A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Newcastle vs. Yakushima for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Newcastle or Yakushima?

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

Should I visit Newcastle 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: Newcastle or Yakushima?

Newcastle

Newcastle is 150 kilometers north of Sydney in New South Wales. It is also the second largest city in the state, and serves as a central point to explore the area's beaches, wineries, and beautiful natural landscape. North of the city is Stockton beach, which has many miles of isolated, beautiful beaches, stretching all the way up to Nelson Bay. The wineries are inland to the west and have some of Australia's finest wine which you can taste. If you want to see rainforests, you can head northwest to Barrington Tops National Park, which has great rainforests and freshwater streams. You may even get to see a platypus. The city also has the country's oldest sea port. In the past the city's economy was centered around the steel industry, but today the University of Newcastle is one of the area's most important employers.

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 4-Week (1-Month) Tours in Australia, The Best Budget Tours to Australia, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Japan, and The Best Luxury Tours to Japan.


Which place is cheaper, Yakushima or Newcastle?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Newcastle is $117, 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 Newcastle and Yakushima in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Newcastle $45
    Yakushima $61
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Newcastle $90
    Yakushima $122
Compare Hotels in Newcastle and Yakushima

Looking for a hotel in Newcastle 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.

Hotels in Newcastle


Hotels in Yakushima


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: Newcastle Hotel Prices and Yakushima Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Newcastle $8.41
    Yakushima $51

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Newcastle

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Newcastle:

  • Newcastle Airport (NTL) to Newcastle - Arrival Private Transfer: $74
  • Newcastle to Newcastle Airport (NTL) - Departure Private Transfer: $74
  • Private Transfer from Newcastle City Hotels to Newcastle Port: $80
  • Private Transfer from Newcastle Port to Newcastle city hotels: $80
  • Private Transfer from Newcastle Port to Newcastle Airport (NTL): $82
  • Private Transfer from Newcastle Airport (NTL) to Newcastle Port: $83
  • Newcastle Airport to Newcastle - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $148
  • Private Transfer from Newcastle Cruise Port to Sydney City Hotels: $251

Is it cheaper to fly into Newcastle or Yakushima?

Prices for flights to both Yakushima and Newcastle 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
    Newcastle $61
    Yakushima $50

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Newcastle

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Newcastle.

  • Harbour Dinner Cruise with Live Music: $69
  • Newcastle Harbour Dinner Cruise with Buffet and Live Music: $71
  • Earp Distilling Co: Date Night with Blending Class & Dinner: $73
  • Cooking Classes at the Yellow Door Kitchen: $96
  • Date Night with Blending Class and Dinner: $149

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Newcastle $15
    Yakushima $21

Tours and Activities in Newcastle

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Newcastle are as follows:

  • Wine & Cheese Tasting Experience in Hunter Valley: $14
  • Skip the Line: Handmade Cheese, Fruit Paste & Gourmet Bread & Wafers Lunch: $17
  • Mead and Honey Tasting Experience: $19
  • True Crime Guided Walking Tour: $22
  • Newcastle Dark Stories True Crime Tour: $23
  • Wine, Cheese & Chocolate Tasting Experience in Hunter Valley: $24
  • Port Stephens: Dolphin Discovery Cruise: $28
  • Family Pass Fighter World Museum Admission Ticket: $32
  • Audrey Wilkinson Vineyard - Sweet Indulgence Experience: $40
  • Shared Newcastle Harbor Cruise: $43
  • Tree Ropes Course Adventure: $46
  • Lake Macquarie Cruise with Lunch: $46

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 day
    Newcastle $10
    Yakushima $6.61

Sample the Local Flavors in Newcastle

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Newcastle:

  • Cael’s Gate Wine Tasting in Hunter Valley: $6.66
  • Ivanhoe Wines: Trip Advisor Seated Wine Tasting : $10
  • Boutique Wine Tasting Experience in Pokolbin: $11
  • Newcastle Bar Crawl Experience: $15
  • Cael's Gate Reserve Wine Tasting in Hunter Valley: $17
  • Premiere Wine Tasting Experience : $20
  • Tulloch Wines - Wine Tasting paired with Local Handmade Chocolates: $23
  • Cheese and Wine Tasting Experience in Pokolbin: $26
  • Wonnarua Sparkling Wine Tasting: $30
  • Ivanhoe Wines: Trip Advisor Premium Wine Tasting: $30
  • Tintilla Estate: Wine Tasting with a Meat and Cheese Platter: $33
  • Tulloch Wines Hunter Heroes Wine Tasting with Local Cheese & Charcuterie Board: $35


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Newcastle and Yakushima, we can see that Yakushima is more expensive. And not only is Newcastle much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Newcastle is in Pacific and Yakushima is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Newcastle would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Newcastle 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 Newcastle.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Newcastle Expensive? and Is Yakushima Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Newcastle or Yakushima?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Newcastle is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Yakushima has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Newcastle or Yakushima in the Summer?

Both Yakushima and Newcastle are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Newcastle because of the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In January, Newcastle is generally cooler than Yakushimain July. Daily temperatures in Newcastle average around 22°C (72°F), and Yakushima fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Yakushima. It's quite rainy in Newcastle. In January, Newcastle usually receives less rain than Yakushimain July. Newcastle gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 189 mm (7.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January and July
    Newcastle 22°C (72°F) 
    Yakushima 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Newcastle or Yakushima in the Autumn?

Both Yakushima and Newcastle during the autumn are popular places to visit. The hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene are the main draw to Newcastle this time of year.

Newcastle is cooler than Yakushima in the autumn. The daily temperature in Newcastle averages around 19°C (67°F) in April, and Yakushima fluctuates around 22°C (71°F)in October.

Yakushima gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Newcastle. Newcastle usually gets less rain in April than Yakushimain October. Newcastle gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April and October
    Newcastle 19°C (67°F) 
    Yakushima 22°C (71°F)

Should I visit Newcastle or Yakushima in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Newcastle and Yakushima. Many travelers come to Newcastle for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Newcastle is a little warmer than Yakushima. Typically, the winter temperatures in Newcastle in July average around 13°C (55°F), and Yakushima averages at about 11°C (52°F)in January.

Yakushima receives a lot of rain in the winter. In July, Newcastle usually receives less rain than Yakushimain January. Newcastle gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 106 mm (4.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July and January
    Newcastle 13°C (55°F) 
    Yakushima 11°C (52°F)

Should I visit Newcastle or Yakushima in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Newcastle as well as Yakushima. Many visitors come to Newcastle in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.

In October, Newcastle is generally around the same temperature as Yakushimain April. Daily temperatures in Newcastle average around 18°C (64°F), and Yakushima fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

It's quite rainy in Yakushima. Newcastle usually gets less rain in October than Yakushimain April. Newcastle gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 207 mm (8.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October and April
    Newcastle 18°C (64°F) 
    Yakushima 18°C (64°F)

Typical Weather for Yakushima and Newcastle

Newcastle Yakushima
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 22°C (72°F) 111 mm (4.4 in) 11°C (52°F) 106 mm (4.2 in)
Feb 22°C (72°F) 111 mm (4.4 in) 12°C (53°F) 105 mm (4.1 in)
Mar 21°C (71°F) 124 mm (4.9 in) 14°C (57°F) 160 mm (6.3 in)
Apr 19°C (67°F) 112 mm (4.4 in) 18°C (64°F) 207 mm (8.1 in)
May 16°C (61°F) 102 mm (4 in) 21°C (69°F) 288 mm (11.3 in)
Jun 14°C (57°F) 140 mm (5.5 in) 24°C (74°F) 352 mm (13.9 in)
Jul 13°C (55°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 27°C (81°F) 189 mm (7.4 in)
Aug 14°C (57°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 27°C (81°F) 205 mm (8.1 in)
Sep 16°C (60°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 26°C (78°F) 253 mm (10 in)
Oct 18°C (64°F) 85 mm (3.3 in) 22°C (71°F) 161 mm (6.3 in)
Nov 20°C (67°F) 82 mm (3.2 in) 18°C (64°F) 118 mm (4.6 in)
Dec 21°C (70°F) 82 mm (3.2 in) 13°C (55°F) 93 mm (3.7 in)


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