Which place is cheaper, Yaeyama Islands or Xiamen?
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 Xiamen or Yaeyama Islands?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Xiamen and Yaeyama Islands 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: Xiamen or Yaeyama Islands?
Xiamen
Xiamen is a coastal city in the Fujian Province of China and has been a major port city and gateway to China for centuries. This vibrant and modern city was named the most livable city in the world in 2002 and one of the first cities to be named a Special Economic Zone. Xiamen is best known for being home to Gulangyu Island, a beautiful island full of historic colonial buildings and lovely walking paths.
Yaeyama Islands
The Yaeyama Islands is a cluster of islands located in the southwestern part of Japan, close to Taiwan. There are nine different islands, varying from small islets to large holiday resort islands. The Yaeyama Islands are one of the most popular destination in Japan due to their beautiful beaches and underwater ruins. Yaeyama is also known for having their own language and writing system. For the most part, everyone on the Islands speak Japanese, but you'll often find the Yaeyama writing on T-shirts in souvenir shops or scattered around Yaeyama.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, The Best Historical Tours in China, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Tokyo, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo.
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Xiamen Prices
China PricesYaeyama Islands Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayXiamen $84Yaeyama Islands $118
The average daily cost (per person) in Xiamen is $84, while the average daily cost in Yaeyama Islands is $118. 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 Xiamen and Yaeyama Islands in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personXiamen $31Yaeyama Islands $56
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomXiamen $62Yaeyama Islands $112
Compare Hotels in Xiamen and Yaeyama Islands
Looking for a hotel in Xiamen or Yaeyama Islands? 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: Yaeyama Islands Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Xiamen $6.08Yaeyama Islands $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Xiamen
Also for Xiamen, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Arrival Transfer from Gaoqi Airport to Xiamen City Hotel: $10
- Private Transfer from Xiamen North Railway Station to City Area: $19
- Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport Chauffeur Service ,Xiamen Airport Transfer: $25
- Private Xiamen Gaoqi Airport Arrival Transfer to City Area: $30
- Private Xiamen Gaoqi Airport Departure Transfer from City Areas: $33
- Private Transfer Service between Xiamen and Anxi : $89
- Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster : $89
- Private Transfer Between Xiamen City and HongKeng Hakka Tulou Cluster: $89
- Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Hui'an county in Quanzhou: $89
- Private Transfer to Tianluokeng and HekengHakka Tulou fromXiamen: $90
- Private Transfer to Gaobei Tulou and Yunshuiyao Village from Xiamen City: $98
- Private Transfer to Tianluokeng Tulou and Hekeng Hakka Tulou from Xiamen City : $98
Is it cheaper to fly into Xiamen or Yaeyama Islands?
Prices for flights to both Yaeyama Islands and Xiamen 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 dayXiamen $46Yaeyama Islands $50
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Xiamen $16Yaeyama Islands $8.93
Tours and Activities in Xiamen
For Xiamen, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Sailing & Sea Experience.: $22
- Quanzhou Kaiyuan Temple & Luoyang Bridge Tour: $70
- Xiamen Private English Tour Guide Service: $93
- Xiamen Private Half Day Tour of Gulangyu Island and Shuzhuang Garden: $97
- A Night Tour to Xiamen Gulang Island: $100
- 4-Hour Xiamen Private Local Food Market Experience: $103
- 4-hour Xiamen Private Flexible Tour in Your Way: $115
- 4-Hour Xiamen Private Shore Excursion Tour in Your Way: $121
- Shanghai Metro Tour: $127
- Xiamen Layover Day Tour-Gulangyu,Shuzhuang Garden And Piano Museum: $132
- Xiamen Half-Day Private Tour include Gulang Yu Island and Garden : $135
- Tour Guide and Car: Private Day Tour to Yunshuiyao Ancient Village from Xiamen: $140
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayXiamen $17Yaeyama Islands $6.51
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Xiamen and Yaeyama Islands, we can see that Yaeyama Islands is more expensive. And not only is Xiamen much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Xiamen would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Xiamen 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 Yaeyama Islands would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Yaeyama Islands than you might in Xiamen.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Xiamen Expensive? and Is Yaeyama Islands Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Xiamen or Yaeyama Islands?
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 Xiamen or Yaeyama Islands in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Xiamen as well as Yaeyama Islands. Also, many travelers come to Yaeyama Islands for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Xiamen is around the same temperature as Yaeyama Islands. Typically, the summer temperatures in Xiamen in July average around 30°C (86°F), and Yaeyama Islands averages at about 29°C (85°F).
It's quite rainy in Yaeyama Islands. Xiamen receives a lot of rain in the summer. Xiamen usually gets less rain in July than Yaeyama Islands. Xiamen gets 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Yaeyama Islands receives 179 mm (7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyXiamen 30°C (86°F)Yaeyama Islands 29°C (85°F)
Should I visit Xiamen or Yaeyama Islands in the Autumn?
Both Yaeyama Islands and Xiamen are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Yaeyama Islands in the autumn for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Xiamen is generally around the same temperature as Yaeyama Islands. Daily temperatures in Xiamen average around 25°C (77°F), and Yaeyama Islands fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Yaeyama Islands. In October, Xiamen usually receives less rain than Yaeyama Islands. Xiamen gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Yaeyama Islands receives 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberXiamen 25°C (77°F)Yaeyama Islands 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Xiamen or Yaeyama Islands in the Winter?
Both Yaeyama Islands and Xiamen during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Yaeyama Islands for the museums and the cuisine during these months.
Xiamen is cooler than Yaeyama Islands in the winter. The daily temperature in Xiamen averages around 14°C (58°F) in January, and Yaeyama Islands fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
Yaeyama Islands gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Xiamen usually gets less rain in January than Yaeyama Islands. Xiamen gets 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Yaeyama Islands receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryXiamen 14°C (58°F)Yaeyama Islands 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Xiamen or Yaeyama Islands in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Xiamen and Yaeyama Islands. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Yaeyama Islands because of the beaches and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Xiamen is cooler than Yaeyama Islands. Typically, the spring temperatures in Xiamen in April average around 20°C (69°F), and Yaeyama Islands averages at about 23°C (74°F).
Yaeyama Islands receives a lot of rain in the spring. Xiamen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Xiamen usually receives around the same amount of rain as Yaeyama Islands. Xiamen gets 147 mm (5.8 in) of rain, while Yaeyama Islands receives 147 mm (5.8 in) of rain each month for the spring. Also, May to June is the rainy season in Yaeyama Islands.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilXiamen 20°C (69°F)Yaeyama Islands 23°C (74°F)
Typical Weather for Yaeyama Islands and Xiamen
| Xiamen | Yaeyama Islands | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 14°C (58°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Feb | 14°C (57°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) |
| Mar | 16°C (61°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 126 mm (5 in) |
| Apr | 20°C (69°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) |
| May | 24°C (76°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 231 mm (9.1 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 203 mm (8 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 179 mm (7 in) |
| Aug | 30°C (85°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 229 mm (9 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (77°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (69°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| Dec | 16°C (61°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 134 mm (5.3 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.