A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Similan Islands vs. Sado for Couples, Food, Hiking, and Families

Should you visit Similan Islands 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 Similan Islands 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.

Similan Islands

Similan Islands is a remote, spectacular, and idyllic island chain. You'll find world class beauty in Similan Islands as well. It's also known for food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches. See Similan Islands travel costs.

Sado

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

Similan Islands and Sado: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Similan Islands or Sado?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Similan Islands. Although Similan Islands and Sado are popular destinations, Similan Islands has more sights and attractions for tourists. Similan Islands is very popular for its scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty, while Sado attracts visitors for its museums and attractions, food, hiking, and shopping. Sado is more touristy than Similan Islands and is popular for its beautiful scenery, traditional culture, and population of endangered crested ibis. Similan Islands is famous for its world class diving and remote setting. It is also well known for the undersea world.

How is Similan Islands different from Sado?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Similan Islands or Sado?

Sado is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Similan Islands does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Similan Islands does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Sado is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. Also, Similan Islands is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Sado has a huge number of terrific restaurants. You'll find great seafood including crab, tuna, and prawns. There are also fresh vegetables, rice, and other typical Japanese ingredients in the area.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Similan Islands area. Most people visit the islands as part of an organized tour, which usually provides meals as part of the package.

Is Similan Islands or Sado Better for Nightlife?

Neither Similan Islands or Sado offer decent nightlife.

Similan Islands doesn't offer many options. Peace and tranquility is what makes these islands special, and you'll find very limited amenities and no nightlife on the islands.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Sado. This is a quiet island and doesn't have much in the form of nightlife.

Is Similan Islands or Sado Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Similan Islands 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 Similan Islands a world-class scuba diving and snorkeling destination. These islands offer one of the world's most famous and impressive diving spots. World class divers travel great distances to experience the undersea world here. There are liveaboard boat trips that range in length from 4 to 6 nights and leave from either Khao Lak or Phuket. These trips will take you to the many great dive spots in the area. Do take note that the islands close every year from May until October.

Sado is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Similan Islands or Sado Better for Beaches?

Similan Islands 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 Similan Islands. The world class beaches have white sand and stunningly blue waters. The setting is challenging enough to reach that you'll likely have few people to share the beaches with. The undersea world is also among the best and most vibrant around.

Sado is not a beach destination.

Is Similan Islands or Sado Better for Hiking?

Sado is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. Also, Similan Islands is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

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.

Similan Islands offers some nice hiking trails. There are hikes through the jungle and to various viewpoints on several of the islands.

Is the Shopping Better in Similan Islands or Sado?

Sado is a decent place to visit for its shopping opportunities. However, Similan Islands is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Similan Islands is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Similan Islands or Sado More Beautiful?

Similan Islands is an unbeatable place for its scenery and beauty. However, Sado is not a destination known for its beauty.

You'll find world class beauty in Similan Islands as well. The remote setting makes this one of the few truly pristine places left to explore. In addition to the white sand and blue water, the undersea world here is spectacular.

Sado is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Similan Islands or Sado Better for Families?

Both Similan Islands and Sado are nice to visit with kids.

Similan Islands is a family-friendly island chain. It's a remote setting, but it's spectacularly beautiful with great snorkeling and sandy beaches that kids and adults alike will enjoy.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Sado. 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 Similan Islands or Sado Better for Couples?

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

Similan Islands makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. Couples who want to escape the tourist crowds will appreciate this remote and beautiful beach setting. The blue water and sandy beaches make for a true paradise.

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 Similan Islands or Sado Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sado is a island with good options for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Similan Islands is lacking in options for backpackers.

Sado is a good island to visit for backpackers. There are a couple of hostels as well as guesthouses that backpackers can stay at while they're in town.

Similan Islands is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's remote setting makes it challenging to reach on a budget, but if you're willing to devote a day or more to travel, then you'll be well rewarded.

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

Similan Islands is a moderate island chain for its public transit. However, Sado is a mediocre island for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit is generally limited in Similan Islands. The national park operates boats between the islands. You can also charter private longtail boats, however these must be secured in advance and availability is not guaranteed.

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 Similan Islands or Sado a more walkable city?

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

Similan Islands is somewhat walkable. There are footpaths that connect the points of interest on some of the islands.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Sado or Similan Islands?

How long in Similan Islands or Sado?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Similan Islands and Sado. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Similan Islands than in Sado. Usually, 4-7 days is a good amount of time for Similan Islands, and 2-3 days is enough time in Sado.

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

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

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

One day in Similan Islands or Sado?

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and food when visiting the destination of Similan Islands. 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.

The cultural destination of Sado offers food and museums. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Similan Islands or Sado?

Similan Islands is a fun place to experience. It's also a great beach destination, too. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

The island of Sado offers museums and food. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

Five days in Similan Islands or Sado?

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and food when visiting the spectacular destination of Similan Islands. This island chain offers something for everyone. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

Sado is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. This island offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Similan Islands or Sado?

Visitors enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the idyllic island chain of Similan Islands. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Many people spend one week here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Sado. Hikers are also drawn to this area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bangkok, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Phuket, The Best Adventure Tours to Japan, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Similan Islands and Sado, we can see that Similan Islands is more expensive. And not only is Sado much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Similan Islands would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Similan Islands 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 Similan Islands Expensive? and Is Sado Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Similan Islands or Sado?

Sado has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Similan Islands experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Similan Islands or Sado in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Similan Islands as well as Sado. Similan Islands attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to Sado in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Similan Islands is generally a little warmer than Sado. Daily temperatures in Similan Islands average around 28°C (82°F), and Sado fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Similan Islands this time of the year. In the summer, Similan Islands often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Sado. Similan Islands gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sado receives 198 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Sado. Similan Islands receives a lot of rain in the summer. Similan Islands usually gets more rain in July than Sado. Similan Islands gets 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain, while Sado receives 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain this time of the year. June to September in Similan Islands is the rainy season.

Should I visit Similan Islands or Sado in the Autumn?

Both Sado and Similan Islands are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Similan Islands throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Sado for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.

Similan Islands is much warmer than Sado in the autumn. The daily temperature in Similan Islands averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Sado fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

Similan Islands usually receives more sunshine than Sado during autumn. Similan Islands gets 181 hours of sunny skies, while Sado receives 155 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sado. It's quite rainy in Similan Islands. In October, Similan Islands usually receives more rain than Sado. Similan Islands gets 351 mm (13.8 in) of rain, while Sado receives 127 mm (5 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Similan Islands is October to May.

Should I visit Similan Islands or Sado in the Winter?

Both Sado and Similan Islands during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Similan Islands because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. 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. In the winter, Similan Islands is much warmer than Sado. Typically, the winter temperatures in Similan Islands in January average around 27°C (80°F), and Sado averages at about 3°C (37°F).

It's quite sunny in Similan Islands. In the winter, Similan Islands often gets more sunshine than Sado. Similan Islands gets 287 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sado receives 65 hours of full sun.

Sado gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Similan Islands usually gets less rain in January than Sado. Similan Islands gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Sado receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Similan Islands or Sado in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Similan Islands and Sado. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Similan Islands year-round.

In April, Similan Islands is generally much warmer than Sado. Daily temperatures in Similan Islands average around 29°C (83°F), and Sado fluctuates around 10°C (51°F).

In Similan Islands, it's very sunny this time of the year. Similan Islands usually receives more sunshine than Sado during spring. Similan Islands gets 249 hours of sunny skies, while Sado receives 194 hours of full sun in the spring.

Sado receives a lot of rain in the spring. Similan Islands gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Similan Islands usually receives more rain than Sado. Similan Islands gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Sado receives 102 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the spring. October to May in Similan Islands is the dry season. Also, June to September is the rainy season in Similan Islands.

Typical Weather for Sado and Similan Islands