Which place is cheaper, Sado or Xiamen?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Xiamen 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 Xiamen 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.
Where Should I go: Xiamen or Sado?
Xiamen
Xiamen is a coastal city in the Fujian Province of China and has been a major port city and gateway to China for centuries. This vibrant and modern city was named the most livable city in the world in 2002 and one of the first cities to be named a Special Economic Zone. Xiamen is best known for being home to Gulangyu Island, a beautiful island full of historic colonial buildings and lovely walking paths.
Sado
Sado Island, Japan is located just off the coast of Niigata and is an old gold mining town that has since developed into a quiet summer holiday destination. The island is home to two mountain ranges, O-Sado in the north and Ko-sado in the south, with the popular Kuninaka plain in between the mountain ranges. With the remoteness of the island, it has become a popular destination for tourists to experience old Japan and get away from the busy mainland.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, The Best Historical Tours in China, The Best Adventure Tours to Japan, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayXiamen $64Sado $62
The average daily cost (per person) in Xiamen is $64, while the average daily cost in Sado is $62. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Xiamen and Sado in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personXiamen $30Sado $30
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomXiamen $60Sado $60
Compare Hotels in Xiamen and Sado
Looking for a hotel in Xiamen or Sado? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Sado Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Xiamen $5.98Sado $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Xiamen
Also for Xiamen, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Arrival Transfer from Gaoqi Airport to Xiamen City Hotel: $10
- Private Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport Transfers in Xiamen City: $12
- Xiamen North Railway Station Private Transfer from City Area: $19
- Xiamen Gaoqi Airport Private Transfer to Local Railway Station : $19
- Private Xiamen Gaoqi Airport Arrival Transfer to City Area: $30
- Private Transfer between Riyue Gu Hotspring Resort and Xiamen City : $32
- Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport Chauffeur Service ,Xiamen Airport Transfer: $47
- Private Transfer Service between Xiamen and Anxi : $89
- Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster : $89
- Private Transfer Between Xiamen City and HongKeng Hakka Tulou Cluster: $89
- Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Hua’an Earth Building: $89
- Private Transfer to Gaobei Tulou and Hongkeng Tulou from Xiamen City: $98
Is it cheaper to fly into Xiamen or Sado?
Prices for flights to both Sado and Xiamen change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayXiamen $26Sado $23
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Xiamen $16Sado $8.43
Tours and Activities in Xiamen
For Xiamen, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Xiamen Private English Tour Guide Service: $93
- Xiamen Private Half Day Tour of Gulangyu Island and Shuzhuang Garden: $97
- Private Xiamen Half Day Tour to Gulangyu Island and the Hi Heaven Villa: $97
- A Night Tour to Xiamen Gulang Island: $100
- Flexible Xiamen Private Half Day Tour to Experience Xiamen Botanical Garden: $105
- Private Xiamen Sea Food Market & Zhongshan Road Shopping and Eating Experience: $107
- Flexible Xiamen Private Half Day Tour with Meal Option: $109
- Flexible Private Half-Day Tour to Visit the Top Attraction Xiamen Yuanbo Garden: $110
- Day Tour to Admire the Panorama of Gulangyu Island and Visit the Precious Birds: $110
- 4-hour Xiamen Private Flexible Tour in Your Way: $113
- Xiamen Half-Day Private Tour include Gulang Yu Island and Garden : $119
- 4-Hour Xiamen Private Shore Excursion Tour in Your Way: $121
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayXiamen $17Sado $66
When comparing the travel costs between Xiamen and Sado, we can see that Xiamen 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. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Xiamen Expensive? and Is Sado Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Xiamen or Sado?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Xiamen or Sado in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Xiamen as well as Sado. Additionally, many visitors come to Sado in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Xiamen is a little warmer than Sado. Typically, the summer temperatures in Xiamen in July average around 30°C (86°F), and Sado averages at about 23°C (74°F).
It's quite rainy in Sado. Xiamen receives a lot of rain in the summer. Xiamen usually gets less rain in July than Sado. Xiamen gets 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Sado receives 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyXiamen 30°C (86°F)Sado 23°C (74°F)
Should I visit Xiamen or Sado in the Autumn?
Both Sado and Xiamen are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Sado for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.
In October, Xiamen is generally much warmer than Sado. Daily temperatures in Xiamen average around 25°C (77°F), and Sado fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Sado. In October, Xiamen usually receives less rain than Sado. Xiamen gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Sado receives 127 mm (5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberXiamen 25°C (77°F)Sado 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Xiamen or Sado in the Winter?
Both Sado and Xiamen during the winter are popular places to visit. 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. Xiamen is much warmer than Sado in the winter. The daily temperature in Xiamen averages around 14°C (58°F) in January, and Sado fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).
Sado gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Xiamen usually gets less rain in January than Sado. Xiamen gets 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Sado receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryXiamen 14°C (58°F)Sado 3°C (37°F)
Should I visit Xiamen or Sado in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Xiamen and Sado.
In the spring, Xiamen is much warmer than Sado. Typically, the spring temperatures in Xiamen in April average around 20°C (69°F), and Sado averages at about 10°C (51°F).
Sado receives a lot of rain in the spring. Xiamen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Xiamen usually receives more rain than Sado. Xiamen gets 147 mm (5.8 in) of rain, while Sado receives 102 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilXiamen 20°C (69°F)Sado 10°C (51°F)
Typical Weather for Sado and Xiamen
| Xiamen | Sado | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 14°C (58°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Feb | 14°C (57°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 102 mm (4 in) |
| Mar | 16°C (61°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Apr | 20°C (69°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 102 mm (4 in) |
| May | 24°C (76°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.7 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 125 mm (4.9 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) |
| Aug | 30°C (85°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (77°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (69°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 159 mm (6.3 in) |
| Dec | 16°C (61°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 162 mm (6.4 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.