Which place is cheaper, Yakushima or Picton?
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 Picton or Yakushima?
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 Picton and Yakushima. 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: Picton or Yakushima?
Picton
Picton, New Zealand is located in the picturesque Marlborough Region on the South Island. With beachfront access in a central location and near the Marlborough Sounds, Picton is an ideal place for anyone looking for both adventure and relaxation in one of the most naturally beautiful countries in the world.
The weather in Picton is fairly mild, ranging from the low fifties to high sixties, Fahrenheit, throughout the year. Their summer months are December through March, this is when you'll find temperatures in the high sixties. During the winter, June through August, Picton experiences averages of fifty degree Fahrenheit. This means you can visit any time of the year without having to worry about weather inhibiting any of your outdoor activities!
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 Adventure Tours to New Zealand, The Best Eco Tours in New Zealand, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Japan, and The Best Luxury Tours to Japan.
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Picton Prices
New Zealand PricesYakushima Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPicton $101Yakushima $141
The average daily cost (per person) in Picton is $101, 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 Picton and Yakushima in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPicton $37Yakushima $61
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPicton $74Yakushima $122
Compare Hotels in Picton and Yakushima
Looking for a hotel in Picton 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: Picton Hotel Prices and Yakushima Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Picton -Yakushima $51
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Picton
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Picton:
- Private Transfer from Blenheim city hotels to Picton Cruise Port: $120
- Private Transfer from Picton Cruise Port to Blenheim City Hotels: $121
- Private Transfer from Blenheim Airport (BHE) to Picton Port: $133
- Private Transfer from Picton Port to Blenheim Airport (BHE): $134
Is it cheaper to fly into Picton or Yakushima?
Prices for flights to both Yakushima and Picton 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 dayPicton $34Yakushima $50
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Picton
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Picton.
- CRUISE SHIP DAYS - HOP ON HOP OFF - Wine, Beer, Food Tour: $58
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Picton $109Yakushima $21
Tours and Activities in Picton
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Picton are as follows:
- Skip the Line: Dangerous Skies WWII Exhibition - Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre: $15
- Discover Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
- Hinterland Cycling Tour, Havelock: $23
- Skip the Line:WWI & WWII Combo Exhibitions at the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre: $29
- Kalapathar Sunrise, Birdwatching and Village Tour: $35
- Picton Shore Excursion: Queen Charlotte Sounds Cruise: $49
- Picton Shore Excursion Queen Charlotte Sound Cruise: $51
- Kayaking Mangrove Adventure at Havelock: $56
- Queen Charlotte Sound: Lochmara Cruise and Explore Day Trip: $57
- Half-Day Cruise in Marlborough Sounds from Picton: $63
- Marlborough Sounds and Ship Cove Cruise from Picton: $64
- Motuara Island Bird Sanctuary and Ship Cove Cruise from Picton: $66
Tours and Activities in Yakushima
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Yakushima are as follows:
- Private Guided Tour: $336
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPicton $34Yakushima $6.61
Sample the Local Flavors in Picton
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Picton:
- Self-Guided Biking Wine Tour (full day) in the Marlborough Region.: $39
- Self-Guided Wine Tours by Bike with Lorelle & Greg : $41
- Marlborough: Hop-On Hop-Off Wine, Brewery, and Wonders Tour: $75
- Hop on Hop off Wine Tours Marlborough: $77
- Marlborough Afternoon Wine Tour with Tastings: $77
- CRUISE SHIP DAY Marlborough Hop On Hop Off Wine Tours: $77
- Marlborough Half Day Wine Tour From Picton: $92
- Marlborough Wine Tasting Tour.: $95
- Half-Day Wine Tour from Blenheim: $95
- Half-Day Wine Tour from Picton: $95
- Morning Guided with Afternoon Self-Guided Biking Wine Tour: $101
- Taste the Valley Wine Tour in Marlborough with Wine Tasting: $101
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Picton and Yakushima, we can see that Yakushima is more expensive. And not only is Picton much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Picton 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 Picton would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Picton 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 Picton.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Picton Expensive? and Is Yakushima Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Picton or Yakushima?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Picton 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 Picton or Yakushima in the Summer?
Both Yakushima and Picton are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Picton this time of year.
In January, Picton is generally much colder than Yakushimain July. Daily temperatures in Picton average around 18°C (64°F), and Yakushima fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Yakushima. In January, Picton usually receives less rain than Yakushimain July. Picton gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 189 mm (7.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyPicton 18°C (64°F)Yakushima 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Picton or Yakushima in the Autumn?
Both Yakushima and Picton during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Picton for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere.
Picton is cooler than Yakushima in the autumn. The daily temperature in Picton averages around 15°C (58°F) in April, and Yakushima fluctuates around 22°C (71°F)in October.
Yakushima gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Picton usually gets less rain in April than Yakushimain October. Picton gets 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberPicton 15°C (58°F)Yakushima 22°C (71°F)
Should I visit Picton or Yakushima in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Picton and Yakushima. Many visitors come to Picton in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Picton is cooler than Yakushima. Typically, the winter temperatures in Picton in July average around 10°C (49°F), and Yakushima averages at about 11°C (52°F)in January.
Yakushima receives a lot of rain in the winter. Picton gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Picton usually receives around the same amount of rain as Yakushimain January. Picton gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 106 mm (4.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryPicton 10°C (49°F)Yakushima 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Picton or Yakushima in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Picton as well as Yakushima. Most visitors come to Picton for the beaches and the small town charm during these months.
In October, Picton is generally cooler than Yakushimain April. Daily temperatures in Picton average around 13°C (55°F), and Yakushima fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
It's quite rainy in Yakushima. Picton usually gets less rain in October than Yakushimain April. Picton gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 207 mm (8.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilPicton 13°C (55°F)Yakushima 18°C (64°F)
Typical Weather for Yakushima and Picton
| Picton | Yakushima | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 18°C (64°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 106 mm (4.2 in) |
| Feb | 18°C (64°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Mar | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (58°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 207 mm (8.1 in) |
| May | 12°C (54°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 288 mm (11.3 in) |
| Jun | 10°C (51°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 352 mm (13.9 in) |
| Jul | 10°C (49°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) |
| Aug | 10°C (50°F) | 98 mm (3.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 205 mm (8.1 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (53°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 253 mm (10 in) |
| Oct | 13°C (55°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (58°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Dec | 17°C (62°F) | 69 mm (2.7 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.