A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Eilat vs. Koyasan for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Eilat or Koyasan?

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

Should I visit Eilat or Koyasan? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Eilat or Koyasan?

Eilat

Eilat serves as the gateway to Israel from Egypt. It's located at the southern tip of the country and sits on the Red Sea with views of the Gulf of Aqaba. It's location in the Negev Desert along the beautiful coast make it appealing to both domestic and international vacationers.

Eilat is a resort town with many dive shops and snorkeling opportunities. The population of about 50,000 can easily be overshadowed by vacationers. With no shortage of sun, entertainment, bars, and partying, you will find both Israeli and international tourists looking for an oasis of fun and relaxation.

Although the area's coral reefs were being damaged by overuse, the removal of contraversial fish cages in 2008 has led to a slow recovery and an improvement in the quality of diving and snorkeling in the area. There are also less crowds than you will find in Sharm el-Sheikh or Dahab, Egypt.

Eilat has a hot desert climate. The summers are hot and dry and the winters are warm and dry. Temperatures in the winter can range from 52 to 73 degrees Fahrenheit and summer temperatures are usually between 79 and 104 degrees Fahrenheit.

Koyasan

Mount Koya, Japan is a mountain city located just south of Osaka in the Wakayama prefecture. The area is known as the headquarters of the Shingnon sect of Japanese Buddhism and was first settled in 816. Over time, it has developed into the small town of Koya that is now home to a religious studies university and over 100 temples, many of which offer accommodation.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Israel, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Israel, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Japan, and The Best Historical Tours in Japan.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Eilat and Koyasan, we can see that Eilat is more expensive. And not only is Koyasan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Eilat is in Middle East and Koyasan 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 Koyasan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koyasan 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 Eilat would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Eilat than you might in Koyasan.

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

When is the best time to visit Eilat or Koyasan?

Koyasan has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Eilat experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Eilat or Koyasan in the Summer?

Both Koyasan and Eilat during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Eilat because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Koyasan because of the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Eilat can become quite hot in the summer. In July, Eilat is generally a little warmer than Koyasan. Daily temperatures in Eilat average around 33°C (91°F), and Koyasan fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

It's quite sunny in Eilat. In the summer, Eilat often gets more sunshine than Koyasan. Eilat gets 384 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koyasan receives 183 hours of full sun.

Koyasan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Eilat usually gets less rain in July than Koyasan. Eilat gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Koyasan receives 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Eilat or Koyasan in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Eilat and Koyasan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Eilat year-round. Also, the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Koyasan this time of year.

Eilat is a little warmer than Koyasan in the autumn. The daily temperature in Eilat averages around 26°C (79°F) in October, and Koyasan fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).

In Eilat, it's very sunny this time of the year. Eilat usually receives more sunshine than Koyasan during autumn. Eilat gets 295 hours of sunny skies, while Koyasan receives 159 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Koyasan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Eilat usually receives less rain than Koyasan. Eilat gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Koyasan receives 105 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Eilat or Koyasan in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Eilat as well as Koyasan. Eilat attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Koyasan for the museums and the cuisine.

In the winter, Eilat is much warmer than Koyasan. Typically, the winter temperatures in Eilat in January average around 14°C (57°F), and Koyasan averages at about 6°C (42°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Eilat this time of the year. In the winter, Eilat often gets more sunshine than Koyasan. Eilat gets 234 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koyasan receives 140 hours of full sun.

Eilat usually gets less rain in January than Koyasan. Eilat gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Koyasan receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Eilat or Koyasan in the Spring?

Both Koyasan and Eilat are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Eilat throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Koyasan in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In April, Eilat is generally much warmer than Koyasan. Daily temperatures in Eilat average around 24°C (75°F), and Koyasan fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Eilat. Eilat usually receives more sunshine than Koyasan during spring. Eilat gets 282 hours of sunny skies, while Koyasan receives 176 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Koyasan. In April, Eilat usually receives less rain than Koyasan. Eilat gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Koyasan receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Koyasan and Eilat