A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Chiang Mai vs. Sapporo for Attractions, Food, Backpackers, and Nightlife

Should you visit Chiang Mai 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 Chiang Mai 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.

Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is a temple-filled, laid-back, and friendly city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the nightlife, food, and hiking.

Sapporo

Sapporo is a laid-back, park-filled, and snowy city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Chiang Mai and Sapporo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Chiang Mai or Sapporo?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Chiang Mai than Sapporo. While Sapporo is larger than Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Chiang Mai is better known for its museums, food, historical sights, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Sapporo is more popular for its skiing. Chiang Mai is more touristy than Sapporo and is known for its lively night market, historical temples, local cuisine, and cultural rainforest treks. Also, Chiang Mai is famous for Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. Sapporo is well known for its skiing, winter activities, and the yearly Sapporo Snow Festival.

How is Chiang Mai different from Sapporo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Chiang Mai or Sapporo Better for Skiing?

Sapporo is a great city for skiing. However, Chiang Mai is not a skiing destination.

Sapporo offers world-class skiing that is fun for everyone. 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.

Chiang Mai is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Chiang Mai or Sapporo?

Chiang Mai is a world-class destination for its historical sights. Also, Sapporo is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Chiang Mai has many famous sights for visitors. The city is filled with culture and you'll find many beautiful temples in the area. Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is a mountain-top temple that is an iconic landmark in the city. Other famous sights include Doi Inthanon and Wat Chedi Luang.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Sapporo. 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.

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

Chiang Mai 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 Chiang Mai have been singled out for their culinary prowess. For many, this city offers some of the best food in all of Thailand. The cuisine is influenced by nearby Burma and China, with ginger and turmeric often used. Curries tend to be a bit milder and dishes are often served with sticky rice. Famous dishes around town include Khao Soi, Larb Kua, and Sai Oua. Cooking classes are also very popular around town and the courses often include a trip to a market.

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 Chiang Mai or Sapporo Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find very good options in both Chiang Mai and Sapporo.

The nightlife in Chiang Mai has something for everybody. It is the largest city in Northern Thailand, so it has the most active nightlife scene in the area. Whatever your style, you can find something to do at night here. Many people head to the riverside to drink and listen to music. You'll also find clubs concentrated around Nimmanhaemin Road and Loy Kroh Road. There's also the famous Chiang Mai Night Bazaar, which is packed with stalls and people sampling food and drinks.

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 Chiang Mai or Sapporo Better for its Old Town?

Chiang Mai is a great city for its historic old town charm. However, Sapporo does not have a historic old town.

Chiang Mai is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The old city is about 1.5 square kilometers in size and it has four gates, one on each side. The most famous area is Sunday Walking Street, which comes to life at 4pm every day when it is lined with stalls and filled with people.

Sapporo does not have a historic old town.

Is Chiang Mai or Sapporo Better for Hiking?

Chiang Mai is a world-class destination for hiking. However, Sapporo is not a hiking destination.

Around Chiang Mai visitors will find world-class hiking trails. Many people use this city as a base for a trekking excursion into the surrounding countryside. The land is lush and beautiful and many treks also expose you to the welcoming Hilltribe people of Northern Thailand. Treks can be organized at almost any hotel or hostel as well the many tour agencies around town.

Sapporo is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Chiang Mai or Sapporo?

Chiang Mai is a world-class destination for its shopping areas. Also, Sapporo is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.

Many people travel to Chiang Mai specifically to go shopping. The city is famous for its night markets, which run every night of the year until around midnight. You'll find the streets packed with people and vendors, rain or shine. This is a great place to search for local handicrafts and try some of the city's famous street food. Popular items to buy include rice boxes, silk, and Thai sky lanterns.

Sapporo is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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 Chiang Mai or Sapporo Better for Families?

Both Chiang Mai and Sapporo are very good family-friendly destinations.

Chiang Mai is a very family-friendly destination. This city is very friendly and welcoming to kids. There are many cultural and adventurous activities that the whole family can enjoy. One of the most popular kid-friendly places to visit is the Elephant Sanctuary, where kids can get up close and personal with these beautiful animals. Kids will also enjoy heading into the countryside to trek or visit one of Thailand’s Hilltribes. The cultural experience and opportunity to meet a diversity of kids will be an experience your children will never forget. In town, a cooking class is a popular option for budding foodies.

Sapporo is a very kid-friendly city. 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 Chiang Mai or Sapporo Better for Couples?

Chiang Mai and Sapporo both very good destinations for a couple.

Chiang Mai is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Trekking, rafting, temples, and some of the best food in Thailand all make this city a popular destination for a couple's getaway. The region is perfect for adventurous couples who want to experience more of the authentic side of Thailand.

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 Chiang Mai or Sapporo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Chiang Mai 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 Chiang Mai, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. This is one of the biggest backpacker mecca's in Southeast Asia, and you'll find the city flooded with budget travelers out to experience it all. There are countless hostels and budget hotels available and most will organize treks and activities for guests. It's easy to meet other backpackers and many visitors end up staying longer than they planned. Prices in Northern Thailand are also much more affordable than many other areas.

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 Chiang Mai or Sapporo Better for Students?

Sapporo is a great city for its student-friendly activities. However, Chiang Mai is not popular with students.

Many students visit Sapporo. The city is welcoming to international students and many people enjoy studying at Sapporo International University.

Chiang Mai is not popular with students.

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

Sapporo is a great city for times when you don't have a car. Also, Chiang Mai is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

Public transit in Sapporo is fairly effecient and thorough. 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.

Chiang Mai has a few public transit options. Transportation options include red songthaew (converted pick-up trucks), buses, and tuk-tuks.

Is Chiang Mai or Sapporo a more walkable city?

Sapporo is a great city for its walkability. Also, Chiang Mai is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its high level of walkability.

Sapporo is very walkable. 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.

Chiang Mai is a somewhat walkable place. Although there are a few walking streets, the city can get very crowded and many places are easier to access with a tuk tuk or taxi.

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

Should I spend more time in Sapporo or Chiang Mai?

How long in Chiang Mai or Sapporo?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Chiang Mai 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 Chiang Mai.

One day in Chiang Mai or Sapporo?

Because Chiang Mai is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

With nightlife and food around the laid-back city of Sapporo, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Chiang Mai or Sapporo?

Because Chiang Mai is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Chiang Mai has to offer.

With food and shopping around the big city destination of Sapporo, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Chiang Mai or Sapporo?

Chiang Mai is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Chiang Mai has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Sapporo, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Chiang Mai or Sapporo?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Chiang Mai. Because Chiang Mai is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

Sapporo is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Japan, and The Best Adventure Tours to Japan.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chiang Mai and Sapporo, we can see that Sapporo is more expensive. And not only is Chiang Mai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Chiang Mai would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chiang Mai 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 Chiang Mai.

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

Which is Bigger, Chiang Mai or Sapporo?

Sapporo has a larger population, and is about 88% larger than the population of Chiang Mai. When comparing the sizes of Chiang Mai 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 Chiang Mai or Sapporo?

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

Should I visit Chiang Mai or Sapporo in the Summer?

Both Sapporo and Chiang Mai are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Chiang Mai throughout the year. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Sapporo because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Chiang Mai is generally a little warmer than Sapporo. Daily temperatures in Chiang Mai average around 30°C (86°F), and Sapporo fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).

Chiang Mai usually receives less sunshine than Sapporo during summer. Chiang Mai gets 146 hours of sunny skies, while Sapporo receives 179 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Chiang Mai. In July, Chiang Mai usually receives more rain than Sapporo. Chiang Mai gets 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the summer. The rainy season in Chiang Mai is June to September.

Should I visit Chiang Mai or Sapporo in the Autumn?

Both Sapporo and Chiang Mai during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Chiang Mai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Sapporo this time of year.

Chiang Mai is much warmer than Sapporo in the autumn. The daily temperature in Chiang Mai averages around 29°C (83°F) in October, and Sapporo fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

It's quite sunny in Chiang Mai. In the autumn, Chiang Mai often gets more sunshine than Sapporo. Chiang Mai gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sapporo receives 156 hours of full sun.

Sapporo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Sapporo. Chiang Mai gets 122 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain this time of the year. November to February is the dry season in Chiang Mai.

Should I visit Chiang Mai or Sapporo in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Chiang Mai and Sapporo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Chiang Mai year-round. Also, 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, Chiang Mai is much warmer than Sapporo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Chiang Mai in January average around 23°C (74°F), and Sapporo averages at about -5°C (24°F).

In Chiang Mai, it's very sunny this time of the year. Chiang Mai usually receives more sunshine than Sapporo during winter. Chiang Mai gets 283 hours of sunny skies, while Sapporo receives 99 hours of full sun in the winter.

Sapporo receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Chiang Mai usually receives less rain than Sapporo. Chiang Mai gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the winter. November to February in Chiang Mai is the dry season.

Should I visit Chiang Mai or Sapporo in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Chiang Mai as well as Sapporo. Chiang Mai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Sapporo in the spring for the activities around the city.

Chiang Mai can become quite hot in the spring. In April, Chiang Mai is generally much warmer than Sapporo. Daily temperatures in Chiang Mai average around 31°C (88°F), and Sapporo fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Chiang Mai this time of the year. In the spring, Chiang Mai often gets more sunshine than Sapporo. Chiang Mai gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sapporo receives 183 hours of full sun.

Chiang Mai usually gets less rain in April than Sapporo. Chiang Mai gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year. June to September in Chiang Mai is the rainy season.

Typical Weather for Sapporo and Chiang Mai