A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Auckland vs. Yakushima for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Auckland or Yakushima?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Auckland and Yakushima can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Auckland or Yakushima?

Auckland

Auckland is located on the North Island of New Zealand on an isthmus between the Northland Peninsula and the other parts of the North Island. Auckland is not only a city but also a region. In 2010 New Zealand combined what had previously been four separate cities into one region. These cities include the southern city of Manukau, the western city of Waitakere, the North Shore in the north, and Auckland City. The City of Auckland is the largest city in Polynesia and is very diverse with many expatriates from elsewhere in Polynesia. This diversity becomes most apparent in Auckland's many festivals and sporting events.

Yakushima

Yakushima, Japan is a UNESCO World Heritage island located north of Okinawa and off the south east of of Kyushu. The island is well-known to Japanese tourists but not so much to international ones, making it a bit of a hidden gem to international tourists. This also means that English isn't spoken as much as in larger cities, so make sure to brush up on your Japanese and bring a dictionary.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to New Zealand, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in New Zealand, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Japan, and The Best Luxury Tours to Japan.


Which place is cheaper, Yakushima or Auckland?

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 Auckland is $170, while the average daily cost in Yakushima is $141. 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 Auckland and Yakushima in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Auckland $99
    Yakushima $61
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Auckland $198
    Yakushima $122
Compare Hotels in Auckland and Yakushima

Looking for a hotel in Auckland or Yakushima? 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 Auckland


Hotels in Yakushima


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: Auckland Hotel Prices and Yakushima Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Auckland $17
    Yakushima $51
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Auckland

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Auckland:


  • Bus from Airport
    $9.47
  • Airport Shuttle
    $15

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Auckland

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

  • Departure Transfer: Auckland Central City Centre to Auckland Airport: $25
  • Arrival Transfer: Auckland Airport to Auckland Central City Centre: $25
  • AKL Airport to City Centre|Hotels Private Transfer: $26
  • Private 1-Way Transfer to/from Airport: $26
  • Auckland:City Hotel Transfers to/from Cruise Ship in Minivan: $32
  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service Auckland HTL-APT (AKL): $38
  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service Auckland APT-HTL (AKL): $38
  • Airport Private Transfer: $43
  • Auckland City Hotel to Cruise Ship Transfer by SUV: $48
  • Auckland Cruise Port Private Transfer to City Hotels: $54
  • Auckland:Private 1 way Airport transfer to/from CBD Minivan: $58
  • Private One-Way Transfer: Auckland Airport to Auckland City Hotel: $59

Is it cheaper to fly into Auckland or Yakushima?

Prices for flights to both Yakushima and Auckland 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
    Auckland $46
    Yakushima $50
Typical Food Prices in Auckland

For Auckland, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Breakfast
    $4.73

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Auckland

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

  • Harbour Sailing Cruise with 3-Course Dinner: $93
  • Flavours of the City Walking Food Tour: $101
  • Auckland Harbour Sailboat Cruise Including Three Course Dinner: $102
  • Waiheke Island: Private Sunset Wine Tour & 2 Course Dinner: $392
  • Māori Evening Dinner and Private Show Experience: $519
  • From Kiwi Bird Encounter & 3-Course Dinner Tour: $550

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Auckland $27
    Yakushima $21
Typical Entertainment Prices in Auckland

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Auckland's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Auckland Sky Tour (for 2)
    $33
  • Waiheke Island Tour (for 2)
    $119

Tours and Activities in Auckland

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

  • Auckland War Memorial Museum Entry Ticket: $9.27
  • A Self-Guided Walking Tour of Auckland's Hidden Stories: $12
  • Maritime Museum Entry Ticket: $14
  • Maritime Museum Entry Ticket and Guided Tour: $14
  • Explore Self Guided Audio Tour: $15
  • Vibrosaun Therapy Experience: $18
  • Waitematā Harbour Cruise with Live Commentary: $20
  • Gallery Highlights Tour and General Admission: $22
  • Auckland Takapuna: Escape Game Adventure: $23
  • Scenic Boat Cruise to the Riverhead Tavern: $25
  • Auckland CBD: Escape Game Adventure: $26
  • Scenic Harbour Cruise in Auckland : $27

Tours and Activities in Yakushima

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Yakushima are as follows:

  • Private Guided Tour: $336

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Auckland $13
    Yakushima $6.61

Sample the Local Flavors in Auckland

Also in Auckland, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Waiheke Island: Scenic Island Wine Tour & Local Wine Tasting: $110
  • Full-Day Wine Tasting Tour in Auckland with 3-Course Vineyard Lunch: $119
  • Waiheke Island: The Essence of Waiheke Wine Tour: $159
  • Kumeu Wine Tour: $165
  • Waiheke Island: Wine Tour & Lunch at Award Winning Venue: $168
  • From Small Group Kumeu Wine Tour with Lunch: $180
  • Small-Group Kumeu Wine Country Tour with Wine Tastings & Lunch: $180
  • Waiheke Island Gourmet Food and Wine Tour with Platter Lunch: $183
  • City Tour with Wine Tasting and Black Sand Beach: $217
  • Shore Excursion from Auckland - Private Tour & Wine Tasting: $278
  • Waiheke Island Scenic Wine Tour: $301


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Auckland and Yakushima, we can see that Auckland is more expensive. And not only is Yakushima much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Auckland is in Pacific and Yakushima is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Yakushima would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Yakushima 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 Auckland would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Auckland than you might in Yakushima.

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



When is the best time to visit Auckland or Yakushima?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Auckland is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Yakushima has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Auckland or Yakushima in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Auckland as well as Yakushima. Most visitors come to Auckland for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Auckland is cooler than Yakushima in the summer. The daily temperature in Auckland averages around 20°C (68°F) in January, and Yakushima fluctuates around 27°C (81°F)in July.

It's quite rainy in Yakushima. Auckland usually gets less rain in January than Yakushimain July. Auckland gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 189 mm (7.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January and July
    Auckland 20°C (68°F) 
    Yakushima 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Auckland or Yakushima in the Autumn?

Both Yakushima and Auckland are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Auckland because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Auckland is cooler than Yakushima. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Auckland in April average around 16°C (61°F), and Yakushima averages at about 22°C (71°F)in October.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Yakushima. In April, Auckland usually receives less rain than Yakushimain October. Auckland gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April and October
    Auckland 16°C (61°F) 
    Yakushima 22°C (71°F)

Should I visit Auckland or Yakushima in the Winter?

Both Yakushima and Auckland during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Auckland this time of year.

In July, Auckland is generally around the same temperature as Yakushimain January. Daily temperatures in Auckland average around 11°C (52°F), and Yakushima fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Yakushima gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Auckland. Auckland usually gets more rain in July than Yakushimain January. Auckland gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 106 mm (4.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July and January
    Auckland 11°C (52°F) 
    Yakushima 11°C (52°F)

Should I visit Auckland or Yakushima in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Auckland and Yakushima. Many travelers come to Auckland for the beaches and the activities around the city.

Auckland is cooler than Yakushima in the spring. The daily temperature in Auckland averages around 14°C (58°F) in October, and Yakushima fluctuates around 18°C (64°F)in April.

Yakushima receives a lot of rain in the spring. In October, Auckland usually receives less rain than Yakushimain April. Auckland gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 207 mm (8.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October and April
    Auckland 14°C (58°F) 
    Yakushima 18°C (64°F)

Typical Weather for Yakushima and Auckland

Auckland Yakushima
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 20°C (68°F) 67 mm (2.6 in) 11°C (52°F) 106 mm (4.2 in)
Feb 20°C (68°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 12°C (53°F) 105 mm (4.1 in)
Mar 19°C (66°F) 82 mm (3.2 in) 14°C (57°F) 160 mm (6.3 in)
Apr 16°C (61°F) 95 mm (3.7 in) 18°C (64°F) 207 mm (8.1 in)
May 14°C (57°F) 92 mm (3.6 in) 21°C (69°F) 288 mm (11.3 in)
Jun 12°C (53°F) 116 mm (4.6 in) 24°C (74°F) 352 mm (13.9 in)
Jul 11°C (52°F) 135 mm (5.3 in) 27°C (81°F) 189 mm (7.4 in)
Aug 11°C (53°F) 108 mm (4.3 in) 27°C (81°F) 205 mm (8.1 in)
Sep 13°C (55°F) 97 mm (3.8 in) 26°C (78°F) 253 mm (10 in)
Oct 14°C (58°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 22°C (71°F) 161 mm (6.3 in)
Nov 16°C (61°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 18°C (64°F) 118 mm (4.6 in)
Dec 18°C (65°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 13°C (55°F) 93 mm (3.7 in)