Which place is cheaper, Yakushima or Byron Bay?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Byron Bay 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 Byron Bay 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: Byron Bay or Yakushima?
Byron Bay
South of Brisbane, off the Pacific Highway, is the coastal town of Byron Bay. It is close to Cape Byron, which is the easternmost point in mainland Australia. Byron Bay makes its way onto most traveler's itineraries because of its wonderful beach activities. The area is world famous for its waves, making it popular with surfers, but it also has incredible scuba diving, whale watching, and a generally relaxed atmosphere. The area continues to rise in popularity with travelers and as such, amenities and facilities are popping up everywhere.
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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Australia, The Best Contiki Tours to Australia, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Japan, and The Best Luxury Tours to Japan.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayByron Bay $139Yakushima $116
The average daily cost (per person) in Byron Bay is $139, while the average daily cost in Yakushima is $116. 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 Byron Bay and Yakushima in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personByron Bay $66Yakushima $59
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomByron Bay $132Yakushima $118
Compare Hotels in Byron Bay and Yakushima
Looking for a hotel in Byron Bay 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: Byron Bay Hotel Prices and Yakushima Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Byron Bay $32Yakushima $49
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Byron Bay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Byron Bay:
- Byron Bay Tandem Skydive with Transfer Options: $240
Is it cheaper to fly into Byron Bay or Yakushima?
Prices for flights to both Yakushima and Byron Bay 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 dayByron Bay $47Yakushima $28
Typical Food Prices in Byron Bay
Some typical examples of dining costs in Byron Bay are as follows:
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Dinner at Olivo (for 2)$58
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Byron Bay $35Yakushima $20
Typical Entertainment Prices in Byron Bay
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Byron Bay are as follows:
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Buddha Gardens Spa (for 2)$123
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Surf Lesson$42
Tours and Activities in Byron Bay
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Byron Bay are as follows:
- LIGHTHOUSE TRAIL Guided Sunrise Tours to Cape Byron Lighthouse: $32
- Skip the Line: Crystal Castle and Shambhala Gardens Admission Ticket: $32
- Brunswick River Scenic Kayak Tour: $39
- Cape Byron Aboriginal Tour: $45
- Broken Head Aboriginal Tour: $45
- Sunset Brunswick River Nature Kayak Tour: $46
- Broken Head Aboriginal Tour: $46
- Cape Byron Aboriginal Tour: $46
- Sunset River Cruise near Byron Bay: $46
- From Byron: Half Day Learn to Surf Tour: $52
- Experience The Thrill Half Day Surf School in Byron Bay: $52
- Group 2.5 Hour Stand-Up Paddle Board Tour: $56
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayByron Bay $14Yakushima $6.38
Sample the Local Flavors in Byron Bay
Also in Byron Bay, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Arvo Session Brewery and Distillery Tour: $97
- Afternoon Brewery and Distillery session : $99
- Full-Day Brewery and Distillery Tour with Lunch: $127
- Full Barrel Brewery and Distillery tour: $129
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Byron Bay and Yakushima, we can see that Byron Bay is more expensive. And not only is Yakushima much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Byron Bay 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 Byron Bay would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Byron Bay 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 Byron Bay Expensive? and Is Yakushima Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Byron Bay or Yakushima?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Byron Bay 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 Byron Bay or Yakushima in the Summer?
Both Yakushima and Byron Bay are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Byron Bay for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.
Byron Bay is cooler than Yakushima in the summer. The daily temperature in Byron Bay averages around 23°C (74°F) in January, and Yakushima fluctuates around 27°C (81°F)in July.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Yakushima. It's quite rainy in Byron Bay. In January, Byron Bay usually receives less rain than Yakushimain July. Byron Bay gets 140 mm (5.5 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 January and JulyByron Bay 23°C (74°F)Yakushima 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Byron Bay or Yakushima in the Autumn?
Both Yakushima and Byron Bay during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Byron Bay in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Byron Bay is around the same temperature as Yakushima. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Byron Bay in April average around 20°C (69°F), and Yakushima averages at about 22°C (71°F)in October.
Yakushima gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Byron Bay. Byron Bay usually gets less rain in April than Yakushimain October. Byron Bay gets 133 mm (5.2 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 April and OctoberByron Bay 20°C (69°F)Yakushima 22°C (71°F)
Should I visit Byron Bay or Yakushima in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Byron Bay and Yakushima. Most visitors come to Byron Bay for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
In July, Byron Bay is generally a little warmer than Yakushimain January. Daily temperatures in Byron Bay average around 14°C (58°F), and Yakushima fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
Yakushima receives a lot of rain in the winter. In July, Byron Bay usually receives less rain than Yakushimain January. Byron Bay gets 54 mm (2.1 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 July and JanuaryByron Bay 14°C (58°F)Yakushima 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Byron Bay or Yakushima in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Byron Bay as well as Yakushima. The spring months attract visitors to Byron Bay because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.
Byron Bay is around the same temperature as Yakushima in the spring. The daily temperature in Byron Bay averages around 19°C (67°F) in October, and Yakushima fluctuates around 18°C (64°F)in April.
It's quite rainy in Yakushima. Byron Bay usually gets less rain in October than Yakushimain April. Byron Bay gets 90 mm (3.5 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 October and AprilByron Bay 19°C (67°F)Yakushima 18°C (64°F)
Typical Weather for Yakushima and Byron Bay
| Byron Bay | Yakushima | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (74°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 106 mm (4.2 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (74°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Mar | 23°C (73°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| Apr | 20°C (69°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 207 mm (8.1 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 288 mm (11.3 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (59°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 352 mm (13.9 in) |
| Jul | 14°C (58°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) |
| Aug | 15°C (59°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 205 mm (8.1 in) |
| Sep | 17°C (63°F) | 32 mm (1.2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 253 mm (10 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (67°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (70°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Dec | 22°C (72°F) | 118 mm (4.6 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.