Which place is cheaper, Yakushima or Vientiane?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Vientiane or Yakushima?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Vientiane 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: Vientiane or Yakushima?
Vientiane
You wouldn't expect the capital city to have such a relaxing environment, but in Vientiane, Laos you can sit back and take in the beautiful scenery without feeling pressure to see every little thing. With Vientiane, what you see is what you get.
While picturesque temples and markets line the streets, the city is still experiencing a successful building boom. Even the Presidential Palace has undergone some hefty renovations.
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 Bicycle Tours in Laos, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Laos, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Japan, and The Best Luxury Tours to Japan.
-
Vientiane Prices
Laos PricesYakushima Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVientiane $24Yakushima $141
The average daily cost (per person) in Vientiane is $24, 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 Vientiane and Yakushima in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVientiane $8.45Yakushima $61
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVientiane $17Yakushima $122
Compare Hotels in Vientiane and Yakushima
Looking for a hotel in Vientiane 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: Vientiane Hotel Prices and Yakushima Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Vientiane $2.01Yakushima $51
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Vientiane
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Vientiane are as follows:
-
Tuk Tuk Ride$4.15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vientiane
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Vientiane:
- Vientiane Private Transfer: Wattay Airport -Hotel-Railway Station: $9.90
- Vientian Private Airport Transfer - Wattay Airport: $15
- Wattay Airport (VTE): Private Transfer to/from Vientiane: $20
- Vientiane - Hanoi Sleeping Bus Transfer : $63
Is it cheaper to fly into Vientiane or Yakushima?
Prices for flights to both Yakushima and Vientiane 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 dayVientiane $12Yakushima $50
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Vientiane
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Vientiane.
- Vientiane classic Food tour ( Included Food ): $78
- Night Market, Dinner, and Nightclub: $90
- Vientiane Private Lao Cooking Class with Market Tour and Lunch: $95
- Vientiane Private Lao Cooking Class with Market Tour: $122
- Cooking Class Garden House: $335
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Vientiane $3.80Yakushima $21
Tours and Activities in Vientiane
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Vientiane are as follows:
- Laos Railway Tickets Easily: Avoid Long Queues & Wasted Time: $30
- Laos Railway Tickets Online: Skip Long Queues, Avoid Missing: $30
- Art, Culture, & Inspiration Guided Half-Day Tour: $52
- Half-Day City Tour with Patuxai and Buddha Park: $52
- Vientiane Sky Luge and Roller Zipline Experience: $55
- Vientiane Landmarks and Cultural Immersion Tour: $56
- Cultural Tour with Buddha Park and Patuxay: $58
- Vientiane IG tour & Patuxay monument: $59
- Half-Day City Tour - Morning or Afternoon: $65
- Vientiane Half Day City Tour: $80
- Vientiane : Private Custom Tour with a Local Guide: $88
- Vientiane Half-Day City Tour: $89
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 dayVientiane $2.12Yakushima $6.61
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vientiane and Yakushima, we can see that Yakushima is more expensive. And not only is Vientiane much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Vientiane would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Vientiane 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 Vientiane.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Vientiane Expensive? and Is Yakushima Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Vientiane or Yakushima?
Yakushima has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Vientiane experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Vientiane or Yakushima in the Summer?
Both Yakushima and Vientiane are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vientiane throughout the year.
In the summer, Vientiane is around the same temperature as Yakushima. Typically, the summer temperatures in Vientiane in July average around 30°C (85°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 Vientiane. In July, Vientiane usually receives more rain than Yakushima. Vientiane gets 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 189 mm (7.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyVientiane 30°C (85°F)Yakushima 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Yakushima in the Autumn?
Both Yakushima and Vientiane during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Vientiane because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In October, Vientiane is generally a little warmer than Yakushima. Daily temperatures in Vientiane average around 28°C (83°F), and Yakushima fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).
Yakushima gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Vientiane usually gets less rain in October than Yakushima. Vientiane gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVientiane 28°C (83°F)Yakushima 22°C (71°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Yakushima in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Vientiane and Yakushima. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vientiane year-round.
Vientiane is much warmer than Yakushima in the winter. The daily temperature in Vientiane averages around 24°C (75°F) in January, and Yakushima fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
Yakushima receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Vientiane usually receives less rain than Yakushima. Vientiane gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 106 mm (4.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVientiane 24°C (75°F)Yakushima 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Yakushima in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Vientiane as well as Yakushima. Vientiane attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
The heat can be very extreme in Vientiane. In the spring, Vientiane is much warmer than Yakushima. Typically, the spring temperatures in Vientiane in April average around 31°C (88°F), and Yakushima averages at about 18°C (64°F).
It's quite rainy in Yakushima. Vientiane usually gets less rain in April than Yakushima. Vientiane gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 207 mm (8.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilVientiane 31°C (88°F)Yakushima 18°C (64°F)
Typical Weather for Yakushima and Vientiane
| Vientiane | Yakushima | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 106 mm (4.2 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (85°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| Apr | 31°C (88°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 207 mm (8.1 in) |
| May | 30°C (87°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 288 mm (11.3 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 273 mm (10.7 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 352 mm (13.9 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (85°F) | 266 mm (10.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (85°F) | 323 mm (12.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 205 mm (8.1 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 295 mm (11.6 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 253 mm (10 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (83°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (74°F) | 3 mm (0.1 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.