Which place is cheaper, Sapporo or Cheju (Jeju)?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Cheju (Jeju) or Sapporo?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Cheju (Jeju) and Sapporo. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Cheju (Jeju) or Sapporo?
Cheju (Jeju)
Cheju is an island located just off the southern coast of South Korea in the Korean Strait. It is known for its volcanic landscape full of craters and cave-like lava tubes, which many visitors venture to hike and explore. With the main industry invested in tourism, it is a popular vacation spot for Koreans and foreigners alike, and remains the top honeymoon destination for Korean newlyweds.
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 Cultural Tours in South Korea, The Best Luxury Tours to South Korea, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Japan, and The Best Adventure Tours to Japan.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCheju (Jeju) $72Sapporo $106
The average daily cost (per person) in Cheju (Jeju) is $72, 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 Cheju (Jeju) and Sapporo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCheju (Jeju) $46Sapporo $63
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCheju (Jeju) $92Sapporo $126
Compare Hotels in Cheju (Jeju) and Sapporo
Looking for a hotel in Cheju (Jeju) 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: Sapporo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cheju (Jeju) $10Sapporo $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cheju (Jeju)
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cheju (Jeju):
- Private Sightseeing Tour to Jeju Island with Transfer Included: $190
- jeju island Private Taxi Hallasan Hiking Trail Transfer - One way: $57
- Private Taxi Transfer from Jeju City Downtown to Jeju Airport: $50
- Private Transfer From Jeju Airport to in Seogwipo Jeju Island : $30
- Private Transfer From Seogwipo to Jeju Airport in jeju island: $25
- Jeju Airport Transfer: $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sapporo
Also for Sapporo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- New Chitose Airport ↔ Sapporo, Best Transfer Pick up Service : $66
- Airport Transfer! Hotel in center of Sapporo to New Chitose Airport (CTS): $140
- Horseback-Riding in a Country Side in Sapporo - Private Transfer is Included: $154
- Private Transfer from Sapporo City Hotels to Muroran Cruise Port: $143
- Private Transfer from Sapporo hotels to Muroran Cruise Port: $158
- Private Transfer from Sapporo hotels to Otaru Cruise Port: $93
- Private Transfer: between Sapporo and Upopoy: $467
- Sapporo City: Private Transfer to/from New Chitose Airport: $119
- Shin Chitose Airport to/from Sapporo City: Shared Transfer: $37
- SkyExpress Private Transfer: Sapporo to Otaru (8 Passengers): $289
- [Airport Transfer] Smoothly move between Sapporo and New Chitose Airport with a private car! one way: $135
Is it cheaper to fly into Cheju (Jeju) or Sapporo?
Prices for flights to both Sapporo and Cheju (Jeju) 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 dayCheju (Jeju) $17Sapporo $30
Typical Food Prices in Cheju (Jeju)
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Cheju (Jeju):
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Burger$4.49
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Donkatsu (Charles Restaurant)$7.24
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cheju (Jeju)
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cheju (Jeju).
- Cooking Korean Cuisine and Dinner at Jeju Seaside Sunset Terrace: $108
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cheju (Jeju) $5.49Sapporo $16
Tours and Activities in Cheju (Jeju)
Here are a few actual costs in Cheju (Jeju) for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Private 2days Jumbo Taxi Experienced Driver Tour in jeju island : $80
- West Jeju Full Day Tour Package By Taxi: $184
- 2 Day Private pictures of Nature Tour in jeju island: $150
- 2 Days Private Taxi Tour - West and South of Jeju Island: $300
- 2-Days JUMBO/MINI-VAN Tour in Jeju Island : $110
- 3days Private Free Schedule Tour a lot of Experience Driver : $170
- 9 hours tour with a taxi driver in jeju island: $70
- Cherry Blossom East Day Tour in Jeju: $112
- Customized private tour in Jeju island: $80
- East of Jeju island Tour in Sky Water Circus -Package Tour: $140
- East of jeju private Jumbo taxi tour with Mr.Ko (Suhong): $80
- Full Day Essential Jeju Island Private tour for West Course: $270
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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCheju (Jeju) $7.12Sapporo $7.98
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cheju (Jeju) and Sapporo, we can see that Sapporo is more expensive. And not only is Cheju (Jeju) much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cheju (Jeju) would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cheju (Jeju) 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 Cheju (Jeju).
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cheju (Jeju) Expensive? and Is Sapporo Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cheju (Jeju) or Sapporo?
Sapporo has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Cheju (Jeju). When comparing the sizes of Cheju (Jeju) 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 Cheju (Jeju) or Sapporo?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Cheju (Jeju) or Sapporo in the Summer?
Both Sapporo and Cheju (Jeju) during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Sapporo because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Cheju (Jeju) is generally a little warmer than Sapporo. Daily temperatures in Cheju (Jeju) average around 26°C (79°F), and Sapporo fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).
It's quite sunny in Cheju (Jeju). In the summer, Cheju (Jeju) often gets more sunshine than Sapporo. Cheju (Jeju) gets 209 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sapporo receives 179 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Cheju (Jeju). Cheju (Jeju) usually gets more rain in July than Sapporo. Cheju (Jeju) gets 230 mm (9.1 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyCheju (Jeju) 26°C (79°F)Sapporo 21°C (69°F)
Should I visit Cheju (Jeju) or Sapporo in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Cheju (Jeju) and Sapporo. Furthermore, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Sapporo this time of year.
Cheju (Jeju) is much warmer than Sapporo in the autumn. The daily temperature in Cheju (Jeju) averages around 18°C (64°F) in October, and Sapporo fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
Cheju (Jeju) usually receives more sunshine than Sapporo during autumn. Cheju (Jeju) gets 179 hours of sunny skies, while Sapporo receives 156 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Sapporo receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Cheju (Jeju) usually receives less rain than Sapporo. Cheju (Jeju) gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberCheju (Jeju) 18°C (64°F)Sapporo 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Cheju (Jeju) or Sapporo in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Cheju (Jeju) as well as Sapporo. Additionally, many travelers come to Sapporo for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Sapporo. In the winter, Cheju (Jeju) is much warmer than Sapporo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Cheju (Jeju) in January average around 5°C (41°F), and Sapporo averages at about -5°C (24°F).
In the winter, Cheju (Jeju) often gets less sunshine than Sapporo. Cheju (Jeju) gets 75 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sapporo receives 99 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Sapporo. Cheju (Jeju) usually gets less rain in January than Sapporo. Cheju (Jeju) gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryCheju (Jeju) 5°C (41°F)Sapporo -5°C (24°F)
Should I visit Cheju (Jeju) or Sapporo in the Spring?
Both Sapporo and Cheju (Jeju) are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Sapporo in the spring for the activities around the city.
In April, Cheju (Jeju) is generally much warmer than Sapporo. Daily temperatures in Cheju (Jeju) average around 13°C (56°F), and Sapporo fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).
Cheju (Jeju) usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Sapporo during spring. Cheju (Jeju) gets 190 hours of sunny skies, while Sapporo receives 183 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Cheju (Jeju) usually receives more rain than Sapporo. Cheju (Jeju) gets 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilCheju (Jeju) 13°C (56°F)Sapporo 7°C (44°F)
Typical Weather for Sapporo and Cheju (Jeju)
| Cheju (Jeju) | Sapporo | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 5°C (41°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | -5°C (24°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (42°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | -4°C (24°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Mar | 9°C (47°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | -0°C (32°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Apr | 13°C (56°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| May | 17°C (63°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 184 mm (7.2 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jul | 26°C (79°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (80°F) | 241 mm (9.5 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (73°F) | 179 mm (7 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Oct | 18°C (64°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Nov | 12°C (54°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Dec | 8°C (46°F) | 50 mm (2 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.