Which place is cheaper, Yakushima or Phuket?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Phuket or Yakushima?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Phuket or Yakushima, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Phuket or Yakushima?
Phuket
Phuket Island is the tourist mecca of southern Thailand. Known for its beaches and resorts, the island brings in a massive amount of travelers from all over the world, year round. Although the beaches are beautiful, Phuket has also become more westernized and tourist-oriented in recent decades, leaving many travelers to venture elsewhere to find that amazing beach with a more authentic Thai vibe. However, Phuket Island is quite large, and hidden gems can still be found.
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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Thailand, The Best 2-Week Tours in 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 dayPhuket $105Yakushima $116
The average daily cost (per person) in Phuket is $105, 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 Phuket and Yakushima in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPhuket $56Yakushima $59
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPhuket $112Yakushima $118
Compare Hotels in Phuket and Yakushima
Looking for a hotel in Phuket 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: Phuket Hotel Prices and Yakushima Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Phuket $11Yakushima $49
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Phuket
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Phuket:
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Longtail Taxi (for Two)$8.18
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Taxi from Airport to Phuket Town$6.82
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Phuket
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Phuket:
- Phuket Airport Bus Transfer from/to Karon Beach: $5.35
- From Phuket or Pa Tong: Transfer to Gun Shooting Range: $6.76
- Airport Transfer To / From Hotel & Free Wifi: $10
- Ferry Transfer to/from Phi Phi Tonsai or Laem Tong: $12
- Phuket Airport Transfer (SHA Plus) : $13
- One-Way Ferry Transfer to/from Koh Phi Phi: $14
- Airport Transfer To / From Hotel & Free Wifi: $15
- Phuket International and Domestic Airport - Arrival Transfer : $15
- Phuket International and Domestic Airport - Departure Transfer : $15
- Phuket International Airport (HKT): Transfer to/from Phuket: $16
- Phuket Shared Arrival Transfer: $17
- Private Phuket Departure Transfer - Hotel to Phuket Airport : $17
Is it cheaper to fly into Phuket or Yakushima?
Prices for flights to both Yakushima and Phuket 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 dayPhuket $22Yakushima $28
Typical Food Prices in Phuket
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Phuket:
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Casual Dinner (for Two)$7.88
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$4.64
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Sit Down Dinner (for Two)$12
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Thai Noodles$2.45
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Bananas$0.68
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Pizza (for Two)$8.18
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Phuket
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Phuket.
- Thai Cooking Class 1.5 Hrs ( 2 Dishes Menu): $36
- Express Thai Cooking Class in Phuket: $43
- Coral Island Catamaran Cruise with Sunset Dinner: $43
- Vegetarian Organic Thai Cooking Class and Market Tour in Phuket: $52
- Flavours of the South Guided Food Tour: $52
- Coral Island & Sunset Dinner by Sailing Catamaran: $53
- Phuket Coral Island Sunset with Dinner by Catamaran Yacht: $53
- Thai Cooking Class in Phuket: $55
- Phuket Cooking Class Thai activity: $55
- Thai Cooking Class in Phuket: $55
- Phuket Thai Cooking Class with Market Tour Option: $55
- Organic Thai Cooking Class and Market Tour in Phuket: $55
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Phuket $42Yakushima $20
Typical Entertainment Prices in Phuket
Here are a few typical costs in Phuket for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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One Day Boat Tour$25
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Scuba Diving (Two Dives)$68
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Thai Oil Massage$17
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Surfboard Rental$8.18
Tours and Activities in Phuket
Here are a few actual costs in Phuket for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Phuket Botanic Garden Admission Ticket: $3.01
- The Selfie Experience Phuket Admission Ticket: $4.14
- Phuket Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Phuket to Phi Phi Tonsai Ferry by Royal Jet Cruiser with Pickup Service: $13
- Trick Eye Museum Admission Ticket: $14
- Phang Nga Bay Skywalk at Samet Nangshe Admission Ticket: $14
- Phuket Trickeye Museum Day Admission Ticket: $15
- Baan Teelanka Upside Down House Entry Ticket: $16
- Original Discovery Tour: $17
- Old Phuket Farm Ticket - Countryside Local Life Culture: $18
- Child Ticket age 6 - 12 years old (Tourist): $18
- Simon Cabaret Show Phuket (Ticket Only): $20
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPhuket $6.35Yakushima $6.38
Typical Alcohol Prices in Phuket
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Phuket from other travelers:
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Cocktails (for Two)$5.46
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Beer$2.32
Sample the Local Flavors in Phuket
Also in Phuket, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- All-Night Bar Crawl with Drinks & 4 Venues: $22
- Phuket Guided Pub Crawl: $25
- Pub Crawl Tour: $25
- Phuket Real City Tour with Rum Cocktail Distillery: $77
- Big Buddha & The Distillery Phuket: $97
- Phuket Rum Distillery Cocktail Workshop And Wat Chalong Temple : $172
- Phuket Rum Distillery Cocktail Workshop & Wat Chalong Temple: $213
When comparing the travel costs between Phuket 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 Phuket Expensive? and Is Yakushima Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Phuket or Yakushima?
Yakushima has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Phuket experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Phuket or Yakushima in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Phuket and Yakushima. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Phuket year-round.
Phuket is around the same temperature as Yakushima in the summer. The daily temperature in Phuket averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Yakushima fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
Yakushima receives a lot of rain in the summer. Phuket gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Phuket usually receives more rain than Yakushima. Phuket gets 287 mm (11.3 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 JulyPhuket 28°C (82°F)Yakushima 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Phuket or Yakushima in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Phuket as well as Yakushima. Phuket attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the autumn, Phuket is a little warmer than Yakushima. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Phuket in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Yakushima averages at about 22°C (71°F).
It's quite rainy in Yakushima. Phuket receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Phuket usually gets more rain in October than Yakushima. Phuket gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, December to March in Phuket is the dry season. June to October in Phuket is the rainy season.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPhuket 27°C (81°F)Yakushima 22°C (71°F)
Should I visit Phuket or Yakushima in the Winter?
Both Yakushima and Phuket are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Phuket throughout the year.
In January, Phuket is generally much warmer than Yakushima. Daily temperatures in Phuket average around 28°C (82°F), and Yakushima fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Yakushima. In January, Phuket usually receives less rain than Yakushima. Phuket gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 106 mm (4.2 in) of rain each month for the winter. The dry season in Phuket is December to March.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPhuket 28°C (82°F)Yakushima 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Phuket or Yakushima in the Spring?
Both Yakushima and Phuket during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Phuket because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Phuket is much warmer than Yakushima in the spring. The daily temperature in Phuket averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Yakushima fluctuates around 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 Phuket. Phuket usually gets less rain in April than Yakushima. Phuket gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 207 mm (8.1 in) of rain this time of the year. June to October is the rainy season in Phuket.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPhuket 29°C (84°F)Yakushima 18°C (64°F)
Typical Weather for Yakushima and Phuket
| Phuket | Yakushima | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 106 mm (4.2 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (83°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 207 mm (8.1 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 318 mm (12.5 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 288 mm (11.3 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 279 mm (11 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 352 mm (13.9 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 262 mm (10.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 205 mm (8.1 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 399 mm (15.7 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 253 mm (10 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 304 mm (12 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 62 mm (2.4 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.