Which place is cheaper, Sapporo or Dali?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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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 Contiki Tours to Japan, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Japan.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDali $49Sapporo $114
The average daily cost (per person) in Dali is $49, while the average daily cost in Sapporo is $114. 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
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDali $17Sapporo $68
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDali $34Sapporo $136
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.
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.Dali $9.45Sapporo $17
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Dali
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Dali:
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Local Bus$0.43
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/Shuhe hotel: $149
- Dali Airport Chauffeur Service,Dali Airport Transfer: $40
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sapporo
Also for Sapporo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- [Airport Transfer] Smoothly move between Sapporo and New Chitose Airport with a private car! one way: $227
- Shin Chitose Airport to/from Sapporo City: Shared Transfer: $92
- Shared Departure Transfer : Sapporo City to Shin Chitose Airport: $113
- Private Transfer to/from New Chitose Airport (ENG): $235
- Sapporo City: Private Transfer to/from New Chitose Airport: $131
- Private Transfer: between Sapporo and Upopoy: $470
- Private Departure Transfer : Sapporo City to New Chitose Airport: $237
- New Chitose Airport CTS Private Transfer to/from Sapporo: $235
- Horseback-Riding in a Country Side in Sapporo - Private Transfer is Included: $172
- 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
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Food Meals for one dayDali $18Sapporo $32
Typical Food Prices in Dali
For Dali, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch$4.54
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Breakfast$3.55
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sapporo
For Sapporo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Enjoy a Japanese Cooking Class with a Charming Local in the Heart of Sapporo: $67
- Private Cooking Class with a Sapporo Local Kanae in her Home: $72
- Japanese Cooking Class in Sapporo with a Professional in her Home: $88
- Recommended! [Hand-rolled sushi experience] is a standard at Japanese celebrations, and can be enjoyed for dinner or lunch! !: $96
- Sapporo Bar Hopping Food Tour: $97
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dali $18Sapporo $18
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 tour with the Daili old town, Xizhou Village and Three Pagodas: $195
- 1-Day Erhai Sightseeing in Dali: $129
- 1-Day Tie Dye Experience Tour in Dali: $160
- 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
- All inclusive Dali Erhai cruise three pagoda xizhou market: $210
- Dali Private Tour to Xizhou Ancient Town and Erhai Lake : $186
- Dali Yunnan Local Market + Pottery Making Eco Tour: $220
- Private Customized Tour: Dali City Highlights in One Day: $213
- Private Day Tour of Dali Explore the Ancient City: $274
- Private Day Tour: Erhai Lake, Three Pagodas, Dali Ancient Town: $217
- Private hiking tour to Cangshan Mountain from Dali: $175
Tours and Activities in Sapporo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sapporo.
- Departing from Sapporo Stargazing Experience Private Tour: $230
- Experience traditional Japanese cuisine, making soba noodles in Sapporo, in a fun and casual way.: $62
- Exploring Hokkaido Nightlife Susukino Evening Walking Tour: $137
- From 10-hour Customized Private Tour to Noboribetsu: $2,362
- From Private Customized Day Tour to Biei+Furano: $607
- From Private Customized Day Tour to Otaru: $608
- Full Day Private Skiing / Snowboarding Tour in Sapporo: $55
- Hokkaido Day Tour from Asahiyama Zoo, Blue Pond Japan: $125
- Hokkaido Day Tour from with Bear Park Option: $115
- Hokkaido Noboribetsu Lake Toya Tour from Sapporo: $61
- Hokkaido Noboribetsu, Lake Toya & Otaru Panoramic One-Day Tour: $125
- Hokkaido Washi Crafts Experience in Oritos Studio Tour: $246
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDali $11Sapporo $8.60
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.
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.