Which place is cheaper, Yakushima or Hat Yai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Hat Yai or Yakushima?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Hat Yai and Yakushima can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Hat Yai or Yakushima?
Hat Yai
The fourth largest city of Thailand, Hat Yai is a popular tourist destination, especially on weekends and holidays for people in neighboring Malaysia and Singapore. It is best known as a commercial hub and shopping destination, and for its floating market and Buddhist temple.
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 Contiki Tours to Thailand, The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Japan, and The Best Luxury Tours to Japan.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHat Yai $16Yakushima $116
The average daily cost (per person) in Hat Yai is $16, 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 Hat Yai and Yakushima in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHat Yai $5.11Yakushima $59
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHat Yai $10Yakushima $118
Compare Hotels in Hat Yai and Yakushima
Looking for a hotel in Hat Yai 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: Hat Yai Hotel Prices and Yakushima Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hat Yai $0.63Yakushima $49
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hat Yai
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hat Yai:
- Transfer from Hatyai Airport to Koh Lipe: $25
- private van transfer from Hatyai Airport to Pabara Pier: $68
- Private Hatyai Airport Transfer to Pak Bara Pier by Van: $69
- Private Van transfer from Hatyai Airport to Pak Bara Pier: $73
- Private Van transfer from Hatyai City to Pak Bara Pier: $73
Is it cheaper to fly into Hat Yai or Yakushima?
Prices for flights to both Yakushima and Hat Yai 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 dayHat Yai $10Yakushima $28
Typical Food Prices in Hat Yai
Some typical examples of dining costs in Hat Yai are as follows:
-
Roti Snack$0.55
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hat Yai -Yakushima $20
Tours and Activities in Hat Yai
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Hat Yai are as follows:
- One Way Speedboat and Van Ticket Koh Lipe to Hat Yai Airport: $30
- One Way Van and Speedboat Ticket Hat Yai Airport to Koh Lipe: $30
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayHat Yai $2.52Yakushima $6.38
Typical Alcohol Prices in Hat Yai
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Hat Yai:
-
Beer$1.64
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hat Yai and Yakushima, we can see that Yakushima is more expensive. And not only is Hat Yai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hat Yai would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hat Yai 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 Hat Yai.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hat Yai Expensive? and Is Yakushima Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Hat Yai or Yakushima?
Yakushima has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Hat Yai experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Hat Yai or Yakushima in the Summer?
Both Yakushima and Hat Yai are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Hat Yai throughout the year.
In July, Hat Yai is generally around the same temperature as Yakushima. Daily temperatures in Hat Yai average around 29°C (83°F), and Yakushima fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Yakushima. It's quite rainy in Hat Yai. In July, Hat Yai usually receives less rain than Yakushima. Hat Yai gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 189 mm (7.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyHat Yai 29°C (83°F)Yakushima 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Hat Yai or Yakushima in the Autumn?
Both Yakushima and Hat Yai during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Hat Yai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Hat Yai is a little warmer than Yakushima in the autumn. The daily temperature in Hat Yai averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Yakushima fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).
Yakushima gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Hat Yai. Hat Yai usually gets more rain in October than Yakushima. Hat Yai gets 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain this time of the year. May to December is the rainy season in Hat Yai.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHat Yai 28°C (82°F)Yakushima 22°C (71°F)
Should I visit Hat Yai or Yakushima in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Hat Yai and Yakushima. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Hat Yai year-round.
In the winter, Hat Yai is much warmer than Yakushima. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hat Yai in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Yakushima averages at about 11°C (52°F).
Yakushima receives a lot of rain in the winter. Hat Yai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Hat Yai usually receives around the same amount of rain as Yakushima. Hat Yai gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 106 mm (4.2 in) of rain each month for the winter. January to April in Hat Yai is the dry season.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHat Yai 28°C (82°F)Yakushima 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Hat Yai or Yakushima in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Hat Yai as well as Yakushima. Hat Yai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Hat Yai is generally much warmer than Yakushima. Daily temperatures in Hat Yai average around 30°C (85°F), and Yakushima fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
It's quite rainy in Yakushima. Hat Yai usually gets less rain in April than Yakushima. Hat Yai gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 207 mm (8.1 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, January to April in Hat Yai is the dry season. May to December in Hat Yai is the rainy season.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilHat Yai 30°C (85°F)Yakushima 18°C (64°F)
Typical Weather for Yakushima and Hat Yai
| Hat Yai | Yakushima | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 106 mm (4.2 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (83°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (85°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| Apr | 30°C (85°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 207 mm (8.1 in) |
| May | 29°C (84°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 288 mm (11.3 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 352 mm (13.9 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 205 mm (8.1 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 253 mm (10 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 284 mm (11.2 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 588 mm (23.1 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 404 mm (15.9 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.