A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sado vs. Gili Trawangan for Backpackers, Attractions, Food, and Families

Should you visit Sado or Gili Trawangan?

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

Should I visit Sado or Gili Trawangan? 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.

Sado

Sado is a cultural, off-the-beaten-path, and traditional island. Visitors also love the hiking, museums, and food. See Sado travel costs.

Gili Trawangan

Gili Trawangan is a tropical, idyllic, and laidback island. Gili Trawangan is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling. See Gili Trawangan travel costs.

Sado and Gili Trawangan: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sado or Gili Trawangan?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Gili Trawangan. Although Sado and Gili Trawangan are popular destinations, Gili Trawangan has more sights and attractions for tourists. Gili Trawangan is very popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty, while Sado attracts visitors for its museums and attractions and hiking. Gili Trawangan is more touristy than Sado and is popular for its beautiful water and impressive scuba diving. It is also well known for beautiful beachfront setting. Sado is famous for its beautiful scenery, traditional culture, and population of endangered crested ibis.

How is Sado different from Gili Trawangan?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Sado or Gili Trawangan?

Sado is a very popular place for its museums and history. However, Gili Trawangan is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

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

Gili Trawangan offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are a couple of art and cultural museums on the island, but most people spend their time soaking up the idyllic setting.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Sado and Gili Trawangan can be an enjoyable experience.

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.

Gili Trawangan has a huge number of terrific restaurants. As the largest and one of the most touristy of the Gili Islands, you'll find a wide range of cuisines. There's everything from Mexican to Greek available. You'll also find plenty of tropical fruits and some local Indonesian cuisine as well.

Is Sado or Gili Trawangan Better for Nightlife?

Gili Trawangan is an unbeatable place for nightlife. However, Sado is a mediocre island for nightlife and partying.

The nightlife in Gili Trawangan is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. This is the "party island" of the Gili Islands. It has a wild nightlife scene that is particularly popular with backpackers. There are tons of beach bars that have live music, DJs, and nightly parties. There are also regular boat parties. The party scene is pretty well coordinated across the bars, and one bar will stay open late each night while the others close around midnight. This keeps the partygoers concentrated in one location and keeps the energy high for everyone.

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

Is Sado or Gili Trawangan Better for Resorts?

Gili Trawangan is a popular place for its resorts. However, Sado is not a resort destination.

Gili Trawangan has a handful of resorts to choose from. The island was long known for its backpacker vibe which included poorly concentrated beach huts. More recently there's been an upswing in upmarket accommodation, particularly on the quieter western and northern sides of the island.

Sado is not a resort destination.

Is Sado or Gili Trawangan Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Gili Trawangan is an unbeatable place for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Sado is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

The clear water and abundant marine life make Gili Trawangan a world-class scuba diving and snorkeling destination. Snorkeling and diving are a highlight on the island, and a big draw for many visitors. The island is small, with a large concentration of tourists, so if you book a boat trip, you'll likely be surrounded by others. This doesn't mean you won't be able to enjoy colorful fish, a magical undersea world, and the occasional sea turtle.

Sado is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Sado or Gili Trawangan Better for Beaches?

Gili Trawangan is an unbeatable place for its beaches. However, Sado is not a beach destination.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Gili Trawangan. The island is filled with white sand beaches, most of which have restaurants and beachside bars nearby. One of the busiest beaches is near the port, but a quieter area is nearby Surf Point. The sunset side of the island is perfect in the evening when the sun starts to dip below the horizon, but the beaches on that side aren't as great as the other side of the island.

Sado is not a beach destination.

Is Sado or Gili Trawangan Better for Hiking?

Sado is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Gili Trawangan is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Sado. There is wonderful hiking on the island. Head to the Osado Mountain Range for wildflowers and spectacular views and scenery.

Gili Trawangan is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sado or Gili Trawangan?

Both Sado and Gili Trawangan are reasonable shopping destinations.

Sado is a good destination for shopping. 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.

If you're looking to go shopping, Gili Trawangan has some nice offerings. You'll find most things you need on the island, but this isn't a place people usually shop for fun.

Is Sado or Gili Trawangan More Beautiful?

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

Gili Trawangan is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Crystal blue waters and white sand beaches make this an idyllic island paradise. The setting is perfect for hanging out by the water and soaking up the island vibe.

Sado is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Sado or Gili Trawangan Better for Families?

Gili Trawangan is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Sado is not as famous, but is still a good island to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Gili Trawangan is a very family-friendly place to visit. There are many kid-friendly activities like snorkeling, kayaking, and biking. There are also glass bottom boat tours and a great laidback island vibe that kids and adults alike will enjoy. Do note that this is one of the more popular islands for backpackers, so there is a big party scene.

Sado is a family-friendly island. 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 Sado or Gili Trawangan Better for Couples?

Gili Trawangan is notable for romance. Also, Sado is not as famous, but is still a good island to visit for its romantic activities.

Gili Trawangan is a very popular place to visit for couples. White sand, blue water, and a true tropical island paradise make this a wonderful honeymoon destination. It's one of the more energetic of the Gili Islands, so if you're looking for a calm retreat, there may be better options, but it still has wonderful resorts and great diving.

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 Sado or Gili Trawangan Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Gili Trawangan 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.

Gili Trawangan is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. It's the most popular of the Gili Islands for backpackers so you'll find tons of hostels and a great nightlife scene. The energy is high and the scenery and idyllic beaches are wonderful.

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

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

Gili Trawangan has a few public transit options. Many tourists enjoy getting around the island by cidomo, which are horse-drawn carts. Otherwise, walking or biking are your best options.

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 Sado or Gili Trawangan a more walkable city?

Gili Trawangan is notable for its walkability. However, Sado is a mediocre island for its high level of walkability.

Gili Trawangan is very walkable. While it's the largest of the Gili Islands, it still small enough to walk around in about two hours and it's relatively easy to explore on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Gili Trawangan or Sado?

How long in Sado or Gili Trawangan?

It's fun to spend time in either Sado or Gili Trawangan. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Gili Trawangan due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Sado, and 2-4 days is enough time in Gili Trawangan.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Gili Trawangan 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 Gili Trawangan.

One day in Sado or Gili Trawangan?

In Sado, you'll find museums and food. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and nightlife when visiting the destination of Gili Trawangan. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Sado or Gili Trawangan?

Sado is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

Gili Trawangan is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It's also a great beach destination, too. 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.

Five days in Sado or Gili Trawangan?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Sado. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. It offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the tropical destination of Gili Trawangan. This island offers something for everyone. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Sado or Gili Trawangan?

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the island of Sado. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Your budget might influence how long you stay. 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.

The tropical island of Gili Trawangan offers scuba diving and snorkeling and nightlife. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Japan, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan, The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Indonesia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sado and Gili Trawangan, we can see that Sado is more expensive. And not only is Gili Trawangan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Gili Trawangan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Gili Trawangan 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 Sado would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sado than you might in Gili Trawangan.

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