Which place is cheaper, Yakushima or Surat Thani?
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 Surat Thani or Yakushima?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Surat Thani and Yakushima 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: Surat Thani or Yakushima?
Surat Thani
The best way to see the real culture of a country is to go where the tourists are not. If you are itching to experience real Thai culture, you may want to visit the city of Surat Thani. Located on the central gulf coast of southern Thailand, this city is usually the gateway to other Thai islands – meaning visitors run through it without stopping. Stay a while and get to know Surat Thani – known to the locals as the "City of Good People."
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 Yoga Tours and Retreats in Thailand, The Best Honeymoon Tours in Thailand, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Japan, and The Best Luxury Tours to Japan.
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Surat Thani Prices
Thailand PricesYakushima Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySurat Thani $71Yakushima $141
The average daily cost (per person) in Surat Thani is $71, 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 Surat Thani and Yakushima in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSurat Thani $27Yakushima $61
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSurat Thani $54Yakushima $122
Compare Hotels in Surat Thani and Yakushima
Looking for a hotel in Surat Thani 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: Yakushima Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Surat Thani $27Yakushima $51
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Surat Thani
Also for Surat Thani, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From URT Airport: Shared Transfer to Koh Samui/Koh Phangan: $3.10
- Private Arrival Transfer : Koh Samui Airport to Koh Samui Hotel (SHA Plus): $16
- Private Transfer Koh Samui Airport to The Ritz Carlton Koh Samui: $22
- Samui Airport Transfer: $33
- Private Transfer from Samui (USM) Airport to Bo Phut: $39
- Private Transfer from Samui (USM) Airport to Chaweng: $39
- Private Transfer from Samui (USM) Airport to Choeng Mon Beach: $39
- Koh Samui: Zipline Adventure with Hotel Transfer: $62
- Transfer to Don Sak Pier: $78
- Surat Thani Airport to/From Ratchaprapa Dam Private Transfer: $81
- Surat Thani Airport: Private Transfer to/from Khao Sok: $90
- Donsak pier to Krabi,Phuket,Koh Lanta any hotel Private transfer: $127
Is it cheaper to fly into Surat Thani or Yakushima?
Prices for flights to both Yakushima and Surat Thani 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 daySurat Thani $28Yakushima $50
Typical Food Prices in Surat Thani
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Surat Thani:
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Dinner$4.71
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Surat Thani
For Surat Thani, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Koh Samui: Evening Thai Cooking Class with Organic Garden: $121
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Surat Thani $5.72Yakushima $21
Tours and Activities in Surat Thani
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Surat Thani.
- Private Taxi Services and Tourism in Koh Samui: $13
- Samui Go-Karting Experience – Sodikart RT10 Outdoor Race: $22
- Koh Tao 5 Best Snorkeling Sunset Tour by Big Boat: $32
- Pig Island Koh Taen Snorkeling Tour by Speedboat from Koh Samui: $47
- Pig Island & Koh Tan Tour by Speed Boat (Snorkeling & Kayaking): $49
- Koh Samui Island Hopping Adventure in Coral and Pig Island: $53
- Khao Sok ATV Jungle Trail Adventure Experience: $57
- Koh Samui: Feed & Shower with Elephants Experience: $65
- Pink Dolphin and Pig Island Snorkeling Tour from Koh Samui: $65
- Dolphin Watching Tan and Pig Island Tour from Koh Samui : $66
- Full-Day Speedboat Tour to Koh Tao & Koh Nangyuan with Lunch: $69
- Koh Phangan: Quad ATV Jungle Adventure with Scenic Views: $73
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 daySurat Thani $5.71Yakushima $6.61
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Surat Thani and Yakushima, we can see that Yakushima is more expensive. And not only is Surat Thani much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Surat Thani would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Surat Thani 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 Surat Thani.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Surat Thani Expensive? and Is Yakushima Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Surat Thani or Yakushima?
Yakushima has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Surat Thani experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Surat Thani or Yakushima in the Summer?
Both Yakushima and Surat Thani during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Surat Thani because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the summer, Surat Thani is around the same temperature as Yakushima. Typically, the summer temperatures in Surat Thani in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Yakushima averages at about 27°C (81°F).
Yakushima gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Surat Thani. Surat Thani usually gets less rain in July than Yakushima. Surat Thani gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 189 mm (7.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySurat Thani 28°C (82°F)Yakushima 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Surat Thani or Yakushima in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Surat Thani and Yakushima. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Surat Thani year-round.
In October, Surat Thani is generally a little warmer than Yakushima. Daily temperatures in Surat Thani average around 27°C (81°F), and Yakushima fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).
Yakushima receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Surat Thani gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Surat Thani usually receives more rain than Yakushima. Surat Thani gets 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSurat Thani 27°C (81°F)Yakushima 22°C (71°F)
Should I visit Surat Thani or Yakushima in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Surat Thani as well as Yakushima. Surat Thani attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Surat Thani is much warmer than Yakushima in the winter. The daily temperature in Surat Thani averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Yakushima fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
It's quite rainy in Yakushima. Surat Thani usually gets less rain in January than Yakushima. Surat Thani gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 106 mm (4.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySurat Thani 25°C (77°F)Yakushima 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Surat Thani or Yakushima in the Spring?
Both Yakushima and Surat Thani are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Surat Thani throughout the year.
In the spring, Surat Thani is much warmer than Yakushima. Typically, the spring temperatures in Surat Thani in April average around 29°C (83°F), and Yakushima averages at about 18°C (64°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Yakushima. In April, Surat Thani usually receives less rain than Yakushima. Surat Thani gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 207 mm (8.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSurat Thani 29°C (83°F)Yakushima 18°C (64°F)
Typical Weather for Yakushima and Surat Thani
| Surat Thani | Yakushima | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 106 mm (4.2 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (83°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 207 mm (8.1 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 288 mm (11.3 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 352 mm (13.9 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 205 mm (8.1 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 253 mm (10 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 240 mm (9.5 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 335 mm (13.2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (78°F) | 134 mm (5.3 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.