Which place is cheaper, Yakushima or Surfers Paradise?
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 Surfers Paradise or Yakushima?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Surfers Paradise 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: Surfers Paradise or Yakushima?
Surfers Paradise
A tourist mecca, Surfers Paradise is one of the most popular travel destinations along Australia's famed Gold Coast. The beach stretches for miles and there is an endless supply of almost constant parties. You'll find high rise apartments lined up along the shore and plenty of shopping areas, restaurants, nightclubs, and bars. Travelers from around the world visit the area, and it's a right of passage for Australia's teens to vacation in or near Surfers Paradise. For many travelers, Surfers Paradise comes across as little more than a mass marketed, over commercialized, party destination, but for others it is a vacation dream. Prices are highly inflated so you have to keep your whits about you to avoid being ripped off. Surfers Paradise is a destination of extremes and it conjures up extreme emotions in many travelers, be it positive or negative.
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 Luxury Tours to Australia, The Best Adventure Tours to Australia, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Japan, and The Best Luxury Tours to Japan.
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Surfers Paradise Prices
Australia PricesYakushima Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySurfers Paradise $124Yakushima $141
The average daily cost (per person) in Surfers Paradise is $124, 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 Surfers Paradise and Yakushima in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSurfers Paradise $67Yakushima $61
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSurfers Paradise $134Yakushima $122
Compare Hotels in Surfers Paradise and Yakushima
Looking for a hotel in Surfers Paradise 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.Surfers Paradise $11Yakushima $51
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Surfers Paradise
Also for Surfers Paradise, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Gold Coast Theme Parks: Shared Hotel Transfers: $15
- Luxury Private Transfer between Gold Coast Airport and Gold Coast city (1-7pax) : $91
- One Way Luxury Transfer to Gold Coast Theme Parks : $95
- Gold Coast Airport Transfers Corporate Chauffeurs Gold Coast: $121
Is it cheaper to fly into Surfers Paradise or Yakushima?
Prices for flights to both Yakushima and Surfers Paradise 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 daySurfers Paradise $45Yakushima $50
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Surfers Paradise
For Surfers Paradise, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Buffet Dinner Sightseeing Cruise: $85
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Surfers Paradise $24Yakushima $21
Typical Entertainment Prices in Surfers Paradise
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Surfers Paradise's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Surf Lesson$79
Tours and Activities in Surfers Paradise
For Surfers Paradise, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Surfers Paradise Sightseeing Midday River Cruise: $19
- Gold Coast Afternoon River Cruise: $21
- Surfers Paradise Sightseeing City Lights Cruise: $26
- Surfers Paradise Sightseeing River Cruises: $26
- HOTA: Gold Coast Home of the Arts Cruise & Dine Experience Pass: $27
- Gold Coast Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing Cruise 1 Day Pass: $30
- Immersive Bar Experience and Drinks : $33
- Immersive Ice Bar Experience and Drinks: $33
- Gold Coast Quack'rDuck Amphibious Tour from Surfers Paradise: $37
- Surfers Paradise Sightseeing Sunset River Cruise: $37
- Guided Gold Coast Amphibious Bus Tour: $38
- Gold Coast: 360-Degree High-Speed Jet Boat Adventure: $39
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 daySurfers Paradise $11Yakushima $6.61
When comparing the travel costs between Surfers Paradise and Yakushima, we can see that Yakushima 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. Even though Surfers Paradise is in Pacific and Yakushima is in Asia, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Surfers Paradise Expensive? and Is Yakushima Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Surfers Paradise or Yakushima?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise or Yakushima in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Surfers Paradise as well as Yakushima. Many visitors come to Surfers Paradise in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
In January, Surfers Paradise is generally around the same temperature as Yakushimain July. Daily temperatures in Surfers Paradise average around 25°C (77°F), and Yakushima fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
It's quite rainy in Yakushima. Surfers Paradise receives a lot of rain in the summer. Surfers Paradise usually gets less rain in January than Yakushimain July. Surfers Paradise gets 167 mm (6.6 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 January and JulySurfers Paradise 25°C (77°F)Yakushima 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Surfers Paradise or Yakushima in the Autumn?
Both Yakushima and Surfers Paradise are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Surfers Paradise for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.
Surfers Paradise is around the same temperature as Yakushima in the autumn. The daily temperature in Surfers Paradise averages around 22°C (71°F) in April, and Yakushima fluctuates around 22°C (71°F)in October.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Yakushima. It's quite rainy in Surfers Paradise. In April, Surfers Paradise usually receives less rain than Yakushimain October. Surfers Paradise gets 101 mm (4 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 April and OctoberSurfers Paradise 22°C (71°F)Yakushima 22°C (71°F)
Should I visit Surfers Paradise or Yakushima in the Winter?
Both Yakushima and Surfers Paradise during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Surfers Paradise because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Surfers Paradise is a little warmer than Yakushima. Typically, the winter temperatures in Surfers Paradise in July average around 15°C (59°F), and Yakushima averages at about 11°C (52°F)in January.
Yakushima gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Surfers Paradise usually gets less rain in July than Yakushimain January. Surfers Paradise gets 70 mm (2.8 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 July and JanuarySurfers Paradise 15°C (59°F)Yakushima 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Surfers Paradise or Yakushima in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Surfers Paradise and Yakushima. The beaches are the main draw to Surfers Paradise this time of year.
In October, Surfers Paradise is generally a little warmer than Yakushimain April. Daily temperatures in Surfers Paradise average around 21°C (69°F), and Yakushima fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
Yakushima receives a lot of rain in the spring. Surfers Paradise gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Surfers Paradise usually receives less rain than Yakushimain April. Surfers Paradise gets 103 mm (4 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 October and AprilSurfers Paradise 21°C (69°F)Yakushima 18°C (64°F)
Typical Weather for Yakushima and Surfers Paradise
| Surfers Paradise | Yakushima | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 106 mm (4.2 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 157 mm (6.2 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| Apr | 22°C (71°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 207 mm (8.1 in) |
| May | 19°C (66°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 288 mm (11.3 in) |
| Jun | 16°C (61°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 352 mm (13.9 in) |
| Jul | 15°C (59°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (61°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 205 mm (8.1 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (65°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 253 mm (10 in) |
| Oct | 21°C (69°F) | 103 mm (4 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (76°F) | 129 mm (5.1 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.