Which place is cheaper, Yakushima or Hangzhou?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Hangzhou 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 Hangzhou 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: Hangzhou or Yakushima?
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.
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 Adventure Tours to China, The Best Sightseeing 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 dayHangzhou $65Yakushima $116
The average daily cost (per person) in Hangzhou is $65, 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 Hangzhou and Yakushima in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHangzhou $23Yakushima $59
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHangzhou $46Yakushima $118
Compare Hotels in Hangzhou and Yakushima
Looking for a hotel in Hangzhou 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.Hangzhou $8.11Yakushima $49
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
- Private Transfer to Impression West Lake show in Hangzhou: $27
- Hangzhou Private Transfer: City Hotels to Railway Station: $28
- [Airport Transfer] Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport ⇔ Hangzhou City Transfer ☆ High reputation for service! <Charter charter>: $29
- Hangzhou Railway Station Private Arrival Transfer to City Area : $29
- Hangzhou Railway Station 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 Xiaoshan Airport To Hangzhou downtown city one way private transfer: $35
- Private Transfer between Hangzhou Safari Park and City Hotels: $37
- Private Hangzhou Airport Transfer from City hotels: $41
- Private Hangzhou Airport Transfer to City Hotels or Railway Station: $41
Is it cheaper to fly into Hangzhou or Yakushima?
Prices for flights to both Yakushima 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 $18Yakushima $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
- VIP Seated Enduring Memories of Hangzhou Show Tour with Authentic Dinner: $127
- 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 and Xitang Water Town with Dinner and Boat Ride: $282
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hangzhou $20Yakushima $20
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 Plantation Culture Experience Tour: $53
- Hangzhou Longjing Tea 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
- Enduring Memories of Hangzhou Show Ticket with Private Transport: $89
- One-day Hangzhou Lakeside Mountains Relics & Ruins Hiking – Guided Outdoor Tour : $90
- Independent Tour to Shaoxing City from Hangzhou: $94
- Night Tour with Impression West Lake Show VIP Ticket and Hefang Heritage Street : $95
- 4-Hour Hangzhou Highlights Tour of Lingyin Temple and West Lake: $99
- Genuine West Lake and Tea Experience with Locals: $100
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHangzhou $10Yakushima $6.38
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hangzhou and Yakushima, we can see that Yakushima 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 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 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 Yakushima Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Hangzhou 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 Hangzhou or Yakushima in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Hangzhou and Yakushima.
Hangzhou is around the same temperature as Yakushima in the summer. The daily temperature in Hangzhou averages around 29°C (85°F) in July, and Yakushima fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
Yakushima 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 Yakushima. Hangzhou gets 129 mm (5.1 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 JulyHangzhou 29°C (85°F)Yakushima 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Hangzhou or Yakushima in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Hangzhou as well as Yakushima.
In the autumn, Hangzhou is cooler than Yakushima. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hangzhou in October average around 19°C (66°F), and Yakushima averages at about 22°C (71°F).
It's quite rainy in Yakushima. Hangzhou usually gets less rain in October than Yakushima. Hangzhou gets 90 mm (3.5 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 OctoberHangzhou 19°C (66°F)Yakushima 22°C (71°F)
Should I visit Hangzhou or Yakushima in the Winter?
Both Yakushima and Hangzhou are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.
Hangzhou can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Hangzhou is generally much colder than Yakushima. Daily temperatures in Hangzhou average around 5°C (41°F), and Yakushima fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Yakushima. In January, Hangzhou usually receives less rain than Yakushima. Hangzhou gets 59 mm (2.3 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 JanuaryHangzhou 5°C (41°F)Yakushima 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Hangzhou or Yakushima in the Spring?
Both Yakushima and Hangzhou during the spring are popular places to visit.
Hangzhou is around the same temperature as Yakushima in the spring. The daily temperature in Hangzhou averages around 16°C (61°F) in April, and Yakushima fluctuates around 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 Hangzhou. Hangzhou usually gets less rain in April than Yakushima. Hangzhou gets 130 mm (5.1 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 AprilHangzhou 16°C (61°F)Yakushima 18°C (64°F)
Typical Weather for Yakushima and Hangzhou
| Hangzhou | Yakushima | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 5°C (41°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 106 mm (4.2 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (42°F) | 88 mm (3.4 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Mar | 10°C (50°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (61°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 207 mm (8.1 in) |
| May | 21°C (70°F) | 159 mm (6.3 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 288 mm (11.3 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (77°F) | 185 mm (7.3 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 352 mm (13.9 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 205 mm (8.1 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (76°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 253 mm (10 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (56°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Dec | 7°C (45°F) | 49 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.