Which place is cheaper, Yakushima or Chiang Mai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Chiang Mai or Yakushima?
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 Chiang Mai and Yakushima. 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: Chiang Mai or Yakushima?
Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is both the cultural center of northern Thailand and a launching point for trips into the rural areas, small towns, and lush jungles of the country's northern regions. Known for great food, historic temples, arts and crafts, and a lively night market, Chiang Mai is a very popular destination for travelers. In some areas, tourists and ex-pats dominate, but it's quite easy to get away from the tourist scene and into the real culture of Thailand, as Chiang Mai (and the surrounding countryside) is quite large.
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 G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket, 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 dayChiang Mai $45Yakushima $116
The average daily cost (per person) in Chiang Mai is $45, 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 Chiang Mai and Yakushima in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChiang Mai $26Yakushima $59
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChiang Mai $52Yakushima $118
Compare Hotels in Chiang Mai and Yakushima
Looking for a hotel in Chiang Mai 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: Chiang Mai Hotel Prices and Yakushima Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Chiang Mai $3.63Yakushima $49
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Chiang Mai
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Chiang Mai are as follows:
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Tuk Tuk Ride$1.09
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Moped Rental$4.91
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chiang Mai
Also for Chiang Mai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service Chiang Mai HTL-APT(CNX): $5.30
- Try find your better than us!Airport transfer service in Chiang Mai APT-HTL(CNX): $5.30
- Chiang Mai Airport Private Transfer to Hotel Or From Hotel To Airport : $5.41
- Chiang Mai Private Car :Airport To Hotel transfer (one way) : $7.47
- Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) Private Transfer: $8.00
- Private Airport Transfer in Chiang Mai to/from Chiangmai Town: $8.87
- Chiang Mai Airport Private Departure Transfers: $10
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX): $11
- Chiang Mai Airport (CNX): One-Way Private Transfer: $12
- Chiang Mai Airport Departure – Private Transfer from Hotel to Airport: $13
- Chiang Mai Shared Arrival or Departure Transfer: $14
- Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) Arrival Shared Transfer: $15
Is it cheaper to fly into Chiang Mai or Yakushima?
Prices for flights to both Yakushima and Chiang Mai 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 dayChiang Mai $10Yakushima $28
Typical Food Prices in Chiang Mai
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Chiang Mai:
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Sit Down Dinner (for One)$5.32
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Roti Snack (Bread)$0.65
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Casual Breakfast$1.09
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$5.46
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Mangoes$0.82
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Coffee$1.36
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chiang Mai
For Chiang Mai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cooking Evening Class Chiang Mai Visit Organic Garden and Market: $11
- Cooking Morning Class Chiang Mai Visit Organic Garden and Market : $11
- Traditional Khantoke Dinner and Show from Chiang Mai: $19
- Khantoke Dinner with Traditional Performance: $22
- Morning Cooking Class in Organic Garden | Chiang Mai: $22
- Afternoon Cooking Class in Organic Garden in Chiang Mai: $22
- Half-Day Thai Cooking Class at Organic Farm in Chiang Mai: $22
- Evening Cooking Class and Local Market Visit: $24
- Cooking Class, Market and Thai Herbs Garden Tour: $24
- Private Virtual Thai Cooking Class: $25
- Half Day Morning Cooking Class with Yummy Tasty Thai Cooking School: $25
- Authentic Easy Thai Recipes for Home-Style Cooking Half Day AM: $25
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chiang Mai $13Yakushima $20
Typical Entertainment Prices in Chiang Mai
For Chiang Mai, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Thai Cooking Class$35
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Doi Suthep Entrance Ticket$1.64
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Kratong Lessons$2.73
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Pedicure$4.09
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Chiang Mai Museum (for Two)$4.91
Tours and Activities in Chiang Mai
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Chiang Mai.
- Scavenger Hunt City Tour for Your Smartphone: $7.65
- Chiang Mai Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.84
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Art in Paradise Illusion Museum Entry Ticket: $11
- Mae Ping River Cruise: $12
- Old City and Temples Guided Walking Tour: $14
- Local Food and Markets Guided Walking Tour: $14
- Skip the Line: Chiang Mai Art in Paradise Admission Ticket: $14
- Tweechol Botanic Garden Half Day Adventure : $14
- Chiang Mai Old City & Temples Guided Walking Tour - 2 Hrs: $15
- Chiang Mai Michelin Food Walking Tour with Professional Tour Guide: $15
- Circuit Karting Experience at Chiang Mai Circuit - Go Kart: $16
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayChiang Mai $6.76Yakushima $6.38
Typical Alcohol Prices in Chiang Mai
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Chiang Mai are as follows:
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Wine$2.73
Sample the Local Flavors in Chiang Mai
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Chiang Mai:
- Chiang Mai Pub Crawl: The Best Bars & Pubs in Chiang Mai!: $9.46
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chiang Mai and Yakushima, we can see that Yakushima is more expensive. And not only is Chiang Mai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Chiang Mai would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chiang Mai 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 Chiang Mai.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Chiang Mai Expensive? and Is Yakushima Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Chiang Mai or Yakushima?
Yakushima has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Chiang Mai experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Chiang Mai or Yakushima in the Summer?
Both Yakushima and Chiang Mai during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Chiang Mai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the summer, Chiang Mai is around the same temperature as Yakushima. Typically, the summer temperatures in Chiang Mai in July average around 30°C (86°F), and Yakushima averages at about 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 Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai usually gets less rain in July than Yakushima. Chiang Mai gets 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 189 mm (7.4 in) of rain this time of the year. June to September is the rainy season in Chiang Mai.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyChiang Mai 30°C (86°F)Yakushima 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Chiang Mai or Yakushima in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Chiang Mai and Yakushima. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Chiang Mai year-round.
In October, Chiang Mai is generally a little warmer than Yakushima. Daily temperatures in Chiang Mai average around 29°C (83°F), and Yakushima fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).
Yakushima receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Chiang Mai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Chiang Mai usually receives less rain than Yakushima. Chiang Mai gets 122 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn. November to February in Chiang Mai is the dry season.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberChiang Mai 29°C (83°F)Yakushima 22°C (71°F)
Should I visit Chiang Mai or Yakushima in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Chiang Mai as well as Yakushima. Chiang Mai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Chiang Mai is much warmer than Yakushima in the winter. The daily temperature in Chiang Mai averages around 23°C (74°F) in January, and Yakushima fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
It's quite rainy in Yakushima. Chiang Mai usually gets less rain in January than Yakushima. Chiang Mai gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 106 mm (4.2 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, November to February in Chiang Mai is the dry season.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryChiang Mai 23°C (74°F)Yakushima 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Chiang Mai or Yakushima in the Spring?
Both Yakushima and Chiang Mai are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Chiang Mai throughout the year.
The heat can be very extreme in Chiang Mai. In the spring, Chiang Mai is much warmer than Yakushima. Typically, the spring temperatures in Chiang Mai in April average around 31°C (88°F), and Yakushima averages at about 18°C (64°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Yakushima. In April, Chiang Mai usually receives less rain than Yakushima. Chiang Mai gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 207 mm (8.1 in) of rain each month for the spring. The rainy season in Chiang Mai is June to September.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilChiang Mai 31°C (88°F)Yakushima 18°C (64°F)
Typical Weather for Yakushima and Chiang Mai
| Chiang Mai | Yakushima | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (74°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 106 mm (4.2 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (78°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (83°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| Apr | 31°C (88°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 207 mm (8.1 in) |
| May | 31°C (87°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 288 mm (11.3 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 352 mm (13.9 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (85°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 205 mm (8.1 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (85°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 253 mm (10 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (83°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (75°F) | 20 mm (0.8 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.