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

Should you visit Sukhothai or Sapporo?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Sukhothai and Sapporo can help you decide which place is right for you.

Sukhothai

Sukhothai is a world class, historical, and cultural city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Sapporo

Sapporo is a snowy, vibrant, and laid-back city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. Other reasons to visit include shopping, museums, and skiing.

Sukhothai and Sapporo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sukhothai or Sapporo?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Sapporo than Sukhothai, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Sapporo is better known for its skiing, nightlife, and big city activities, while Sukhothai is more popular for its historical sights. Sapporo is more touristy than Sukhothai and is known for its skiing, winter activities, and the yearly Sapporo Snow Festival. Also, Sapporo is famous for Odori Park. Sukhothai is well known for its world class historical ruins and its history as the first capital of Siam.

How is Sukhothai different from Sapporo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Sukhothai or Sapporo Better for Skiing?

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

Sapporo offers world-class skiing that is fun for everyone. 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.

Sukhothai is not a skiing destination.

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

Spend time exploring the superb sights and museums in either Sukhothai or Sapporo.

Many visitors head to Sukhothai specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Although many visitors overlook Sukhothai, the Sukhothai Historical Park is one of the area's most impressive historical and cultural sights. There are countless historical landmarks both within the old walled city and in the surrounding area.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Sapporo can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Sukhothai and Sapporo can be difficult as they are each superb in their own way.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Sukhothai. Tourists visit specifically to try the area's famed spicy noodle dish - kuaytiaw Sukhothai. The city is filled with a range of dining options, from noodle joints to Thai eateries, as well as tourist-friendly restaurants.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Sapporo. 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.

Is Sukhothai or Sapporo Better for Nightlife?

Sapporo is an excellent place to visit for nightlife. Also, Sukhothai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

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.

Sukhothai has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. This is more of a historical area than a nightlife destination, but you'll find tourist-oriented bars where you can grab a cold beer, or local cafes with live music.

Is Sukhothai or Sapporo Better for its Old Town?

Sukhothai is a great city for its historic old town charm. However, Sapporo does not have a historic old town.

Sukhothai is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The Sukhothai Historical Park is an impressive World Heritage Site. There are 21 historical sites and four large ponds within the old walls. Outside of the walls there are another 70 sites within a 5 kilometer radius.

Sapporo does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Sukhothai or Sapporo?

Shoppers can find a variety of superb stores in both Sukhothai and Sapporo.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Sukhothai. There are a number of markets and handicraft studios nearby. Check out Tra Phang Thong Market for local foods and products or Suntree Thai Weaving for handwoven items. There's also Suthep Sangkalok where you'll find traditional ceramics.

Sapporo is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Is Sukhothai or Sapporo Better for Families?

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

Sapporo is a very family-friendly destination. 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 Sukhothai. Kids and adults alike will enjoy exploring Sukhothai Historical Park and other nearby temples. The less touristy side of this area makes it great for families who need a break from Thailand's tourist crowds. It's also a fun place to explore by bike.

Is Sukhothai or Sapporo Better for Couples?

Sapporo is an excellent place to visit for romance. Also, Sukhothai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Sapporo makes for a fun place to visit for 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.

Sukhothai makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. For couples who want to get away from the tourist crowds, this cultural and historical area is filled with temples and interesting sights.

Is Sukhothai or Sapporo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sapporo is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Sukhothai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Sapporo is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There are a number of hostels around town and many fun activities that backpackers will enjoy.

It's common for backpackers to visit Sukhothai. For many backpackers, its not part of the typical Southeast Asian tourist trail, but for some, that is the appeal.

Is Sukhothai or Sapporo Better for Students?

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

Sapporo is very popular with students. The city is welcoming to international students and many people enjoy studying at Sapporo International University.

Sukhothai is not popular with students.

Is Sukhothai 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. Also, Sukhothai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Visitors to Sapporo can move around easily with public transportation. 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.

You'll find some public transit in Sukhothai, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are tuk tuks and local shuttle buses around the town.

Is Sukhothai or Sapporo a more walkable city?

Sapporo is an excellent place to visit for its walkability. However, Sukhothai is lacking in options for its high level of walkability.

Sapporo is very walkable. 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.

Sukhothai is generally not very walkable. This isn't the most walkable area, and the historical sites are spread out so you'll really need a bike, motorbike, or some other form of transportation to get around.

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

Should I spend more time in Sapporo or Sukhothai?

How long in Sukhothai or Sapporo?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Sukhothai and Sapporo. In our opinion, Sapporo has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Sapporo than Sukhothai. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

In Sukhothai, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

People visit Sapporo because there is so much to do. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Sukhothai or Sapporo?

In Sukhothai, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Sukhothai has to offer.

People visit Sapporo because there is so much to do. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Sukhothai or Sapporo?

Sukhothai is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the park-filled city of Sapporo. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Sukhothai or Sapporo?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Sukhothai. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Sukhothai. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Sapporo is a popular choice for travelers. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Thailand, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Thailand, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Japan, and The Best Adventure Tours to Japan.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Sukhothai or Sapporo?

Sapporo has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Sukhothai. When comparing the sizes of Sukhothai and Sapporo, 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 Sukhothai or Sapporo?

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

Should I visit Sukhothai or Sapporo in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Sukhothai and Sapporo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Sukhothai year-round. Also, many visitors come to Sapporo in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Sukhothai is generally a little warmer than Sapporo. Daily temperatures in Sukhothai average around 29°C (84°F), and Sapporo fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).

Sukhothai usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Sapporo during summer. Sukhothai gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Sapporo receives 179 hours of full sun in the summer.

Sukhothai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Sukhothai usually receives more rain than Sapporo. Sukhothai gets 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Sukhothai or Sapporo in the Autumn?

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

Sukhothai is much warmer than Sapporo in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sukhothai averages around 28°C (83°F) in October, and Sapporo fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sukhothai this time of the year. In the autumn, Sukhothai often gets more sunshine than Sapporo. Sukhothai gets 229 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sapporo receives 156 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Sapporo. Sukhothai receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Sukhothai usually gets more rain in October than Sapporo. Sukhothai gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, October to April in Sukhothai is the dry season. May to October in Sukhothai is the rainy season.

Should I visit Sukhothai or Sapporo in the Winter?

Both Sapporo and Sukhothai are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Sukhothai throughout the year. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Sapporo because of the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Sapporo can be very cold. In the winter, Sukhothai is much warmer than Sapporo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sukhothai in January average around 25°C (77°F), and Sapporo averages at about -5°C (24°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sukhothai. Sukhothai usually receives more sunshine than Sapporo during winter. Sukhothai gets 266 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, Sukhothai usually receives less rain than Sapporo. Sukhothai gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Sukhothai or Sapporo in the Spring?

Both Sapporo and Sukhothai during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Sukhothai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the activities around the city are the main draw to Sapporo this time of year.

Sukhothai can become quite hot in the spring. In April, Sukhothai is generally much warmer than Sapporo. Daily temperatures in Sukhothai average around 32°C (89°F), and Sapporo fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

It's quite sunny in Sukhothai. In the spring, Sukhothai often gets more sunshine than Sapporo. Sukhothai gets 279 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sapporo receives 183 hours of full sun.

Sukhothai usually gets less rain in April than Sapporo. Sukhothai gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year. October to April is the dry season in Sukhothai. May to October is the rainy season in Sukhothai.

Typical Weather for Sapporo and Sukhothai