A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sapporo vs. Wollongong for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Sapporo or Wollongong?

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 Wollongong 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 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.

Wollongong

Wollongong is a student-friendly, trendy, and vibrant coastal city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Sapporo and Wollongong: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sapporo or Wollongong?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Sapporo than Wollongong. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Sapporo is very popular for its skiing, shopping, and big city activities, while Wollongong attracts visitors for its beaches and hiking. Sapporo is more touristy than Wollongong and is known for its skiing, winter activities, and the yearly Sapporo Snow Festival. It is also well known for Odori Park. Wollongong is famous for its surrounding nature and urban beaches.

How is Sapporo different from Wollongong?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Sapporo or Wollongong Better for Skiing?

Sapporo is great for skiing. However, Wollongong 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.

Wollongong is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Sapporo or Wollongong?

You'll find a number of excellent museums and attractions in both Wollongong and Sapporo.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into 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.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Wollongong. There are several museums like the Wollongong Science Centre and Wollongong Planetarium and the railway museum Trainworks. There's also the Illawarra Museum, which is housed in the former post and telegraph office.

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

Foodies will find both Sapporo and Wollongong both to be excellent destinations.

Sapporo has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Wollongong makes for a great culinary experience. In recent years a younger crowd of entrepreneurs and self-starters has moved into the city, and with them has come a growing food scene. You'll find local cafes, fine dining restaurants, and many great beachfront restaurants where you can dine.

Is Sapporo or Wollongong Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find excellent options in both Sapporo and Wollongong.

The nightlife in Sapporo has something for everybody. 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.

Wollongong offers plenty to do in the evening. The nightlife scene has seen a revitalization in recent years, and in addition to the standard bars and pubs, you'll find local venues that range from quirky to lively.

Is Sapporo or Wollongong Better for Beaches?

Wollongong is a great coastal city for the beach. However, Sapporo is not a beach destination.

The beaches at Wollongong attract visitors from all over. There are urban beaches, as well as more hidden coastal areas that attract locals and visitors alike. In the heart of the city you'll find North Wollongong Beach and Wollongong City Beach, both of which have picnic areas and are popular with locals.

Sapporo is not a beach destination.

Is Sapporo or Wollongong Better for Hiking?

Wollongong is a coastal city with good options for hiking. However, Sapporo is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Wollongong. The surrounding area has many great hikes that can be done as a day trip or even a half day trip. There are waterfalls, city views, and forest walks. Some of the most popular trails include Brokers Nose and Clover Hill Trail.

Sapporo is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sapporo or Wollongong?

Sapporo is great for its shopping areas. Also, Wollongong is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city 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.

Wollongong is a great destination for shopping. The most popular shopping area is Wollongong Central Shopping Centre, which has international brands and all of the big fashion names.

Is Sapporo or Wollongong Better for Families?

Both Sapporo and Wollongong are excellent 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.

Wollongong is a very family-friendly place to visit. The beaches, nearby nature, and ubiquitous bike trails make this a fun coastal city to explore with kids. There are also interactive museums such as Discovery Space and plenty of playgrounds. Kid-friendly surf lessons as well as the Nan Tien Temple make this a fun and fascinating family destination.

Is Sapporo or Wollongong Better for Couples?

Both Sapporo and Wollongong are excellent destinations for a couple's getaway.

Sapporo is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. 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.

Wollongong is a very popular place to visit for couples. The scenic natural areas, including the Grand Pacific Drive or the many bush walks, make this a wonderful couples retreat. There are water sports like surfing as well as horseback riding and even helicopter rides. In the evening, enjoy a nice meal and a sunset view.

Is Sapporo or Wollongong Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sapporo is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Wollongong is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Sapporo. There are a number of hostels around town and many fun activities that backpackers will enjoy.

Wollongong is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a couple of hostels as well as many outdoor areas to explore, so backpackers who want to escape the traditional backpacker scene will appreciate some time here.

Is Sapporo or Wollongong Better for Students?

Sapporo is great for its student-friendly activities. Also, Wollongong is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for 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.

Wollongong is a good city to visit for students. It's not too far from Sydney and has a smaller, more laid back coastal vibe that appeals to many students.

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

Sapporo and Wollongong both offer excellent public transit to get you around.

Sapporo offers a very effecient public transportation network. 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.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Wollongong. There's a free Gong shuttle bus that travels around the city center. It runs a loop from Wollongong Station to Wollongong University in both directions. There are also other bus services in town.

Is Sapporo or Wollongong a more walkable city?

Sapporo and Wollongong are excellent when it comes to 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.

Wollongong is very walkable. There are walking paths in the city center so it's possible to walk to many tourist destinations.

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

Should I spend more time in Wollongong or Sapporo?

How long in Sapporo or Wollongong?

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Sapporo than Wollongong 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 Wollongong?

When visiting Sapporo, people usually allow for lots of time. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Wollongong, you'll find nightlife and food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This coastal city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Sapporo or Wollongong?

When visiting Sapporo, people usually allow for lots of time. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

In Wollongong, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Most people come for the beaches. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Wollongong has to offer.

Five days in Sapporo or Wollongong?

Sapporo, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Wollongong is a great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the 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 Wollongong?

Sapporo is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Wollongong. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Wollongong. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. 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 Family-Friendly Tours to Australia, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Australia.

When comparing the travel costs between Sapporo and Wollongong, we can see that Wollongong 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. Even though Sapporo is in Asia and Wollongong is in Pacific, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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

Which is Bigger, Sapporo or Wollongong?

Sapporo has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Wollongong. When comparing the sizes of Sapporo and Wollongong, 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 Sapporo or Wollongong?

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

Should I visit Sapporo or Wollongong in the Summer?

Both Wollongong and Sapporo are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Sapporo for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Wollongong in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Sapporo is cooler than Wollongong in the summer. The daily temperature in Sapporo averages around 21°C (69°F) in July, and Wollongong fluctuates around 23°C (74°F)in January.

It's quite sunny in Wollongong. Sapporo usually receives less sunshine than Wollongong during summer. Sapporo gets 179 hours of sunny skies, while Wollongong receives 236 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Sapporo usually receives less rain than Wollongongin January. Sapporo gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Wollongong receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Sapporo or Wollongong in the Autumn?

Both Wollongong and Sapporo during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Sapporo in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Furthermore, most visitors come to Wollongong for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Sapporo is much colder than Wollongong. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sapporo in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Wollongong averages at about 18°C (64°F)in April.

In the autumn, Sapporo often gets less sunshine than Wollongongin April. Sapporo gets 156 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wollongong receives 195 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sapporo. Sapporo usually gets more rain in October than Wollongongin April. Sapporo gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Wollongong receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sapporo or Wollongong in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Sapporo and Wollongong. Most visitors come to Sapporo for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Wollongong because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Sapporo can be very cold during winter. In January, Sapporo is generally much colder than Wollongongin July. Daily temperatures in Sapporo average around -5°C (24°F), and Wollongong fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Wollongong this time of the year. Sapporo usually receives less sunshine than Wollongong during winter. Sapporo gets 99 hours of sunny skies, while Wollongong receives 208 hours of full sun in the winter.

Sapporo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Sapporo usually receives more rain than Wollongongin July. Sapporo gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Wollongong receives 47 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Sapporo or Wollongong in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Sapporo as well as Wollongong. The spring months attract visitors to Sapporo because of the activities around the city. Additionally, the beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Wollongong this time of year.

Sapporo is much colder than Wollongong in the spring. The daily temperature in Sapporo averages around 7°C (44°F) in April, and Wollongong fluctuates around 17°C (63°F)in October.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Wollongong. In the spring, Sapporo often gets less sunshine than Wollongongin October. Sapporo gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wollongong receives 240 hours of full sun.

Sapporo usually gets less rain in April than Wollongongin October. Sapporo gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Wollongong receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Wollongong and Sapporo