Which place is cheaper, Harbin or Yokohama?
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 Yokohama or Harbin?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Yokohama or Harbin, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Yokohama or Harbin?
Yokohama
Located on the western coast of Tokyo Bay just south of Tokyo, Yokohama is Japan's second largest city and one of the most-visited cities by foreigners. It features one of the largest Chinatown's in the world as well as many parks and architectural landmarks.
Harbin
Harbin, China is the northernmost major city in the country, with a population of over 10 million. Harbin was founded in 1897 by Russia, which has resulted in a lot of Russian influence throughout the city and many Russian citizens. The city is most famous for their annual International Snow and Ice Festival, a two-month-long festival running from January through February of each year.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Tokyo, The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, The Best 2-Week Tours in China, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China.
-
Yokohama Prices
Japan PricesHarbin Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayYokohama $156Harbin $66
The average daily cost (per person) in Yokohama is $156, while the average daily cost in Harbin is $66. 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 Yokohama and Harbin in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personYokohama $72Harbin $21
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomYokohama $144Harbin $42
Compare Hotels in Yokohama and Harbin
Looking for a hotel in Yokohama or Harbin? 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: Yokohama Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Yokohama $21Harbin $1.52
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Yokohama
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Yokohama:
- Private Transfer to/from Narita Airport (NRT): $347
- Yokohama ⇆ Tokyo, Narita & Haneda Airport Private Transfer: $127
- Yokohama Private Transfer: Tokyo City, Narita and Haneda Airport: $65
- Yokohama Port: Private Transfer from/to Haneda Airport: $210
- Yokohama Port to Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) - Private Transfer : $120
- Yokohama Cruise Port to Narita Airport NRT - Private Transfer : $147
- Yokohama City: Private transfer to/from Haneda Airport: $128
- Tokyo: Private Transfer to/from Yokohama Port: $84
- Tokyo: Private One-Way Transfer to/from Yokohama Port: $203
- Tokyo: Haneda Airport(HND) Private Transfer to/from Yokohama: $52
- Tokyo to/from Yokohama private transfer service.: $229
- Tokyo private transfer for Yokohama Port: $243
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Harbin
Also for Harbin, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 4 Hour Private Transfer to Sun Island Snow Sculptures: $100
- Harbin Airport (HRB) : Private Arrival Transfer with Meet & Greet Service: $32
- Harbin Catholic Church Car Transfer Service: $80
- Harbin Ice Festival Tickets and Transfer Service : $148
- Harbin Taiping Airport Chauffeur Service, Harbin Airport Transfer, Pick up.: $59
- Harbin Volga Manor Private Transfer Service with Entry Tickets: $300
- Private Arrival Transfer from Harbin West Railway Station to Harbin City Hotel: $65
- Private Departure Transfer to Harbin North Railway Station from Harbin City: $100
- Private Full Day Transfer Service to Harbin Top Winter Attractions: $198
- Private HRB Airport Arrival Transfer to Harbin City Hotel: $70
- Private HRB Airport Departure Transfer from Harbin City Hotel: $70
- Shared Transfer Service to Ice and Snow World, Sun Island Snow Festival: $250
Is it cheaper to fly into Yokohama or Harbin?
Prices for flights to both Harbin and Yokohama 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 dayYokohama $66Harbin $24
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Yokohama
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Yokohama.
- Tokyo: Shinjuku Local Eats, Street Food Tour & Culture Walk: $25
- Private Local Food Tour in Ginza and Shinbashi: $62
- DIY Sushi Cooking Class at Izakaya in Yokohama: $68
- Yokohama Manga Art & Japanese Cooking Experience: $81
- Sushi & Gyoza Cooking with Matcha Experience: $81
- Miso Ramen Gyoza and Matcha Cooking Class Professional Teacher: $100
- Sakuragicho/Noge Walking & Local Food Tour: $134
- Tokyo: Best Ginza Food Tour at 3 Local Eateries: $150
- Traditional Japanese Home Cooking from a Chef in Shibuya: $171
- Tokyo Allstar Food Tour: $231
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Harbin
For Harbin, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Dinner Show with Costumes and Performances: $29
- Harbin Cultural Tour at Zhongyang Dajie to Baluoke with Dinner: $80
- Central Street, Baluoke Village, and Dinner Tour: $90
- Harbin Dumpling Cooking Class: $154
- Hot Spring Experience with Hot Pot Dinner in Harbin: $300
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Yokohama $31Harbin $53
Tours and Activities in Yokohama
Here are a few actual costs in Yokohama for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 'Feel Yokohama!'Private tour in English: $108
- “akira bike scene” metropolitan expressway motor cycle tour: $201
- "Heart of Yokohama" Walking: Experience Hill Area: $47
- Authentic Sumo Experience in Tokyo : Enter the Sanctuary: $178
- Best of Tokyo Private Tour for Yokohama Cruise Passengers: $123
- Casual Japanese SAKE tasting and snack experience in Kabukicho: $42
- Chef's Choice Sushi & Tempura Luxury Foodie Tour in Ginza: $222
- Cherry Blossom Boat tour in Yokohama, Minato Mirai: $41
- Cherry Blossom Viewing from a Boat: Tour in Yokohama Minato Mirai: $55
- Cup Noodles Museum Guided Tour in Yokohama: $60
- Discover Kawasaki: A Private Tour with a Local: $193
- Discover Shinjuku Private Tour with Local Guide, Food & Drinks: $108
Tours and Activities in Harbin
For Harbin, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Harbin Ice and Snow World Ticket Booking: $51
- Half Day Tour for Harbin Guandong Ancient Lane and Wood Sculpture Museum: $104
- Harbin Summer Indoor Ice and Snow World Tour: $136
- Harbin Ice Lantern Show and Center Street Tour: $150
- Private Half Day Tour Harbin ConfucianTemple and Temple of Bliss (Jile Si): $157
- 1-Day Harbin Private Tour: $168
- Harbin City Guided Tour to Zhongyang Street and Sophia Church: $180
- Private Half Day City Tour including Russian Town and Harbin Ropeway Ride: $198
- Small Group Night Tour to Harbin Ice and Snow World: $199
- Harbin City Private Day Tour in Your Way in Winter Season: $200
- Harbin Ice Festival New Year Eve Countdown Group Tour on December 31: $200
- Private Half Day Tour to Unit 731 Museum and Sites in Harbin: $218
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayYokohama $18Harbin $7.96
Sample the Local Flavors in Yokohama
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Yokohama:
- Tokyo Pub Crawl: $26
- Tantra Tokyo Burlesque Show Club: $83
Sample the Local Flavors in Harbin
Also in Harbin, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Half-Day Private Harbin Beer Museum and Brewery Tour: $250
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Yokohama and Harbin, we can see that Yokohama is more expensive. And not only is Harbin much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Harbin would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Harbin 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 Yokohama would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Yokohama than you might in Harbin.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Yokohama Expensive? and Is Harbin Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Yokohama or Harbin?
Yokohama has a larger population, and is about 11% larger than the population of Harbin. When comparing the sizes of Yokohama and Harbin, 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 Yokohama or Harbin?
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 Yokohama or Harbin in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Yokohama as well as Harbin. Most visitors come to Yokohama for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Yokohama is around the same temperature as Harbin. Typically, the summer temperatures in Yokohama in July average around 25°C (78°F), and Harbin averages at about 24°C (75°F).
It's quite rainy in Harbin. Yokohama receives a lot of rain in the summer. Yokohama usually gets less rain in July than Harbin. Yokohama gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 153 mm (6 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyYokohama 25°C (78°F)Harbin 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Yokohama or Harbin in the Autumn?
Both Harbin and Yokohama are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Yokohama because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
In October, Yokohama is generally much warmer than Harbin. Daily temperatures in Yokohama average around 18°C (64°F), and Harbin fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).
It's quite rainy in Yokohama. In October, Yokohama usually receives more rain than Harbin. Yokohama gets 175 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberYokohama 18°C (64°F)Harbin 7°C (44°F)
Should I visit Yokohama or Harbin in the Winter?
Both Harbin and Yokohama during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Yokohama this time of year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Harbin. Yokohama is much warmer than Harbin in the winter. The daily temperature in Yokohama averages around 6°C (42°F) in January, and Harbin fluctuates around -18°C (-0°F).
Yokohama usually gets more rain in January than Harbin. Yokohama gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryYokohama 6°C (42°F)Harbin -18°C (-0°F)
Should I visit Yokohama or Harbin in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Yokohama and Harbin. Many travelers come to Yokohama for the activities around the city.
In the spring, Yokohama is much warmer than Harbin. Typically, the spring temperatures in Yokohama in April average around 14°C (58°F), and Harbin averages at about 8°C (46°F).
Yokohama gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Yokohama usually receives more rain than Harbin. Yokohama gets 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 21 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilYokohama 14°C (58°F)Harbin 8°C (46°F)
Typical Weather for Harbin and Yokohama
| Yokohama | Harbin | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 6°C (42°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | -18°C (-0°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (42°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | -14°C (7°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | 9°C (47°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) | -3°C (26°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 14°C (58°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| May | 19°C (66°F) | 153 mm (6 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (71°F) | 221 mm (8.7 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (78°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 153 mm (6 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (74°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 18°C (64°F) | 175 mm (6.9 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (55°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) | -4°C (24°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Dec | 8°C (47°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | -14°C (7°F) | 5 mm (0.2 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.