A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Yogyakarta vs. Sado for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Yogyakarta or Sado?

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

Should I visit Yogyakarta or Sado? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Yogyakarta or Sado?

Yogyakarta

Yogyakarta, also called Yogya, Jogja, and Jogjakarta, is Java's hub of culture and art, and is the top-visited destination on the island. While Jakarta is the most populated and industrially-developed city in Indonesia, Yogya has managed to progress without losing its cultural charm, as illustrated in its well-kept traditional Indonesian architecture.

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 Adventure Tours to Indonesia, The Best Eco Tours in Indonesia, The Best Adventure Tours to Japan, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan.


Which place is cheaper, Sado or Yogyakarta?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Yogyakarta is $58, 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 Yogyakarta and Sado in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Yogyakarta $37
    Sado $30
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Yogyakarta $74
    Sado $60
Compare Hotels in Yogyakarta and Sado

Looking for a hotel in Yogyakarta 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.

Hotels in Yogyakarta


Hotels in Sado


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: Yogyakarta Hotel Prices and Sado Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Yogyakarta $1.33
    Sado $14

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Yogyakarta

Also for Yogyakarta, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Transfer In or Out Airport Yogyakarta: $9.61
  • Private Transfer Airport Yogyakarta (JOG) to All City Destination: $11
  • Yogyakarta Private Departure Transfer- Yogyakarta Hotel to Airport: $20
  • Private Transfer From or To Yogyakarta Airport: $24
  • Ramayana Ballet Dance Show with Transfers: $25
  • Private Transfer From/To Yogyakarta Airport: $26
  • Yogyakarta Airport : for pick up or transfer service: $28
  • Private Transfer from Yogyakarta Airport YIA To City Center: $29
  • Borobudur 5-Hour Guided Tour with Climb-up Access & Transfer: $29
  • Jomblang Cave Day Trip with Hotel Transfer: $30
  • Yogyakarta International Airport to Hotel - Arrival Transfer: $32
  • Private Transfer from Yogyakarta Airport (JOG) to Yogyakarta City: $34

Is it cheaper to fly into Yogyakarta or Sado?

Prices for flights to both Sado and Yogyakarta 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Yogyakarta $12
    Sado $23

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Yogyakarta

For Yogyakarta, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Morning Food Tour with Tasting: $22
  • Kotagede Night Food Tour: $27
  • Yogyakarta Evening Walking and Food Tour: $30
  • Yogyakarta : Guided City Walk and Food Tour: $32
  • Prambanan temple afternoon tour and dinner: $34
  • Prawirotaman Night Food Tour: $35
  • Prawirotaman Night Food Tour: $35
  • Night Walking and Food Tour: $37
  • Ramayana Ballet Performance with Dinner: $38
  • Yogyakarta Cooking Class and Market Tour : $40
  • Small-Group Walking and Food Tour by Night in Yogyakarta: $40
  • Yogyakarta Day Food Tour: $48

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Yogyakarta $16
    Sado $8.43

Tours and Activities in Yogyakarta

For Yogyakarta, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Obelix Hills Entry Ticket: $1.52
  • Chicken Church at Karangrejo Village Admission Ticket: $1.89
  • Java Puppets Museum Admission Ticket: $2.50
  • 6 hours Borobudur temple climb up tour only.: $19
  • Jomblang cave Tour only.: $19
  • Prambanan Afternoon Tour Discover Magic sunset: $19
  • Yogyakarta : Jomblang Cave tour with local Guide: $20
  • Walking Tour of Yogyakarta's Oldest Neighbourhood: $21
  • Yogyakarta City Tour: $21
  • Authentic Yogya Bicycle Tour: $22
  • Jomblang Cave Tour: $22
  • Guided Tour to Borobudur with Full Access: $23

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Yogyakarta $4.93
    Sado $66


When comparing the travel costs between Yogyakarta and Sado, we can see that Sado 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 Yogyakarta Expensive? and Is Sado Expensive?.