Which place is cheaper, Yaeyama Islands or Hangzhou?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Hangzhou or Yaeyama Islands?
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 Hangzhou and Yaeyama Islands. 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: Hangzhou or Yaeyama Islands?
Hangzhou
Hangzhou is a city in Eastern China, about an hour by train from Shanghai, renowned for its historic relics and natural beauty. Each year it attracts more than 20 million tourists who come to see what the city has to offer. Set amongst the natural scenery of lakes and mountains, Hangzhou is modern city that coexists with the old. Historic pagodas and cultural sites built around the central lake sit like they belong amidst the skyscrapers and bustling markets of today.
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 Adventure Tours to China, The Best Sightseeing Tours in China, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Tokyo, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHangzhou $65Yaeyama Islands $93
The average daily cost (per person) in Hangzhou is $65, while the average daily cost in Yaeyama Islands is $93. 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 Hangzhou and Yaeyama Islands in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHangzhou $23Yaeyama Islands $54
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHangzhou $46Yaeyama Islands $108
Compare Hotels in Hangzhou and Yaeyama Islands
Looking for a hotel in Hangzhou 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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hangzhou $8.11Yaeyama Islands $19
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Hangzhou
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Hangzhou:
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Local Bus for Two$0.55
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hangzhou
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hangzhou:
- Private Transfer between Hangzhou Songcheng Park and City Area: $23
- Hangzhou Private Transfer: City Hotels to Railway Station: $28
- Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport Private Arrival Transfer to City Area : $29
- Hangzhou Railway Station Private Departure Transfer from City Area : $29
- Hangzhou Xiaoshan Int'l Airport Private Departure Transfer from City Area : $29
- Hangzhou East Railway Station Transfer To Hangzhou Downtown City: $32
- Hangzhou Private Transfer: Railway Station to City Hotels: $33
- Hangzhou Downtown transfer to Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport: $35
- Private Hangzhou Airport Transfer from Railway Station: $41
- Private Hangzhou Airport Transfer to City Hotels or Railway Station: $41
- Hangzhou to Shanghai Bullet Train Ticket with Train Station Transfer: $45
- Hangzhou to Suzhou Bullet Train Ticket with Hangzhou Train Station Transfer: $51
Is it cheaper to fly into Hangzhou or Yaeyama Islands?
Prices for flights to both Yaeyama Islands and Hangzhou 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 dayHangzhou $18Yaeyama Islands $28
Typical Food Prices in Hangzhou
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Hangzhou:
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Breakfast Pastries$2.35
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Pizza Hut Lunch$11
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hangzhou
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Hangzhou.
- All Inclusive Night Tour with Impression West Lake Show VIP Ticket and Dinner: $117
- Private Amazing Hangzhou Airport Layover Tour with Lunch or Dinner Option : $170
- Enduring Memories of Hangzhou West Lake Show VIP Ticket with Authentic Dinner: $191
- Hangzhou Private Tour to Wuzhen Water Town with Lunch or Dinner: $213
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hangzhou $20Yaeyama Islands $8.62
Tours and Activities in Hangzhou
Here are a few actual costs in Hangzhou for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Hangzhou Lingyin Temple Tour : $28
- Hangzhou Longjing Tea Culture Experience Tour : $53
- Hangzhou Longjing Tea Plantation Culture Experience Tour: $53
- Best Price: Impression West Lake Show Ticket: $59
- Skip the Line: Impression West Lake Show Ticket: $65
- Zuiyi Hangzhou Impression West Lake Show Ticket: $69
- Hangzhou West Lake Highlights Half Day Tour : $85
- Enduring Memories of Hangzhou Show Ticket with Private Transport: $89
- Half-Day Hangzhou Tianzhu Buddhist Mountain Hiking Tour with Green Tea Village : $89
- One-day Hangzhou Lakeside Mountains Relics & Ruins Hiking – Guided Outdoor Tour : $90
- Hangzhou Private Amazing English Tour Guide Service: $90
- Independent Tour to Shaoxing City from Hangzhou: $94
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHangzhou $10Yaeyama Islands $6.28
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hangzhou and Yaeyama Islands, we can see that Yaeyama Islands is more expensive. And not only is Hangzhou much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hangzhou would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hangzhou 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 Hangzhou.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hangzhou Expensive? and Is Yaeyama Islands Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Hangzhou 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 Hangzhou or Yaeyama Islands in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Hangzhou and Yaeyama Islands. Also, the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Yaeyama Islands this time of year.
In July, Hangzhou is generally around the same temperature as Yaeyama Islands. Daily temperatures in Hangzhou average around 29°C (85°F), and Yaeyama Islands fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
Yaeyama Islands receives a lot of rain in the summer. Hangzhou gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Hangzhou usually receives less rain than Yaeyama Islands. Hangzhou gets 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Yaeyama Islands receives 179 mm (7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHangzhou 29°C (85°F)Yaeyama Islands 29°C (85°F)
Should I visit Hangzhou or Yaeyama Islands in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Hangzhou as well as Yaeyama Islands. Also, many travelers come to Yaeyama Islands for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.
Hangzhou is cooler than Yaeyama Islands in the autumn. The daily temperature in Hangzhou averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Yaeyama Islands fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
It's quite rainy in Yaeyama Islands. Hangzhou usually gets less rain in October than Yaeyama Islands. Hangzhou gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Yaeyama Islands receives 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHangzhou 19°C (66°F)Yaeyama Islands 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Hangzhou or Yaeyama Islands in the Winter?
Both Yaeyama Islands and Hangzhou are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Yaeyama Islands in the winter for the museums and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Hangzhou. In the winter, Hangzhou is much colder than Yaeyama Islands. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hangzhou in January average around 5°C (41°F), and Yaeyama Islands averages at about 18°C (64°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Yaeyama Islands. In January, Hangzhou usually receives less rain than Yaeyama Islands. Hangzhou gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Yaeyama Islands receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHangzhou 5°C (41°F)Yaeyama Islands 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Hangzhou or Yaeyama Islands in the Spring?
Both Yaeyama Islands and Hangzhou during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Yaeyama Islands for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.
In April, Hangzhou is generally cooler than Yaeyama Islands. Daily temperatures in Hangzhou average around 16°C (61°F), 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 Hangzhou. Hangzhou usually gets less rain in April than Yaeyama Islands. Hangzhou gets 130 mm (5.1 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.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHangzhou 16°C (61°F)Yaeyama Islands 23°C (74°F)
Typical Weather for Yaeyama Islands and Hangzhou
| Hangzhou | Yaeyama Islands | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 5°C (41°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (42°F) | 88 mm (3.4 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) |
| Mar | 10°C (50°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 126 mm (5 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (61°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) |
| May | 21°C (70°F) | 159 mm (6.3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 231 mm (9.1 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (77°F) | 185 mm (7.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 203 mm (8 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 179 mm (7 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (76°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 229 mm (9 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (56°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| Dec | 7°C (45°F) | 49 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.