A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Rotorua vs. Sado for Families, Couples, Backpackers, and Attractions

Should you visit Rotorua or Sado?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Rotorua and Sado can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Rotorua

Rotorua is a diverse, cultural, and natural town. Rotorua is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for hiking, shopping, and museums. See Rotorua travel costs.

Sado

Sado is a off-the-beaten-path, traditional, and cultural island. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and hiking. See Sado travel costs.

Rotorua and Sado: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Rotorua or Sado?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Rotorua than Sado, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Rotorua is more touristy than Sado and is popular for its geothermal activity, Maori cultural influence, and its role in the famous Lord of the Rings movies. Also, Rotorua is famous for Waimangu Volcanic Valley. Sado is well known for its beautiful scenery, traditional culture, and population of endangered crested ibis.

How is Rotorua different from Sado?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Rotorua or Sado?

You'll find a number of excellent museums and attractions in both Sado and Rotorua.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Rotorua. The area is filled with opportunities to learn about the Maori culture. The Maori village of Whakarewarewa is a highlight and you should also visit Te Wairoa. Fans of Lord of the Rings won't want to miss Hobbiton either. Finally, Rotorua Museum well worth a visit.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Sado. The former gold mines are open to the public and fascinating to explore. For a traditional town, head to Shukunegi, which has narrow alleys and historic homes. Also worth a visit is the Sado History Museum.

Is the Food Better in Rotorua or Sado? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

Rotorua has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. There's a wide selection of culinary options in the area that include steambox (food prepared with the geothermal heat), and hāngī, which is a traditional Maori cooking technique. Many restaurants also make use of the local fruit, vegetables, and meats.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Sado makes for a great culinary experience. You'll find great seafood including crab, tuna, and prawns. There are also fresh vegetables, rice, and other typical Japanese ingredients in the area.

Is Rotorua or Sado Better for Nightlife?

Rotorua is a popular place for nightlife. However, Sado is a mediocre island for nightlife and partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Rotorua. You'll find the best concentration of bars and restaurants around Tutankei Street, which is often referred to as "Eat Street".

Sado doesn't offer many options. This is a quiet island and doesn't have much in the form of nightlife.

Is Rotorua or Sado Better for Hiking?

Both Rotorua and Sado are destinations which offer excellent hiking.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Rotorua. The area is filled with beautiful walking trails that take you by lakes, volcanoes, and geothermal hot springs. A favorite route in the area is Tarawera Trail, which is 15 kilometers long and ends at a natural hot water beach.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Sado. There is wonderful hiking on the island. Head to the Osado Mountain Range for wildflowers and spectacular views and scenery.

Is the Shopping Better in Rotorua or Sado?

Rotorua is a popular place for shopping. However, Sado is a mediocre island for its shopping opportunities.

Rotorua is a great destination for shopping. You'll find stores and galleries selling art and crafts around the main town center.

If you're looking to go shopping, Sado has some nice offerings. You'll find shops where you can pick up any necessities that you may have forgotten. There are also souvenir shops where you can find local items to remember your trip.

Is Rotorua or Sado More Beautiful?

Rotorua is notable for its scenery and beauty. However, Sado is not a destination known for its beauty.

Rotorua is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's surrounded by striking volcanoes, beautiful lakes, and surreal geothermal springs, giving it an exotic and beautiful atmosphere.

Sado is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Rotorua or Sado Better for Families?

Rotorua is an unbeatable place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Sado is not as famous, but is still a good island to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Rotorua is a very family-friendly destination. The geothermal activity is fascinating for kids and adults alike. There are also many activities that will teach kids about the Maori culture and for animal lovers, there are farms and wildlife tours. Lord of the Rings fans won't want to miss Hobbiton, and there are many thrilling activities in the area such as white water rafting.

Sado is a family-friendly town. The former gold mines are fascinating and open to the public. There are also parks and interesting wildlife such as the Japanese ibis that you can see.

Is Rotorua or Sado Better for Couples?

Rotorua is an unbeatable place for romance. Also, Sado is not as famous, but is still a good island to visit for its romantic activities.

Rotorua makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. The unique environment and beautiful natural setting make this a wonderful honeymoon destination. Couples will appreciate the geothermal activity, beautiful walking trails, and diverse outdoor activities. There's also horseback riding, hot springs, and helicopter rides.

Sado makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The area's history and nature make it a unique place for a couple's trip. There are museums, and outdoor spaces that you visit as well as the interesting mines.

Is Rotorua or Sado Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Rotorua is an unbeatable place for backpackers. Also, Sado is not as famous, but is still a good island to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Rotorua is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. Well established on the backpacker trail, there are plenty of hostels in the area and tons of activities that backpackers will enjoy.

Sado is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a couple of hostels as well as guesthouses that backpackers can stay at while they're in town.

Is Rotorua or Sado Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Rotorua is a popular place for its public transit. However, Sado is a mediocre island for times when you don't have a car.

Rotorua has a few public transit options. There are buses and shuttles that travel around town and through the area.

Public transit is quite limited in Sado. There are no trains on the island and the bus routes are infrequent and slow. You really must have a car to explore the area.

Is Rotorua or Sado a more walkable city?

Rotorua is a popular place for its walkability. However, Sado is a mediocre island for its high level of walkability.

Rotorua is somewhat walkable. The town itself is fairly walkable but if you want to get into the surrounding areas, having a vehicle provides the most flexibility.

Sado is not a very walkable town. The island isn't particularly walkable, so you'll want to have a vehicle to explore.

For even more information, also check out Is Rotorua Worth Visiting? and Is Sado Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Sado or Rotorua?

How long in Rotorua or Sado?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Rotorua and Sado. In our opinion, Rotorua has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Rotorua than Sado. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Rotorua than Sado 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 Rotorua.

One day in Rotorua or Sado?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Rotorua. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

In Sado, you'll find food and museums. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This island offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Rotorua or Sado?

Rotorua is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. Hikers are also drawn to this area. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

In Sado, you'll find museums and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Sado has to offer.

Five days in Rotorua or Sado?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the natural destination of Rotorua. This town offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Sado is a great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Rotorua or Sado?

The world-renowned town of Rotorua offers nightlife and food. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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's hard to know how much time to spend in Sado. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Sado. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in New Zealand, The Best Bicycle Tours in New Zealand, The Best Adventure Tours to Japan, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Rotorua and Sado, we can see that Rotorua is more expensive. And not only is Sado much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Rotorua is in Pacific and Sado is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Sado would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sado 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 Rotorua would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Rotorua than you might in Sado.

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

When is the best time to visit Rotorua or Sado?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Rotorua is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Sado has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Rotorua or Sado in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Rotorua as well as Sado. Many travelers come to Rotorua for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Sado in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Rotorua is much colder than Sado. Typically, the summer temperatures in Rotorua in January average around 12°C (54°F), and Sado averages at about 23°C (74°F)in July.

It's quite rainy in Sado. Rotorua usually gets less rain in January than Sadoin July. Rotorua gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Sado receives 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rotorua or Sado in the Autumn?

Both Sado and Rotorua are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Rotorua in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Sado for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.

In April, Rotorua is generally around the same temperature as Sadoin October. Daily temperatures in Rotorua average around 16°C (61°F), and Sado fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sado. In April, Rotorua usually receives less rain than Sadoin October. Rotorua gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Sado receives 127 mm (5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Rotorua or Sado in the Winter?

Both Sado and Rotorua during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Rotorua for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Sado because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Sado can be very cold. Rotorua is much warmer than Sado in the winter. The daily temperature in Rotorua averages around 26°C (79°F) in July, and Sado fluctuates around 3°C (37°F)in January.

Sado gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Rotorua usually gets less rain in July than Sadoin January. Rotorua gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Sado receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rotorua or Sado in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Rotorua and Sado. The spring months attract visitors to Rotorua because of the natural beauty.

In the spring, Rotorua is much warmer than Sado. Typically, the spring temperatures in Rotorua in October average around 19°C (66°F), and Sado averages at about 10°C (51°F)in April.

Sado receives a lot of rain in the spring. In October, Rotorua usually receives less rain than Sadoin April. Rotorua gets 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Sado receives 102 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Sado and Rotorua