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

Should you visit Islamabad or Sado?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Islamabad and Sado can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Islamabad or Sado?

Islamabad

Islamabad is the capital of Pakistan, specially built in the 1960's to replace the former capital, Karachi. Most of the city's population are employees of the government, though many people come from all over Pakistan to enjoy the city's peaceful atmosphere and green spaces, museums, and monuments.

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 Adventure Tours to Pakistan, The Best Cultural Tours in Pakistan, The Best Adventure Tours to Japan, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan.


Which place is cheaper, Sado or Islamabad?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Islamabad is $42, 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 Islamabad and Sado in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Islamabad $20
    Sado $30
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Islamabad $40
    Sado $60
Compare Hotels in Islamabad and Sado

Looking for a hotel in Islamabad 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 Islamabad


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: Islamabad Hotel Prices and Sado Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Islamabad $7.68
    Sado $14

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Islamabad

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

  • Islamabad International Airport Transfer: $35
  • Islamabad International Airport Transfer - ARRIVAL: $40
  • Islamabad International Airport Transfer - DEPARTURE: $40
  • Private Chauffeur: Arrival Transfer Airport Pick up (Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore): $50
  • Islamabad International Airport Departure Drop off Transfer : $55
  • Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Departures: $55
  • Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Arrival: $55
  • Islamabad International Airport Arrival Pick up Transfer: $55
  • Private Transfer from Islamabad Airport to Pakistan: $61
  • Transit Trip: Murree Exploration Day Trip & Round Trip Airport Transfer: $140

Is it cheaper to fly into Islamabad or Sado?

Prices for flights to both Sado and Islamabad 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
    Islamabad $15
    Sado $23

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Islamabad $9.48
    Sado $8.43

Tours and Activities in Islamabad

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

  • Full-Day Sightseeing Tour Of Islamabad: $80
  • Islamabad In & Around Full Day Customized City Tour: $80
  • Shopping Tour: Full Day Islamabad Markets Exploration Tour: $90
  • Private Tour: Hidden Gems of Islamabad Exploration Tour: $90
  • Islamabad Instagram Tour: Most Famous Spots (Private & All-Inclusive): $95
  • City Tour with Faisal Mosque and Lake View Park: $95
  • Best of Islamabad Half Day Tour With Meal At Monal Restaurant (Morn & Eve Slots): $100
  • Islamabad City Tour With Faisal Mosque, Pakistan Monument & Lunch : $110
  • Top Ten Wonders of Islamabad Guided City Tour: $120
  • Private Tour: Guided Day Trip To Murree from Islamabad: $130
  • 5-Hour Private Guided Tour in Islamabad City: $130
  • Full Day Private Guided Tour of Taxila Gandahara Civilization : $140

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Islamabad $2.88
    Sado $66


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Islamabad and Sado, we can see that Sado is more expensive. And not only is Islamabad much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Islamabad would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Islamabad 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 Sado would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sado than you might in Islamabad.

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



When is the best time to visit Islamabad or Sado?

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 Islamabad or Sado in the Summer?

Both Sado and Islamabad during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Sado in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

It's very hot in Islamabad this time of the year. Islamabad is a little warmer than Sado in the summer. The daily temperature in Islamabad averages around 32°C (90°F) in July, and Sado fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

It's quite sunny in Islamabad. In the summer, Islamabad often gets more sunshine than Sado. Islamabad gets 247 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sado receives 198 hours of full sun.

Sado gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Islamabad. Islamabad usually gets more rain in July than Sado. Islamabad gets 237 mm (9.3 in) of rain, while Sado receives 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Islamabad 32°C (90°F) 
    Sado 23°C (74°F)

Should I visit Islamabad or Sado in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Islamabad and Sado. Furthermore, most visitors come to Sado for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Islamabad is much warmer than Sado. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Islamabad in October average around 26°C (80°F), and Sado averages at about 16°C (60°F).

In Islamabad, it's very sunny this time of the year. Islamabad usually receives more sunshine than Sado during autumn. Islamabad gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Sado receives 155 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Sado receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Islamabad usually receives less rain than Sado. Islamabad gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Sado receives 127 mm (5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Islamabad 26°C (80°F) 
    Sado 16°C (60°F)

Should I visit Islamabad or Sado in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Islamabad as well as Sado. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Sado because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Sado can be very cold. In January, Islamabad is generally much warmer than Sado. Daily temperatures in Islamabad average around 14°C (57°F), and Sado fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Islamabad this time of the year. In the winter, Islamabad often gets more sunshine than Sado. Islamabad gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sado receives 65 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Sado. Islamabad usually gets less rain in January than Sado. Islamabad gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Sado receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Islamabad 14°C (57°F) 
    Sado 3°C (37°F)

Should I visit Islamabad or Sado in the Spring?

Both Sado and Islamabad are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

Islamabad is much warmer than Sado in the spring. The daily temperature in Islamabad averages around 27°C (80°F) in April, and Sado fluctuates around 10°C (51°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Islamabad. Islamabad usually receives more sunshine than Sado during spring. Islamabad gets 258 hours of sunny skies, while Sado receives 194 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sado. In April, Islamabad usually receives less rain than Sado. Islamabad gets 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Sado receives 102 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Islamabad 27°C (80°F) 
    Sado 10°C (51°F)

Typical Weather for Sado and Islamabad

Islamabad Sado
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 14°C (57°F) 34 mm (1.3 in) 3°C (37°F) 138 mm (5.4 in)
Feb 16°C (61°F) 50 mm (2 in) 3°C (37°F) 102 mm (4 in)
Mar 21°C (70°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 5°C (41°F) 90 mm (3.5 in)
Apr 27°C (80°F) 37 mm (1.4 in) 10°C (51°F) 102 mm (4 in)
May 32°C (89°F) 32 mm (1.3 in) 15°C (59°F) 99 mm (3.9 in)
Jun 35°C (94°F) 52 mm (2 in) 19°C (66°F) 125 mm (4.9 in)
Jul 32°C (90°F) 237 mm (9.3 in) 23°C (74°F) 161 mm (6.3 in)
Aug 31°C (89°F) 221 mm (8.7 in) 25°C (78°F) 137 mm (5.4 in)
Sep 31°C (87°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 21°C (70°F) 161 mm (6.3 in)
Oct 26°C (80°F) 12 mm (0.5 in) 16°C (60°F) 127 mm (5 in)
Nov 20°C (68°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 11°C (51°F) 159 mm (6.3 in)
Dec 15°C (59°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 6°C (43°F) 162 mm (6.4 in)


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