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

Should you visit Sydney or Yakushima?

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

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

Sydney

Sydney, known as the harbour city, is the most famous and frequently visited city in Australia. It is at the economical and cultural heart of the country, and is one of the most beautiful and livable cities in the world. It's situated on the water with stunning views of the famous harbour throughout the city. It's most famous landmarks include the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It is also very close wonderful beaches, parks, and nature.

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 Australia, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Australia, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Japan, and The Best Luxury Tours to Japan.


Which place is cheaper, Yakushima or Sydney?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Sydney is $273, 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 Sydney and Yakushima in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sydney $102
    Yakushima $59
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sydney $204
    Yakushima $118
Compare Hotels in Sydney and Yakushima

Looking for a hotel in Sydney 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 Sydney


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: Sydney Hotel Prices and Yakushima Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Sydney $15
    Yakushima $49
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Sydney

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Sydney:


  • Taxi Ride
    $13
  • Taxi to Airport
    $16

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sydney

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sydney:

  • Transfer Between Airport & Hotels or Cruise Terminal: $13
  • Shuttle Transfer from Sydney City Hotel or Cruise Port to Sydney Airport: $22
  • Shuttle Transfer from Cruise Ship Terminal at Circular Quay to Sydney Airport: $22
  • Shuttle Transfer from Sydney Airport to Cruise Ship Terminal at Circular Quay: $22
  • Sydney Airport to White Bay Port transfer: $27
  • Sydney Port Private Arrival Transfer: Cruise Port to City: $28
  • Private Departure Transfer: Sydney Airport: $33
  • Airport Shuttle Transfer to and from CBD Hotels: $36
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Sydney Airport to Hotel or Cruise Port: $38
  • Sydney to Sydney Airport (SYD) - Departure Private Transfer: $39
  • Sydney International Airport to/from Sydney One Way Transfer: $47
  • NRL Grand Final Transfer to ANZ Stadium: $52

Is it cheaper to fly into Sydney or Yakushima?

Prices for flights to both Yakushima and Sydney 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
    Sydney $44
    Yakushima $28
Typical Food Prices in Sydney

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Sydney:


  • Tea
    $2.60
  • Lunch Special
    $9.73
  • Food/Drink Coogie Beach
    $9.73
  • Meat Pies
    $3.24

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sydney

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

  • Vivid Lights Festival Pizza Cruise Tour in Vivid Sydney: $16
  • VIVID Dinner Cruise with Complimentary Drink on Arrival: $36
  • Vivid Sydney Harbor Cruise with Buffet Dinner: $46
  • Admission to Vivid Dinner Cruise in Sydney : $46
  • Sydney's Little Italy Food Tour: $50
  • Sydney Street Art & Food Tour: $53
  • Christmas in July Dinner Cruise on Sydney Harbour: $56
  • Harbor Sunset Cruise with Dinner: $58
  • Sydney Harbour: Tall Ship Vivid Dinner Cruise: $58
  • Twilight Dinner Cruise on Coral Trekker: $59
  • Small Group Refugee Chef Dinner Banquet at Bohemian Cafe: $63
  • Kids Cooking Classes: $63

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Sydney $31
    Yakushima $20
Typical Entertainment Prices in Sydney

Here are a few typical costs in Sydney for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Theatre Show
    $29
  • Sydney Tower Visit (for 2)
    $30
  • Blue Mountain Tour/Featherdale Park (for 2)
    $124
  • Powerhouse Museum
    $9.76

Tours and Activities in Sydney

Here are a few actual costs in Sydney for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Walking Tour: $2.14
  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
  • Spirits of Sydney - Self Guided Ghost Tour of the Rocks Area: $10
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
  • Australia: Tourist eSIM Data Plan: $11
  • Self-Guided Walking Tour with Audio Guide: $14
  • Secret Laneways Scavenger Hunt Adventure Game: $16
  • Unlock The Rocks Scavenger Hunt Adventure Game: $16
  • Australian National Maritime Museum: All-Inclusive Ticket: $16
  • Botanic Garden Self-Guided Adventure Hunt for Kids: $16
  • Allianz Stadium Guided Walking Tour: $17
  • Broken Bay Pearl & Oyster Farm Tours: $17

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Sydney $15
    Yakushima $6.38
Typical Alcohol Prices in Sydney

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Sydney:


  • Wine
    $10

Sample the Local Flavors in Sydney

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Sydney:

  • Haunted Pub Tour with Local Guide: $20
  • Night Out Pub Crawl with Local Guide: $29
  • Private Wine Tour and Tasting: $56
  • Urban Winery Wine Tasting Tour with Cheese Platter: $56
  • Beach and Brew - Hike and Brewery (Men and Women): $73
  • Balmain Pub Walking Tour: $76
  • Luxury Hunter Valley Wildlife & Wine Tasting Tour from Sydney: $83
  • Sydney Beer and Brewery Tour: $102
  • Brewery, Winery, and Distillery Tasting Tour: $111
  • Northern Beaches Brewery Tour and Tasting: $121
  • From Hunter Valley Wine Tour with Cheese Tasting: $143
  • From Hunter Valley Multi-Brewery Tour with Lunch: $147


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sydney and Yakushima, we can see that Sydney is more expensive. And not only is Yakushima much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Sydney is in Pacific and Yakushima is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Yakushima would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Yakushima 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 Sydney would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sydney than you might in Yakushima.

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



When is the best time to visit Sydney or Yakushima?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Sydney is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Yakushima has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Sydney or Yakushima in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Sydney and Yakushima. Many visitors come to Sydney in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In January, Sydney is generally cooler than Yakushimain July. Daily temperatures in Sydney average around 23°C (73°F), and Yakushima fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

Yakushima receives a lot of rain in the summer. Sydney gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Sydney usually receives less rain than Yakushimain July. Sydney gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 189 mm (7.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January and July
    Sydney 23°C (73°F) 
    Yakushima 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Sydney or Yakushima in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Sydney as well as Yakushima. Most visitors come to Sydney for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Sydney is cooler than Yakushima in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sydney averages around 19°C (65°F) in April, and Yakushima fluctuates around 22°C (71°F)in October.

It's quite rainy in Yakushima. Sydney receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Sydney usually gets less rain in April than Yakushimain October. Sydney gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April and October
    Sydney 19°C (65°F) 
    Yakushima 22°C (71°F)

Should I visit Sydney or Yakushima in the Winter?

Both Yakushima and Sydney are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Sydney because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Sydney is around the same temperature as Yakushima. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sydney in July average around 12°C (53°F), and Yakushima averages at about 11°C (52°F)in January.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Yakushima. In July, Sydney usually receives less rain than Yakushimain January. Sydney gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 106 mm (4.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July and January
    Sydney 12°C (53°F) 
    Yakushima 11°C (52°F)

Should I visit Sydney or Yakushima in the Spring?

Both Yakushima and Sydney during the spring are popular places to visit. The beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Sydney this time of year.

In October, Sydney is generally around the same temperature as Yakushimain April. Daily temperatures in Sydney average around 18°C (64°F), and Yakushima fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

Yakushima gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Sydney usually gets less rain in October than Yakushimain April. Sydney gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 207 mm (8.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October and April
    Sydney 18°C (64°F) 
    Yakushima 18°C (64°F)

Typical Weather for Yakushima and Sydney

Sydney Yakushima
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 23°C (73°F) 116 mm (4.6 in) 11°C (52°F) 106 mm (4.2 in)
Feb 23°C (73°F) 113 mm (4.4 in) 12°C (53°F) 105 mm (4.1 in)
Mar 21°C (70°F) 148 mm (5.8 in) 14°C (57°F) 160 mm (6.3 in)
Apr 19°C (65°F) 120 mm (4.7 in) 18°C (64°F) 207 mm (8.1 in)
May 15°C (60°F) 88 mm (3.5 in) 21°C (69°F) 288 mm (11.3 in)
Jun 13°C (55°F) 128 mm (5 in) 24°C (74°F) 352 mm (13.9 in)
Jul 12°C (53°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 27°C (81°F) 189 mm (7.4 in)
Aug 13°C (55°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 27°C (81°F) 205 mm (8.1 in)
Sep 15°C (59°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 26°C (78°F) 253 mm (10 in)
Oct 18°C (64°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 22°C (71°F) 161 mm (6.3 in)
Nov 20°C (67°F) 101 mm (4 in) 18°C (64°F) 118 mm (4.6 in)
Dec 22°C (71°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 13°C (55°F) 93 mm (3.7 in)