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

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

Koh Lipe

Koh Lipe is a idyllic, small, and local island. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the hiking, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Sapporo

Sapporo is a vibrant, laid-back, and park-filled city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. It's also known for shopping, museums, and skiing.

Koh Lipe and Sapporo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Koh Lipe or Sapporo?

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

How is Koh Lipe different from Sapporo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Koh Lipe or Sapporo Better for Skiing?

Sapporo is a great destination for winter skiing. However, Koh Lipe is not a skiing destination.

Sapporo is an extremely popular place for snow skiing and other winter sports. 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 Lipe is not a skiing destination.

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

Sapporo is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Koh Lipe is a island with minimal options for its historical sights.

Many visitors head to Sapporo specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.

If you're looking to pass the time, head to a museum or historic sight in Koh Lipe. The island is small and all about beaches and the undersea world, so you won't find any temples or museums here.

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

Sapporo is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Koh Lipe is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Sapporo makes for a great culinary experience. 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.

Koh Lipe has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There's enough of a restaurant selection that you'll find good local food and freshly caught seafood. The options change frequently as the tourist crowds have varied dramatically over the years, making it difficult for businesses to stay open.

Is Koh Lipe or Sapporo Better for Nightlife?

Sapporo is a great destination for nightlife. However, Koh Lipe is a island with minimal options for nightlife and partying.

The people in Sapporo know how to have a good time. 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.

The nightlife scene is quiet in Koh Lipe This is a small island that attracts tourists who want nature, beauty, and a serene and tranquil environment. You won't find much of a nightlife scene here.

Is Koh Lipe or Sapporo Better for Resorts?

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

In Koh Lipe, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. There are a number of locally owned hotels on the island. Many have snorkeling gear for rent.

Sapporo is not a resort destination.

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

Koh Lipe is a world-class destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Sapporo is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Koh Lipe is a world class destination for scuba diving and snorkeling. Although it is no longer the undiscovered island paradise that it once was, the snorkeling and diving on Koh Lipe remains some of the best in the country.

Sapporo is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Koh Lipe or Sapporo Better for Beaches?

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

Koh Lipe is considered to be a world-class beach destination. Despite the island's small size, the beaches are truly spectacular. They have white sand and the undersea world is just steps away, so don't forget your mask and snorkel.

Sapporo is not a beach destination.

Is Koh Lipe or Sapporo Better for Hiking?

Koh Lipe is a great island for hiking. However, Sapporo is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Koh Lipe for the hiking trails. The island of Koh Lipe doesn't have any hiking, but nearby Adang Island has some impressive hikes that offer views and small waterfalls. You can take a longtail boat for just a short ride to the nearby island.

Sapporo is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Koh Lipe or Sapporo?

Sapporo is a great destination for shopping. However, Koh Lipe is a island with minimal options for its shopping opportunities.

Sapporo is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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 Lipe has some nice offerings. The Walking Street is the main street through the island. Its where you'll find the island's shops and restaurants. Most are closed during the morning hours, but people begin to gather in the afternoon.

Is Koh Lipe or Sapporo Better for Families?

You'll find superb kid-friendly activities in either Koh Lipe or Sapporo.

Koh Lipe is a very family-friendly place to visit. This is a perfect island to explore with kids. There are beautiful beaches, great snorkeling, and plenty of opportunities to check out wildlife. Your kids will also enjoy seeing the Sea la vie fire show.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Sapporo is very family-friendly. 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 Lipe or Sapporo Better for Couples?

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

Koh Lipe is a great island for couples, as it has plenty to offer. With its stunning beaches and beautiful nature, this is a great couple's destination. The island has wonderful snorkeling and white sandy beaches that are perfect for exploring with a loved one.

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 Lipe or Sapporo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sapporo is a great destination for backpackers. Also, Koh Lipe is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Sapporo. There are a number of hostels around town and many fun activities that backpackers will enjoy.

It's common for backpackers to visit Koh Lipe. The island has become more popular than it was in years past, but it still offers a tranquil setting for those who are a bit jaded by the backpacker scene in Thailand.

Is Koh Lipe or Sapporo Better for Students?

Sapporo is a great destination for students. However, Koh Lipe is not popular with students.

Sapporo is very popular with students. The city is welcoming to international students and many people enjoy studying at Sapporo International University.

Koh Lipe is not popular with students.

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

Sapporo is a great destination for its public transit. However, Koh Lipe is a island with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

Visitors to Sapporo can move around easily with public transportation. 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.

Public transit is mostly limited in Koh Lipe. There are longtail boats, motorbike taxis, and golf cart taxis that you can hire.

Is Koh Lipe or Sapporo a more walkable city?

Koh Lipe and Sapporo both are superb when exploring on foot.

Koh Lipe is very walkable. It's an easy island to explore on foot and you can walk from one end of the island to the other in about half an hour.

Sapporo is a very walkable island. 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.

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

Should I spend more time in Sapporo or Koh Lipe?

How long in Koh Lipe or Sapporo?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Koh Lipe and Sapporo. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Koh Lipe than in Sapporo. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Koh Lipe, and 2-3 days is enough time in Sapporo.

Couples should spend more time in Koh Lipe than Sapporo. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Koh Lipe 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 Lipe 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 Lipe or Sapporo?

In Koh Lipe, you'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This island offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Sapporo is a big city with plenty to do. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Koh Lipe or Sapporo?

In Koh Lipe, you'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Sapporo is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Sapporo, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Koh Lipe or Sapporo?

Koh Lipe 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 Lipe has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Sapporo is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Koh Lipe or Sapporo?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Koh Lipe. In Koh Lipe, you'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and food. It's also a relaxing resort destination. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

Sapporo is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, The Best Tours for Seniors to 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 Lipe and Sapporo, we can see that Sapporo is more expensive. And not only is Koh Lipe much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Koh Lipe would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koh Lipe 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 Lipe.

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

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

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

Should I visit Koh Lipe or Sapporo in the Summer?

Both Sapporo and Koh Lipe during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Lipe because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Sapporo in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Koh Lipe is generally a little warmer than Sapporo. Daily temperatures in Koh Lipe average around 27°C (81°F), and Sapporo fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Lipe. Koh Lipe usually gets more rain in July than Sapporo. Koh Lipe gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Koh Lipe or Sapporo in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Lipe and Sapporo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Lipe year-round. Also, most visitors come to Sapporo for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

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

Sapporo receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Koh Lipe gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Koh Lipe usually receives more rain than Sapporo. Koh Lipe gets 281 mm (11.1 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn. December to April in Koh Lipe is the dry season. Also, May to October is the rainy season in Koh Lipe.

Should I visit Koh Lipe or Sapporo in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Koh Lipe as well as Sapporo. Koh Lipe attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Sapporo because of the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Sapporo can be very cold. In the winter, Koh Lipe is much warmer than Sapporo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Koh Lipe in January average around 27°C (80°F), and Sapporo averages at about -5°C (24°F).

It's quite rainy in Sapporo. Koh Lipe usually gets less rain in January than Sapporo. Koh Lipe gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Koh Lipe or Sapporo in the Spring?

Both Sapporo and Koh Lipe are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Lipe throughout the year. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Sapporo this time of year.

In April, Koh Lipe is generally much warmer than Sapporo. Daily temperatures in Koh Lipe average around 29°C (85°F), and Sapporo fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

It's quite rainy in Koh Lipe. In April, Koh Lipe usually receives more rain than Sapporo. Koh Lipe gets 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring. The dry season in Koh Lipe is December to April. The rainy season in Koh Lipe is May to October.

Typical Weather for Sapporo and Koh Lipe