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

Should you visit Suzhou or Yakushima?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Suzhou and Yakushima can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Suzhou or Yakushima?

Suzhou

Suzhou is a city in Jiangsu province famed for its beautiful gardens and traditional waterside architecture, featuring elaborate canals and bridges. Located on the Yangtze Delta, the city consists largely of waterways making Suzhou a kind of 'Venice of the Orient.' It is also a hub for scholars, artists, and skilled craftsmen.

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 from Shanghai, The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Japan, and The Best Luxury Tours to Japan.


Which place is cheaper, Yakushima or Suzhou?

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

  • Suzhou Prices
    China Prices
    Yakushima Prices
    Japan Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Suzhou $127
    Yakushima $141

The average daily cost (per person) in Suzhou is $127, 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 Suzhou and Yakushima in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Suzhou $39
    Yakushima $61
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Suzhou $78
    Yakushima $122
Compare Hotels in Suzhou and Yakushima

Looking for a hotel in Suzhou 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 Suzhou


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.
    Suzhou $58
    Yakushima $51

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Suzhou

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Suzhou:

  • Suzhou Gardens Entry Ticket with Optional Guide&Transfer Services: $8.00
  • Private Round Trip Transfer to Tianping Mountain from Suzhou: $51
  • Private Round-Trip Transfer between Zhouzhuang Water Town and Suzhou City: $58
  • Private Round Trip Transfer from Suzhou to Luzhi Water Town: $64
  • Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport Private Departure Transfer from Suzhou: $80
  • Shanghai Private Transfer from Suzhou with Stop-over at Zhouzhuang Water Town : $81
  • Suzhou Private Transfer to Zhouzhuang Water Town with Shanghai Drop-off Option: $84
  • Suzhou Private Transfer to Tongli Water Town with Shanghai Drop-off Option: $84
  • Shanghai Pudong International Airport Private Departure Transfer from Suzhou: $87
  • Shanghai Private Transfer from Suzhou with Stop-over at Tongli Water Town : $90
  • Hangzhou Private Transfer from Suzhou with Stop-over at Wuzhen Water Town : $144
  • Suzhou to Beijing Bullet Train Ticket with Local Private Transfer : $178

Is it cheaper to fly into Suzhou or Yakushima?

Prices for flights to both Yakushima and Suzhou 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
    Suzhou $57
    Yakushima $50

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Suzhou

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

  • Suzhou Alleyway Walking Food Tour: $55
  • Suzhou Alleyway Food Tour: $63
  • Half-Day Private Customized Suzhou Highlights with Lunch or Dinner Option: $123
  • Private Suzhou Night Tour:Master of the Nets Garden, Ancient Canal with Dinner: $145

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Suzhou $9.47
    Yakushima $21

Tours and Activities in Suzhou

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

  • Tiger Hill Ticket Booking: $14
  • Lingering Garden Ticket Booking: $15
  • Humble Administrator's Garden Ticket Booking: $18
  • Huqiu Adult Tickets without Time Slots: $20
  • Suzhou:Humble Administrator's Garden Ticket for Adult: $22
  • Suzhou Brunch Guided Walking Tour: $55
  • Suzhou Self-Guided Tour with Private Car and Driver Service : $65
  • Zen Culture and Garden Tour: $68
  • Zhouzhuang and Tongli Self-Guided Tour from Suzhou with Drop-off Options : $72
  • 4-Hour Suzhou Private Customized Tour: $80
  • Shantang Street Shared Suzhou Walking Tour: $80
  • Suzhou Private English Tour Guide Service: $91

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
    Suzhou $6.50
    Yakushima $6.61


When comparing the travel costs between Suzhou 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 Suzhou Expensive? and Is Yakushima Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Suzhou 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 Suzhou or Yakushima in the Summer?

Both Yakushima and Suzhou are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.

In the summer, Suzhou is around the same temperature as Yakushima. Typically, the summer temperatures in Suzhou in July average around 28°C (83°F), and Yakushima averages at about 27°C (81°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Yakushima. It's quite rainy in Suzhou. In July, Suzhou usually receives less rain than Yakushima. Suzhou gets 128 mm (5 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 189 mm (7.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Suzhou 28°C (83°F) 
    Yakushima 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Suzhou or Yakushima in the Autumn?

Both Yakushima and Suzhou during the autumn are popular places to visit.

In October, Suzhou is generally cooler than Yakushima. Daily temperatures in Suzhou average around 19°C (65°F), and Yakushima fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

Yakushima gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Suzhou usually gets less rain in October than Yakushima. Suzhou gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Suzhou 19°C (65°F) 
    Yakushima 22°C (71°F)

Should I visit Suzhou or Yakushima in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Suzhou and Yakushima.

Suzhou can be very cold during winter. Suzhou is much colder than Yakushima in the winter. The daily temperature in Suzhou averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Yakushima fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Yakushima receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Suzhou usually receives less rain than Yakushima. Suzhou gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 106 mm (4.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Suzhou 4°C (39°F) 
    Yakushima 11°C (52°F)

Should I visit Suzhou or Yakushima in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Suzhou as well as Yakushima.

In the spring, Suzhou is cooler than Yakushima. Typically, the spring temperatures in Suzhou in April average around 15°C (58°F), and Yakushima averages at about 18°C (64°F).

It's quite rainy in Yakushima. Suzhou receives a lot of rain in the spring. Suzhou usually gets less rain in April than Yakushima. Suzhou gets 102 mm (4 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 207 mm (8.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Suzhou 15°C (58°F) 
    Yakushima 18°C (64°F)

Typical Weather for Yakushima and Suzhou

Suzhou Yakushima
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 4°C (39°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 11°C (52°F) 106 mm (4.2 in)
Feb 5°C (41°F) 59 mm (2.3 in) 12°C (53°F) 105 mm (4.1 in)
Mar 9°C (48°F) 82 mm (3.2 in) 14°C (57°F) 160 mm (6.3 in)
Apr 15°C (58°F) 102 mm (4 in) 18°C (64°F) 207 mm (8.1 in)
May 20°C (67°F) 113 mm (4.5 in) 21°C (69°F) 288 mm (11.3 in)
Jun 24°C (75°F) 152 mm (6 in) 24°C (74°F) 352 mm (13.9 in)
Jul 28°C (83°F) 128 mm (5 in) 27°C (81°F) 189 mm (7.4 in)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 133 mm (5.2 in) 27°C (81°F) 205 mm (8.1 in)
Sep 24°C (75°F) 156 mm (6.1 in) 26°C (78°F) 253 mm (10 in)
Oct 19°C (65°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 22°C (71°F) 161 mm (6.3 in)
Nov 13°C (55°F) 52 mm (2 in) 18°C (64°F) 118 mm (4.6 in)
Dec 7°C (44°F) 35 mm (1.4 in) 13°C (55°F) 93 mm (3.7 in)