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

Should you visit Koh Samui or Sapporo?

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

Should I visit Koh Samui or Sapporo? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Koh Samui

Koh Samui is a laid back, beautiful, and tropical resort island. Many visitors also come to Koh Samui because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food. See Koh Samui travel costs.

Sapporo

Sapporo is a laid-back, park-filled, and snowy city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums. See Sapporo travel costs.

Koh Samui and Sapporo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Koh Samui or Sapporo?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Sapporo. Although Koh Samui and Sapporo are popular destinations, Sapporo has more sights and attractions for tourists. Sapporo is very popular for its skiing, museums and attractions, shopping, and big city activities, while Koh Samui attracts visitors for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Koh Samui is more touristy than Sapporo and is known for its ornate temples, beautiful beaches, and laid-back atmosphere. Sapporo is famous for its skiing, winter activities, and the yearly Sapporo Snow Festival. It is also well known for Odori Park.

How is Koh Samui different from Sapporo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Koh Samui or Sapporo Better for Skiing?

Sapporo is a great city for skiing. However, Koh Samui is not a skiing destination.

Sapporo draws a large crowd in the winter for its impressive snow skiing opportunities. 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 Samui is not a skiing destination.

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

Sapporo is a great city for its historical sights. However, Koh Samui does not have museums and landmarks.

Sapporo offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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 Samui does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Koh Samui and Sapporo can be difficult as they are each excellent in their own way.

Koh Samui has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Food on the island is fresh and delicious. You'll find fine dining restaurants as well as hole-in-the-wall dives where you can enjoy local flavors. There are also international restaurants if you need a break from the curries. Beachfront restaurants offer a beautiful setting and sunset dinner cruises are a not-to-be-missed experience. Authentically local dishes usually include some form of coconut but there are also other common Thai dishes available almost anywhere like curries or Pad Thai.

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.

Is Koh Samui or Sapporo Better for Nightlife?

Koh Samui is a world-class destination for its evening party scene. Also, Sapporo is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.

People head to Koh Samui just to party. All night beach parties, cheap bars, and lively dance clubs all give this island its party atmosphere. Young travelers from around the globe head here to enjoy music, cheap drinks, and world class fun. For the most active nightlife, head to Chaweng Beach, Lamai Beach or Bophut Beach.

Sapporo offers plenty to do in the evening. 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.

Is Koh Samui or Sapporo Better for Resorts?

Koh Samui is a world-class destination for its luxury resorts. However, Sapporo is not a resort destination.

Koh Samui is a world class resort vacation destination. The island is filled with countless resorts, hotels, and private villas that you can rent. You can choose from beachfront properties or resorts that are located in the hills, which offer beautiful views. The resorts often have pools and range from five star all the way down to budget-friendly.

Sapporo is not a resort destination.

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

Koh Samui is a great resort island for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Sapporo is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Koh Samui is an extremely popular place to visit for scuba diving and snorkeling. It's easy to arrange snorkeling or scuba diving trips through hotels or travel companies, but it's also possible to snorkel right off the shore in places like Chaweng Beach. Due to the island's popularity, the coral isn't always the healthiest, but the water is clear and you'll likely see some interesting sea life just off the shore.

Sapporo is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Koh Samui or Sapporo Better for Beaches?

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

Koh Samui is considered to be a world-class beach destination. The white sand beaches are lined with coconut trees and look out on crystal blue waters, making this a perfect tropical destination. There are lively activity-filled beaches as well as quiet retreats where you can enjoy a peaceful setting away from the crowds.

Sapporo is not a beach destination.

Is Koh Samui or Sapporo Better for Hiking?

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

Many visitors go to Koh Samui for the hiking trails. Hikes will take you inland through the beautiful rainforest. There are hidden waterfalls as well as Buddha gardens and ridge trails with breathtaking views. Hikes range from easy to challenging, so make sure you understand the skill level required before you set out.

Sapporo is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Koh Samui or Sapporo?

Sapporo is a great city for its shopping areas. Also, Koh Samui is not as popular, but is still a nice resort island for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in 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.

Koh Samui is a great destination for shopping. The resort areas have the most interesting shops and you'll find the most options around Chaweng. There are boutique shops as well as some malls. You can sometimes negotiate prices down in independently run stores, but some places advertise fixed prices.

Is Koh Samui or Sapporo More Beautiful?

Koh Samui 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 Samui because of it's amazing beauty. It's laid back vibe and quintessential beach setting make this a wonderful holiday destination. It's the second largest island in Thailand and there are resorts, hotels, and restaurants for everyone.

Sapporo is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Koh Samui or Sapporo Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Koh Samui or Sapporo.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Koh Samui. The island is one of the slightly calmer, family-friendly options in Thailand. It has a number of activities that all ages can enjoy including water parks, water sports, and temples to explore. Snorkeling is also fun and there's an aquarium and zoo that you can check out.

Sapporo is a very family-friendly place to visit. 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 Samui or Sapporo Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Koh Samui and Sapporo make for a excellent place to visit.

Koh Samui is a great resort island if you're traveling as a couple. Dinner cruises, beachfront restaurants, and beautiful sunsets all make this island a romantic destination for couples. There are also spas, resorts, and fine dining restaurants that you can enjoy.

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 Samui or Sapporo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Koh Samui and Sapporo are excellent places to visit.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Koh Samui. The island feels a bit more like a holiday destination than a backpacker destination, but it still has a lively nightlife and affordable accommodation around Lamai Beach. It's also a nice place to go for yoga or Muay Thai classes.

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

Is Koh Samui or Sapporo Better for Students?

Sapporo is a great city for its student-friendly activities. However, Koh Samui is not popular with students.

Sapporo is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. The city is welcoming to international students and many people enjoy studying at Sapporo International University.

Koh Samui is not popular with students.

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

Sapporo is a great city for times when you don't have a car. Also, Koh Samui is not as popular, but is still a nice resort island for its public transit.

The public transit in Sapporo can get you to most places easily. 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.

Koh Samui has a few public transit options. Songthaew, the Thai version of a bus, and taxis or motorbikes are the best ways to get around the island.

Is Koh Samui or Sapporo a more walkable city?

Sapporo is a great city for its ease of walking around. However, Koh Samui is not known for its walkability.

Sapporo is a very walkable destination. 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 Samui is generally not very walkable. The roads have a good amount of traffic and generally aren't designed for walking.

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

Should I spend more time in Sapporo or Koh Samui?

How long in Koh Samui or Sapporo?

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Sapporo than Koh Samui 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 Samui or Sapporo?

In Koh Samui, you'll find nightlife and food. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This resort 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 Samui or Sapporo?

In Koh Samui, you'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling. 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.

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 Samui or Sapporo?

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

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the snowy 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 Samui or Sapporo?

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

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 Tours Under $1000 in Thailand, The Best Budget Tours 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 Samui and Sapporo, we can see that Sapporo is more expensive. And not only is Koh Samui much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Koh Samui would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koh Samui 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 Samui.

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

Which is Bigger, Koh Samui or Sapporo?

Sapporo has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Koh Samui. When comparing the sizes of Koh Samui and Sapporo, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

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

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

Should I visit Koh Samui or Sapporo in the Summer?

Both Sapporo and Koh Samui are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Samui throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Sapporo for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Koh Samui is a little warmer than Sapporo in the summer. The daily temperature in Koh Samui averages around 24°C (76°F) in July, and Sapporo fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).

It's quite rainy in Koh Samui. In July, Koh Samui usually receives more rain than Sapporo. Koh Samui gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Koh Samui or Sapporo in the Autumn?

Both Sapporo and Koh Samui during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Samui because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Sapporo because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Koh Samui is much warmer than Sapporo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Koh Samui in October average around 24°C (75°F), and Sapporo averages at about 11°C (52°F).

Sapporo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Samui. Koh Samui usually gets more rain in October than Sapporo. Koh Samui gets 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain this time of the year. December to February is the dry season in Koh Samui. October to December is the rainy season in Koh Samui.

Should I visit Koh Samui or Sapporo in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Samui and Sapporo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Samui year-round. Also, the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Sapporo this time of year.

It's quite cold in Sapporo in the winter. In January, Koh Samui is generally much warmer than Sapporo. Daily temperatures in Koh Samui average around 22°C (72°F), and Sapporo fluctuates around -5°C (24°F).

Sapporo receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Koh Samui usually receives less rain than Sapporo. Koh Samui gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the winter. December to February in Koh Samui is the dry season.

Should I visit Koh Samui or Sapporo in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Koh Samui as well as Sapporo. Koh Samui attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Sapporo for the activities around the city.

Koh Samui is much warmer than Sapporo in the spring. The daily temperature in Koh Samui averages around 24°C (76°F) in April, and Sapporo fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Koh Samui usually gets less rain in April than Sapporo. Koh Samui gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Sapporo and Koh Samui