Which place is cheaper, Tokyo or Zhangjiajie?
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 Zhangjiajie or Tokyo?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Zhangjiajie and Tokyo. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Zhangjiajie or Tokyo?
Zhangjiajie
Zhangjiajie, China is a picturesque city located in the northwest of the Hunan Province. This ancient city, which dates all the way back to the Stone Age, is famous for being home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Wulingyuan Scenic Area. Zhangjiajie is also known for being a popular filming location and and overall great place to escape the bustling Chinese cities. Zhangjiajie has its own dialect, which is a branch of the Hunan and Southern dialects, so Mandarin does not always translate when trying to speak to locals here.
Tokyo
Tokyo, the capital of Japan, is by far the most populous city in the world with a staggering 37 million people. As a worldwide hub for technology and business, it hosts millions of visitors annually. But Tokyo is not just a place for business trips. With its incredible mixture of historical temples and shrines, remarkably beautiful parks, endless shopping malls, and genuinely wonderful people, Tokyo is a terrific place to visit and to explore.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in China, The Best 10-Day Tours in China, The Best 2-Week Tours in Japan, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Japan.
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Zhangjiajie Prices
China PricesTokyo Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZhangjiajie $79Tokyo $190
The average daily cost (per person) in Zhangjiajie is $79, while the average daily cost in Tokyo is $190. 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 Zhangjiajie and Tokyo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZhangjiajie $30Tokyo $79
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZhangjiajie $60Tokyo $158
Compare Hotels in Zhangjiajie and Tokyo
Looking for a hotel in Zhangjiajie or Tokyo? 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: Tokyo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zhangjiajie $15Tokyo $18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zhangjiajie
Also for Zhangjiajie, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 4-Day Private Tour with Airport Transfers: $710
- Private Transfer: Yichang hotel from/to Zhangjiajie Hotel: $321
- Private Transfer from Zhangjiajie to Guilin or Yangshuo: $256
- Private transfer from Zhangjiajie(Wulingyuan) to Changsha area: $213
- 1 Day Fenghuang and Furong Town Day Tour with Hotel Transfers: $192
- Private Transfer from Zhangjiajie to Fenghuang and stops at Furong old town: $187
- Private Transfer: Zhangjiajie from/to Fenghuang: $168
- Private Car Transfer From WLY to Glass Bridge (Round Trip ): $105
- Fox Fairy Show VIP Ticket with Private Transfer in ZJJ City: $52
- Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport private transfer service: $20
- Zhangjiajie airport/city pick up transfer to hotel or Vice Versa: $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tokyo
Also for Tokyo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- One Way Shuttle Van Transfer, Tokyo ⇔ Nagano: $805
- One Way Shuttle Van Transfer, Tokyo ⇔ Hakone: $426
- Shuttle Van Tour Tokyo for 4 Hours or 6 Hours+Transfer Time: $368
- Yokohama Port: Private Customizable Tour with Transfer: $352
- Private Transfer from Haneda/Narita Airport to Hotel: $308
- Tokyo Departure Private Transfers from Tokyo City to Tokyo-Narita Airport NRT: $287
- Private Transfer from Tokyo to Narita Airport (NRT) : $284
- Private Transfer: Haneda Airport HND to Tokyo in Sedan Car: $274
- Private Departure Transfer : Central Tokyo City to Narita International Airport: $274
- Tokyo Airport Transfers: Tokyo City to Tokyo-Narita Airport NRT in Luxury Van: $270
- Discount Rate, Airport Shuttle Van Transfer, Haneda ⇔ Narita : $261
- Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT) to Tokyo - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $253
Is it cheaper to fly into Zhangjiajie or Tokyo?
Prices for flights to both Tokyo and Zhangjiajie 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 dayZhangjiajie $36Tokyo $67
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zhangjiajie
For Zhangjiajie, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- 1 Day Zhangjiajie Private Tour Visit Avatar Mount and Tianzi Mount with Dinner: $196
Typical Food Prices in Tokyo
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Tokyo:
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Late Night Noodles$5.41
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Conveyor Belt Sushi Snack$5.41
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Meal at Airport$7.05
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tokyo
For Tokyo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Hide's Table A Unique Dinner Gathering Every Wednesday Night: $21
- For First Time Visitor：Tsukiji Food Tour with Tokyo Travel Advice: $35
- Guided Tsukiji’s Local Food Tour : $35
- Authentic Homestyle Japanese Cooking Class near Tokyo with Risa: $39
- Ueno Private Walking Tour and Night Food Tour: $42
- Tokyo Bay Yakatabune Dinner/Day Cruise with Japan Show and Drinks: $45
- Tokyo Retro Backstreet Tokyo Tour Option to Add Dinner: $56
- Tokyo Downtown Akihabara Tour And Dinner Party Adults Only: $59
- Japanese cooking class - Bring the flavors of Japan to France: $61
- Tokyo Cute Bento : Kawaii Lunchbox Cooking Class!: $63
- Authentic Japanese Home Cooking Class in Chiba with Miyuki: $66
- [1 Group Only] Explore Tokyo Ginza Food Tour for Family: $70
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zhangjiajie $23Tokyo $71
Tours and Activities in Zhangjiajie
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Zhangjiajie.
- 2-Day Private Combo Tour: Avatar Mountain & Tianmen Mountain: $251
- 2-Days Private tour to Avatar mount & Have's Gate & Glass bridge: $250
- (Private Day Tour) Zhangjiajie National Park + Tianzi Mountain: $195
- 1 Day Dragon Sitting Gorge & Red Stone Forest Geo-park TOUR！: $272
- 1 Day Private Expedition Tour to Binlang Valley: $142
- 1 Day VIP Tour: Avatar Mountain&72 Odd Towers (Free Ticket): $203
- 1 day tour Avatar Mountain and Grand Canyon & Glass Bridge: $215
- 1-Day Private Tour to Glass Bridge & Yellow Dragon Cave: $102
- 1-Day Private Tour to Tianmen Mountain & Glass Walk & Night Light: $146
- 1-Day Private Tour to ZJJ National Forest Park & Avatar Mountain: $98
- 1-Day Private Tour to Zhangjiajie Forest Park & AVATAR Mountain: $98
- 1-Day Private Tour to Zhangjiajie Forest Park & Avatar Mountain: $195
Tours and Activities in Tokyo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tokyo.
- 4 Hours Shibuya - Shinjuku Night Tour: $104
- Authentic Samurai Experience With Real Actors: $104
- Can Am Ryker Cruising in Asakusa Adventure: $243
- Futakotamagawa Suburban Gems Private Tour in Tokyo: $83
- Join Tokyo Art Class Experience Publicly: $125
- Manga Artist Experience with Professional Guidance in Tokyo: $115
- Mount Fuji and Iconic Scenic Spots Day Tour : $99
- Pick the Hours That Suit You In A Flexible Tokyo Guided Tour: $70
- Private Walking Tour Tokyo's Fukagawa Edo Museum: $104
- Shibuya Tokyo Private Photo Tour Activity: $278
- Tokyo Skytree Private Walking Tour Experience With cafe inside: $188
- “Daikoku Car Meet Night Tour | JDM Experience in Tokyo”: $278
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZhangjiajie $16Tokyo $34
Typical Alcohol Prices in Tokyo
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Tokyo:
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Sake$4.06
Sample the Local Flavors in Tokyo
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Tokyo:
- Tokyo Pub Crawl: Unique Japanese Drinks in Shimokitazawa: $34
- 3 Hours Pub Crawl Welcome Guided Tour in Shibuya: $35
- Mt. Fuji & Hakushu Distillery Whisky Museum Bus Tour from Tokyo: $94
- Historic Sake Brewery Tour and Culinary Pairing: $125
- Sake Brewery and Spiritual Nature Tour in Okutama Tokyo: $143
- Cultural Sake Brewery Private Tour & Unlimited Tasting Near Tokyo: $172
- From Tokyo：Mt.fuji /Museum/Sake brewery/ 1DAY BUS TOUR: $202
- Private tour: Tokyo's Oldest Sake Brewery and riverside walk.: $243
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zhangjiajie and Tokyo, we can see that Tokyo is more expensive. And not only is Zhangjiajie much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Zhangjiajie would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Zhangjiajie 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 Tokyo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tokyo than you might in Zhangjiajie.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Zhangjiajie Expensive? and Is Tokyo Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zhangjiajie or Tokyo?
Tokyo has a larger population, and is about 100 times larger than the population of Zhangjiajie. When comparing the sizes of Zhangjiajie and Tokyo, 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 Zhangjiajie or Tokyo?
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 Zhangjiajie or Tokyo in the Summer?
Both Tokyo and Zhangjiajie are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Tokyo for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Zhangjiajie is a little warmer than Tokyo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Zhangjiajie in July average around 29°C (85°F), and Tokyo averages at about 26°C (78°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Tokyo. It's quite rainy in Zhangjiajie. In July, Zhangjiajie usually receives around the same amount of rain as Tokyo. Zhangjiajie gets 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Tokyo receives 127 mm (5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyZhangjiajie 29°C (85°F)Tokyo 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Zhangjiajie or Tokyo in the Autumn?
Both Tokyo and Zhangjiajie during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Tokyo in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Zhangjiajie is generally around the same temperature as Tokyo. Daily temperatures in Zhangjiajie average around 19°C (65°F), and Tokyo fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
Tokyo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Zhangjiajie usually gets less rain in October than Tokyo. Zhangjiajie gets 90 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Tokyo receives 165 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberZhangjiajie 19°C (65°F)Tokyo 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Zhangjiajie or Tokyo in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Zhangjiajie and Tokyo. Also, most visitors come to Tokyo for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Zhangjiajie is around the same temperature as Tokyo in the winter. The daily temperature in Zhangjiajie averages around 5°C (42°F) in January, and Tokyo fluctuates around 5°C (42°F).
In January, Zhangjiajie usually receives around the same amount of rain as Tokyo. Zhangjiajie gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Tokyo receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryZhangjiajie 5°C (42°F)Tokyo 5°C (42°F)
Should I visit Zhangjiajie or Tokyo in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Zhangjiajie as well as Tokyo. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Tokyo because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Zhangjiajie is a little warmer than Tokyo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Zhangjiajie in April average around 17°C (63°F), and Tokyo averages at about 14°C (58°F).
It's quite rainy in Tokyo. Zhangjiajie receives a lot of rain in the spring. Zhangjiajie usually gets more rain in April than Tokyo. Zhangjiajie gets 166 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Tokyo receives 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilZhangjiajie 17°C (63°F)Tokyo 14°C (58°F)
Typical Weather for Tokyo and Zhangjiajie
| Zhangjiajie | Tokyo | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 5°C (42°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (44°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Mar | 11°C (52°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (63°F) | 166 mm (6.5 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 125 mm (4.9 in) |
| May | 22°C (72°F) | 179 mm (7 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Jun | 26°C (78°F) | 199 mm (7.8 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 186 mm (7.3 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 125 mm (4.9 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 180 mm (7.1 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (65°F) | 90 mm (3.6 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (55°F) | 70 mm (2.7 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Dec | 7°C (45°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 46 mm (1.8 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.