Which place is cheaper, Yakushima or Kanchanaburi?
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 Kanchanaburi 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 Kanchanaburi 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: Kanchanaburi or Yakushima?
Kanchanaburi
If the hustle and bustle of the big city of Bangkok is just getting to you, there's an easy escape. Kanchanaburi, Thailand is a city located at the meeting of Kwai Noi and Kwai Yai, and is ideal for backpackers looking to reflect and relax. With easily accessible waterfalls and national parks, you'll wonder why anyone ever leaves.
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 Wildlife Tours to Thailand, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Thailand, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Japan, and The Best Luxury Tours to Japan.
-
Kanchanaburi Prices
Thailand PricesYakushima Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKanchanaburi $58Yakushima $141
The average daily cost (per person) in Kanchanaburi is $58, while the average daily cost in Yakushima is $141. 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 Kanchanaburi and Yakushima in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKanchanaburi $22Yakushima $61
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKanchanaburi $44Yakushima $122
Compare Hotels in Kanchanaburi and Yakushima
Looking for a hotel in Kanchanaburi 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: Kanchanaburi Hotel Prices and Yakushima Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kanchanaburi $14Yakushima $51
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kanchanaburi
Also for Kanchanaburi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Ratchaburi to Suvarnabhumi (BKK) Airport: $99
- Private Airport Transfer : Bangkok to/from Kanchanaburi: $119
- Private Transfer from Kanchanaburi to Don Mueang (DMK) Airport: $187
Is it cheaper to fly into Kanchanaburi or Yakushima?
Prices for flights to both Yakushima and Kanchanaburi 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 dayKanchanaburi $24Yakushima $50
Typical Food Prices in Kanchanaburi
For Kanchanaburi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Casual Lunch$4.71
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kanchanaburi
For Kanchanaburi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Thai Cooking Class: $39
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kanchanaburi $10Yakushima $21
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kanchanaburi
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Kanchanaburi's activities, tours, and tickets:
-
Entry Park TreeHouse$6.28
Tours and Activities in Kanchanaburi
For Kanchanaburi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Discovery Bike Tour: $18
- Best Paddleboarding Experience in Kanchanaburi River: $27
- River Kwai Paddleboarding Experience in Kanchanaburi: $30
- E-Scooter Tour in Kanchanaburi: $35
- Kanchanaburi Tree Top Adventure Park Tours: $45
- Half Day Kanchanaburi Bike Tour with History and Local Life: $53
- WWII History Bike Tour in Kanchanaburi with Local Guide: $59
- Kanchanaburi Tour Hellfire Pass History tour: $108
- Erawan Waterfall & Train Tour from Kanchanaburi – Full Day: $110
- Kanchanaburi Tour: Erawan Waterfall and Death Railway: $112
- Kanchanaburi Tour Erawan Waterfall Temples and Giant Rain Tree: $112
- Romantic Getaway in A Walking Tour: $174
Tours and Activities in Yakushima
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Yakushima are as follows:
- Private Guided Tour: $336
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayKanchanaburi $9.24Yakushima $6.61
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kanchanaburi and Yakushima, we can see that Yakushima is more expensive. And not only is Kanchanaburi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kanchanaburi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kanchanaburi 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 Kanchanaburi.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kanchanaburi Expensive? and Is Yakushima Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Kanchanaburi or Yakushima?
Yakushima has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Kanchanaburi experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Kanchanaburi or Yakushima in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Kanchanaburi as well as Yakushima. Kanchanaburi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Kanchanaburi is around the same temperature as Yakushima in the summer. The daily temperature in Kanchanaburi averages around 29°C (84°F) in July, and Yakushima fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
It's quite rainy in Yakushima. Kanchanaburi usually gets less rain in July than Yakushima. Kanchanaburi gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 189 mm (7.4 in) of rain this time of the year. July to October in Kanchanaburi is the rainy season.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyKanchanaburi 29°C (84°F)Yakushima 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Kanchanaburi or Yakushima in the Autumn?
Both Yakushima and Kanchanaburi are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kanchanaburi throughout the year.
In the autumn, Kanchanaburi is a little warmer than Yakushima. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kanchanaburi in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Yakushima averages at about 22°C (71°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Yakushima. It's quite rainy in Kanchanaburi. In October, Kanchanaburi usually receives more rain than Yakushima. Kanchanaburi gets 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Kanchanaburi is November to May. The rainy season in Kanchanaburi is July to October.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKanchanaburi 28°C (82°F)Yakushima 22°C (71°F)
Should I visit Kanchanaburi or Yakushima in the Winter?
Both Yakushima and Kanchanaburi during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Kanchanaburi because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Kanchanaburi is generally much warmer than Yakushima. Daily temperatures in Kanchanaburi average around 25°C (77°F), and Yakushima fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
Yakushima gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Kanchanaburi usually gets less rain in January than Yakushima. Kanchanaburi gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 106 mm (4.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKanchanaburi 25°C (77°F)Yakushima 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Kanchanaburi or Yakushima in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kanchanaburi and Yakushima. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kanchanaburi year-round.
It's very hot in Kanchanaburi this time of the year. Kanchanaburi is much warmer than Yakushima in the spring. The daily temperature in Kanchanaburi averages around 32°C (89°F) in April, and Yakushima fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
Yakushima receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Kanchanaburi usually receives less rain than Yakushima. Kanchanaburi gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 207 mm (8.1 in) of rain each month for the spring. November to May in Kanchanaburi is the dry season.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilKanchanaburi 32°C (89°F)Yakushima 18°C (64°F)
Typical Weather for Yakushima and Kanchanaburi
| Kanchanaburi | Yakushima | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 106 mm (4.2 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Mar | 30°C (87°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| Apr | 32°C (89°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 207 mm (8.1 in) |
| May | 30°C (87°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 288 mm (11.3 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (85°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 352 mm (13.9 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (84°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 205 mm (8.1 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 218 mm (8.6 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 253 mm (10 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (76°F) | 9 mm (0.4 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.