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

Should you visit Similan Islands or Sapporo?

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 Sapporo 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 idyllic, remote, and spectacular island chain. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the hiking, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Sapporo

Sapporo is a snowy, vibrant, and laid-back city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. Visitors also love the skiing, nightlife, and food.

Similan Islands and Sapporo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Similan Islands or Sapporo?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Sapporo. Although Similan Islands and Sapporo are both popular with visitors, Sapporo has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Sapporo is more popular for its skiing, museums, food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Similan Islands is known for its scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Sapporo is more touristy than Similan Islands and is known for its skiing, winter activities, and the yearly Sapporo Snow Festival. It is also home to Odori Park. Similan Islands is popular for its world class diving and remote setting.

How is Similan Islands different from Sapporo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Similan Islands or Sapporo Better for Skiing?

Sapporo is an excellent place to visit for skiing and snowboarding. However, Similan Islands is not a skiing destination.

Visitors travel far to experience snow skiing in Sapporo. 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.

Similan Islands is not a skiing destination.

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

Sapporo 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 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.

Similan Islands does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Sapporo 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.

Sapporo has a huge number of terrific 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.

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 Sapporo Better for Nightlife?

Sapporo is an excellent place to visit for nightlife and partying. However, Similan Islands is lacking in options for its evening party scene.

Sapporo has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. 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.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Similan Islands. Peace and tranquility is what makes these islands special, and you'll find very limited amenities and no nightlife on the islands.

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

Similan Islands is a world-class destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Sapporo is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Similan Islands is a world class destination for scuba diving and snorkeling. 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.

Sapporo is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Similan Islands or Sapporo Better for Beaches?

Similan Islands is a world-class destination for the beach. However, Sapporo is not a beach destination.

Similan Islands is considered to be a world-class beach destination. 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.

Sapporo is not a beach destination.

Is Similan Islands or Sapporo Better for Hiking?

Similan Islands is a island chain with good options for hiking. However, Sapporo is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Similan Islands. There are hikes through the jungle and to various viewpoints on several of the islands.

Sapporo is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Similan Islands or Sapporo?

Sapporo is an excellent place to visit for its shopping opportunities. However, Similan Islands is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Sapporo is well-known for its shopping. 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.

Similan Islands is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Similan Islands or Sapporo Better for Families?

Sapporo is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Similan Islands is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Sapporo is very family-friendly. 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Similan Islands. It's a remote setting, but it's spectacularly beautiful with great snorkeling and sandy beaches that kids and adults alike will enjoy.

Is Similan Islands or Sapporo Better for Couples?

Similan Islands is a world-class destination for couples. Also, Sapporo is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Similan Islands is a great island chain for couples, as it has plenty to offer. 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.

Sapporo is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

Is Similan Islands or Sapporo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sapporo is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Similan Islands is lacking in options for backpackers.

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

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 Sapporo Better for Students?

Sapporo is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Similan Islands is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in Sapporo. The city is welcoming to international students and many people enjoy studying at Sapporo International University.

Similan Islands is not popular with students.

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

Sapporo is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Similan Islands is lacking in options for its public transit.

Public transit in Sapporo can get you to some places easily. 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 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.

Is Similan Islands or Sapporo a more walkable city?

Sapporo is an excellent place to visit for its high level of walkability. Also, Similan Islands is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

Sapporo is a very walkable city. 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.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Sapporo or Similan Islands?

How long in Similan Islands or Sapporo?

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

Families should spend more time in Sapporo than Similan Islands. 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.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Sapporo 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 Sapporo.

One day in Similan Islands or Sapporo?

In Similan Islands, you'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This island chain offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Sapporo is a big city with plenty to do. 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 Sapporo?

In Similan Islands, you'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Most people come for the beaches. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Sapporo is a big city with plenty to do. 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 Sapporo?

Similan Islands is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Similan Islands has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Sapporo is a great place to explore. This city offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Similan Islands or Sapporo?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Similan Islands. In Similan Islands, you'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and food. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

Many people enjoy the museums and skiing when visiting Sapporo. 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 Coach Bus Tours in Japan, and The Best Adventure Tours to Japan.

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

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 Sapporo Expensive?.

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

Sapporo 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 Sapporo in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Similan Islands and Sapporo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Similan Islands year-round. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Sapporo this time of year.

In the summer, Similan Islands is a little warmer than Sapporo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Similan Islands in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Sapporo averages at about 21°C (69°F).

In Similan Islands, it's very sunny this time of the year. Similan Islands usually receives more sunshine than Sapporo during summer. Similan Islands gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Sapporo receives 179 hours of full sun in the summer.

Similan Islands gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Similan Islands usually receives more rain than Sapporo. Similan Islands gets 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the summer. Also, June to September is the rainy season in Similan Islands.

Should I visit Similan Islands or Sapporo in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Similan Islands as well as Sapporo. Similan Islands attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Sapporo for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Similan Islands is generally much warmer than Sapporo. Daily temperatures in Similan Islands average around 27°C (81°F), and Sapporo fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In the autumn, Similan Islands often gets more sunshine than Sapporo. Similan Islands gets 181 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sapporo receives 156 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Sapporo. Similan Islands receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Similan Islands usually gets more rain in October than Sapporo. Similan Islands gets 351 mm (13.8 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, October to May in Similan Islands is the dry season.

Should I visit Similan Islands or Sapporo in the Winter?

Both Sapporo and Similan Islands are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Similan Islands throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Sapporo in the winter for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Sapporo can get quite cold in the winter. Similan Islands is much warmer than Sapporo in the winter. The daily temperature in Similan Islands averages around 27°C (80°F) in January, and Sapporo fluctuates around -5°C (24°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Similan Islands. Similan Islands usually receives more sunshine than Sapporo during winter. Similan Islands gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Sapporo receives 99 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sapporo. In January, Similan Islands usually receives less rain than Sapporo. Similan Islands gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Similan Islands or Sapporo in the Spring?

Both Sapporo and Similan Islands during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Similan Islands because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, most visitors come to Sapporo for the activities around the city during these months.

In the spring, Similan Islands is much warmer than Sapporo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Similan Islands in April average around 29°C (83°F), and Sapporo averages at about 7°C (44°F).

It's quite sunny in Similan Islands. In the spring, Similan Islands often gets more sunshine than Sapporo. Similan Islands gets 249 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sapporo receives 183 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Similan Islands. Similan Islands usually gets more rain in April than Sapporo. Similan Islands gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year. October to May is the dry season in Similan Islands. June to September is the rainy season in Similan Islands.

Typical Weather for Sapporo and Similan Islands