Which place is cheaper, Yakushima or Seoul?
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 Seoul or Yakushima?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Seoul and Yakushima can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Seoul or Yakushima?
Seoul
With a population of more than 11 million, Seoul is easily the largest city in South Korea. It is also the financial, political, and cultural capital of the country and has much to offer open minded travelers. It is often overlooked by travelers who instead head to Tokyo or Shanghai, but Seoul has a wide range of cultural experiences, food options, and historical sights. Seoul is a city of contrasts with ancient traditions, flashy technology, religious temples and a modern youth culture. It is also more affordable than many of the other Asian metropolis' to which it is often compared. If you're looking for an interesting and different experience that is a little off the tourist trail, Seoul can definitely offer that opportunity.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to South Korea, The Best Adventure Tours to South Korea, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Japan, and The Best Luxury Tours to Japan.
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Seoul Prices
South Korea PricesYakushima Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySeoul $128Yakushima $141
The average daily cost (per person) in Seoul is $128, 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 Seoul and Yakushima in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSeoul $54Yakushima $61
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSeoul $108Yakushima $122
Compare Hotels in Seoul and Yakushima
Looking for a hotel in Seoul 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: Seoul Hotel Prices and Yakushima Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Seoul $15Yakushima $51
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Seoul
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Seoul:
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Subway Card$3.58
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Short Taxi Ride$5.01
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Metro Ride$0.97
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Seoul City Pass Plus$7.16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Seoul
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Seoul:
- Night Views Tour with Guide and Transfers: $41
- From Round-Trip Transfer to Dae Jang Geum Park: $50
- Transfer Service from Gimpo Airport to Hotel City: $57
- Seoul Gimpo Airport (GMP) Transfer to Seoul/Suwon/Seongnam/Yongin: $60
- Seoul Incheon Airport (ICN) to Seoul - Arrival Private Transfer: $65
- Incheon Airport (ICN) Transfer to Seoul/Suwon/Seongnam/Yongin: $68
- Seoul to Seoul Incheon Airport (ICN) - Departure Private Transfer: $80
- Private Transfer from Seoul Incheon Airport (ICN) to Seoul hotels: $80
- Private Airport Transfer Gimpo Intl Airport (GMP) to Seoul City: $83
- Private Airport Transfer : Gimpo airport to/from Seoul (1~7pax): $89
- Private Transfer To/From Incheon Airport: $90
- Private Gimpo Airport Transfer to/from Seoul(1~7pax): $94
Is it cheaper to fly into Seoul or Yakushima?
Prices for flights to both Yakushima and Seoul 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 daySeoul $51Yakushima $50
Typical Food Prices in Seoul
Some typical examples of dining costs in Seoul are as follows:
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Rice with Kimchi & Bacon$4.30
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Waffle$0.72
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Dippin' Dots$1.43
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Chicken Fried Rice$3.94
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Chicken Stick$1.43
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Drinking Yoghurt & Mi Chew$1.36
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Lunch Buffet$4.30
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Donut$0.72
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Mushroom Burger$3.72
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Green Tea Ice Cream$2.36
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Udon & Sushi$5.01
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Fresh Burger$3.44
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Soba Noodles Lunch$3.22
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Bibimbap Lunch$3.58
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Fried Rice$3.94
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Vietnamese Dinner$6.80
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Breakfast and Coffee for 2$6.80
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Donut$1.79
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Seoul
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Seoul.
- Guided Street Food Tour at Namdaemun Market: $45
- Seoul Night Run for Local-Favorite Korean BBQ Dinner: $50
- [Wine & K-BBQ] A Perfect Pairing Dinner in Sinchon: $51
- Wine & K-BBQ: A Perfect Pairing Dinner: $53
- Mangwon Market Food tour By Locals; Cheap Eats to Fancy Feast: $53
- Mangwon Market Food tour By Locals;Cheap Eats to Fancy Feast: $57
- Kimchi Dishes Cooking Class with Wine Pairing: $61
- Gwangjang Market Netflix Food Tour: $64
- Namdaemun Market Food Tour: $65
- Seoul by Night: Palaces, Market & Street Food Tour (Vegan Option): $65
- Guided City Wall Sunset Hike with Korean Dinner: $67
- Cooking Class in Seoul with Korean Grandma: $68
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Seoul $26Yakushima $21
Typical Entertainment Prices in Seoul
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Seoul are as follows:
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Palace Tickets$5.73
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Movie Ticket$5.73
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Kimchi Museum$2.15
Tours and Activities in Seoul
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Seoul are as follows:
- K-Culture Adventure in Seoul Self-Guided Walking Tour : $3.58
- Gyeongbokgung Palace Hanbok Rental Experience in Seoul: $7.00
- Seoul Changdeokgung Palace Hanbok Experience Hanboknam (내국인불가): $7.10
- Alternative A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
- Gwanghwamun Tour l 120 Minutes to Understand South Korea: $10
- [Seoul] Football Faentasium Admission Ticket (내국인 불가): $10
- Gwanghwamun Tour about Korean Society and Local Mindset: $11
- Street Hustle Adventure in Seoul: $11
- SPAREX Jjimjilbang Sauna Dongmyo branch Admission Ticket(내국인불가): $11
- Skip the Line: Figure Museum W Ticket (내국인 불가): $11
- Dynamic Maze Discount Ticket Insa-dong(내국인불가): $12
- Seoul Job Experience Theme Park Ticket for Kid (내국인 불가): $13
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 daySeoul $12Yakushima $6.61
Sample the Local Flavors in Seoul
Also in Seoul, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl: $25
- The Seoul Pub Crawl [official]: $26
- LGBTQ+ Pub Crawl and Drag Show with Local Drag Queen: $28
- Rice Wine Tasting with Sommelier - Finest Makgeolli (& Soju): $42
- Rice Wine Tasting with Sommelier - Finest Makgeolli (& Soju): $46
- Soju Tasting at Distillery: $51
- Premium Pub Crawl with Open Bottles: $57
- Chunpoong Makgeolli Brewery Tour: $59
- Korean Craft Makgeolli Brewery Tour & Tasting Experience: $60
- Craft Makgeolli Brewery Tour & Tasting Experience: $67
- Itaewon Premium Pub Crawl with Open Bottles: $73
- Learn and Craft Makgeolli in a Traditional Brewery: $78
When comparing the travel costs between Seoul 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 Seoul Expensive? and Is Yakushima Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Seoul or Yakushima?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Seoul or Yakushima in the Summer?
Both Yakushima and Seoul are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Seoul for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
Seoul is around the same temperature as Yakushima in the summer. The daily temperature in Seoul averages around 26°C (78°F) in July, and Yakushima fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Yakushima. It's quite rainy in Seoul. In July, Seoul usually receives more rain than Yakushima. Seoul gets 369 mm (14.5 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 JulySeoul 26°C (78°F)Yakushima 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Seoul or Yakushima in the Autumn?
Both Yakushima and Seoul during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Seoul because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.
In the autumn, Seoul is cooler than Yakushima. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Seoul in October average around 15°C (59°F), and Yakushima averages at about 22°C (71°F).
Yakushima gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Seoul usually gets less rain in October than Yakushima. Seoul gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSeoul 15°C (59°F)Yakushima 22°C (71°F)
Should I visit Seoul or Yakushima in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Seoul and Yakushima. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Seoul this time of year.
It's quite cold in Seoul in the winter. In January, Seoul is generally much colder than Yakushima. Daily temperatures in Seoul average around -3°C (27°F), and Yakushima fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
Yakushima receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Seoul usually receives less rain than Yakushima. Seoul gets 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 106 mm (4.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySeoul -3°C (27°F)Yakushima 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Seoul or Yakushima in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Seoul as well as Yakushima. Many travelers come to Seoul for the activities around the city.
Seoul is cooler than Yakushima in the spring. The daily temperature in Seoul averages around 13°C (55°F) in April, and Yakushima fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
It's quite rainy in Yakushima. Seoul usually gets less rain in April than Yakushima. Seoul gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 207 mm (8.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSeoul 13°C (55°F)Yakushima 18°C (64°F)
Typical Weather for Yakushima and Seoul
| Seoul | Yakushima | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -3°C (27°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 106 mm (4.2 in) |
| Feb | -0°C (32°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (42°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| Apr | 13°C (55°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 207 mm (8.1 in) |
| May | 18°C (65°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 288 mm (11.3 in) |
| Jun | 23°C (73°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 352 mm (13.9 in) |
| Jul | 26°C (78°F) | 369 mm (14.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (80°F) | 294 mm (11.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 205 mm (8.1 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (71°F) | 169 mm (6.7 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 253 mm (10 in) |
| Oct | 15°C (59°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) |
| Nov | 8°C (46°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Dec | 0°C (33°F) | 22 mm (0.9 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.