Which place is cheaper, Yakushima or Guilin?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Guilin 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 Guilin and Yakushima can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Guilin or Yakushima?
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.
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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, The Best Historical Tours in China, 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 dayGuilin $67Yakushima $116
The average daily cost (per person) in Guilin is $67, 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 Guilin and Yakushima in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGuilin $34Yakushima $59
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGuilin $68Yakushima $118
Compare Hotels in Guilin and Yakushima
Looking for a hotel in Guilin 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: Yakushima Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Guilin $5.76Yakushima $49
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Guilin
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Guilin are as follows:
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Taxi$2.76
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guilin
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guilin:
- Private Departure Transfer from Hotel to Guilin Train Stations: $17
- 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 Liangjiang International Aiport to Guilin Hotel: $35
- Private Transfer from Guilin hotel to Yangshuo hotel: $37
- Private Guilin Airport Transfer to Yangshuo: $42
- Guilin liangjiang Airport Chauffeur Service,Guilin Airport Transfer: $57
- Four Lakes Night Cruise with Round-trip Transfer: $57
- Guilin Transfer Services: Airport,train station & hotel: $57
- Guangzhou Baiyun Airport Chauffeur Service , to Dongguan Transfer: $71
- Yangshuo Via Ferrata with Round way private transfer from Guilin hotel: $92
- Guilin Private Transfer (English-speaking) Between Guilin Hotels & Yangshuo: $93
Is it cheaper to fly into Guilin or Yakushima?
Prices for flights to both Yakushima 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
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Food Meals for one dayGuilin $22Yakushima $28
Typical Food Prices in Guilin
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Guilin:
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Fresh Coconut Drink$1.38
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Guilin $28Yakushima $20
Typical Entertainment Prices in Guilin
Here are a few typical costs in Guilin for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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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:
- Guilin Yangshuo & Longji Rice Terrace 4 days tour: $21
- 1-DAY Private Longji Rice Terraces and Minority Villages Tour: $45
- Guilin Four lakes night cruise with the English speaking driver from Guilin hotel: $47
- Guilin City Center Walking Group Tour at Night for Three Hours: $50
- Half-Day Self-Guided Yangshuo Xianggong Hill Sunrise Tour: $52
- Private Full-Day City Tour with Fubo Hill: $59
- Private Bike Tour: Yangshuo Countryside: $72
- Kayaking Adventure with Local Guide: $72
- Yangshuo Old Town and Li River Cruise from Guilin: $72
- One Day Private Longshen Rice Terraces Tour Including Lunch: $73
- Half/Full day Yangshuo Cuiping hill Sunset Private Tour: $73
- Full/Half-Day Yangshuo Xianggong Mountain Sunrise Private Tour: $77
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGuilin $5.72Yakushima $6.38
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Guilin and Yakushima, we can see that Yakushima 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 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 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 Yakushima Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Guilin or Yakushima?
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 Yakushima in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Guilin and Yakushima.
In the summer, Guilin is around the same temperature as Yakushima. Typically, the summer temperatures in Guilin in July average around 30°C (86°F), and Yakushima averages at about 27°C (81°F).
Yakushima 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 Yakushima. Guilin gets 206 mm (8.1 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 JulyGuilin 30°C (86°F)Yakushima 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Guilin or Yakushima in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Guilin as well as Yakushima.
In October, Guilin is generally around the same temperature as Yakushima. Daily temperatures in Guilin average around 23°C (73°F), and Yakushima fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).
It's quite rainy in Yakushima. Guilin usually gets less rain in October than Yakushima. Guilin gets 93 mm (3.7 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 OctoberGuilin 23°C (73°F)Yakushima 22°C (71°F)
Should I visit Guilin or Yakushima in the Winter?
Both Yakushima and Guilin are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.
Guilin is cooler than Yakushima in the winter. The daily temperature in Guilin averages around 10°C (49°F) in January, and Yakushima fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Yakushima. In January, Guilin usually receives less rain than Yakushima. Guilin gets 61 mm (2.4 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 JanuaryGuilin 10°C (49°F)Yakushima 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Guilin or Yakushima in the Spring?
Both Yakushima and Guilin during the spring are popular places to visit.
In the spring, Guilin is a little warmer than Yakushima. Typically, the spring temperatures in Guilin in April average around 20°C (68°F), and Yakushima averages at about 18°C (64°F).
Yakushima 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 Yakushima. Guilin gets 263 mm (10.3 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 AprilGuilin 20°C (68°F)Yakushima 18°C (64°F)
Typical Weather for Yakushima and Guilin
| Guilin | Yakushima | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 10°C (49°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 106 mm (4.2 in) |
| Feb | 11°C (51°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Mar | 15°C (59°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| Apr | 20°C (68°F) | 263 mm (10.3 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 207 mm (8.1 in) |
| May | 25°C (77°F) | 334 mm (13.2 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 288 mm (11.3 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 320 mm (12.6 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 352 mm (13.9 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) |
| Aug | 30°C (86°F) | 168 mm (6.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 205 mm (8.1 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 253 mm (10 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) |
| Nov | 17°C (63°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (53°F) | 47 mm (1.9 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.