Which place is cheaper, Yakushima or Taupo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Taupo or Yakushima?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Taupo or Yakushima? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Taupo or Yakushima?
Taupo
Taupo is a town located in the center of the North Island, situated on the shores of Lake Taupo, which is New Zealand's largest lake. It is also the caldera of the Taupo Volcano. It has a population of 23,700 people and is visited by many people interested in fishing, boating, and other water activities. There are many hiking and biking trails that take you around the water as well.
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 G Adventures Tours to New Zealand, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Auckland, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Japan, and The Best Luxury Tours to Japan.
-
Taupo Prices
New Zealand PricesYakushima Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTaupo $128Yakushima $141
The average daily cost (per person) in Taupo is $128, 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 Taupo and Yakushima in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTaupo $62Yakushima $61
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTaupo $124Yakushima $122
Compare Hotels in Taupo and Yakushima
Looking for a hotel in Taupo 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: Taupo Hotel Prices and Yakushima Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Taupo $25Yakushima $51
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Taupo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Taupo:
- Tongariro Crossing : 2 Day PRIVATE TRANSFER Leaving AUCKLAND: $1,101
Is it cheaper to fly into Taupo or Yakushima?
Prices for flights to both Yakushima and Taupo 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 dayTaupo $41Yakushima $50
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Taupo $34Yakushima $21
Typical Entertainment Prices in Taupo
Here are a few typical costs in Taupo for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
-
Bungy Jumping$151
-
Jet Boating$56
Tours and Activities in Taupo
Here are a few actual costs in Taupo for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Escape Room Experience Taupo - The Marvelous Circus: $22
- Escape Room Experience Taupo - The Candy Cottage: $22
- Escape Room Experience Taupo - The Cursed Cabin: $22
- Escape Room Experience Taupo - The Hunting Lodge: $22
- Orakei Korako Geothermal Park and Cave Entry Ticket: $28
- Lake Taupō Māori Rock Carvings Scenic Cruise aboard Ernest Kemp: $30
- Self-Guided Geothermal Tour in Orakei Korako: $30
- Lake Maori Rock Carvings 10.30 AM 1.5-Hour Cruise: $34
- Lake 1.5-Hour Maori Rock Carvings 5:00 PM Cruise: $34
- Lake Maori Rock Carvings 8.30 AM 1.5-Hour Cruise: $34
- Maori Rock Carvings - Taupo Sailing Adventures - Kindred Spirit: $35
- Daily Scenic Maori Rock Carving Cruise Taupo: $35
Tours and Activities in Yakushima
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Yakushima are as follows:
- Private Guided Tour: $336
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayTaupo $13Yakushima $6.61
Typical Alcohol Prices in Taupo
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Taupo from other travelers:
-
Wine$5.03
When comparing the travel costs between Taupo 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 Taupo 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 Taupo Expensive? and Is Yakushima Expensive?.
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.