A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bali vs. Sapporo for Food, Nightlife, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Bali 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 Bali and Sapporo can help you decide which place is right for you.

Bali

Bali is a frequented, spiritual, and cultural island. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food.

Sapporo

Sapporo is a park-filled, snowy, and vibrant city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and skiing.

Bali and Sapporo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bali or Sapporo?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Sapporo than Bali, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Sapporo is more popular for its skiing, museums, and big city activities, while Bali is known for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Bali is more touristy than Sapporo and is popular for its many temples, beautiful beaches, world class scuba diving, and cultural retreats. Sapporo is popular for its skiing, winter activities, and the yearly Sapporo Snow Festival. It is also home to Odori Park.

How is Bali different from Sapporo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Sapporo and Bali. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Is Bali or Sapporo Better for Skiing?

Sapporo is a well-known place for snow skiing. However, Bali is not a skiing destination.

People head to Sapporo specifically to take advantage of the area's skiing and winter sports. There are many great ski areas that are an easy day trip from the center of town. Very close by you'll find Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort and Sapporo Teine is where the 1972 Winter Olympics were held. It's divided into the family-friendly Olympia Zone and the more advanced Highland Zone.

Bali is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Bali or Sapporo?

Sapporo is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Bali does not have museums and landmarks.

Many visitors head to Sapporo specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. There are a number of shrines and museums in the city. Make sure you check out Hokkaidō Shrine, Sapporo TV Tower, Sapporo Clock Tower, and the Sapporo Science Center.

Bali does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Bali or Sapporo? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Bali is a world-class destination for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Sapporo is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Many restaurants in Bali have been singled out for their culinary prowess. The food is rich and diverse with a lot of spices and complex flavors. Turmeric is a common spice and many dishes use coconut milk. Popular local dishes include Nasi Ayam (a chicken dish), Satay (grilled chicken), and Babi Guling (a pork dish).

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Sapporo makes for a great culinary experience. The local cuisine focuses on the world class fishing in the area as well as the great agriculture. Pork is a common meat ingredient and many dishes include ramen, vegetables, or grilled seafood.

Is Bali or Sapporo Better for Nightlife?

Bali is a world-class destination for its evening party scene. Also, Sapporo is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.

People head to Bali just to party. The island is known for its crazy raves and all night pool parties. There are multi-story dance clubs as well as upscale bars and beach clubs that host parties late into the night. The best nightlife areas are around Kuta, Seminyak, and Canggu.

Sapporo offers plenty to do in the evening. The city's nightlife scene is laid back and mostly concentrated in the Susukino area. In particular, King Xmhu is famous for its party nights and wild decor.

Is Bali or Sapporo Better for Resorts?

Bali is a world-class destination for its luxury resorts. However, Sapporo is not a resort destination.

Bali is a world class resort vacation destination. The island has resorts as well as private villas that cater to everyone from celebrities to families or even budget travelers. Private villas offer a more secluded vacation while resorts usually have more amenities and the opportunity to socialize with other guests. There are also many family-friendly resorts around the island.

Sapporo is not a resort destination.

Is Bali or Sapporo Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Bali is a world-class destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Sapporo is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Bali is a world class destination for scuba diving and snorkeling. The waters are crystal clear and the marine life is abundant making scuba diving and snorkeling popular around the island. There are many snorkeling day trips that you can arrange and there are also dive shops that will take you out on the water.

Sapporo is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Bali or Sapporo Better for Beaches?

Bali is a world-class destination for the beach. However, Sapporo is not a beach destination.

Bali is considered to be a world-class beach destination. The island is large enough that it has a diversity of beach styles. There are popular beaches with water sports as well as secluded bays where you can enjoy a more peaceful setting. Some beaches are dramatic with limestone cliffs while others are lined with palm trees.

Sapporo is not a beach destination.

Is Bali or Sapporo Better for Hiking?

Bali is a great island for hiking. However, Sapporo is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Bali for the hiking trails. Walking on the island is beautiful and with its varied landscapes you can explore scenic rice paddies or pristine rainforests. You'll find the most challenging hikes in West Bali National Park, where a guide is recommended, but there are many other shorter hikes on the island that can be explored independently.

Sapporo is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Bali or Sapporo?

Both Bali and Sapporo are superb shopping destinations.

Bali is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. A big appeal of shopping on the island is the affordability. There are many local items that are fun to bring home including jewelry, handicrafts, furniture, and clothing.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Sapporo. Shopping malls are the most popular places to enjoy browsing the stores. This is particularly nice during the snowy winter months when you can escape into the heated malls.

Is Bali or Sapporo Better for Families?

You'll find superb kid-friendly activities in either Bali or Sapporo.

Bali is a very kid-friendly island. The island has countless activities that kids can enjoy. There are watersports, snorkeling, surfing lessons and beautiful beaches. You can also expose your kids to the spiritual side of the island with kid-friendly yoga classes. Animals lovers will enjoy getting to see the monkeys up close and for a unique culinary experience, you can take a family cooking class.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Sapporo. The city has many activities for families, any time of year. There's skiing and winter sports in the winter and theme parks and camping in the summer. There's also a Puppet Theater and indoor play areas for when the weather is poor.

Is Bali or Sapporo Better for Couples?

Bali is a world-class destination for couples. Also, Sapporo is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Bali is a great island for couples, as it has plenty to offer. This beautiful island offers stunning beaches, adventure sports, and world class snorkeling. There are beautiful resorts with spas as well as couples yoga classes impressive natural areas.

Sapporo is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples will enjoy the parks, gardens, museums, and winter sports in the area. A highlight for everyone is a visit to the famous Sapporo Snow Festival, which features many ice sculptures.

Is Bali or Sapporo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bali is a world-class destination for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Sapporo is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Bali, as it is a very popular island for budget travelers. Backpackers flock to this beautiful island for its stunning setting and affordable accommodation. There are many nice places where backpackers can hang out and get to know other travelers. If you want to get off the beaten path, it's best to head into the countryside and away from the main tourist hubs.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Sapporo. There are a number of hostels around town and many fun activities that backpackers will enjoy.

Is Bali or Sapporo Better for Students?

Sapporo is a well-known place for students. However, Bali is not popular with students.

Sapporo is very popular with students. The city is welcoming to international students and many people enjoy studying at Sapporo International University.

Bali is not popular with students.

Is Bali or Sapporo Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Sapporo is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, Bali is not as famous, but is still a good island to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Sapporo can get you to some places easily. Most visitors use the subway system to get around. There are three lines - the Namboku Line, Tozai Line, and Toho Line- all of which pass through Odori Station. The city also has a streetcar and buses.

Bali has some public transit options. There are minibuses and tourist shuttle buses around the island. You can also hire a taxi or rent a car, scooter, or bicycle.

Is Bali or Sapporo a more walkable city?

Sapporo is a well-known place for its high level of walkability. However, Bali is not a good island for its ease of walking around.

Sapporo is a very walkable city. The city center, where you'll find many of the attractions, is walkable. Susukino Station is about a 20 or 30 minute walk from JR Sapporo Station.

Bali is generally not a very walkable island. There are some walkable towns and cities on the island, but many areas can be challenging to navigate on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Bali Worth Visiting? and Is Sapporo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Sapporo or Bali?

How long in Bali or Sapporo?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Bali and Sapporo. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Bali than in Sapporo. Usually, 5-7 days is a good amount of time for Bali, and 2-3 days is enough time in Sapporo.

Families should spend more time in Bali than Sapporo. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Bali, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Bali than Sapporo. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Bali that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bali than Sapporo if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Bali.

One day in Bali or Sapporo?

In Bali, you'll find nightlife and food. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This island offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Sapporo is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Bali or Sapporo?

In Bali, you'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Sapporo is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Bali or Sapporo?

Bali is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Bali has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

You'll find food and shopping around the laid-back big city of Sapporo. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Bali or Sapporo?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bali. In Bali, you'll find shopping and nightlife. It's also a relaxing resort destination. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

The laid-back city of Sapporo offers shopping and museums. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Indonesia, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Japan, and The Best Adventure Tours to Japan.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bali and Sapporo, we can see that Sapporo is more expensive. And not only is Bali much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Bali would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bali 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 Sapporo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sapporo than you might in Bali.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bali Expensive? and Is Sapporo Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bali or Sapporo?

Sapporo has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Bali. When comparing the sizes of Bali 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 Bali or Sapporo?

Sapporo has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Bali experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Bali or Sapporo in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Bali as well as Sapporo. Bali 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.

In the summer, Bali is a little warmer than Sapporo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bali in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Sapporo averages at about 21°C (69°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bali this time of the year. In the summer, Bali often gets more sunshine than Sapporo. Bali gets 253 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sapporo receives 179 hours of full sun.

Bali usually gets less rain in July than Sapporo. Bali gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, April to September in Bali is the dry season.

Should I visit Bali or Sapporo in the Autumn?

Both Sapporo and Bali are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Bali throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Sapporo for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

In October, Bali is generally much warmer than Sapporo. Daily temperatures in Bali average around 27°C (81°F), and Sapporo fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bali. Bali usually receives more sunshine than Sapporo during autumn. Bali gets 266 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, Bali usually receives less rain than Sapporo. Bali gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The rainy season in Bali is October to March.

Should I visit Bali or Sapporo in the Winter?

Both Sapporo and Bali during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Bali 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. Bali is much warmer than Sapporo in the winter. The daily temperature in Bali averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Sapporo fluctuates around -5°C (24°F).

In the winter, Bali often gets more sunshine than Sapporo. Bali gets 170 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. Bali usually gets less rain in January than Sapporo. Bali gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year. October to March is the rainy season in Bali.

Should I visit Bali or Sapporo in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Bali and Sapporo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bali year-round. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Sapporo this time of year.

In the spring, Bali is much warmer than Sapporo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bali in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Sapporo averages at about 7°C (44°F).

In Bali, it's very sunny this time of the year. Bali usually receives more sunshine than Sapporo during spring. Bali gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Sapporo receives 183 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Bali usually receives more rain than Sapporo. Bali gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring. April to September in Bali is the dry season.

Typical Weather for Sapporo and Bali