A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sydney vs. Sado for Attractions, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Sydney or Sado?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sydney or Sado, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Sydney

Sydney is a outdoorsy, adventurous, and glamorous city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. Sydney is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking. See Sydney travel costs.

Sado

Sado is a off-the-beaten-path, traditional, and cultural island. Other popular activities here include museums, food, and hiking. See Sado travel costs.

Sydney and Sado: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sydney or Sado?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Sydney than Sado, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Sydney is more touristy than Sado and is known for its iconic buildings, world-renowned beaches, colorful nightlife, and cosmopolitan restaurants. Also, Sydney is famous for the Sydney Opera House. Sado is well known for its beautiful scenery, traditional culture, and population of endangered crested ibis.

How is Sydney different from Sado?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Sydney or Sado?

Sydney is an unbeatable place for its sights and museums. Also, Sado is not as famous, but is still a good island to visit for its museums and history.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Sydney that are not to be missed. The city is filled with iconic and world famous landmarks such as the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. There's also the famous Royal Botanic Garden and the Sydney Tower Eye.

Many visitors head to Sado specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Sydney and Sado can be an enjoyable experience.

Dining out in Sydney is an experience not to be missed. There are international restaurants offering impressive dishes from around the world. You'll also find some local Australian favorites around town. Seafood is abundant, as are a number of Asian cuisines. Barramundi is a local fish that you'll find on many menus. Oysters, prawns, and John Dory (a local fish) are also popular.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Sado. You'll find great seafood including crab, tuna, and prawns. There are also fresh vegetables, rice, and other typical Japanese ingredients in the area.

Is Sydney or Sado Better for Nightlife?

Sydney is an unbeatable place for nightlife. However, Sado is a mediocre island for nightlife and partying.

The nightlife in Sydney is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. The city is filled with nightclubs and DJ hosted dance parties. There's a huge young crowd that brings together residents, students, and backpackers in a vibrant nightlife scene. Some of the best areas for nightlife are Kings Cross, Oxford Street, Surry Hills or Darling Harbour.

Sado doesn't offer many options. This is a quiet island and doesn't have much in the form of nightlife.

Is Sydney or Sado Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Sydney is a popular place for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Sado is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Sydney has a few good snorkeling spots. There's some good snorkeling and diving nearby with a diversity of marine life and interesting ecosystems. Some of the best snorkeling spots are at Palm Beach, Shelly Beach, and Clifton Gardens.

Sado is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Sydney or Sado Better for Beaches?

Sydney 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 Sydney. There are more than 100 beaches near the city with everything from hidden coves to world famous destinations. Bondi Beach is the most famous beach in town and it has all of the tourist sights and activities that you could need. Surfers often head to Bronte Beach, which isn't too far away. Divers and snorkelers love Gordons Bay. Manly is also a nearby suburb with family-friendly beaches that can be reached by ferry.

Sado is not a beach destination.

Is Sydney or Sado Better for Hiking?

Sydney and Sado are both places where visitors can find very good hiking trails.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Sydney. The city offers a number of coastal and inland trails that are easily accessible from town. There are short paths as well as multi-day routes not far and pass by stunning landscapes and viewpoints.

Many visitors go to Sado for the hiking trails. There is wonderful hiking on the island. Head to the Osado Mountain Range for wildflowers and spectacular views and scenery.

Is the Shopping Better in Sydney or Sado?

Sydney is an unbeatable place for shopping. However, Sado is a mediocre island for its shopping opportunities.

Sydney is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. There's a wonderful mix of shopping streets, modern malls, and boutique vendors who sell local fashions. For souvenirs or local art, go to The Rocks, which is not far from Sydney Opera House. The Queen Victoria Building and Strand Arcade are also popular shopping areas.

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.

Is Sydney or Sado More Beautiful?

Sydney is notable for its scenery and beauty. However, Sado is not a destination known for its beauty.

Sydney is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. The waterfront setting and grand buildings make this a truly beautiful city. It also has a lot of natural beauty with impressive beaches and nice green spaces.

Sado is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Sydney or Sado Better for Families?

Sydney is an unbeatable place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Sado is not as famous, but is still a good island to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Sydney is a very family-friendly destination. The city has great beaches where kids can learn to surf, zoos and aquariums with local wildlife, and outdoor activities that take advantage of the city's waterfront location. There's everything from whale watching to visiting the Olympic Park, all of which will fascinate kids of all ages.

Sado is a family-friendly city. 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 Sydney or Sado Better for Couples?

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

Sydney makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. It's a romantic city that's filled with iconic landmarks like the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House. There are also award winning restaurants and world class beaches. Wander around the botanical gardens or take a sailing cruise on the harbor. There is an endless supply of romantic activities to choose from.

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 Sydney or Sado Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sydney is an unbeatable place for backpackers. Also, Sado is not as famous, but is still a good island to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Sydney is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. It's popular for its adventure sports, active beaches, and vibrant nightlife. While it's not a particularly cheap city to visit, there are plenty of hostels around town and no shortage of backpackers to hang out with.

Sado is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a couple of hostels as well as guesthouses that backpackers can stay at while they're in town.

Is Sydney or Sado Better for Students?

Sydney is an unbeatable place for students. However, Sado is not popular with students.

Many students frequent Sydney. Students love the energy and plethora of outdoor activities in this beautiful city. Many international students come not only for the excellent universities but also for the diverse environment and many things to do.

Sado is not popular with students.

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

Sydney is an unbeatable place for its public transit. However, Sado is a mediocre island for times when you don't have a car.

Visitors in Sydney can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. There are a variety of types of public transit in town including buses, trains, ferries and light rail.

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 Sydney or Sado a more walkable city?

Sydney is notable for its walkability. However, Sado is a mediocre island for its high level of walkability.

Sydney is very walkable. The city center and nearby suburbs are relatively easy to walk around. On the western side of the city, the suburbs are much less walkable.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Sado or Sydney?

How long in Sydney or Sado?

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

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

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

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

One day in Sydney or Sado?

Sydney is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Sado. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Sydney or Sado?

Sydney 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.

Sado is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Sydney or Sado?

Sydney is a glamorous big city where you can fill many days. This city offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Sado. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Sydney or Sado?

Sydney is a diverse city where you can fill many days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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.

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the off-the-beaten-path destination of Sado. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to Australia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Australia, The Best Adventure Tours to Japan, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan.

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

When is the best time to visit Sydney or Sado?

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

Should I visit Sydney or Sado in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Sydney and Sado. Many visitors come to Sydney in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Sado for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Sydney is around the same temperature as Sado. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sydney in January average around 23°C (73°F), and Sado averages at about 23°C (74°F)in July.

In Sydney, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sydney usually receives more sunshine than Sado during summer. Sydney gets 236 hours of sunny skies, while Sado receives 198 hours of full sun in the summer.

Sado receives a lot of rain in the summer. Sydney gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Sydney usually receives less rain than Sadoin July. Sydney gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Sado receives 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Sydney or Sado in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Sydney as well as Sado. Most visitors come to Sydney for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Sado because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In April, Sydney is generally a little warmer than Sadoin October. Daily temperatures in Sydney average around 19°C (65°F), and Sado fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

In the autumn, Sydney often gets more sunshine than Sadoin October. Sydney gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sado receives 155 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Sado. Sydney receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Sydney usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Sadoin October. Sydney gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Sado receives 127 mm (5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sydney or Sado in the Winter?

Both Sado and Sydney are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Sydney because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Sado this time of year.

It's quite cold in Sado in the winter. Sydney is much warmer than Sado in the winter. The daily temperature in Sydney averages around 12°C (53°F) in July, and Sado fluctuates around 3°C (37°F)in January.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sydney. Sydney usually receives more sunshine than Sado during winter. Sydney gets 208 hours of sunny skies, while Sado receives 65 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sado. In July, Sydney usually receives less rain than Sadoin January. Sydney gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Sado receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Sydney or Sado in the Spring?

Both Sado and Sydney during the spring are popular places to visit. The beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Sydney this time of year.

In the spring, Sydney is much warmer than Sado. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sydney in October average around 18°C (64°F), and Sado averages at about 10°C (51°F)in April.

It's quite sunny in Sydney. In the spring, Sydney often gets more sunshine than Sadoin April. Sydney gets 240 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sado receives 194 hours of full sun.

Sado gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Sydney usually gets less rain in October than Sadoin April. Sydney gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Sado receives 102 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Sado and Sydney