Which place is cheaper, Yaeyama Islands or Guilin?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Guilin or Yaeyama Islands?
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 Guilin and Yaeyama Islands can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Guilin or Yaeyama Islands?
Guilin
Guilin is a city in Southern China situated on the west bank of the Li River with Hunan to the north. Its name means, "Forest of Sweet Osmanthus," owing to the large number of fragrant Sweet Osmanthus trees located in the city. Products like tea, sugar, and wine, can be made from the tree and are found in many shops throughout Guilin. A popular tourist destination, the city is renowned for its scenery of karst topography with unique mountains jutting out of the urban landscape.
Yaeyama Islands
The Yaeyama Islands is a cluster of islands located in the southwestern part of Japan, close to Taiwan. There are nine different islands, varying from small islets to large holiday resort islands. The Yaeyama Islands are one of the most popular destination in Japan due to their beautiful beaches and underwater ruins. Yaeyama is also known for having their own language and writing system. For the most part, everyone on the Islands speak Japanese, but you'll often find the Yaeyama writing on T-shirts in souvenir shops or scattered around Yaeyama.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, The Best Historical Tours in China, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Tokyo, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo.
-
Guilin Prices
China PricesYaeyama Islands Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGuilin $84Yaeyama Islands $118
The average daily cost (per person) in Guilin is $84, while the average daily cost in Yaeyama Islands is $118. 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 Guilin and Yaeyama Islands in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGuilin $35Yaeyama Islands $56
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGuilin $70Yaeyama Islands $112
Compare Hotels in Guilin and Yaeyama Islands
Looking for a hotel in Guilin or Yaeyama Islands? 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: Yaeyama Islands Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Guilin $5.85Yaeyama Islands $19
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Guilin
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Guilin are as follows:
-
Taxi$2.80
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guilin
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guilin:
- One Way Transfer Service between Guilin city and airport: $17
- Private Arrival Transfer: Guilin Train Stations to Downtown Hotel: $17
- Private Departure Transfer from Hotel to Guilin Train Stations: $17
- Guilin Transfer Services: Airport,train station & hotel: $18
- [Airport Transfer] Haikou Airport ⇔ Haikou City Transfer ☆ High reputation for service! <Charter charter> *: $23
- Private Arrival Transfer: Guilin International Airport (KWL) to Downtown Hotel: $25
- Private Departure Transfer: Downtown Guilin Hotel to Airport (KWL): $25
- Private Airport Transfer:Guilin Hotel to Guilin Liangjiang International Airport: $35
- Private Airport Transfer: Guilin Liangjiang International Aiport to Guilin Hotel: $35
- Transfer from Guilin Hotels to Yangshuo Town: $37
- Private Transfer from Guilin hotel to Yangshuo hotel: $37
- Guilin Railway stations Transfer Service: $37
Is it cheaper to fly into Guilin or Yaeyama Islands?
Prices for flights to both Yaeyama Islands and Guilin 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 dayGuilin $39Yaeyama Islands $50
Typical Food Prices in Guilin
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Guilin:
-
Fresh Coconut Drink$1.40
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guilin
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Guilin.
- Half day Yangshuo Cooking lesson Small Group Tour: $62
- Full-Day Li-River with the 4 Star Luxury Boat VIP Room and Yangshuo Cooking Tour: $286
- Countryside Cycling 1-day Tour with Cooking Class: $306
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Guilin $28Yaeyama Islands $8.93
Typical Entertainment Prices in Guilin
Here are a few typical costs in Guilin for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
-
Entrance to the Caves$17
Tours and Activities in Guilin
Here are a few actual costs in Guilin for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- City Tour with Elephant Hill & Ming Tea Tasting: $46
- Guilin Four lakes night cruise with the English speaking driver from Guilin hotel: $47
- Kayaking Adventure with Local Guide(beginner friendly): $51
- Half-Day Self-Guided Yangshuo Xianggong Hill Sunrise Tour: $52
- 1-Day tour of Guilin-LiRiver cruise-Yangshuo Xianggong hill : $55
- GUILIN:kayaking adventure with local guide: $60
- Private Full-Day City Tour with Fubo Hill: $60
- Guilin English tour guide service : $62
- Private Day Tour: Longji Terraces Cultural Villages and Hike : $69
- Full-Day Guilin Essence and Lifestyle Walking Tour: $69
- Private day tour :Guilin-LiRiver bamboo boat-Yangshuo Highlights : $70
- 1-DAY Private Longji Rice Terraces and Minority Villages Tour: $70
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayGuilin $5.81Yaeyama Islands $6.51
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Guilin and Yaeyama Islands, we can see that Yaeyama Islands is more expensive. And not only is Guilin much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Guilin would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Guilin 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 Yaeyama Islands would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Yaeyama Islands than you might in Guilin.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Guilin Expensive? and Is Yaeyama Islands Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Guilin or Yaeyama Islands?
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 Guilin or Yaeyama Islands in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Guilin and Yaeyama Islands. Furthermore, most visitors come to Yaeyama Islands for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
Guilin is around the same temperature as Yaeyama Islands in the summer. The daily temperature in Guilin averages around 30°C (86°F) in July, and Yaeyama Islands fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
Yaeyama Islands receives a lot of rain in the summer. Guilin gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Guilin usually receives more rain than Yaeyama Islands. Guilin gets 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain, while Yaeyama Islands receives 179 mm (7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyGuilin 30°C (86°F)Yaeyama Islands 29°C (85°F)
Should I visit Guilin or Yaeyama Islands in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Guilin as well as Yaeyama Islands. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Yaeyama Islands because of the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Guilin is cooler than Yaeyama Islands. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Guilin in October average around 23°C (73°F), and Yaeyama Islands averages at about 26°C (78°F).
It's quite rainy in Yaeyama Islands. Guilin usually gets less rain in October than Yaeyama Islands. Guilin gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Yaeyama Islands receives 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberGuilin 23°C (73°F)Yaeyama Islands 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Guilin or Yaeyama Islands in the Winter?
Both Yaeyama Islands and Guilin are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, the museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Yaeyama Islands this time of year.
In January, Guilin is generally much colder than Yaeyama Islands. Daily temperatures in Guilin average around 10°C (49°F), and Yaeyama Islands fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Yaeyama Islands. In January, Guilin usually receives less rain than Yaeyama Islands. Guilin gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Yaeyama Islands receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryGuilin 10°C (49°F)Yaeyama Islands 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Guilin or Yaeyama Islands in the Spring?
Both Yaeyama Islands and Guilin during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Yaeyama Islands for the beaches and the natural beauty.
Guilin is cooler than Yaeyama Islands in the spring. The daily temperature in Guilin averages around 20°C (68°F) in April, and Yaeyama Islands fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).
Yaeyama Islands gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Guilin. Guilin usually gets more rain in April than Yaeyama Islands. Guilin gets 263 mm (10.3 in) of rain, while Yaeyama Islands receives 147 mm (5.8 in) of rain this time of the year. May to June is the rainy season in Yaeyama Islands.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilGuilin 20°C (68°F)Yaeyama Islands 23°C (74°F)
Typical Weather for Yaeyama Islands and Guilin
| Guilin | Yaeyama Islands | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 10°C (49°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Feb | 11°C (51°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) |
| Mar | 15°C (59°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 126 mm (5 in) |
| Apr | 20°C (68°F) | 263 mm (10.3 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) |
| May | 25°C (77°F) | 334 mm (13.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 231 mm (9.1 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 320 mm (12.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 203 mm (8 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 179 mm (7 in) |
| Aug | 30°C (86°F) | 168 mm (6.6 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 229 mm (9 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) |
| Nov | 17°C (63°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (53°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 134 mm (5.3 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.