A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Guilin vs. Sado for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Guilin or Sado?

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 Guilin and Sado can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Guilin or Sado?

Guilin

Guilin is a city in Southern China situated on the west bank of the Li River with Hunan to the north. Its name means, "Forest of Sweet Osmanthus," owing to the large number of fragrant Sweet Osmanthus trees located in the city. Products like tea, sugar, and wine, can be made from the tree and are found in many shops throughout Guilin. A popular tourist destination, the city is renowned for its scenery of karst topography with unique mountains jutting out of the urban landscape.

Sado

Sado Island, Japan is located just off the coast of Niigata and is an old gold mining town that has since developed into a quiet summer holiday destination. The island is home to two mountain ranges, O-Sado in the north and Ko-sado in the south, with the popular Kuninaka plain in between the mountain ranges. With the remoteness of the island, it has become a popular destination for tourists to experience old Japan and get away from the busy mainland.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, The Best Historical Tours in China, The Best Adventure Tours to Japan, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan.


Which place is cheaper, Sado or Guilin?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Guilin is $67, while the average daily cost in Sado is $62. 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 Guilin and Sado in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Guilin $34
    Sado $30
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Guilin $68
    Sado $60
Compare Hotels in Guilin and Sado

Looking for a hotel in Guilin or Sado? 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 Guilin


Hotels in Sado


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: Sado Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Guilin $5.76
    Sado $14
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Guilin

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Guilin are as follows:


  • Taxi
    $2.76

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guilin

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guilin:

  • Private Departure Transfer from Hotel to Guilin Train Stations: $17
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Guilin International Airport (KWL) to Downtown Hotel: $25
  • Private Departure Transfer: Downtown Guilin Hotel to Airport (KWL): $25
  • Private Airport Transfer: Guilin Liangjiang International Aiport to Guilin Hotel: $35
  • Private Transfer from Guilin hotel to Yangshuo hotel: $37
  • Private Guilin Airport Transfer to Yangshuo: $42
  • Guilin liangjiang Airport Chauffeur Service,Guilin Airport Transfer: $57
  • Four Lakes Night Cruise with Round-trip Transfer: $57
  • Guilin Transfer Services: Airport,train station & hotel: $57
  • Guangzhou Baiyun Airport Chauffeur Service , to Dongguan Transfer: $71
  • Yangshuo Via Ferrata with Round way private transfer from Guilin hotel: $92
  • Guilin Private Transfer (English-speaking) Between Guilin Hotels & Yangshuo: $93

Is it cheaper to fly into Guilin or Sado?

Prices for flights to both Sado and Guilin 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
    Guilin $22
    Sado $23
Typical Food Prices in Guilin

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Guilin:


  • Fresh Coconut Drink
    $1.38

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guilin

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Guilin.

  • Half day Yangshuo Cooking lesson Small Group Tour: $62

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Guilin $28
    Sado $8.43
Typical Entertainment Prices in Guilin

Here are a few typical costs in Guilin for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Entrance to the Caves
    $17

Tours and Activities in Guilin

Here are a few actual costs in Guilin for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Guilin Yangshuo & Longji Rice Terrace 4 days tour: $21
  • 1-DAY Private Longji Rice Terraces and Minority Villages Tour: $45
  • Guilin Four lakes night cruise with the English speaking driver from Guilin hotel: $47
  • Guilin City Center Walking Group Tour at Night for Three Hours: $50
  • Half-Day Self-Guided Yangshuo Xianggong Hill Sunrise Tour: $52
  • Private Full-Day City Tour with Fubo Hill: $59
  • Private Bike Tour: Yangshuo Countryside: $72
  • Kayaking Adventure with Local Guide: $72
  • Yangshuo Old Town and Li River Cruise from Guilin: $72
  • One Day Private Longshen Rice Terraces Tour Including Lunch: $73
  • Half/Full day Yangshuo Cuiping hill Sunset Private Tour: $73
  • Full/Half-Day Yangshuo Xianggong Mountain Sunrise Private Tour: $77

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Guilin $5.72
    Sado $66


When comparing the travel costs between Guilin and Sado, we can see that Guilin is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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



When is the best time to visit Guilin or Sado?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Guilin or Sado in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Guilin and Sado. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Sado because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Guilin is a little warmer than Sado in the summer. The daily temperature in Guilin averages around 30°C (86°F) in July, and Sado fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

Sado receives a lot of rain in the summer. Guilin gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Guilin usually receives more rain than Sado. Guilin gets 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain, while Sado receives 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Guilin 30°C (86°F) 
    Sado 23°C (74°F)

Should I visit Guilin or Sado in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Guilin as well as Sado. Also, the hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Sado this time of year.

In the autumn, Guilin is a little warmer than Sado. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Guilin in October average around 23°C (73°F), and Sado averages at about 16°C (60°F).

It's quite rainy in Sado. Guilin usually gets less rain in October than Sado. Guilin gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Sado receives 127 mm (5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Guilin 23°C (73°F) 
    Sado 16°C (60°F)

Should I visit Guilin or Sado in the Winter?

Both Sado and Guilin are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Sado for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Sado. In January, Guilin is generally much warmer than Sado. Daily temperatures in Guilin average around 10°C (49°F), and Sado fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sado. In January, Guilin usually receives less rain than Sado. Guilin gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Sado receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Guilin 10°C (49°F) 
    Sado 3°C (37°F)

Should I visit Guilin or Sado in the Spring?

Both Sado and Guilin during the spring are popular places to visit.

Guilin is much warmer than Sado in the spring. The daily temperature in Guilin averages around 20°C (68°F) in April, and Sado fluctuates around 10°C (51°F).

Sado gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Guilin. Guilin usually gets more rain in April than Sado. Guilin gets 263 mm (10.3 in) of rain, while Sado receives 102 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Guilin 20°C (68°F) 
    Sado 10°C (51°F)

Typical Weather for Sado and Guilin

Guilin Sado
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 10°C (49°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 3°C (37°F) 138 mm (5.4 in)
Feb 11°C (51°F) 87 mm (3.4 in) 3°C (37°F) 102 mm (4 in)
Mar 15°C (59°F) 129 mm (5.1 in) 5°C (41°F) 90 mm (3.5 in)
Apr 20°C (68°F) 263 mm (10.3 in) 10°C (51°F) 102 mm (4 in)
May 25°C (77°F) 334 mm (13.2 in) 15°C (59°F) 99 mm (3.9 in)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 320 mm (12.6 in) 19°C (66°F) 125 mm (4.9 in)
Jul 30°C (86°F) 206 mm (8.1 in) 23°C (74°F) 161 mm (6.3 in)
Aug 30°C (86°F) 168 mm (6.6 in) 25°C (78°F) 137 mm (5.4 in)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 72 mm (2.8 in) 21°C (70°F) 161 mm (6.3 in)
Oct 23°C (73°F) 93 mm (3.7 in) 16°C (60°F) 127 mm (5 in)
Nov 17°C (63°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 11°C (51°F) 159 mm (6.3 in)
Dec 12°C (53°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 6°C (43°F) 162 mm (6.4 in)