Which place is cheaper, Yakushima or Koh Pha Ngan?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Koh Pha Ngan or Yakushima?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Koh Pha Ngan and Yakushima can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Koh Pha Ngan or Yakushima?
Koh Pha Ngan
Ko Phangan (or Pha Ngan) is best known for its full moon parties, attracting backpackers and budget travelers the world over for all-night parties on the beach. The clear, blue water, beautiful beaches, and tropical atmosphere bring the tourists to the island, and the low prices, diverse activities, and abundant amenities keep them here.
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 Budget Tours to Thailand, The Best Tours for Seniors 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 dayKoh Pha Ngan $45Yakushima $116
The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Pha Ngan is $45, 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 Koh Pha Ngan and Yakushima in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKoh Pha Ngan $23Yakushima $59
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKoh Pha Ngan $46Yakushima $118
Compare Hotels in Koh Pha Ngan and Yakushima
Looking for a hotel in Koh Pha Ngan 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: Koh Pha Ngan Hotel Prices and Yakushima Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Koh Pha Ngan $13Yakushima $49
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Pha Ngan
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Koh Pha Ngan are as follows:
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Scooter Rental$8.18
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Ferry Ride$14
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Gas for Scooter$3.00
Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Pha Ngan or Yakushima?
Prices for flights to both Yakushima and Koh Pha Ngan 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 dayKoh Pha Ngan $10Yakushima $28
Typical Food Prices in Koh Pha Ngan
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Koh Pha Ngan:
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Noodle Lunch (for One)$1.09
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Sit Down Dinner (for Two)$11
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Smoothies (for Two)$1.09
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Ice Cream$0.55
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Juice$1.64
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3 Spring Rolls$0.82
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2 Pancakes$1.64
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Koh Pha Ngan $17Yakushima $20
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKoh Pha Ngan $9.89Yakushima $6.38
Typical Alcohol Prices in Koh Pha Ngan
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Koh Pha Ngan are as follows:
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Drinks at Irish Pub (for Two)$7.09
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Pha Ngan and Yakushima, we can see that Yakushima is more expensive. And not only is Koh Pha Ngan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Koh Pha Ngan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koh Pha Ngan 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 Koh Pha Ngan.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Koh Pha Ngan Expensive? and Is Yakushima Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Koh Pha Ngan or Yakushima?
Yakushima has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Koh Pha Ngan experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Koh Pha Ngan or Yakushima in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Pha Ngan and Yakushima. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Pha Ngan year-round.
In the summer, Koh Pha Ngan is cooler than Yakushima. Typically, the summer temperatures in Koh Pha Ngan in July average around 24°C (76°F), and Yakushima averages at about 27°C (81°F).
Yakushima receives a lot of rain in the summer. Koh Pha Ngan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Koh Pha Ngan usually receives less rain than Yakushima. Koh Pha Ngan gets 143 mm (5.6 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 JulyKoh Pha Ngan 24°C (76°F)Yakushima 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Koh Pha Ngan or Yakushima in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Koh Pha Ngan as well as Yakushima. Koh Pha Ngan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In October, Koh Pha Ngan is generally a little warmer than Yakushima. Daily temperatures in Koh Pha Ngan average around 24°C (75°F), and Yakushima fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).
It's quite rainy in Yakushima. Koh Pha Ngan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Koh Pha Ngan usually gets more rain in October than Yakushima. Koh Pha Ngan gets 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, December to March in Koh Pha Ngan is the dry season. October and November in Koh Pha Ngan is the rainy season.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKoh Pha Ngan 24°C (75°F)Yakushima 22°C (71°F)
Should I visit Koh Pha Ngan or Yakushima in the Winter?
Both Yakushima and Koh Pha Ngan are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Pha Ngan throughout the year.
Koh Pha Ngan is much warmer than Yakushima in the winter. The daily temperature in Koh Pha Ngan averages around 22°C (72°F) in January, and Yakushima fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Yakushima. In January, Koh Pha Ngan usually receives less rain than Yakushima. Koh Pha Ngan gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 106 mm (4.2 in) of rain each month for the winter. The dry season in Koh Pha Ngan is December to March.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKoh Pha Ngan 22°C (72°F)Yakushima 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Koh Pha Ngan or Yakushima in the Spring?
Both Yakushima and Koh Pha Ngan during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Pha Ngan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the spring, Koh Pha Ngan is a little warmer than Yakushima. Typically, the spring temperatures in Koh Pha Ngan in April average around 24°C (76°F), and Yakushima averages at about 18°C (64°F).
Yakushima gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Koh Pha Ngan usually gets less rain in April than Yakushima. Koh Pha Ngan gets 55 mm (2.2 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 AprilKoh Pha Ngan 24°C (76°F)Yakushima 18°C (64°F)
Typical Weather for Yakushima and Koh Pha Ngan
| Koh Pha Ngan | Yakushima | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 22°C (72°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 106 mm (4.2 in) |
| Feb | 22°C (72°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Mar | 23°C (74°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| Apr | 24°C (76°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 207 mm (8.1 in) |
| May | 25°C (77°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 288 mm (11.3 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (77°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 352 mm (13.9 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (76°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (76°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 205 mm (8.1 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (76°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 253 mm (10 in) |
| Oct | 24°C (75°F) | 240 mm (9.5 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (74°F) | 335 mm (13.2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 134 mm (5.3 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.