Which place is cheaper, Sapporo or Abu Dhabi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Abu Dhabi or Sapporo?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Abu Dhabi and Sapporo can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Abu Dhabi or Sapporo?
Abu Dhabi
It doesn't get more "lifestyles of the rich and famous" than a vacation to Abu Dhabi. The federal capital and center of government for the United Arab Emirates is arguably the most modern city in the world.
Abu Dhabi has a population of 1.5 million and provides a home to several oil companies and embassies, but this place is definitely a playground for the world's fanciest tourists. This city has several large projects underway including Yas Island's Formula 1 track and Ferrari theme park.
Note: homosexuality is still outlawed in the UAE with harsh punishments including deportation, fines, jail time or even a death sentence.
Sapporo
Capital of the northern Japanese island Hokkaido, Sapporo is a city surrounded by mountains and known for its beer, skiing, and annual snow festival with stunning ice sculptures. As host to the 1972 Winter Olympics, the city limits are dotted with ski jumps, hills, and popular ski resorts still in use today.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to United Arab Emirates, The Best Tours for Seniors to United Arab Emirates, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Japan, and The Best Adventure Tours to Japan.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAbu Dhabi $164Sapporo $106
The average daily cost (per person) in Abu Dhabi is $164, while the average daily cost in Sapporo is $106. 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 Abu Dhabi and Sapporo in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAbu Dhabi $98Sapporo $63
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAbu Dhabi $196Sapporo $126
Compare Hotels in Abu Dhabi and Sapporo
Looking for a hotel in Abu Dhabi or Sapporo? 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: Abu Dhabi Hotel Prices and Sapporo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Abu Dhabi $20Sapporo $15
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Abu Dhabi
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Abu Dhabi are as follows:
-
Car Rental$31
-
Taxi to Airport$14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Abu Dhabi
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Abu Dhabi:
- Skydive in Abu Dhabi | Tandem Skydive with transfer: $817
- Private Transfer from Qasr Al Sarab to Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH): $274
- Private Transfer from Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Fujairah: $274
- Private Transfer from Jebel Dhanna Resort to Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH): $274
- Private Transfer from Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Talal Liwa: $274
- Private Transfer from Talal Liwa to Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH): $274
- Private Transfer from Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Jebel Dhanna Resort: $274
- Ferrari world & Warner bros. parks with transfer from Dubai: $250
- Abu Dhabi Helicopter Ride with optional Private Transfers: $222
- Warner Bros World Ticket's -Abu Dhabi Without Transfer: $220
- Private Transfer: Abu Dhabi to Dubai Airport DXB in Luxury Van: $212
- Private Transfer: Abu Dhabi Airport AUH to Dubai in Luxury Van: $202
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sapporo
Also for Sapporo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shin Chitose Airport to/from Sapporo City: Shared Transfer: $37
- New Chitose Airport ↔ Sapporo, Best Transfer Pick up Service : $66
- Private Transfer from Sapporo hotels to Otaru Cruise Port: $93
- Sapporo City: Private Transfer to/from New Chitose Airport: $119
- [Airport Transfer] Smoothly move between Sapporo and New Chitose Airport with a private car! one way: $135
- Airport Transfer! Hotel in center of Sapporo to New Chitose Airport (CTS): $140
- Private Transfer from Sapporo City Hotels to Muroran Cruise Port: $143
- Horseback-Riding in a Country Side in Sapporo - Private Transfer is Included: $154
- Private Transfer from Sapporo hotels to Muroran Cruise Port: $158
- SkyExpress Private Transfer: Sapporo to Otaru (8 Passengers): $289
- Private Transfer: between Sapporo and Upopoy: $467
Is it cheaper to fly into Abu Dhabi or Sapporo?
Prices for flights to both Sapporo and Abu Dhabi 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 dayAbu Dhabi $45Sapporo $30
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Abu Dhabi
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Abu Dhabi.
- Dubai: Dhow Cruise Marina Multi Cusine Dinner & Tanura Show: $35
- Dubai Marina luxury Dhow Cruise Dinner (catamaran): $42
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari BBQ Dinner Live Shows Pick & Drop More: $45
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari With BBQ Dinner & Live Shows: $49
- Desert Safari, Quad Bike, Camel Ride & BBQ Dinner: $50
- Desert Tour with BBQ Dinner and Hotel Transfer: $51
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari With Live Shows And BBQ Buffet Dinner: $60
- Abu Dhabi Evening Desert Safari with BBQ Dinner and all Camp Activities : $72
- Desert Safari Abu Dhabi w/ Sand Boarding, Camel Ride & BBQ Dinner: $75
- Abu Dhabi Evening Desert Safari & Dinner Under the Stars: $77
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari (Dune Bashing, BBQ Dinner, Camel Ride & Sand Skii): $80
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari 4x4, BBQ Dinner, Camel Ride: $81
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sapporo
For Sapporo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Private Market Tour, Cooking Class and Lunch with a Local in Sapporo: $82
- Sapporo Bar Hopping Food Tour: $82
- Japanese Cooking Lesson and Meal with a Local Professional in her Lovely Home: $88
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Abu Dhabi $39Sapporo $16
Tours and Activities in Abu Dhabi
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Abu Dhabi are as follows:
- Abu Dhabi Full Day City Tour : $100
- Abu Dhabi Louvre Museum Entrance Ticket: $41
- Abu Dhabi Tour-Sheik Zayed Mosque, Emirates Palace With Louvre Musuem: $115
- Falcon Hospital Tour with Transportation : $101
- Private Full-Day Tour in Abu Dhabi: $234
- Ticket to Louvre Museum, Abu Dhabi: $19
- 4 Hour Cultural Tour of Abu Dhabi - Private Tour: $160
- 8 Hour Ticket/Pass For Yas Water World In Dubai.: $103
- Abu Dhabi 'Hidden Gems' by City Break - walking tours made fun!: $32
- Abu Dhabi 4G & 5G Data Roaming for Tourist: $11
- Abu Dhabi : Private Custom Walking Tour with A Guide: $43
- Abu Dhabi City Tour: $186
Tours and Activities in Sapporo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sapporo.
- JR Tower Observatory Admission Ticket: $4.04
- Hand-rolled sushi experience tour at Sapporo Nijo Market: $44
- Sapporo Morning Walking Tour: $46
- Nopporo Forest Mountain Bike Tour from Sapporo, presenting a retro Cycle cap: $50
- Sapporo Afternoon Walking Tour 2h 30mins: $53
- Experience traditional Japanese cuisine, making soba noodles in Sapporo, in a fun and casual way.: $53
- Japanese buckwheat noodle making experience in Sapporo,japan: $57
- Popular No.1! Soba Making Experience and Tempura Plan: $60
- Mondo's most popular plan! Experience making soba noodles and the king of Japanese cuisine, tempura, in Sapporo!: $62
- Mountain Bike Tour from Sapporo Including Hoheikyo Onsen and Lunch: $68
- Personalized Experience with a Local: $69
- in Sapporo! Hand-made soba experience and shabu-shabu experience plan of Yezo deer meat (Gibier meat) from Hokkaido: $69
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayAbu Dhabi $13Sapporo $7.98
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Abu Dhabi and Sapporo, we can see that Abu Dhabi is more expensive. And not only is Sapporo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Abu Dhabi is in Middle East and Sapporo 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 Sapporo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sapporo 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 Abu Dhabi would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Abu Dhabi than you might in Sapporo.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Abu Dhabi Expensive? and Is Sapporo Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Abu Dhabi or Sapporo?
Sapporo has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Abu Dhabi. When comparing the sizes of Abu Dhabi and Sapporo, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
When is the best time to visit Abu Dhabi or Sapporo?
Sapporo has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Abu Dhabi experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Sapporo in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Abu Dhabi as well as Sapporo. Abu Dhabi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to Sapporo in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
Abu Dhabi can become quite hot in the summer. In July, Abu Dhabi is generally much warmer than Sapporo. Daily temperatures in Abu Dhabi average around 35°C (95°F), and Sapporo fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Abu Dhabi this time of the year. In the summer, Abu Dhabi often gets more sunshine than Sapporo. Abu Dhabi gets 331 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sapporo receives 179 hours of full sun.
Abu Dhabi usually gets less rain in July than Sapporo. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyAbu Dhabi 35°C (95°F)Sapporo 21°C (69°F)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Sapporo in the Autumn?
Both Sapporo and Abu Dhabi are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Abu Dhabi throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Sapporo for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.
Abu Dhabi is much warmer than Sapporo in the autumn. The daily temperature in Abu Dhabi averages around 29°C (84°F) in October, and Sapporo fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi usually receives more sunshine than Sapporo during autumn. Abu Dhabi gets 314 hours of sunny skies, while Sapporo receives 156 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Sapporo. In October, Abu Dhabi usually receives less rain than Sapporo. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAbu Dhabi 29°C (84°F)Sapporo 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Sapporo in the Winter?
Both Sapporo and Abu Dhabi during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Abu Dhabi because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Sapporo because of the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Sapporo can be very cold. In the winter, Abu Dhabi is much warmer than Sapporo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Abu Dhabi in January average around 18°C (64°F), and Sapporo averages at about -5°C (24°F).
It's quite sunny in Abu Dhabi. In the winter, Abu Dhabi often gets more sunshine than Sapporo. Abu Dhabi gets 269 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sapporo receives 99 hours of full sun.
Sapporo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Abu Dhabi usually gets less rain in January than Sapporo. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAbu Dhabi 18°C (64°F)Sapporo -5°C (24°F)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Sapporo in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Abu Dhabi and Sapporo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Abu Dhabi year-round. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Sapporo this time of year.
In April, Abu Dhabi is generally much warmer than Sapporo. Daily temperatures in Abu Dhabi average around 27°C (81°F), and Sapporo fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).
In Abu Dhabi, it's very sunny this time of the year. Abu Dhabi usually receives more sunshine than Sapporo during spring. Abu Dhabi gets 297 hours of sunny skies, while Sapporo receives 183 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Abu Dhabi usually receives less rain than Sapporo. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilAbu Dhabi 27°C (81°F)Sapporo 7°C (44°F)
Typical Weather for Sapporo and Abu Dhabi
| Abu Dhabi | Sapporo | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 18°C (64°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | -5°C (24°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | -4°C (24°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Mar | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | -0°C (32°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jun | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jul | 35°C (95°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Aug | 36°C (97°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) |
| Sep | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Dec | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | -1°C (30°F) | 100 mm (3.9 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.