A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Dali vs. Sapporo for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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

Where Should I go: Dali or Sapporo?

Dali

Dali is a city in southern China with a long and glorious history dating back to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The Xiaguan neighborhood of the city is the modern industrial center where most public transportation arrives; however, the Old Town of Dali is the place that draws the most visitors. Being one of China's ancient cities, Dali is said to have been a gateway to the Silk Road, and still attracts attention with its traditional architecture, beautiful scenery, ethnic cultures, and nightlife.

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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, The Best Adventure Tours to China, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Japan, and The Best Adventure Tours to Japan.


Which place is cheaper, Sapporo or Dali?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Dali is $62, while the average daily cost in Sapporo is $132. 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 Dali and Sapporo in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Dali $17
    Sapporo $65
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Dali $34
    Sapporo $130
Compare Hotels in Dali and Sapporo

Looking for a hotel in Dali 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.

Hotels in Dali


Hotels in Sapporo


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Dali $9.34
    Sapporo $16
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Dali

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Dali:


  • Local Bus
    $0.42

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dali

Also for Dali, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer from Dali to Lijiang/Shuhe hotel and Stops at Shaxi Old Town: $160
  • Private Transfer from Dali to Lijiang hotel/airport(LJG): $149
  • Dali Airport Chauffeur Service, Private Dali Airport Transfer: $40

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: $93
  • New Chitose Airport (CTS) Private Transfer: $284
  • Sapporo City: Private Transfer to/from New Chitose Airport: $132
  • Private Transfer from Sapporo City Hotels to Otaru Cruise Port: $113
  • Private Transfer from Muroran Cruise Port to Sapporo Airport(CTS): $274
  • Private Departure Transfer : Sapporo City to New Chitose Airport: $237
  • Airport Transfer! Hotel in center of Sapporo to New Chitose Airport (CTS): $140

Is it cheaper to fly into Dali or Sapporo?

Prices for flights to both Sapporo and Dali 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 day
    Dali $32
    Sapporo $54
Typical Food Prices in Dali

For Dali, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Lunch
    $4.49
  • Breakfast
    $3.50

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dali

For Dali, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Cangshan Mountain hike and organic homemade dinner: $80

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sapporo

For Sapporo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Private Japanese Cooking Class in Sapporo with Local Host Kanae: $72
  • Japanese Cooking Class in the Heart of Sapporo with Sakura: $72
  • Private Market Tour and Cooking Class with Kanae, a Sapporo Local: $82
  • Sapporo Bar Hopping Food Tour: $97
  • Hands-on Japanese Home Cooking Class in Sapporo with Noriko: $108
  • Sapporo Night Food Tour: 3 Hidden Restaurants with a Foodie Guide: $218

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Dali $18
    Sapporo $17

Tours and Activities in Dali

For Dali, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 1-Day Dali Erhai Sightseeing Tour: $250
  • 1-Day Dali Tie Dye Experience Private Tour: $230
  • 1-Day Dali tour with the Daili old town, Xizhou Village and Three Pagodas: $195
  • 2-Days Self-Guided tour from Dali to Lijiang and overnight in Shaxi old town: $205
  • All Inclusive Private Day Tour to Shaxi Ancient Town from Dali: $213
  • Dali City Tour with Private Guide: $71
  • Dali Day Tour: Scenic Lakes, Bai Heritage & Tie-Dye Workshop: $262
  • Dali Private Tour to Xizhou Ancient Town and Erhai Lake : $186
  • Dali XIzhou Ancient Town Private Tour: $87
  • Dali Yunnan Local Market Pottery Making Eco Tour: $197
  • Ancient City, Three Pagodas, and Longkan (ErHai) Tour: $85
  • Donglianhua (East Lotus) & Hui Muslim Culture Tour: $70

Tours and Activities in Sapporo

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sapporo.

  • Asahiyama Zoo, Christmas Tree, Fairy Terrace Day Tour | Hokkaido: $100
  • 1 Day Ski Tour Package from Sapporo Station: $281
  • 1 Day Tour from Sapporo Blue Pond and Hills of Seasonal Colors: $254
  • 1 Day Tour to Hill of the Buddha, Sapporo and Sake: $174
  • 1-Day Ski Tour Package from Sapporo Station: $288
  • 1-Day Walking Tour in Historical Sights of Sapporo: $161
  • 2 Day Tour to Icebreaker Mombetsu and Asahiyama Zoo in Hokkaido: $286
  • Authentic Japanese Home Dining Experience in Sapporo with Noriko: $88
  • Authentic Nijo Market Seafood Lunch & History Tour: $64
  • Autumn Tour from Sapporo Hoheikyo Dam and Hoheikyo Onsen: $174
  • Calligraphy Experience Set 60 minute plan: $69
  • Daisetsuzan National Park and Kurodake Ropeway Autumn Tour: $88

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Dali $11
    Sapporo $8.26

Sample the Local Flavors in Sapporo

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Sapporo:

  • Sapporo Tour in the Port City of Otaru and Local beer brewery: $174
  • 1-Day Tour The port city of Otaru & Local Brewery: $178


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

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


Which is Bigger, Dali or Sapporo?

Sapporo has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Dali. When comparing the sizes of Dali 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.