A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Xiamen vs. Ise for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Xiamen or Ise?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Xiamen and Ise can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Xiamen or Ise?

Xiamen

Xiamen is a coastal city in the Fujian Province of China and has been a major port city and gateway to China for centuries. This vibrant and modern city was named the most livable city in the world in 2002 and one of the first cities to be named a Special Economic Zone. Xiamen is best known for being home to Gulangyu Island, a beautiful island full of historic colonial buildings and lovely walking paths.

Ise

A coastal city of Japan, Ise is best known for the Ise Shrine, arguably the holiest and most important Shinto site and the reputed home of the Emperor's Sacred Mirror. The shrine dates back to 4 BC and actually consists of two shrines: the inner shrine called Naiku and the outer shrine called Geku.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, The Best Historical Tours in China, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan, and The Best Cultural Tours in Japan.


Which place is cheaper, Ise or Xiamen?

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 Xiamen is $84, while the average daily cost in Ise 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 Xiamen and Ise in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Xiamen $31
    Ise $43
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Xiamen $62
    Ise $86
Compare Hotels in Xiamen and Ise

Looking for a hotel in Xiamen or Ise? 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 Xiamen


Hotels in Ise


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: Ise Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Xiamen $6.08
    Ise $45

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Xiamen

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

  • Private Transfer Service between Xiamen City and Yongding Hakka Tulou : $115
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Gaoqi Airport to Xiamen City Hotel: $10
  • Private Transfer Between Xiamen City and HongKeng Hakka Tulou Cluster: $89
  • Private Transfer Service between Xiamen and Anxi : $89
  • Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Hui'an county in Quanzhou: $89
  • Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster : $89
  • Private Transfer from Xiamen North Railway Station to City Area: $19
  • Private Transfer to Gaobei Tulou and Hongkeng Tulou from Xiamen City: $98
  • Private Transfer to Gaobei Tulou and Yunshuiyao Village from Xiamen City: $98
  • Private Transfer to Hongkeng Tulou and Yunshuiyao Village from Xiamen City: $98
  • Private Transfer to Tianluokeng Tulou and Hekeng Hakka Tulou from Xiamen City : $98
  • Private Transfer to Tianluokeng and HekengHakka Tulou fromXiamen: $90

Is it cheaper to fly into Xiamen or Ise?

Prices for flights to both Ise and Xiamen 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
    Xiamen $46
    Ise $43

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Xiamen $16
    Ise $6.04

Tours and Activities in Xiamen

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

  • Sailing & Sea Experience.: $22
  • Quanzhou Kaiyuan Temple & Luoyang Bridge Tour: $70
  • Xiamen Private English Tour Guide Service: $93
  • Xiamen Private Half Day Tour of Gulangyu Island and Shuzhuang Garden: $97
  • A Night Tour to Xiamen Gulang Island: $100
  • 4-Hour Xiamen Private Local Food Market Experience: $103
  • 4-hour Xiamen Private Flexible Tour in Your Way: $115
  • 4-Hour Xiamen Private Shore Excursion Tour in Your Way: $121
  • Shanghai Metro Tour: $127
  • Xiamen Layover Day Tour-Gulangyu,Shuzhuang Garden And Piano Museum: $132
  • Xiamen Half-Day Private Tour include Gulang Yu Island and Garden : $135
  • Tour Guide and Car: Private Day Tour to Yunshuiyao Ancient Village from Xiamen: $140

Tours and Activities in Ise

Here are a few actual costs in Ise for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Express Tour of Japan’s Most Sacred Shrine: $47
  • Full-Day Guided Tour of Shrines and Oharaimachi: $138
  • Guided Bar-Hopping Tour with Food and Drinks: $85
  • Ise Grand Shrine and Okage Yokocho Guided Tour: $149
  • Island Adventure Sea Kayak Tour(Ise-Shima): $47
  • Toba Private Customizable Half Day Tour: $215

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Xiamen $17
    Ise $4.68


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

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


Which is Bigger, Xiamen or Ise?

Xiamen has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Ise. When comparing the sizes of Xiamen and Ise, 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 Xiamen or Ise?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Xiamen or Ise in the Summer?

Both Ise and Xiamen during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Ise this time of year.

In July, Xiamen is generally a little warmer than Ise. Daily temperatures in Xiamen average around 30°C (86°F), and Ise fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

Ise gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Xiamen. Xiamen usually gets less rain in July than Ise. Xiamen gets 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Ise receives 219 mm (8.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Xiamen 30°C (86°F) 
    Ise 26°C (79°F)

Should I visit Xiamen or Ise in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Xiamen and Ise. Furthermore, many travelers come to Ise for the shopping scene.

Xiamen is a little warmer than Ise in the autumn. The daily temperature in Xiamen averages around 25°C (77°F) in October, and Ise fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

Ise receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Xiamen usually receives less rain than Ise. Xiamen gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Ise receives 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Xiamen 25°C (77°F) 
    Ise 17°C (63°F)

Should I visit Xiamen or Ise in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Xiamen as well as Ise. Additionally, many visitors come to Ise in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Ise can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Xiamen is much warmer than Ise. Typically, the winter temperatures in Xiamen in January average around 14°C (58°F), and Ise averages at about 5°C (40°F).

Xiamen usually gets less rain in January than Ise. Xiamen gets 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Ise receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Xiamen 14°C (58°F) 
    Ise 5°C (40°F)

Should I visit Xiamen or Ise in the Spring?

Both Ise and Xiamen are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Ise for the beaches during these months.

In April, Xiamen is generally much warmer than Ise. Daily temperatures in Xiamen average around 20°C (69°F), and Ise fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Ise. It's quite rainy in Xiamen. In April, Xiamen usually receives around the same amount of rain as Ise. Xiamen gets 147 mm (5.8 in) of rain, while Ise receives 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Xiamen 20°C (69°F) 
    Ise 13°C (56°F)

Typical Weather for Ise and Xiamen

Xiamen Ise
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 14°C (58°F) 37 mm (1.4 in) 5°C (40°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Feb 14°C (57°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 5°C (41°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Mar 16°C (61°F) 99 mm (3.9 in) 8°C (46°F) 104 mm (4.1 in)
Apr 20°C (69°F) 147 mm (5.8 in) 13°C (56°F) 149 mm (5.9 in)
May 24°C (76°F) 152 mm (6 in) 18°C (65°F) 162 mm (6.4 in)
Jun 27°C (81°F) 197 mm (7.7 in) 22°C (71°F) 236 mm (9.3 in)
Jul 30°C (86°F) 140 mm (5.5 in) 26°C (79°F) 219 mm (8.6 in)
Aug 30°C (85°F) 149 mm (5.9 in) 27°C (81°F) 176 mm (6.9 in)
Sep 28°C (83°F) 116 mm (4.6 in) 23°C (74°F) 238 mm (9.4 in)
Oct 25°C (77°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 17°C (63°F) 145 mm (5.7 in)
Nov 21°C (69°F) 37 mm (1.4 in) 12°C (54°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Dec 16°C (61°F) 25 mm (1 in) 7°C (45°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)