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

Should you visit Nanjing or Sapporo?

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

Should I visit Nanjing 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.

Where Should I go: Nanjing or Sapporo?

Nanjing

Nanjing is the capital city of the Jiangsu Province on the central eastern coast of China, just north of Shanghai. This historically and culturally rich city lies at the lower end of the Yangtze river, resulting in lush and scenic landscapes. Nanjing is well-known for having many popular historical sites, some of which have been listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites.

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 Historical Tours in China, The Best 10-Day Tours in China, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Japan, and The Best Adventure Tours to Japan.


Which place is cheaper, Sapporo or Nanjing?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Nanjing 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 Nanjing and Sapporo in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Nanjing $46
    Sapporo $63
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Nanjing $92
    Sapporo $126
Compare Hotels in Nanjing and Sapporo

Looking for a hotel in Nanjing 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 Nanjing


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: Sapporo Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Nanjing $38
    Sapporo $15

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nanjing

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Nanjing:

  • Nanjing Lukou Int Airport (NKG): Private Transfer to Nanjing: $175
  • Nanjing to Beijing Bullet Train Ticket with Local Private Transfers: $163
  • Nanjing to Beijing Bullet Train Ticket with Train Station Transfer: $120
  • Nanjing Private Transfer from Nanjing central to Nanjing Lukou Airport (NKG): $114
  • Private Transfer to Yangzhou City from Nanjing Lukou Airport : $109
  • Private Round Trip Transfer to Zhenjiang from Nanjing: $94
  • Nanjing to Huangshan Bullet Train Ticket with Train Station Transfer: $90
  • Private Round Trip Transfer to Yangzhou Attractions from Nanjing: $89
  • Private Transfer to Gaochun City from Nanjing Lukou Airport: $88
  • Private Transfer to Gaochun City from Nanjing : $88
  • Yangzhou Private Transfer Service from Nanjing City or Lukou Airport : $80
  • Zhenjiang Private Transfer Service from Nanjing City or Lukou Airport : $78

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sapporo

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

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

Is it cheaper to fly into Nanjing or Sapporo?

Prices for flights to both Sapporo and Nanjing 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
    Nanjing $28
    Sapporo $30

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nanjing

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Nanjing.

  • 3-Hour Nanjing Authentic Local Food Tour by Public Transportation: $93
  • Flexible Private Nanjing City Night Tour with Dinner Option : $112
  • Nanjing City Private Night Tour with Qinghuai River Cruise and Dinner Option: $114
  • Nanjing Tangshan Mountain Hot Spring Experience and Hot Pot Dinner: $175
  • Private Amazing Nanjing Airport Layover Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $181

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.
    Nanjing $9.27
    Sapporo $16

Tours and Activities in Nanjing

Here are a few actual costs in Nanjing for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Half-Day Nanjing City Private Flexible Tour : $109
  • 2-Day Unlimited Nanjing Private Flexible Tour with Lunch Option : $295
  • 4-Hour Nanjing City Private Tailor-Made Tour in Your Way : $109
  • 4-Hour Nanjing Private Tour: Xiaoling Tomb, Ming City Wall and Memorial Hall : $115
  • All Inclusive Amazing Nanjing City Highlights Private Day Tour: $193
  • All Inclusive Nanjing City Private Day Tour with Tailor-Made Highlights: $213
  • All-inclusive Customized Nanjing Layover Tour: $201
  • Beijing Great Wall Tour from Nanjing by Bullet Train with Private Car Service: $282
  • Flexible Private Nanjing City Highlights Day Tour: $164
  • Flexible Private Nanjing Independent Tour : $63
  • Flexible Zhenjiang Private Day Tour from Nanjing: $197
  • Half Day Nanjing City Private Flexible Tour with Night River Cruise: $165

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
    Nanjing $9.46
    Sapporo $7.98


When comparing the travel costs between Nanjing 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 Nanjing Expensive? and Is Sapporo Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Nanjing or Sapporo?

Nanjing has a larger population, and is about 64% larger than the population of Sapporo. When comparing the sizes of Nanjing 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 Nanjing or Sapporo?

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 Nanjing or Sapporo in the Summer?

Both Sapporo and Nanjing during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Sapporo for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Nanjing is a little warmer than Sapporo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Nanjing in July average around 28°C (83°F), and Sapporo averages at about 21°C (69°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Nanjing. Nanjing usually gets more rain in July than Sapporo. Nanjing 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
    Nanjing 28°C (83°F) 
    Sapporo 21°C (69°F)

Should I visit Nanjing or Sapporo in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Nanjing and Sapporo. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Sapporo because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Nanjing is generally much warmer than Sapporo. Daily temperatures in Nanjing average around 17°C (63°F), and Sapporo fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Sapporo receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Nanjing usually receives less rain than Sapporo. Nanjing gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Nanjing 17°C (63°F) 
    Sapporo 11°C (52°F)

Should I visit Nanjing or Sapporo in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Nanjing as well as Sapporo. Additionally, 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. The weather in Nanjing can be very cold. Nanjing is much warmer than Sapporo in the winter. The daily temperature in Nanjing averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Sapporo fluctuates around -5°C (24°F).

It's quite rainy in Sapporo. Nanjing usually gets less rain in January than Sapporo. Nanjing gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Nanjing 3°C (37°F) 
    Sapporo -5°C (24°F)

Should I visit Nanjing or Sapporo in the Spring?

Both Sapporo and Nanjing are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Sapporo for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Nanjing is much warmer than Sapporo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Nanjing in April average around 15°C (60°F), and Sapporo averages at about 7°C (44°F).

It's quite rainy in Nanjing. In April, Nanjing usually receives more rain than Sapporo. Nanjing gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Nanjing 15°C (60°F) 
    Sapporo 7°C (44°F)

Typical Weather for Sapporo and Nanjing

Nanjing Sapporo
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 3°C (37°F) 27 mm (1.1 in) -5°C (24°F) 108 mm (4.3 in)
Feb 4°C (40°F) 52 mm (2 in) -4°C (24°F) 86 mm (3.4 in)
Mar 9°C (48°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) -0°C (32°F) 82 mm (3.2 in)
Apr 15°C (60°F) 101 mm (4 in) 7°C (44°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
May 21°C (69°F) 88 mm (3.5 in) 12°C (54°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Jun 25°C (77°F) 114 mm (4.5 in) 17°C (62°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)
Jul 28°C (83°F) 174 mm (6.9 in) 21°C (69°F) 74 mm (2.9 in)
Aug 28°C (83°F) 158 mm (6.2 in) 22°C (72°F) 142 mm (5.6 in)
Sep 23°C (74°F) 105 mm (4.1 in) 17°C (63°F) 138 mm (5.4 in)
Oct 17°C (63°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) 11°C (52°F) 116 mm (4.6 in)
Nov 11°C (52°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 4°C (40°F) 99 mm (3.9 in)
Dec 5°C (41°F) 25 mm (1 in) -1°C (30°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)