A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Koh Chang vs. Sapporo for Couples, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Koh Chang or Sapporo?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Koh Chang or Sapporo, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Koh Chang

Koh Chang is a scenic, idyllic, and serene island. Many visitors also come to Koh Chang because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the beaches, nightlife, and food. See Koh Chang travel costs.

Sapporo

Sapporo is a snowy, vibrant, and laid-back city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. Other reasons to visit include museums, skiing, and nightlife. See Sapporo travel costs.

Koh Chang and Sapporo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Koh Chang or Sapporo?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Sapporo than Koh Chang, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Sapporo is better known for its skiing, museums and attractions, food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Koh Chang is more popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Sapporo is more touristy than Koh Chang and is known for its skiing, winter activities, and the yearly Sapporo Snow Festival. Also, Sapporo is famous for Odori Park. Koh Chang is well known for its natural setting, rugged jungles, and peaceful beaches.

How is Koh Chang different from Sapporo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Koh Chang or Sapporo Better for Skiing?

Sapporo is an excellent place to visit for skiing and snowboarding. However, Koh Chang 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.

Koh Chang is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Koh Chang or Sapporo?

Sapporo is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Koh Chang is lacking in options for its museums and landmarks.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Sapporo can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

Koh Chang offers a few options for museum-goers. This is a beach paradise, but you won't find any temples or museums around the island.

Is the Food Better in Koh Chang or Sapporo? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Sapporo is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. Also, Koh Chang is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Sapporo. 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.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Koh Chang. There's a good selection of restaurants that serve everything from international dishes to Thai favorites. You'll also find restaurants attached to many of the resorts, many with nice views.

Is Koh Chang or Sapporo Better for Nightlife?

Sapporo is an excellent place to visit for nightlife. Also, Koh Chang is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

Sapporo has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. 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.

Koh Chang has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. It's Thailand, so there is plenty of partying, but there are quiet parts to the island as well. For the biggest party scenes head to Lonely Beach, White Sand Beach, and Kai Bae Beach. Lonely Beach is where you'll find the highest concentration of backpackers.

Is Koh Chang or Sapporo Better for Resorts?

Koh Chang is a great island for its luxury resorts. However, Sapporo is not a resort destination.

In Koh Chang, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. The island has managed to maintain a natural atmosphere without the overdevelopment found at many Thai islands, yet it still has the amenities and comforts that you need like nice resorts.

Sapporo is not a resort destination.

Is Koh Chang or Sapporo Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Koh Chang is adequate for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Sapporo is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There are few places where you can go snorkeling in Koh Chang. You can book a snorkeling or dive trip to the nearby islands for the best experience. The beaches on Koh Chang are sandy with very few rocks and coral, so walk in snorkeling is limited.

Sapporo is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Koh Chang or Sapporo Better for Beaches?

Koh Chang is a world-class destination for the beach. However, Sapporo is not a beach destination.

Koh Chang is considered to be a world-class beach destination. You'll find the vast majority of the beaches on the west side of the island. The most developed beach is White Sand Beach, and most of the backpackers hang out at Lonely Beach. For a quiet and more upscale atmosphere check out Klong Prao Beach. Also make sure you keep an eye on high and low tides, because the difference is pretty extreme. You'll find large, sandy beaches at low tide, which disappear at high tide.

Sapporo is not a beach destination.

Is Koh Chang or Sapporo Better for Hiking?

Koh Chang is adequate for hiking. However, Sapporo is not a hiking destination.

Hiking is a fun activity while in Koh Chang. Very few people actually head inland to go hiking, but if you do it can be a rewarding experience. It's a challenge to hike on the island though, as there are no marked trails. You'll need to hire a guide for any trekking that you wish to do.

Sapporo is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Koh Chang or Sapporo?

Sapporo is an excellent place to visit for shopping. However, Koh Chang is lacking in options for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Sapporo. 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.

If you're looking to go shopping, Koh Chang has some nice offerings. While this isn't the place to do any serious shopping, there are a few places where you can pick up essentials and souvenirs from your trip.

Is Koh Chang or Sapporo More Beautiful?

Koh Chang is a world-class destination for its scenery and beauty. However, Sapporo is not a destination known for its beauty.

Many visitors also come to Koh Chang because of it's amazing beauty. This jungle-filled island offers stunning beauty without overdevelopment.

Sapporo is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Koh Chang or Sapporo Better for Families?

Koh Chang and Sapporo are both high quality destinations for the whole family.

Koh Chang is a very family-friendly destination. The laid back vibe is perfect for families who want to get away from the party scene and overdevelopment that's found at many Thai islands. The island has kid-friendly beaches, great hiking, and resorts with pools and a family-friendly atmosphere.

Sapporo is a very kid-friendly island. 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 Koh Chang or Sapporo Better for Couples?

Koh Chang is a world-class destination for couples. Also, Sapporo is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Koh Chang is a great island for couples, as it has plenty to offer. This beautiful island is a perfect destination for a honeymoon or romantic getaway. There are beautiful resorts that have the charm and character that is lost at many of the more developed parts of Thailand. There are also beaches that cater to every travel style, including upscale and idyllic gems.

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 Koh Chang or Sapporo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Koh Chang and Sapporo are both high quality destinations for backpackers.

Koh Chang is very popular with the backpacker crowd. Most of the backpackers hang out around Lonely Beach, which also has a bit of a party vibe.

Sapporo is a great island to visit for backpackers. There are a number of hostels around town and many fun activities that backpackers will enjoy.

Is Koh Chang or Sapporo Better for Students?

Sapporo is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Koh Chang is not popular with students.

Sapporo is a great city to visit as a student. The city is welcoming to international students and many people enjoy studying at Sapporo International University.

Koh Chang is not popular with students.

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

Sapporo is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Koh Chang is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Sapporo. 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.

You'll find some public transit in Koh Chang, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There's a main road that goes around the outside of the island, with the exception of the southern tip. You can rent a motorbike or catch a ride on a Songthaew (pick-up truck taxi). Do note that the roads can be very steep and windy, which can be difficult to drive independently.

Is Koh Chang or Sapporo a more walkable city?

Sapporo is an excellent place to visit for its walkability. However, Koh Chang is lacking in options 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.

Koh Chang is generally not very walkable. Your ability to walk around really depends on where you stay. Many of the resorts are located in quieter areas without easy access to restaurants or shopping.

For even more information, also check out Is Koh Chang Worth Visiting? and Is Sapporo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Sapporo or Koh Chang?

How long in Koh Chang or Sapporo?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Koh Chang and Sapporo. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Koh Chang than in Sapporo. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Koh Chang, and 2-3 days is enough time in Sapporo.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Sapporo than Koh Chang 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 Sapporo.

One day in Koh Chang or Sapporo?

In Koh Chang, you'll find nightlife and food. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. This island offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

People visit Sapporo because there is so much to do. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Koh Chang or Sapporo?

In Koh Chang, you'll find food and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Most people come for the beaches. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

People visit Sapporo because there is so much to do. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Koh Chang or Sapporo?

Koh Chang is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Koh Chang has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the park-filled city of Sapporo. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Koh Chang or Sapporo?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Koh Chang. Many people enjoy the food and nightlife when visiting Koh Chang. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. It's also a relaxing resort destination. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Sapporo is a popular choice for travelers. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Thailand, The Best Eco Tours in Thailand, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Japan, and The Best Adventure Tours to Japan.

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

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

When is the best time to visit Koh Chang or Sapporo?

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

Should I visit Koh Chang or Sapporo in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Chang and Sapporo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Chang year-round. Also, many travelers come to Sapporo for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Koh Chang is generally a little warmer than Sapporo. Daily temperatures in Koh Chang average around 28°C (82°F), and Sapporo fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).

Koh Chang usually receives less sunshine than Sapporo during summer. Koh Chang gets 143 hours of sunny skies, while Sapporo receives 179 hours of full sun in the summer.

Koh Chang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Koh Chang usually receives more rain than Sapporo. Koh Chang gets 440 mm (17.3 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Koh Chang or Sapporo in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Koh Chang as well as Sapporo. Koh Chang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Sapporo in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Koh Chang is much warmer than Sapporo in the autumn. The daily temperature in Koh Chang averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Sapporo fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In the autumn, Koh Chang often gets more sunshine than Sapporo. Koh Chang gets 193 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sapporo receives 156 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Sapporo. Koh Chang receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Koh Chang usually gets more rain in October than Sapporo. Koh Chang gets 280 mm (11 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, November to February in Koh Chang is the dry season. June to October in Koh Chang is the rainy season.

Should I visit Koh Chang or Sapporo in the Winter?

Both Sapporo and Koh Chang are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Chang throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Sapporo for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Sapporo can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Koh Chang is much warmer than Sapporo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Koh Chang in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Sapporo averages at about -5°C (24°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Koh Chang. Koh Chang usually receives more sunshine than Sapporo during winter. Koh Chang gets 282 hours of sunny skies, while Sapporo receives 99 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sapporo. In January, Koh Chang usually receives less rain than Sapporo. Koh Chang gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the winter. The dry season in Koh Chang is November to February.

Should I visit Koh Chang or Sapporo in the Spring?

Both Sapporo and Koh Chang during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Chang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Sapporo because of the activities around the city.

In April, Koh Chang is generally much warmer than Sapporo. Daily temperatures in Koh Chang average around 29°C (84°F), and Sapporo fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

It's quite sunny in Koh Chang. In the spring, Koh Chang often gets more sunshine than Sapporo. Koh Chang gets 247 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sapporo receives 183 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Chang. Koh Chang usually gets more rain in April than Sapporo. Koh Chang gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year. June to October is the rainy season in Koh Chang.

Typical Weather for Sapporo and Koh Chang