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

Should you visit Yaeyama Islands or Suzhou?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Yaeyama Islands and Suzhou. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Yaeyama Islands or Suzhou?

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.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Tokyo, The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Shanghai, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing.


Which place is cheaper, Suzhou or Yaeyama Islands?

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

  • Yaeyama Islands Prices
    Japan Prices
    Suzhou Prices
    China Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Yaeyama Islands $118
    Suzhou $127

The average daily cost (per person) in Yaeyama Islands is $118, while the average daily cost in Suzhou is $127. 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 Yaeyama Islands and Suzhou in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Yaeyama Islands $56
    Suzhou $39
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Yaeyama Islands $112
    Suzhou $78
Compare Hotels in Yaeyama Islands and Suzhou

Looking for a hotel in Yaeyama Islands or Suzhou? 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 Yaeyama Islands


Hotels in Suzhou


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Yaeyama Islands $19
    Suzhou $58

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 Yaeyama Islands or Suzhou?

Prices for flights to both Suzhou and Yaeyama Islands 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
    Yaeyama Islands $50
    Suzhou $57

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.
    Yaeyama Islands $8.93
    Suzhou $9.47

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

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Yaeyama Islands $6.51
    Suzhou $6.50


When comparing the travel costs between Yaeyama Islands and Suzhou, we can see that Suzhou 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 Yaeyama Islands Expensive? and Is Suzhou Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Yaeyama Islands or Suzhou?

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 Yaeyama Islands or Suzhou in the Summer?

Both Suzhou and Yaeyama Islands are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Yaeyama Islands for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Yaeyama Islands is around the same temperature as Suzhou in the summer. The daily temperature in Yaeyama Islands averages around 29°C (85°F) in July, and Suzhou fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).

It's quite sunny in Suzhou. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Yaeyama Islands. Yaeyama Islands usually receives more sunshine than Suzhou during summer. Yaeyama Islands gets 279 hours of sunny skies, while Suzhou receives 232 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Suzhou. It's quite rainy in Yaeyama Islands. In July, Yaeyama Islands usually receives more rain than Suzhou. Yaeyama Islands gets 179 mm (7 in) of rain, while Suzhou receives 128 mm (5 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Yaeyama Islands 29°C (85°F) 
    Suzhou 28°C (83°F)

Should I visit Yaeyama Islands or Suzhou in the Autumn?

Both Suzhou and Yaeyama Islands during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Yaeyama Islands because of the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Yaeyama Islands is a little warmer than Suzhou. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Yaeyama Islands in October average around 26°C (78°F), and Suzhou averages at about 19°C (65°F).

In the autumn, Yaeyama Islands often gets more sunshine than Suzhou. Yaeyama Islands gets 177 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Suzhou receives 162 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Yaeyama Islands. Yaeyama Islands usually gets more rain in October than Suzhou. Yaeyama Islands gets 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain, while Suzhou receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Yaeyama Islands 26°C (78°F) 
    Suzhou 19°C (65°F)

Should I visit Yaeyama Islands or Suzhou in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Yaeyama Islands and Suzhou. The museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Yaeyama Islands this time of year.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Suzhou. In January, Yaeyama Islands is generally much warmer than Suzhou. Daily temperatures in Yaeyama Islands average around 18°C (64°F), and Suzhou fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

Yaeyama Islands usually receives less sunshine than Suzhou during winter. Yaeyama Islands gets 97 hours of sunny skies, while Suzhou receives 135 hours of full sun in the winter.

Yaeyama Islands gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Yaeyama Islands usually receives more rain than Suzhou. Yaeyama Islands gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Suzhou receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Yaeyama Islands 18°C (64°F) 
    Suzhou 4°C (39°F)

Should I visit Yaeyama Islands or Suzhou in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Yaeyama Islands as well as Suzhou. Many travelers come to Yaeyama Islands for the beaches and the natural beauty.

Yaeyama Islands is much warmer than Suzhou in the spring. The daily temperature in Yaeyama Islands averages around 23°C (74°F) in April, and Suzhou fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

In the spring, Yaeyama Islands often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Suzhou. Yaeyama Islands gets 154 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Suzhou receives 153 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Suzhou. Yaeyama Islands receives a lot of rain in the spring. Yaeyama Islands usually gets more rain in April than Suzhou. Yaeyama Islands gets 147 mm (5.8 in) of rain, while Suzhou receives 102 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year. May to June in Yaeyama Islands is the rainy season.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Yaeyama Islands 23°C (74°F) 
    Suzhou 15°C (58°F)

Typical Weather for Suzhou and Yaeyama Islands

Yaeyama Islands Suzhou
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 18°C (64°F) 120 mm (4.7 in) 4°C (39°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Feb 19°C (65°F) 113 mm (4.4 in) 5°C (41°F) 59 mm (2.3 in)
Mar 20°C (69°F) 126 mm (5 in) 9°C (48°F) 82 mm (3.2 in)
Apr 23°C (74°F) 147 mm (5.8 in) 15°C (58°F) 102 mm (4 in)
May 26°C (79°F) 231 mm (9.1 in) 20°C (67°F) 113 mm (4.5 in)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 203 mm (8 in) 24°C (75°F) 152 mm (6 in)
Jul 29°C (85°F) 179 mm (7 in) 28°C (83°F) 128 mm (5 in)
Aug 29°C (84°F) 236 mm (9.3 in) 28°C (82°F) 133 mm (5.2 in)
Sep 28°C (82°F) 229 mm (9 in) 24°C (75°F) 156 mm (6.1 in)
Oct 26°C (78°F) 173 mm (6.8 in) 19°C (65°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Nov 23°C (73°F) 170 mm (6.7 in) 13°C (55°F) 52 mm (2 in)
Dec 20°C (67°F) 134 mm (5.3 in) 7°C (44°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)