A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Xigatse vs. Kanazawa for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Xigatse or Kanazawa?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Xigatse and Kanazawa 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: Xigatse or Kanazawa?

Xigatse

The second largest city in Tibet behind Lhasa, Xigatse, commonly known as Shigatse, is home to sights and attractions like the Tashilhunpo Monastery, plenty of markets, and the ruins of Shigatse temple. All places of interest are fairly walkable, though auto-rickshaws are also available.

Kanazawa

An important city of the Edo-period, Kanazawa is a well preserved city from a time when samurai, merchants, geisha, and lords made up the core of its culture. Though it is often overlooked by foreigners, the city is a gem of Japanese tourism with a number of preserved historic districts, temples, regional handicrafts, art museums, and some of the best food to be had in Japan.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, The Best Adventure Tours to China, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Japan, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Japan.


Which place is cheaper, Kanazawa or Xigatse?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Xigatse Prices
    China Prices
    Kanazawa Prices
    Japan Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Xigatse $80
    Kanazawa $131

The average daily cost (per person) in Xigatse is $80, while the average daily cost in Kanazawa is $131. 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 Xigatse and Kanazawa in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Xigatse $28
    Kanazawa $66
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Xigatse $56
    Kanazawa $132
Compare Hotels in Xigatse and Kanazawa

Looking for a hotel in Xigatse or Kanazawa? 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 Xigatse


Hotels in Kanazawa


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: Kanazawa Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Xigatse $13
    Kanazawa $9.66

Is it cheaper to fly into Xigatse or Kanazawa?

Prices for flights to both Kanazawa and Xigatse 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
    Xigatse $41
    Kanazawa $58

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kanazawa

For Kanazawa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Authentic Japanese Cooking and Sushi-Making Lesson: $101
  • traditional Japanese & sushi cooking classes: $103
  • Fishing Experience with Gyotaku and Cooking: $423
  • Geisha Performance with Dinner and Drinks: $1,217

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Xigatse $14
    Kanazawa $10

Tours and Activities in Kanazawa

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Kanazawa.

  • 1 Day Tour from Kanazawa Tedori Gorge White Road and Shirakawa Go: $212
  • 1-Day Shirakawago & Takayama Tour (Round Trip from Kanazawa): $219
  • Amaharashi Coast & Shokawa Cruise from Kanazawa: $211
  • Colors of City Tour with Kenrokuen and Kaga Yuzen: $68
  • Day Tour from Kanazawa OR Toyama: Snow Wall and Mysterious Valley: $265
  • Discover Kanazawa with a Local: Private & Custom Tour: $90
  • Exclusive Kannon in Temple Tour in Kanazawa: $138
  • Explore Kanazawa Half Day Private Tour with Local Guide : $103
  • Explore Kanazawa with Sushi Making Experience: $207
  • From Kanazawa/Toyama: Snow Wall & Mysterious Valley Day Tour: $243
  • From Kurobe Gorge & Unazuki Onsen Full-Day Tour: $239
  • From Tateyama Mountain Tour with Waterfall & Hike: $270

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Xigatse $3.20
    Kanazawa $13

Sample the Local Flavors in Kanazawa

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Kanazawa:

  • Kanazawa Historic Brewery: Fermentation Tour, Tasting, Lunch: $81


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

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


Which is Bigger, Xigatse or Kanazawa?

Kanazawa has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Xigatse. When comparing the sizes of Xigatse and Kanazawa, 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.

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