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

Should you visit Qingdao or Yakushima?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Qingdao 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: Qingdao or Yakushima?

Qingdao

Qingdao, China, located in the Shandong Province, is a very large city right on the Yellow Sea coast. The city, whose name means "The Green Island" due to it's gorgeous landscapes and interesting geography, was named China's most livable city in 2012. The city is rich in history, having almost become a German territory in 1897 and being occupied by the Japanese during WWI. Evidence of these occupiers is present in much of the architecture around the city, which includes a few Catholic and Protestant churches.

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 Cultural Tours in China, The Best Luxury Tours to China, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Japan, and The Best Luxury Tours to Japan.


Which place is cheaper, Yakushima or Qingdao?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Qingdao is $58, 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 Qingdao and Yakushima in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Qingdao $26
    Yakushima $59
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Qingdao $52
    Yakushima $118
Compare Hotels in Qingdao and Yakushima

Looking for a hotel in Qingdao 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 Qingdao


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: Yakushima Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Qingdao $12
    Yakushima $49

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Qingdao

Also for Qingdao, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Departure Transfer: City Hotel to Qingdao Railway Station : $36
  • Qingdao Railway Station Depature Transfer from City Hotels: $36
  • Qingdao Railway Station Arrival Transfer to City Hotel: $36
  • Qingdao Cruise Port Departure Transfer from City Hotels: $36
  • Qingdao Northern Railway Station Arrival Private One-Way Transfer: $42
  • Qingdao Private Transfer from Qingdao central to Qingdao Airport (TAO): $83
  • Qingdao Private Transfer from Qingdao Airport (TAO) to central Qingdao: $83
  • Qingdao Liuting Airport Transfer Service by Minivan: $86

Is it cheaper to fly into Qingdao or Yakushima?

Prices for flights to both Yakushima and Qingdao 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
    Qingdao $20
    Yakushima $28

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Qingdao $20
    Yakushima $20

Tours and Activities in Qingdao

For Qingdao, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Private Qingdao City tour with Lunch and Qingdao beer: $175
  • Private Qingdao Historic architectural day tour with Tsingdao beer during Lunch: $190
  • Private Qingdao Laoshan half day tour with one bottle of Tsingdao beer as gift: $199
  • Qingdao private half day tour with Tsingdao Beer Lunch : $202
  • Qingdao Shore Excursion: Private Full Day Laoshan Mountain Sightseeing Tour: $207
  • Private Qingdao Essentials Tour: City Highlights and Beer Museum: $216
  • Laoshan Mountain Full Day Private Activity Tour: $224
  • Qingdao Private Day Tour to Laoshan Mountain with Lunch and Cable Car: $238
  • Private Qingdao Laoshan day tour with lunch& round way cable car: $240
  • Qingdao Discover Tour to the Mount Laoshan and Tasting Famous Local Beer: $248
  • Qingdao Private Tour: City Highlights and Laoshan Mountain with Lunch+Cable Car: $268
  • All-Inclusive Private Day Tour: Qingdao Highlights with Lunch: $285

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Qingdao $14
    Yakushima $6.38


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Qingdao and Yakushima, we can see that Yakushima is more expensive. And not only is Qingdao much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Qingdao would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Qingdao 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 Qingdao.

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



When is the best time to visit Qingdao or Yakushima?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Qingdao or Yakushima in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Qingdao as well as Yakushima.

In July, Qingdao is generally around the same temperature as Yakushima. Daily temperatures in Qingdao average around 25°C (77°F), and Yakushima fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

It's quite rainy in Yakushima. Qingdao receives a lot of rain in the summer. Qingdao usually gets more rain in July than Yakushima. Qingdao gets 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 189 mm (7.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Qingdao 25°C (77°F) 
    Yakushima 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Qingdao or Yakushima in the Autumn?

Both Yakushima and Qingdao are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.

Qingdao is cooler than Yakushima in the autumn. The daily temperature in Qingdao averages around 17°C (62°F) in October, and Yakushima fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Yakushima. In October, Qingdao usually receives less rain than Yakushima. Qingdao gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Qingdao 17°C (62°F) 
    Yakushima 22°C (71°F)

Should I visit Qingdao or Yakushima in the Winter?

Both Yakushima and Qingdao during the winter are popular places to visit.

The weather in Qingdao can be very cold. In the winter, Qingdao is much colder than Yakushima. Typically, the winter temperatures in Qingdao in January average around -0°C (32°F), and Yakushima averages at about 11°C (52°F).

Yakushima gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Qingdao usually gets less rain in January than Yakushima. Qingdao gets 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 106 mm (4.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Qingdao -0°C (32°F) 
    Yakushima 11°C (52°F)

Should I visit Qingdao or Yakushima in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Qingdao and Yakushima.

In April, Qingdao is generally much colder than Yakushima. Daily temperatures in Qingdao average around 12°C (53°F), and Yakushima fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

Yakushima receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Qingdao usually receives less rain than Yakushima. Qingdao gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 207 mm (8.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Qingdao 12°C (53°F) 
    Yakushima 18°C (64°F)

Typical Weather for Yakushima and Qingdao

Qingdao Yakushima
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -0°C (32°F) 11 mm (0.4 in) 11°C (52°F) 106 mm (4.2 in)
Feb 1°C (34°F) 12 mm (0.5 in) 12°C (53°F) 105 mm (4.1 in)
Mar 6°C (43°F) 21 mm (0.8 in) 14°C (57°F) 160 mm (6.3 in)
Apr 12°C (53°F) 37 mm (1.5 in) 18°C (64°F) 207 mm (8.1 in)
May 17°C (62°F) 51 mm (2 in) 21°C (69°F) 288 mm (11.3 in)
Jun 21°C (70°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 24°C (74°F) 352 mm (13.9 in)
Jul 25°C (77°F) 211 mm (8.3 in) 27°C (81°F) 189 mm (7.4 in)
Aug 26°C (79°F) 162 mm (6.4 in) 27°C (81°F) 205 mm (8.1 in)
Sep 22°C (72°F) 99 mm (3.9 in) 26°C (78°F) 253 mm (10 in)
Oct 17°C (62°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 22°C (71°F) 161 mm (6.3 in)
Nov 10°C (49°F) 28 mm (1.1 in) 18°C (64°F) 118 mm (4.6 in)
Dec 3°C (37°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 13°C (55°F) 93 mm (3.7 in)