A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kao-hsiung vs. Yaeyama Islands for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Kao-hsiung or Yaeyama Islands?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Kao-hsiung and Yaeyama Islands 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: Kao-hsiung or Yaeyama Islands?

Kao-hsiung

Kaohsiung is the second-most populated city and also the largest port city in the country, located in the south of Taiwan. Compared to Taipei, the lifestyle in Kaohsiung is laid-back and noticeably slower, populated with friendly locals. However, with Taipei in the spotlight, Kaohsiung is often overlooked, though it offers so much in the way of art and culture, history, and delicious food.

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 Historical Tours in Taiwan, The Best Adventure Tours to Taiwan, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Tokyo, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo.


Which place is cheaper, Yaeyama Islands or Kao-hsiung?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Kao-hsiung Prices
    Taiwan Prices
    Yaeyama Islands Prices
    Japan Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Kao-hsiung $134
    Yaeyama Islands $118

The average daily cost (per person) in Kao-hsiung is $134, while the average daily cost in Yaeyama Islands is $118. 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 Kao-hsiung and Yaeyama Islands in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kao-hsiung $60
    Yaeyama Islands $56
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kao-hsiung $120
    Yaeyama Islands $112
Compare Hotels in Kao-hsiung and Yaeyama Islands

Looking for a hotel in Kao-hsiung 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.

Hotels in Kao-hsiung


Hotels in Yaeyama Islands


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: Kao-hsiung Hotel Prices and Yaeyama Islands Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kao-hsiung $12
    Yaeyama Islands $19

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kao-hsiung

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kao-hsiung:

  • Kaohsiung Airport -> Kaohsiung Hotel Private Transfer (Large room for luggage) : $35
  • Kaohsiung Airport Chauffeur service , Kaohsiung Airport Transfer : $50
  • Private Transfer from Kaohsiung Airport (KHH) to Kaohsiung Port : $75
  • Guanziling Resorts to Kaohsiung Airport KHH Departure Transfer: $134
  • Kaohsiung Airport (KHH) to Guanziling Resorts - Arrival Transfer: $134
  • Private Transfer from Kaohsiung Airport to Kenting: $138
  • Private Kaohsiung Airport to Taitung Resorts Arrival Transfer: $192

Is it cheaper to fly into Kao-hsiung or Yaeyama Islands?

Prices for flights to both Yaeyama Islands and Kao-hsiung 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 day
    Kao-hsiung $59
    Yaeyama Islands $50

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kao-hsiung

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kao-hsiung.

  • Sunset Dinner on Monkey Mountain : $100

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kao-hsiung $22
    Yaeyama Islands $8.93

Tours and Activities in Kao-hsiung

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kao-hsiung are as follows:

  • Suzuka Circuit Park Ticket in Kaohsiung: $33
  • Kaohsiung Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $48
  • Kenting and Pingtung One Day Tour with Departure from Kaohsiung: $52
  • Classic Northern Kaohsiung Day Tour: $60
  • Classic Southern Kaohsiung Day Tour: $60
  • Kaohsiung City Walking Day Tour: $70
  • Food and Culture Walking Tour in Tainan: $78
  • Alishan Day Tour from Kaohsiung (Incl. Park Entrance): $90
  • Buddha Museum- Half Day Tour : $90
  • Tainan Day Tour –Qigu Salt Mountain, Chikan Tower & Anping Castle: $100
  • Private Tour Shore Excursion in Kaohsiung City: $199
  • 1 day tour - Kaohsiung: $200

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kao-hsiung $11
    Yaeyama Islands $6.51


When comparing the travel costs between Kao-hsiung and Yaeyama Islands, we can see that Kao-hsiung is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kao-hsiung Expensive? and Is Yaeyama Islands Expensive?.