Which place is cheaper, Yakushima or Koh Samui?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Koh Samui or Yakushima?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Koh Samui or Yakushima? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Koh Samui or Yakushima?
Koh Samui
The largest island on the east coast of southern Thailand, Ko Samui (or Koh Samui) sees a good number of visitors every year who come for its lush rainforest, beautiful shores, and undersea wildlife. The size of the island is still small enough to allow visitors to circumnavigate it with a taxi or motorbike in a day, while hikers and outdoor enthusiasts can find plenty of inland activities in the hills and jungle.
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 Tours Under $1000 in Thailand, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Japan, and The Best Luxury Tours to Japan.
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Koh Samui Prices
Thailand PricesYakushima Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKoh Samui $79Yakushima $141
The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Samui is $79, 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 Koh Samui and Yakushima in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKoh Samui $26Yakushima $61
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKoh Samui $52Yakushima $122
Compare Hotels in Koh Samui and Yakushima
Looking for a hotel in Koh Samui 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 Samui Hotel Prices and Yakushima Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Koh Samui $19Yakushima $51
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Samui
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Koh Samui:
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Scooter Rental$2.36
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Gas for Scooter$1.26
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Airport Taxi$14
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Taxi- Na Thon Pier to Lamai Beach$13
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Minibus- Airport to Chaweng$3.77
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Koh Samui
Also for Koh Samui, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Samui International Airport (USM) Departure Shared Transfer: $9.00
- Koh Samui Airport (USM): Private Transfer within the Island: $12
- Private Airport Transfer in Koh Samui Sedan 1-3 PAX: $14
- Ferry Transfers between Koh Samui and Ko Pha-ngan: $15
- Private Transfer : Koh Samui Airport Arrival to Koh Samui Hotel (SHA Plus): $16
- Private Transfer : Koh Samui Airport Arrival to Koh Samui Hotel (SHA Plus): $16
- Koh Samui Airport Departure – Shared Transfer: $17
- Private Airport Transfer in Koh Samui: $18
- Ko Samui Airport to Ko Samui - Arrival Private Transfer: $18
- Private Transfer from Ko Samui to Ko Samui Airport (USM): $18
- Private Transfer from Ko Samui Port to Ko Samui Airport (USM): $19
- Private Transfer from Ko Samui hotels to Ko Samui Cruise Port: $19
Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Samui or Yakushima?
Prices for flights to both Yakushima and Koh Samui 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 Samui $39Yakushima $50
Typical Food Prices in Koh Samui
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Koh Samui:
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$6.75
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Koh Samui
For Koh Samui, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Sunset Dinner Cruise: $77
- Thai Cooking Class with Local Market Tour in Koh Samui: $79
- Thai Cooking Class with Local Market Tour in Koh Samui: $80
- Cooking Class by Samui Native Instructor Geng and O Family: $81
- Thai Cooking Masterclass by the Sea on Koh Samui: $82
- Sunset Dinner Cruise by Red Baron In Koh Samui : $83
- Cooking Class in Ko Samui for Small Group : $83
- Thai Cooking Class | Since 2012 | Farm to Table: $83
- Koh Samui Sunset Dinner Cruise: $83
- Romantic Evening on Koh Samui’s Sunset Dinner Cruise: $108
- Red Baron : A Sunset Dinner Cruise from Koh Samui with Return Transfer: $115
- Red Baron Sunset Dinner Cruise from Koh Samui with Transfer: $123
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Koh Samui $12Yakushima $21
Tours and Activities in Koh Samui
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Koh Samui.
- Coconut Soap Making Demo and Experience Koh Samui: $2.39
- Kanchanaburi Mallika City Thai Cultural Tour Experience: $7.97
- Sky Bicycle Jungle Adventure Tour from Koh Samui : $18
- Samui: Double Seater Karting: Share the Driving Experience: $22
- Top Sights of Samui City Tour: $25
- Koh Samui Sightseeing Tour by Minivan: $25
- Koh Samui Sightseeing Tour Around The Island : $27
- 4-Hour Day Tour in Koh Samui: $27
- Elephant Sanctuary Entry and Feeding Experience: $28
- High Speed Karting Fun Adventure at EasyKart from Koh Samui: $29
- Koh Samui City & Temples Tour with Na Muang Waterfall: $29
- Angthong National Marine Park by Highsea Tour (Official): $30
Tours and Activities in Yakushima
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Yakushima are as follows:
- Private Guided Tour: $336
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKoh Samui $5.33Yakushima $6.61
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Samui and Yakushima, we can see that Yakushima is more expensive. And not only is Koh Samui much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Koh Samui would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koh Samui 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 Samui.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Koh Samui Expensive? and Is Yakushima Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Koh Samui or Yakushima?
Yakushima has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Koh Samui experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Koh Samui or Yakushima in the Summer?
Both Yakushima and Koh Samui during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Samui because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In July, Koh Samui is generally cooler than Yakushima. Daily temperatures in Koh Samui average around 24°C (76°F), and Yakushima fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
Yakushima gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Samui. Koh Samui usually gets less rain in July than Yakushima. Koh Samui gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 189 mm (7.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKoh Samui 24°C (76°F)Yakushima 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Koh Samui or Yakushima in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Samui and Yakushima. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Samui year-round.
Koh Samui is a little warmer than Yakushima in the autumn. The daily temperature in Koh Samui averages around 24°C (75°F) in October, and Yakushima fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).
Yakushima receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Koh Samui gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Koh Samui usually receives more rain than Yakushima. Koh Samui gets 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn. December to February in Koh Samui is the dry season. Also, October to December is the rainy season in Koh Samui.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKoh Samui 24°C (75°F)Yakushima 22°C (71°F)
Should I visit Koh Samui or Yakushima in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Koh Samui as well as Yakushima. Koh Samui attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the winter, Koh Samui is much warmer than Yakushima. Typically, the winter temperatures in Koh Samui in January average around 22°C (72°F), and Yakushima averages at about 11°C (52°F).
It's quite rainy in Yakushima. Koh Samui usually gets less rain in January than Yakushima. Koh Samui gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 106 mm (4.2 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, December to February in Koh Samui is the dry season.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKoh Samui 22°C (72°F)Yakushima 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Koh Samui or Yakushima in the Spring?
Both Yakushima and Koh Samui are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Samui throughout the year.
In April, Koh Samui is generally a little warmer than Yakushima. Daily temperatures in Koh Samui average around 24°C (76°F), and Yakushima fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Yakushima. In April, Koh Samui usually receives less rain than Yakushima. Koh Samui gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 207 mm (8.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKoh Samui 24°C (76°F)Yakushima 18°C (64°F)
Typical Weather for Yakushima and Koh Samui
| Koh Samui | 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.