A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Phuket vs. Yokohama for Nightlife, Families, Food, and Couples

Should you visit Phuket or Yokohama?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Phuket or Yokohama, 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.

Phuket

Phuket is a activity-filled, energetic, and party-hard resort island. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for shopping, nightlife, and food.

Yokohama

Yokohama is a under-rated, laid-back, and diverse city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Phuket and Yokohama: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Phuket or Yokohama?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Yokohama than Phuket. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Yokohama is very popular for its museums, food, shopping, and big city activities, while Phuket attracts visitors for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty. Phuket is more touristy than Yokohama and is known for its long sandy beaches, wild nightlife, colorful resorts, and easy access to day tours. Yokohama is famous for its tech industry, impressive Chinatown, and brightly lit skyline at night. It is also well known for the Yokohama Chinatown.

How is Phuket different from Yokohama?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Yokohama and Phuket. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Phuket or Yokohama?

Yokohama is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Phuket does not have museums and landmarks.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Yokohama can be an interesting and educational experience. The city has some eclectic museums like Cupnoodles Museum, the Ramen Museum, and the Kirin Beer Factory. There are also zoos, gardens, and the largest Chinatown in Japan.

Phuket does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Phuket or Yokohama? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Yokohama is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Phuket is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Yokohama. As home to the largest Chinatown in Japan, you'll find no shortage of Chinese restaurants here. You'll also find that the local cuisine uses a lot of vegetables. Local favorites include kenchin-jiru (tofu and vegetable chowder) as well as gyunabe (beef hot pot).

Phuket is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Because it served as an international port for so long, food around the island has many international influences. For the most authentic local food, head into Phuket Town. Many dishes include seafood, but there are also chicken curries and noodle soup. Like elsewhere in Thailand, the food can be quite spicy but because the island is so touristy, they're accustomed to people asking for "no spice."

Is Phuket or Yokohama Better for Nightlife?

Phuket is terrific for nightlife. Also, Yokohama is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.

Phuket is a must-see party destination. The island has a long running reputation as a party destination and it lives up to expectations. The biggest party area is Patong, particularly around Bangla Road, but even in Kata and Karon, it's hard to escape the party atmosphere.

Many people head to Yokohama for the nightlife scene. The nightlife scene is diverse, with lounges, pubs, and clubs throughout. It is also the home of Japan's first commercial brewery - Kinn. You'll find a good live music scene as well as everything from casual bars to upscale cocktail lounges.

Is Phuket or Yokohama Better for Resorts?

Phuket is terrific for its resorts. However, Yokohama is not a resort destination.

Phuket offers an unforgettable resort vacation. It's easy accessibility and larger size make this the premiere resort destination in Thailand. There are five star resorts, family-friendly resorts, and everything in between. Many people use the island as a base for exploring other nearby islands. Any resort or tour company can arrange excursions or activities for guests.

Yokohama is not a resort destination.

Is Phuket or Yokohama Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Phuket is well known for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Yokohama is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors go to Phuket to enjoy scuba diving and snorkeling. You can dive and snorkel year round, but the visibility is usually best between November and May. There are countless boat tours available and the easy accessibility make this a good base for snorkeling and diving. Many areas are overrun with tourists though, so it'll be hard to find a quiet, undisturbed location.

Yokohama is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Phuket or Yokohama Better for Beaches?

Phuket is terrific for its beaches. However, Yokohama is not a beach destination.

The beaches in Phuket are among the best in the world. The island has more than 30 beaches to choose from, ranging from party hard areas to a few quieter gems in more remote locations. The area became a world-famous destination because of its white sand beaches and crystal clear waters, and the beaches will not disappoint, even if development has taken over the island.

Yokohama is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Phuket or Yokohama?

Yokohama is a great destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Phuket is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

Yokohama is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The shopping scene has a laid back vibe that encourages you to take a stroll and enjoy the sights. Head to Marine & Walk Yokohama, which is right by the Minato Mirai waterfront, to find boutiques and upscale vendors. Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse is also one of the more famous shopping areas, but you should also check out Yokohama World Porters.

Phuket has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Shopping malls offer a range of stores, air conditioning, and fixed prices while markets have more local items and unique souvenirs. There are also galleries and other souvenir shops all over the island.

Is Phuket or Yokohama Better for Families?

Yokohama is an amazing city to visit for its family-friendly activities. Also, Phuket is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Yokohama is an amazing family-friendly city to visit. Kodomo no Kuni, or Children’s Land, is a theme park that has a lot to do for younger kids and a few things for older kids as well. Yokohama Cosmo World is another amusement park that is geared towards all ages, including rides for the older kids. Other interesting activities for families include Cupnoodles Museum, Zoorasia, and Hakkeijima Sea Paradise.

Phuket offers lots of family activities. Many people visit this island with kids because it has beautiful beaches and tons of activities including water sports, water parks, and amusement areas. The island is filled with a diversity of tourists, so you'll encounter a number of areas with party-hard atmospheres, but there are also tons of family-friendly resorts to choose from as well.

Is Phuket or Yokohama Better for Couples?

Phuket and Yokohama are both superb to visit as a couple.

Couples visit Phuket frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The island is filled with beautiful beaches and plenty of activities for all travel styles. It's a tourist and party mecca in Thailand with many resorts and restaurants to choose from.

Yokohama is a great resort island if you're traveling as a couple. You can explore the city's impressive Chinatown, enjoy the hot springs at Minato Mirai Manyo Club, or have an adrenaline filled day at Yokohama Cosmo World. There are also many museums and entertainment centers around town.

Is Phuket or Yokohama Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Yokohama is a nice place to visit for backpackers. However, Phuket is a resort island with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Yokohama. Most backpackers skip over this city, but there are still a number of hostels around town and some interesting activities that you can enjoy.

Phuket is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It has a long history as a party island with expensive prices and hordes of tourists. Many backpackers complain about the lack of authenticity and prefer to spend their time elsewhere.

Is Phuket or Yokohama Better for Students?

Yokohama is a nice place to visit for students. However, Phuket is not popular with students.

Yokohama is popular with students. Students appreciate the cosmopolitan atmosphere and high quality of the educational institutions.

Phuket is not popular with students.

Is Phuket or Yokohama Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Yokohama is a great destination for its public transit. Also, Phuket is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

The public transit in Yokohama can get you around easily. Yokohama Station and Shin-Yokohama Station are the two main train stations. There is a subway system as well as city buses that travel around town.

While Phuket offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. Tuk tuks, buses, and motorbike taxis are all available on the island. The buses are usually Songtaew, which have open air seating areas.

Is Phuket or Yokohama a more walkable city?

Yokohama is a great destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Phuket is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

Yokohama is a very walkable city. Many of the central parts of the city can be explored on foot. Most of the sites are concentrated around Minato Mirai, Chinatown, and Yokohama Station, which you can walk between.

Phuket is a somewhat walkable resort island. Most of the hotels and resorts are walking distance to the beach and many resort areas are small enough to be explored on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Phuket Worth Visiting? and Is Yokohama Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Yokohama or Phuket?

How long in Phuket or Yokohama?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Phuket or Yokohama to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Phuket than Yokohama because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Phuket, and 1-2 days is enough time in Yokohama.

Families should spend more time in Yokohama than Phuket. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Yokohama, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Yokohama than Phuket. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Yokohama that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Yokohama than Phuket if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Yokohama.

One day in Phuket or Yokohama?

The resort island of Phuket offers food and scuba diving and snorkeling. Most people come for the beaches. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Yokohama is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Phuket or Yokohama?

Phuket is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Yokohama is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Phuket or Yokohama?

Phuket is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Phuket, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Yokohama. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Phuket or Yokohama?

Phuket is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Phuket has to offer. This resort island offers something for everyone.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the laid-back big city of Yokohama. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Tokyo, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Phuket and Yokohama, we can see that Yokohama is more expensive. And not only is Phuket much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Phuket would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Phuket 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 Yokohama would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Yokohama than you might in Phuket.

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

Which is Bigger, Phuket or Yokohama?

Yokohama has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Phuket. When comparing the sizes of Phuket and Yokohama, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Phuket or Yokohama?

Yokohama 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 Yokohama in the Summer?

Both Yokohama and Phuket are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Phuket throughout the year. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Yokohama this time of year.

In July, Phuket is generally around the same temperature as Yokohama. Daily temperatures in Phuket average around 28°C (82°F), and Yokohama fluctuates around 25°C (78°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Phuket. Phuket usually receives more sunshine than Yokohama during summer. Phuket gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Yokohama receives 137 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Yokohama. It's quite rainy in Phuket. In July, Phuket usually receives more rain than Yokohama. Phuket gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Yokohama receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Phuket or Yokohama in the Autumn?

Both Yokohama and Phuket during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Phuket because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Yokohama for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Phuket is much warmer than Yokohama in the autumn. The daily temperature in Phuket averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Yokohama fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

In the autumn, Phuket often gets more sunshine than Yokohama. Phuket gets 181 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Yokohama receives 129 hours of full sun.

Yokohama gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Phuket. Phuket usually gets more rain in October than Yokohama. Phuket gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Yokohama receives 175 mm (6.9 in) of rain this time of the year. December to March is the dry season in Phuket. June to October is the rainy season in Phuket.

Should I visit Phuket or Yokohama in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Phuket and Yokohama. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Phuket year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Yokohama in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Phuket is much warmer than Yokohama. Typically, the winter temperatures in Phuket in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Yokohama averages at about 6°C (42°F).

In Phuket, it's very sunny this time of the year. Phuket usually receives more sunshine than Yokohama during winter. Phuket gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Yokohama receives 175 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Phuket usually receives less rain than Yokohama. Phuket gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Yokohama receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter. December to March in Phuket is the dry season.

Should I visit Phuket or Yokohama in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Phuket as well as Yokohama. Phuket attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Yokohama for the activities around the city during these months.

In April, Phuket is generally much warmer than Yokohama. Daily temperatures in Phuket average around 29°C (84°F), and Yokohama fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Phuket this time of the year. In the spring, Phuket often gets more sunshine than Yokohama. Phuket gets 249 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Yokohama receives 161 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Yokohama. Phuket receives a lot of rain in the spring. Phuket usually gets less rain in April than Yokohama. Phuket gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Yokohama receives 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year. June to October in Phuket is the rainy season.

Typical Weather for Yokohama and Phuket