Which place is cheaper, Nara or Xiamen?
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 Xiamen or Nara?
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 Nara 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 Nara?
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.
Nara
As Japan's first capital, Nara offers a world of tradition and culture second only to the city of Kyoto. It is home to eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, which are largely concentrated in the area of Nara Park. Here, it is also common to see many deer wandering freely amongst the temples and shrines.
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.
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Xiamen Prices
China PricesNara Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayXiamen $84Nara $111
The average daily cost (per person) in Xiamen is $84, while the average daily cost in Nara is $111. 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 Nara in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personXiamen $31Nara $54
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomXiamen $62Nara $108
Compare Hotels in Xiamen and Nara
Looking for a hotel in Xiamen or Nara? 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: Nara Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Xiamen $6.08Nara $6.04
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Xiamen
Also for Xiamen, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Arrival Transfer from Gaoqi Airport to Xiamen City Hotel: $10
- Private Transfer from Xiamen North Railway Station to City Area: $19
- Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport Chauffeur Service ,Xiamen Airport Transfer: $25
- Private Xiamen Gaoqi Airport Arrival Transfer to City Area: $30
- Private Xiamen Gaoqi Airport Departure Transfer from City Areas: $33
- Private Transfer Service between Xiamen and Anxi : $89
- Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster : $89
- Private Transfer Between Xiamen City and HongKeng Hakka Tulou Cluster: $89
- Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Hui'an county in Quanzhou: $89
- Private Transfer to Tianluokeng and HekengHakka Tulou fromXiamen: $90
- Private Transfer to Gaobei Tulou and Yunshuiyao Village from Xiamen City: $98
- Private Transfer to Tianluokeng Tulou and Hekeng Hakka Tulou from Xiamen City : $98
Is it cheaper to fly into Xiamen or Nara?
Prices for flights to both Nara 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
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Food Meals for one dayXiamen $46Nara $51
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nara
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Nara.
- Handmade Soba and Tempura Cooking Class in Nara: $49
- Udon and Tempura Cooking Class in Nara: $52
- Nara Personalized Half Day Food Tour with a Local Guide: $160
- Taste of Nara A Guided Half Day Food Tour Tailored to Your Taste: $160
- Full Day Nara E bike Tour and Osaka History Food Tour: $200
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Xiamen $16Nara $8.09
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 Nara
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Nara are as follows:
- 2-day Kansai world ExTour I tour around Osaka,Kyoto,Nara,andUji: $221
- All must-sees in 3 hours - Nara Park Classic Tour! From JR Nara!: $45
- First Time Nara Tour UNESCO Sites with Lunch and Deer Feed: $83
- Gripped Sumi Ink Experience at a Historic Workshop in Nara: $23
- Half-Day Private Guided Tour to Nara City: $152
- Japan's Oldest Shrine & Nagashi Somen Walking Tour from Nara: $166
- Kyoto Matcha Green Tea Tour: $221
- Kyoto: Tea Museum and Tsuen Teahouse Guided Tour: $74
- Nara - Craft Beer, Sake & Food Walking Tour: $104
- Nara - Heart of Nature Cross Bike Tour: $290
- Nara - Highlights Bike Tour: $76
- Nara - Private Family Bike Tour: $207
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayXiamen $17Nara $12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Xiamen and Nara, we can see that Nara 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 Nara would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nara 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 Nara Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Xiamen or Nara?
Xiamen has a larger population, and is about 57% larger than the population of Nara. When comparing the sizes of Xiamen and Nara, 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 Nara?
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 Nara in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Xiamen as well as Nara. Additionally, many visitors come to Nara in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Xiamen is generally a little warmer than Nara. Daily temperatures in Xiamen average around 30°C (86°F), and Nara fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
It's quite rainy in Nara. Xiamen receives a lot of rain in the summer. Xiamen usually gets less rain in July than Nara. Xiamen gets 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Nara receives 186 mm (7.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyXiamen 30°C (86°F)Nara 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Xiamen or Nara in the Autumn?
Both Nara and Xiamen are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Nara for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
Xiamen is a little warmer than Nara in the autumn. The daily temperature in Xiamen averages around 25°C (77°F) in October, and Nara fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Nara. In October, Xiamen usually receives less rain than Nara. Xiamen gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Nara receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberXiamen 25°C (77°F)Nara 17°C (63°F)
Should I visit Xiamen or Nara in the Winter?
Both Nara and Xiamen during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Nara because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Nara can be very cold. In the winter, Xiamen is much warmer than Nara. Typically, the winter temperatures in Xiamen in January average around 14°C (58°F), and Nara averages at about 4°C (40°F).
Xiamen usually gets less rain in January than Nara. Xiamen gets 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Nara receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryXiamen 14°C (58°F)Nara 4°C (40°F)
Should I visit Xiamen or Nara in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Xiamen and Nara. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Nara this time of year.
In April, Xiamen is generally a little warmer than Nara. Daily temperatures in Xiamen average around 20°C (69°F), and Nara fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).
Nara receives a lot of rain in the spring. Xiamen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Xiamen usually receives more rain than Nara. Xiamen gets 147 mm (5.8 in) of rain, while Nara receives 127 mm (5 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilXiamen 20°C (69°F)Nara 14°C (57°F)
Typical Weather for Nara and Xiamen
| Xiamen | Nara | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 14°C (58°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Feb | 14°C (57°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 60 mm (2.3 in) |
| Mar | 16°C (61°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Apr | 20°C (69°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| May | 24°C (76°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 128 mm (5.1 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.7 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 214 mm (8.4 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 186 mm (7.3 in) |
| Aug | 30°C (85°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 154 mm (6.1 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (77°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (69°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 16°C (61°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 41 mm (1.6 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.