A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sapporo vs. Lake Tekapo for Food, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Sapporo or Lake Tekapo?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Sapporo and Lake Tekapo 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.

Sapporo

Sapporo is a vibrant, laid-back, and park-filled city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo is a remote, basic, and small town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the hiking.

Sapporo and Lake Tekapo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sapporo or Lake Tekapo?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Sapporo. Although Sapporo and Lake Tekapo are popular destinations, Sapporo has more sights and attractions for tourists. Sapporo is very popular for its skiing, museums, food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Lake Tekapo attracts visitors for its hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Sapporo is more touristy than Lake Tekapo and is popular for its skiing, winter activities, and the yearly Sapporo Snow Festival. It is also well known for Odori Park. Lake Tekapo is famous for its hot springs, remote location, and beautiful night sky.

How is Sapporo different from Lake Tekapo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Sapporo or Lake Tekapo Better for Skiing?

Sapporo is a great destination for winter skiing. However, Lake Tekapo is not a skiing destination.

Sapporo is a well-known ski destination which attracts visitors from far and wide. 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.

Lake Tekapo is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Sapporo or Lake Tekapo?

Sapporo is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Lake Tekapo does not have museums and landmarks.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Sapporo. 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.

Lake Tekapo does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Sapporo or Lake Tekapo? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Sapporo is a great destination for its restaurant scene. However, Lake Tekapo is a town with minimal options for its local flavors and cuisine.

Dining out in Sapporo is an experience not to be missed. 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.

Lake Tekapo offers some easy restaurants to choose from. The town is very small with just a couple of restaurants and fast food joints.

Is Sapporo or Lake Tekapo Better for Nightlife?

Sapporo is a great destination for its evening party scene. However, Lake Tekapo is a town with minimal options for nightlife.

The people in Sapporo know how to have a good time. 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.

The nightlife scene is quiet in Lake Tekapo This is a very small town and there isn't a real nightlife scene. The night sky is incredible though, and you should absolutely do some stargazing.

Is Sapporo or Lake Tekapo Better for Hiking?

Lake Tekapo is a great town for hiking. However, Sapporo is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Lake Tekapo for the hiking trails. There are many beautiful hikes in the area with some of the most popular being the Mount John Summit Track, the Richmond Trail, and Cowan's Hill Walkway.

Sapporo is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sapporo or Lake Tekapo?

Sapporo is a great destination for its shopping areas. However, Lake Tekapo is a town with minimal options for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity 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.

Shopping in Lake Tekapo can be found for those interested. There are a couple of shops where you can pick up basic necessities.

Is Sapporo or Lake Tekapo Better for Families?

Both Sapporo and Lake Tekapo are very good to visit with kids.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Sapporo. 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.

Lake Tekapo is a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy a visit to Tekapo Springs, which is particularly fun in the winter months. There's snow tubing, ice skating, and, of course, the hot pools. There are also short hikes in the area like the Mount John Summit Walk. Biking, paddleboarding, and kayaking are also popular in the area.

Is Sapporo or Lake Tekapo Better for Couples?

Sapporo is a great destination for couples. Also, Lake Tekapo is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Couples visit Sapporo frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

Lake Tekapo is a nice destination for couples. Couples will enjoy the stunning scenery, beautiful hikes, and the romantic hot springs. Stargazing is another popular activity in the area.

Is Sapporo or Lake Tekapo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sapporo is a great destination for backpackers. Also, Lake Tekapo is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Sapporo is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. There are a number of hostels around town and many fun activities that backpackers will enjoy.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Lake Tekapo. It's a small town with a couple of cheap places to stay that backpackers will appreciate.

Is Sapporo or Lake Tekapo Better for Students?

Sapporo is a great destination for students. However, Lake Tekapo is not popular with students.

Many students visit Sapporo. The city is welcoming to international students and many people enjoy studying at Sapporo International University.

Lake Tekapo is not popular with students.

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

Sapporo is a great destination for its public transit. However, Lake Tekapo is a town with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Sapporo. 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.

Public transit is quite limited in Lake Tekapo. Public transportation in the area is very limited. If you don't have a car, you'll want to arrange tours to get out and about.

Is Sapporo or Lake Tekapo a more walkable city?

Sapporo is a great destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Lake Tekapo is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Lake Tekapo is somewhat walkable. The town is small enough to get around on foot, and you can hire a tour to get out into the region.

For even more information, also check out Is Sapporo Worth Visiting? and Is Lake Tekapo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Lake Tekapo or Sapporo?

How long in Sapporo or Lake Tekapo?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Sapporo or Lake Tekapo to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Sapporo than Lake Tekapo because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Sapporo, and 1-2 days is enough time in Lake Tekapo.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Sapporo than Lake Tekapo 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 Sapporo or Lake Tekapo?

Sapporo is a snowy city where you can fill many days. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

In Lake Tekapo, you'll find . Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Sapporo or Lake Tekapo?

Sapporo is a laid-back big city where you can fill many days. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

In Lake Tekapo, you'll find . 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 Lake Tekapo has to offer.

Five days in Sapporo or Lake Tekapo?

The vibrant city of Sapporo offers museums and skiing. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

Lake Tekapo 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 Sapporo or Lake Tekapo?

Many people enjoy the skiing and nightlife when visiting Sapporo. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Lake Tekapo. Many people enjoy the when visiting Lake Tekapo. 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 Coach Bus Tours in Japan, The Best Adventure Tours to Japan, The Best Tours for Seniors to New Zealand, and The Best Contiki Tours to New Zealand.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sapporo and Lake Tekapo, we can see that Sapporo is more expensive. And not only is Lake Tekapo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Sapporo is in Asia and Lake Tekapo is in Pacific, 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 Lake Tekapo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lake Tekapo 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 Lake Tekapo.

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

Which is Bigger, Sapporo or Lake Tekapo?

Sapporo has a larger population, and is about 5710 times larger than the population of Lake Tekapo. When comparing the sizes of Sapporo and Lake Tekapo, 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.