Which place is cheaper, Yakushima or Khao Lak?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Khao Lak 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 Khao Lak 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: Khao Lak or Yakushima?
Khao Lak
Resiliency and relaxation. Those are the two words used to describe one of Thailand's most breathtaking cities. Khao Lak is located in southern Thailand, and when the tsunami of 2004 hit, this area saw the most damage. With more than 4,000 fatalities, 3,000 still unaccounted for and enormous structural damages, many thought Khao Lak would not be able to bounce back. They have proved everyone wrong with a strong and impressive recovery. Now it has returned to its status of vacation hotspot. Unlike neighboring Phuket, though, the resorts in Khao Lak are designed for families and some peace and quiet.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to Thailand, The Best Wildlife Tours to Thailand, 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 dayKhao Lak $112Yakushima $116
The average daily cost (per person) in Khao Lak is $112, 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 Khao Lak and Yakushima in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKhao Lak $51Yakushima $59
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKhao Lak $102Yakushima $118
Compare Hotels in Khao Lak and Yakushima
Looking for a hotel in Khao Lak 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: Khao Lak Hotel Prices and Yakushima Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Khao Lak $52Yakushima $49
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Khao Lak
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Khao Lak:
- Phuket: Private One-Way Transfer to/from Khao Lak by Car: $30
- Khao Lak/Bang Sak: 1-Way Private Transfer to Phuket Airport: $41
- 30-Minutes Guided Tour & Transfer to Khaolak Elephant Sanctuary: $42
- Private Transfer from Phuket Airport to Khao Lak: $44
- 2-Hour Guided Eco-Tour & Transfer to Khaolak Elephant Sanctuary: $55
- Khao Lak To Khao Sok Private Minivan & Car Transfer: $56
- Private Transfer from Khao Lak to Phuket (HKT) Airport: $100
- From Carnival Magic Phuket Ticket with Transfer: $106
- Krabi Airport: Private Transfer to/from Khaolak: $111
- Similan Island Snorkeling Adventure -Full-Day Tour with Transfers: $119
Is it cheaper to fly into Khao Lak or Yakushima?
Prices for flights to both Yakushima and Khao Lak 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 dayKhao Lak $31Yakushima $28
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Khao Lak
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Khao Lak.
- Authentic Thai Cooking Class in Khao Lak with Market Tour by Pakinnaka School: $56
- Riverside Thai Cooking Half Day Class: $57
- Authentic Thai cooking class with market tour.: $59
- Thai Cooking Class in a Garden with Transfer: $59
- Thai Cooking Class in Khaolak: $61
- 3 hours Khao Lak Cooking Class and Market Visit: $68
- Half-Day Cooking Class and Ingredient Hunt: $68
- 3-Hour Khaolak Cooking Class with Food Market Visit: $69
- Khao Sok Local Life Adventure & Traditional Cooking Class: $89
- Khaolak Elephant Sanctuary, Cooking Class and Waterfall Tour: $97
- ATV Quad Bike Excursion to Stunning Waterfalls with Dinner: $97
- Thai Food Cooking Class & ATV Adventure Tour: $97
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Khao Lak $19Yakushima $20
Tours and Activities in Khao Lak
Here are a few actual costs in Khao Lak for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Guided Walk & Feed Elephant Experience with Pickup: $35
- Bamboo Rafting and Sea Turtle Conservation Center Half Day Tour From Khao Lak: $37
- Guide Tour to Khaolak Elephant Sanctuary in Small Group: $44
- Takuapa Cultural History Half-Day Tour From Khao Lak: $48
- Elephant Sanctuary Guided Tour: $51
- Khaolak: Begin the Day with Elephants - Walk and Feed Tour: $51
- Elephant Bathing and Feeding Tour: $52
- 30 Minutes Khaolak ATV Quadbike & Waterfall Adventure: $53
- 30-Minutes ATV Quads and Waterfall Experience in Khaolak : $55
- Little Amazon Canoe Ride & Tam Nang Waterfall Tour: $56
- Sok River Canoeing | Half-Day Tour: $58
- Historical And Cultural Day Tour To Takuapa Old Town From Khao Lak: $60
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKhao Lak $13Yakushima $6.38
When comparing the travel costs between Khao Lak and Yakushima, we can see that Yakushima 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 Khao Lak Expensive? and Is Yakushima Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Khao Lak or Yakushima?
Yakushima has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Khao Lak experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Khao Lak or Yakushima in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Khao Lak and Yakushima. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Khao Lak year-round.
In the summer, Khao Lak is around the same temperature as Yakushima. Typically, the summer temperatures in Khao Lak in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Yakushima averages at about 27°C (81°F).
Yakushima receives a lot of rain in the summer. Khao Lak gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Khao Lak usually receives more rain than Yakushima. Khao Lak gets 284 mm (11.2 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 JulyKhao Lak 28°C (82°F)Yakushima 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Khao Lak or Yakushima in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Khao Lak as well as Yakushima. Khao Lak attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In October, Khao Lak is generally a little warmer than Yakushima. Daily temperatures in Khao Lak average around 27°C (81°F), and Yakushima fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).
It's quite rainy in Yakushima. Khao Lak receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Khao Lak usually gets more rain in October than Yakushima. Khao Lak gets 351 mm (13.8 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, November to April in Khao Lak is the dry season. May to October in Khao Lak is the rainy season.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKhao Lak 27°C (81°F)Yakushima 22°C (71°F)
Should I visit Khao Lak or Yakushima in the Winter?
Both Yakushima and Khao Lak are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Khao Lak throughout the year.
Khao Lak is much warmer than Yakushima in the winter. The daily temperature in Khao Lak averages around 27°C (80°F) in January, and Yakushima fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Yakushima. In January, Khao Lak usually receives less rain than Yakushima. Khao Lak gets 42 mm (1.7 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 JanuaryKhao Lak 27°C (80°F)Yakushima 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Khao Lak or Yakushima in the Spring?
Both Yakushima and Khao Lak during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Khao Lak because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the spring, Khao Lak is much warmer than Yakushima. Typically, the spring temperatures in Khao Lak in April average around 29°C (83°F), and Yakushima averages at about 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 Khao Lak. Khao Lak usually gets less rain in April than Yakushima. Khao Lak gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 207 mm (8.1 in) of rain this time of the year. November to April is the dry season in Khao Lak. May to October is the rainy season in Khao Lak.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKhao Lak 29°C (83°F)Yakushima 18°C (64°F)
Typical Weather for Yakushima and Khao Lak
| Khao Lak | Yakushima | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (80°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 106 mm (4.2 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (83°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (83°F) | 157 mm (6.2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 207 mm (8.1 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 345 mm (13.6 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 288 mm (11.3 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 286 mm (11.3 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 352 mm (13.9 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 284 mm (11.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 272 mm (10.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 205 mm (8.1 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 417 mm (16.4 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 253 mm (10 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 351 mm (13.8 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 71 mm (2.8 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.