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

Should you visit Brisbane 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 Brisbane and Yakushima can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Brisbane or Yakushima?

Brisbane

Although Brisbane is often overlooked as a travel destination in Australia, it is the capital of the state of Queensland, and is the third largest city in Australia. It's a very young and vibrant city with an active nightlife and a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. It's a modern and economically thriving city and, if you do have time to visit, it actually has a lot to offer travelers. It has some beautiful scenery, a wonderful warm climate all year long, and is actually one of the fastest growing cities in Australia.

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 Luxury Tours to Australia, The Best Adventure Tours to Australia, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Japan, and The Best Luxury Tours to Japan.


Which place is cheaper, Yakushima or Brisbane?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Brisbane is $138, while the average daily cost in Yakushima is $125. 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 Brisbane and Yakushima in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Brisbane $85
    Yakushima $63
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Brisbane $170
    Yakushima $126
Compare Hotels in Brisbane and Yakushima

Looking for a hotel in Brisbane 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 Brisbane


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: Brisbane Hotel Prices and Yakushima Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Brisbane $18
    Yakushima $53
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Brisbane

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Brisbane:


  • Airtrain to the City
    $10
  • Go Card
    $17

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Brisbane

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

  • Shared Transfer Service from Brisbane Airport: $22
  • Movie World Theme Park from Brisbane Hotel One Way Transfer: $31
  • Private Transfer from Brisbane Hotels to Brisbane Cruise Port: $34
  • Brisbane Airport (BNE) to Brisbane hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $36
  • Brisbane hotels to Brisbane Airport (BNE) - Departure Private Transfer: $36
  • Brisbane Airport: One-Way Private Transfer to Brisbane city: $42
  • Brisbane Airport: Shared Transfer to Gold Coast: $54
  • Brisbane Airport to Sunshine Coast Transfer Service: $57
  • Brisbane Airport to Brisbane Hotels Private Round-Trip Transfer: $72
  • Brisbane Airport (BNE) to Brisbane hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $72
  • Private Transfer: Cruise Port to Brisbane Airport BNE or Brisbane City: $93
  • Private Transfer: Brisbane Airport BNE or Brisbane City to Cruise Port: $93

Is it cheaper to fly into Brisbane or Yakushima?

Prices for flights to both Yakushima and Brisbane 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
    Brisbane $33
    Yakushima $30
Typical Food Prices in Brisbane

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Brisbane:


  • Hamburger Lunch
    $5.48
  • Cup of Coffee
    $2.05
  • Chinese Food Lunch
    $8.56
  • Ice cream
    $3.77
  • Japanese Meal
    $14
  • Smoothie
    $4.45
  • Japanese Soup
    $7.87
  • Coffee & Muffin
    $4.79
  • Morning Mint Tea
    $2.40
  • Veggie Burger & Chips
    $9.59
  • Bread
    $1.78

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Brisbane

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

  • Vertigo Dinner: Dining on the edge!: $135
  • Guided Food Tour with Coffee, Seafood and Wine: $612

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Brisbane $25
    Yakushima $22
Typical Entertainment Prices in Brisbane

For Brisbane, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Concert Tickets
    $14

Tours and Activities in Brisbane

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

  • Trevena Glen Farm Animal Experience: $17
  • Brisbane International Cruise Terminal & Brisbane Airport: $17
  • Fortitude Valley Historical Crime Walking Tour: $23
  • True Crime Tour: $23
  • QAGOMA Iris van Herpen Sculpting the Senses ticket: $24
  • Winery Tour and Tasting: $24
  • Haunted Brisbane CBD Ghost Tour: $24
  • Solve a Detective Case in a themed adventure: $27
  • Boggo Road Gaol Ghost and Gallows Tour: $31
  • City Walking Tour 90 minutes: $33
  • Sightseeing River Cruise with Morning Tea: $33
  • Afternoon Sightseeing Cruise on the Brisbane River: $33

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Brisbane $53
    Yakushima $6.87
Typical Alcohol Prices in Brisbane

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Brisbane:


  • Evening at the Bar
    $10
  • Sixpack of Beer
    $9.59
  • Guiness Beer
    $5.82
  • Sixpack of Beer
    $8.89

Sample the Local Flavors in Brisbane

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Brisbane:

  • XXXX Beer Brewery Tour & Beer Tasting: $25
  • XXXX Brewery Tour: $26
  • City Winery Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch: $52
  • Brewery Tour River Cruise in Brisbane: $69
  • Sirromet Wine Tasting And Blending Workshop For 2: $85
  • Island Pub Crawl with Lunch and High Speed Boat Tour in Brisbane : $105
  • Wine tasting tour to Tamborine Mountain: $107
  • Half Day Gold Coast Brewery Tour: $111
  • Tamborine Wine & Distillery Tour + 2 Course Lunch: $129
  • Gold Coast Full Day Brewery Tour: $138
  • Brisbane Brewery Full Day Tour with Lunch: $139
  • Mount Tamborine Deluxe Wine Tasting with Two Course Lunch: $139


When comparing the travel costs between Brisbane and Yakushima, we can see that Brisbane is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Brisbane is in Pacific and Yakushima is in Asia, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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



When is the best time to visit Brisbane or Yakushima?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Brisbane 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 Brisbane or Yakushima in the Summer?

Both Yakushima and Brisbane during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Brisbane for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In January, Brisbane is generally around the same temperature as Yakushimain July. Daily temperatures in Brisbane average around 25°C (77°F), and Yakushima fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

Yakushima gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Brisbane. Brisbane usually gets less rain in January than Yakushimain July. Brisbane gets 169 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 189 mm (7.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January and July
    Brisbane 25°C (77°F) 
    Yakushima 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Brisbane or Yakushima in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Brisbane and Yakushima. The autumn months attract visitors to Brisbane because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene.

Brisbane is around the same temperature as Yakushima in the autumn. The daily temperature in Brisbane averages around 22°C (71°F) in April, and Yakushima fluctuates around 22°C (71°F)in October.

Yakushima receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Brisbane gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Brisbane usually receives less rain than Yakushimain October. Brisbane gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April and October
    Brisbane 22°C (71°F) 
    Yakushima 22°C (71°F)

Should I visit Brisbane or Yakushima in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Brisbane as well as Yakushima. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Brisbane this time of year.

In the winter, Brisbane is a little warmer than Yakushima. Typically, the winter temperatures in Brisbane in July average around 15°C (59°F), and Yakushima averages at about 11°C (52°F)in January.

It's quite rainy in Yakushima. Brisbane usually gets less rain in July than Yakushimain January. Brisbane gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 106 mm (4.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July and January
    Brisbane 15°C (59°F) 
    Yakushima 11°C (52°F)

Should I visit Brisbane or Yakushima in the Spring?

Both Yakushima and Brisbane are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Brisbane for the beaches and the activities around the city.

In October, Brisbane is generally a little warmer than Yakushimain April. Daily temperatures in Brisbane average around 21°C (69°F), and Yakushima fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Yakushima. In October, Brisbane usually receives less rain than Yakushimain April. Brisbane gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 207 mm (8.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October and April
    Brisbane 21°C (69°F) 
    Yakushima 18°C (64°F)

Typical Weather for Yakushima and Brisbane

Brisbane Yakushima
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 25°C (77°F) 169 mm (6.7 in) 11°C (52°F) 106 mm (4.2 in)
Feb 25°C (77°F) 152 mm (6 in) 12°C (53°F) 105 mm (4.1 in)
Mar 24°C (75°F) 146 mm (5.7 in) 14°C (57°F) 160 mm (6.3 in)
Apr 22°C (71°F) 112 mm (4.4 in) 18°C (64°F) 207 mm (8.1 in)
May 19°C (66°F) 104 mm (4.1 in) 21°C (69°F) 288 mm (11.3 in)
Jun 16°C (61°F) 77 mm (3 in) 24°C (74°F) 352 mm (13.9 in)
Jul 15°C (59°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 27°C (81°F) 189 mm (7.4 in)
Aug 16°C (61°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 27°C (81°F) 205 mm (8.1 in)
Sep 18°C (65°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 26°C (78°F) 253 mm (10 in)
Oct 21°C (69°F) 93 mm (3.7 in) 22°C (71°F) 161 mm (6.3 in)
Nov 23°C (73°F) 107 mm (4.2 in) 18°C (64°F) 118 mm (4.6 in)
Dec 24°C (76°F) 127 mm (5 in) 13°C (55°F) 93 mm (3.7 in)