Which place is cheaper, Yakushima or Beijing?
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 Beijing or Yakushima?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Beijing and Yakushima 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: Beijing or Yakushima?
Beijing
Beijing is the capital of China and, with 21.5 million people, it is the second most populated city in the world after Shanghai. It is a city that keeps pockets of its history hidden in old neighborhoods or back alleys, despite the constant change and modernization that goes on around it. As the capital city of China, there is plenty of history and culture. You can still get yourself lost in one of the last remaining hutongs, which are old neighborhoods that remain untouched by the city's modernization. The alleys that weave between the old homes are lined with drying clothes, corner markets, and people going about their daily lives the way they have for centuries. Surrounding these hutongs you'll find modern buildings and a booming economy, all threatening to destroying these last bits of Beijing's history. Beijing offers a glimpse into a microcosm that represents the entire country of China. Make sure you give yourself enough time in China to truly experience Beijing. You can pass a lot of time soaking up life in the city, which remains as diverse as the country it resides within.
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 2-Week Tours from Beijing, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Japan, and The Best Luxury Tours to Japan.
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Beijing Prices
China PricesYakushima Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBeijing $91Yakushima $141
The average daily cost (per person) in Beijing is $91, 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 Beijing and Yakushima in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBeijing $40Yakushima $61
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBeijing $80Yakushima $122
Compare Hotels in Beijing and Yakushima
Looking for a hotel in Beijing 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.
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: Yakushima Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Beijing $7.83Yakushima $51
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Beijing
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Beijing:
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Taxi$4.78
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Train from Airport for Two$7.01
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Taxi to Hotel$8.41
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2 Metro Passes$2.24
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Metro$0.56
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Beijing
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Beijing:
- Private Transfers for City, Suburbs & Airport/Train: $1.46
- Beijing Great Wall Badaling or Mutianyu with Transfer[Optional]: $12
- Private Mutianyu Great Wall Day Tour w/ Optional Guide/Transfer: $15
- From Mutianyu Great Wall Transfer with Pick-Up: $19
- Beijing Private Railway Station Arrival/Departure Transfers: $20
- Beijing Mutianyu Great Wall Sightseeing Full-day Bus Transfer: $20
- Beijing Airport:Private One-Way Transfer from Beijing City Center: $20
- Beijing Daxing International Airport shuttle bus transfer service: $20
- Afternoon Bus Transfer to Mutianyu Great Wall + Entry Ticket: $20
- Mutianyu Great Wall Round-Trip Transfer with Driver & Ticket: $20
- Morning Bus Transfer to Mutianyu Great Wall + Entry Ticket: $20
- Beijing Airport Transfer: $21
Is it cheaper to fly into Beijing or Yakushima?
Prices for flights to both Yakushima and Beijing 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 dayBeijing $34Yakushima $50
Typical Food Prices in Beijing
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Beijing:
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Popcorn$0.84
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Hot Pot Dinner$7.01
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Dumpling Breakfast for Two$2.80
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Watermelon$1.96
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Peking Duck Dinner for 2$17
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Two Popsicles$0.84
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Beijing
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Beijing.
- Online Cooking Class Kungpao Chicken: $20
- Online Cooking Class Handmade Noodles by Sunflower Li: $20
- Online Cooking Class Orange Chicken by Sunflower Li: $20
- Hutong Breakfast Food Tour: $45
- Beijing Acrobatic Show Tickets w/ Optional Dinner or Transfer: $48
- Temple of Heaven Private Tour w/Option Show &Dinner: $54
- China's Favourite Street Food Cooking Workshop: $55
- Beijing Hutong Breakfast Food Tour: $55
- Private Local Food Tour in Beijing with a Local Guide: $59
- Beijing Walking Food Tour with a Local Friend: $60
- Authentic Local Food Tour in Center Beijing: $70
- Beijing Hidden Hutong Bike & Food Tour - Pro Photos Included: $71
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Beijing $24Yakushima $21
Typical Entertainment Prices in Beijing
Here are a few typical costs in Beijing for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Entry to Summer Palace for Two$8.41
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Two Opera Tickets$60
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Temple of Heaven Park Entrance (for 2)$9.81
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Forbidden City (for 2)$17
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Forbidden City Tickets$17
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Audio Guides at Forbidden City$11
Tours and Activities in Beijing
Here are a few actual costs in Beijing for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Capital Museum tour includes Ticket: $2.78
- Tian’anmenSquare or Forbidden City Online Ticket Booking: $2.92
- Beijing:Tiananmen Square tickets with guide(optional): $3.19
- Forbidden City Walking Guided Tour w/ Entry Tickets: $3.60
- Tiananmen Square Registration Service(Ticket): $3.79
- Tiananmen Square - Registration Ticket: $3.79
- Tiananmen Square Forbidden City and Jingshan Park Ticket or Tours: $4.00
- Beijing Forbidden City,Tianmen Square Admission Tickets: $4.00
- Tickets to all Beijing attractions (Forbidden City optional): $4.21
- Forbidden City and Tian’anmen Square Walking Tour: $4.38
- Tianmen Square, Forbidden City & Royal Museum Tours: $4.38
- The Forbidden City or Tiananmen Square Entry Ticket: $4.38
Tours and Activities in Yakushima
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Yakushima are as follows:
- Private Guided Tour: $336
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBeijing $12Yakushima $6.61
Sample the Local Flavors in Beijing
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Beijing:
- Evening Food Private Tour with Brewery Taproom Hopping at Slow Boat in Beijing: $110
- Tipsy Travel: Beijing Local Food and Bar Crawl night in Hutong: $158
- 5-Hour Private Changyu Chateau Wine Tasting Tour from Beijing: $178
- Beijing Brewery Bike Tour: $199
- Private Changyu Chateau Wine Tasting Tour and Mutianyu Great Wall Visit: $238
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Beijing and Yakushima, we can see that Yakushima is more expensive. And not only is Beijing much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Beijing would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Beijing 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 Yakushima would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Yakushima than you might in Beijing.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Beijing Expensive? and Is Yakushima Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Beijing or Yakushima?
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 Beijing or Yakushima in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Beijing and Yakushima. Many travelers come to Beijing for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Beijing is generally around the same temperature as Yakushima. Daily temperatures in Beijing average around 27°C (80°F), and Yakushima fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
Yakushima receives a lot of rain in the summer. Beijing gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Beijing usually receives around the same amount of rain as Yakushima. Beijing gets 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 189 mm (7.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBeijing 27°C (80°F)Yakushima 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Beijing or Yakushima in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Beijing as well as Yakushima. Many visitors come to Beijing in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Beijing is much colder than Yakushima in the autumn. The daily temperature in Beijing averages around 14°C (56°F) in October, and Yakushima fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).
It's quite rainy in Yakushima. Beijing usually gets less rain in October than Yakushima. Beijing gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBeijing 14°C (56°F)Yakushima 22°C (71°F)
Should I visit Beijing or Yakushima in the Winter?
Both Yakushima and Beijing are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Beijing for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Beijing can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Beijing is much colder than Yakushima. Typically, the winter temperatures in Beijing in January average around -4°C (26°F), and Yakushima averages at about 11°C (52°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Yakushima. In January, Beijing usually receives less rain than Yakushima. Beijing gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 106 mm (4.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBeijing -4°C (26°F)Yakushima 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Beijing or Yakushima in the Spring?
Both Yakushima and Beijing during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Beijing because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In April, Beijing is generally cooler than Yakushima. Daily temperatures in Beijing average around 14°C (57°F), and Yakushima fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
Yakushima gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Beijing usually gets less rain in April than Yakushima. Beijing gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 207 mm (8.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBeijing 14°C (57°F)Yakushima 18°C (64°F)
Typical Weather for Yakushima and Beijing
| Beijing | Yakushima | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -4°C (26°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 106 mm (4.2 in) |
| Feb | -1°C (30°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (42°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| Apr | 14°C (57°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 207 mm (8.1 in) |
| May | 20°C (68°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 288 mm (11.3 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (76°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 352 mm (13.9 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (80°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (78°F) | 182 mm (7.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 205 mm (8.1 in) |
| Sep | 20°C (69°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 253 mm (10 in) |
| Oct | 14°C (56°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) |
| Nov | 5°C (41°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Dec | -1°C (29°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 93 mm (3.7 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.