidden Canyoning Adventure in Nikko : $104
- Nikko – Beautiful Full-Day Personal and Private Tour: $395
- Nikko Cycling Tour with Local Guide: $269
- Nikko Early Morning Tour with English-Speaking Guide: $73
- Nikko Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide: $152
- Nikko Guided Cycling Tour with a Local Monk: $269
- Nikko Private Custom Tour with Local Guide: $207
- Nikko Private Customizable Full Day Tour: $266
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTianjin $11Nikko $15
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tianjin and Nikko, we can see that Nikko is more expensive. And not only is Tianjin much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Tianjin would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tianjin 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 Nikko would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nikko than you might in Tianjin.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tianjin Expensive? and Is Nikko Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tianjin or Nikko?
Tianjin has a larger population, and is about 230 times larger than the population of Nikko. When comparing the sizes of Tianjin and Nikko, 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 Tianjin or Nikko?
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 Tianjin or Nikko in the Summer?
Both Nikko and Tianjin are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Nikko for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
Tianjin is around the same temperature as Nikko in the summer. The daily temperature in Tianjin averages around 27°C (80°F) in July, and Nikko fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tianjin. Tianjin usually receives more sunshine than Nikko during summer. Tianjin gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Nikko receives 136 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Nikko. It's quite rainy in Tianjin. In July, Tianjin usually receives more rain than Nikko. Tianjin gets 185 mm (7.3 in) of rain, while Nikko receives 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyTianjin 27°C (80°F)Nikko 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Tianjin or Nikko in the Autumn?
Both Nikko and Tianjin during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Nikko because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Tianjin is around the same temperature as Nikko. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Tianjin in October average around 15°C (58°F), and Nikko averages at about 16°C (61°F).
It's quite sunny in Tianjin. In the autumn, Tianjin often gets more sunshine than Nikko. Tianjin gets 227 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nikko receives 167 hours of full sun.
Nikko gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Tianjin usually gets less rain in October than Nikko. Tianjin gets 21 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Nikko receives 117 mm (4.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberTianjin 15°C (58°F)Nikko 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Tianjin or Nikko in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Tianjin and Nikko. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Nikko this time of year.
It's quite cold in Nikko in the winter. The weather in Tianjin can be very cold. In January, Tianjin is generally much colder than Nikko. Daily temperatures in Tianjin average around -3°C (27°F), and Nikko fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Nikko this time of the year. In Tianjin, it's very sunny this time of the year. Tianjin usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Nikko during winter. Tianjin gets 201 hours of sunny skies, while Nikko receives 212 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Tianjin usually receives less rain than Nikko. Tianjin gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Nikko receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryTianjin -3°C (27°F)Nikko 3°C (37°F)
Should I visit Tianjin or Nikko in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Tianjin as well as Nikko. Also, many travelers come to Nikko for the small town charm and the natural beauty.
Tianjin is a little warmer than Nikko in the spring. The daily temperature in Tianjin averages around 14°C (58°F) in April, and Nikko fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tianjin this time of the year. In the spring, Tianjin often gets more sunshine than Nikko. Tianjin gets 247 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nikko receives 191 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Nikko. Tianjin usually gets less rain in April than Nikko. Tianjin gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Nikko receives 108 mm (4.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilTianjin 14°C (58°F)Nikko 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Nikko and Tianjin
| Tianjin | Nikko | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -3°C (27°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| Feb | -1°C (31°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 9 mm (0.3 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Apr | 14°C (58°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 108 mm (4.2 in) |
| May | 21°C (69°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 139 mm (5.5 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (77°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (80°F) | 185 mm (7.3 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 155 mm (6.1 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 195 mm (7.7 in) |
| Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 201 mm (7.9 in) |
| Oct | 15°C (58°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) |
| Nov | 6°C (43°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | -1°C (31°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 32 mm (1.2 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.