A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Koh Samet vs. Sapporo for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Koh Samet or Sapporo?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Koh Samet 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.

Where Should I go: Koh Samet or Sapporo?

Koh Samet

The country of Thailand is full of some of the world's most stunning beauty and peaceful settings. So it begs the question, where the Thai people go to get away from it all? They go to Ko Samet on the eastern gulf coast. Located just outside of Bangkok, Ko Samet provides visitors an easily accessible and desirable weekend getaway spot. With white beaches and coral of every other color, this island has steadily developed over the last few years without an intense construction increase like many other Thai beaches. Once thought to be the home of pirates, this island provides plenty to wonder about including, are there hidden treasures under that gorgeous white sand?

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 The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Thailand, The Best 2-Week Tours in Thailand, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Japan, and The Best Adventure Tours to Japan.


Which place is cheaper, Sapporo or Koh Samet?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Samet is $96, while the average daily cost in Sapporo is $106. 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 Koh Samet and Sapporo in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Koh Samet $32
    Sapporo $63
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Koh Samet $64
    Sapporo $126
Compare Hotels in Koh Samet and Sapporo

Looking for a hotel in Koh Samet 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.

Hotels in Koh Samet


Hotels in Sapporo


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: Koh Samet Hotel Prices and Sapporo Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Koh Samet $68
    Sapporo $15

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sapporo

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

  • Shin Chitose Airport to/from Sapporo City: Shared Transfer: $37
  • New Chitose Airport ↔ Sapporo, Best Transfer Pick up Service : $66
  • Private Transfer from Sapporo hotels to Otaru Cruise Port: $93
  • Sapporo City: Private Transfer to/from New Chitose Airport: $119
  • [Airport Transfer] Smoothly move between Sapporo and New Chitose Airport with a private car! one way: $135
  • Airport Transfer! Hotel in center of Sapporo to New Chitose Airport (CTS): $140
  • Private Transfer from Sapporo City Hotels to Muroran Cruise Port: $143
  • Horseback-Riding in a Country Side in Sapporo - Private Transfer is Included: $154
  • Private Transfer from Sapporo hotels to Muroran Cruise Port: $158
  • SkyExpress Private Transfer: Sapporo to Otaru (8 Passengers): $289
  • Private Transfer: between Sapporo and Upopoy: $467

Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Samet or Sapporo?

Prices for flights to both Sapporo and Koh Samet 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
    Koh Samet $27
    Sapporo $30

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sapporo

For Sapporo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Private Market Tour, Cooking Class and Lunch with a Local in Sapporo: $82
  • Sapporo Bar Hopping Food Tour: $82
  • Japanese Cooking Lesson and Meal with a Local Professional in her Lovely Home: $88

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Koh Samet $8.96
    Sapporo $16

Tours and Activities in Sapporo

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

  • JR Tower Observatory Admission Ticket: $4.04
  • Hand-rolled sushi experience tour at Sapporo Nijo Market: $44
  • Sapporo Morning Walking Tour: $46
  • Nopporo Forest Mountain Bike Tour from Sapporo, presenting a retro Cycle cap: $50
  • Sapporo Afternoon Walking Tour 2h 30mins: $53
  • Experience traditional Japanese cuisine, making soba noodles in Sapporo, in a fun and casual way.: $53
  • Japanese buckwheat noodle making experience in Sapporo,japan: $57
  • Popular No.1! Soba Making Experience and Tempura Plan: $60
  • Mondo's most popular plan! Experience making soba noodles and the king of Japanese cuisine, tempura, in Sapporo!: $62
  • Mountain Bike Tour from Sapporo Including Hoheikyo Onsen and Lunch: $68
  • Personalized Experience with a Local: $69
  • in Sapporo! Hand-made soba experience and shabu-shabu experience plan of Yezo deer meat (Gibier meat) from Hokkaido: $69

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Koh Samet $4.68
    Sapporo $7.98


When comparing the travel costs between Koh Samet and Sapporo, we can see that Sapporo 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 Koh Samet Expensive? and Is Sapporo Expensive?.



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

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

Should I visit Koh Samet or Sapporo in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Koh Samet as well as Sapporo. Koh Samet attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Sapporo for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Koh Samet is a little warmer than Sapporo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Koh Samet in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Sapporo averages at about 21°C (69°F).

In the summer, Koh Samet often gets more sunshine than Sapporo. Koh Samet gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sapporo receives 179 hours of full sun.

Koh Samet receives a lot of rain in the summer. Koh Samet usually gets more rain in July than Sapporo. Koh Samet gets 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Koh Samet 28°C (82°F) 
    Sapporo 21°C (69°F)

Should I visit Koh Samet or Sapporo in the Autumn?

Both Sapporo and Koh Samet are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Samet throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Sapporo in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Koh Samet is generally much warmer than Sapporo. Daily temperatures in Koh Samet average around 27°C (81°F), and Sapporo fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Koh Samet usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Sapporo during autumn. Koh Samet gets 167 hours of sunny skies, while Sapporo receives 156 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sapporo. It's quite rainy in Koh Samet. In October, Koh Samet usually receives more rain than Sapporo. Koh Samet gets 276 mm (10.9 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Koh Samet 27°C (81°F) 
    Sapporo 11°C (52°F)

Should I visit Koh Samet or Sapporo in the Winter?

Both Sapporo and Koh Samet during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Samet because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, 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. Koh Samet is much warmer than Sapporo in the winter. The daily temperature in Koh Samet averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Sapporo fluctuates around -5°C (24°F).

It's quite sunny in Koh Samet. In the winter, Koh Samet often gets more sunshine than Sapporo. Koh Samet gets 255 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sapporo receives 99 hours of full sun.

Sapporo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Koh Samet usually gets less rain in January than Sapporo. Koh Samet gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Koh Samet 25°C (77°F) 
    Sapporo -5°C (24°F)

Should I visit Koh Samet or Sapporo in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Samet and Sapporo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Samet year-round. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Sapporo because of the activities around the city.

In the spring, Koh Samet is much warmer than Sapporo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Koh Samet in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Sapporo averages at about 7°C (44°F).

In Koh Samet, it's very sunny this time of the year. Koh Samet usually receives more sunshine than Sapporo during spring. Koh Samet gets 239 hours of sunny skies, while Sapporo receives 183 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Koh Samet usually receives more rain than Sapporo. Koh Samet gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Koh Samet 29°C (84°F) 
    Sapporo 7°C (44°F)

Typical Weather for Sapporo and Koh Samet

Koh Samet Sapporo
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 25°C (77°F) 94 mm (3.7 in) -5°C (24°F) 108 mm (4.3 in)
Feb 26°C (80°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) -4°C (24°F) 86 mm (3.4 in)
Mar 27°C (81°F) 57 mm (2.2 in) -0°C (32°F) 82 mm (3.2 in)
Apr 29°C (84°F) 74 mm (2.9 in) 7°C (44°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
May 28°C (83°F) 189 mm (7.4 in) 12°C (54°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 174 mm (6.9 in) 17°C (62°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 174 mm (6.9 in) 21°C (69°F) 74 mm (2.9 in)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 206 mm (8.1 in) 22°C (72°F) 142 mm (5.6 in)
Sep 28°C (82°F) 158 mm (6.2 in) 17°C (63°F) 138 mm (5.4 in)
Oct 27°C (81°F) 276 mm (10.9 in) 11°C (52°F) 116 mm (4.6 in)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 380 mm (15 in) 4°C (40°F) 99 mm (3.9 in)
Dec 25°C (77°F) 118 mm (4.6 in) -1°C (30°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)