A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Milford Sound vs. Sado for Hiking, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Milford Sound or Sado?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Milford Sound and Sado. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Milford Sound

Milford Sound is a breathtaking, world renowned, and remote fiord. You'll find world class beauty in Milford Sound as well. It's also known for skiing and hiking. See Milford Sound travel costs.

Sado

Sado is a off-the-beaten-path, traditional, and cultural island. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and hiking. See Sado travel costs.

Milford Sound and Sado: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Milford Sound or Sado?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Sado than Milford Sound, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Sado is better known for its museums and attractions, food, and shopping, while Milford Sound is more popular for its skiing, hiking, and impressive beauty. Milford Sound is more touristy than Sado and is popular for its iconic hiking trails, stunning boat tours, and dramatic mountains. Sado is well known for its beautiful scenery, traditional culture, and population of endangered crested ibis. Also, Sado is famous for .

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How is Milford Sound different from Sado?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Milford Sound or Sado Better for Skiing?

Milford Sound is notable for snow skiing. However, Sado is not a skiing destination.

Milford Sound is an extremely popular place for snow skiing and other winter sports. Many locals head to the snow-capped peaks to enjoy skiing, but if you're unfamiliar with the area, a ski tour is your best option.

Sado is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Milford Sound or Sado?

Sado is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Milford Sound does not have museums and landmarks.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Sado. 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.

Milford Sound does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Sado is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. However, Milford Sound is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

Sado has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. You'll find great seafood including crab, tuna, and prawns. There are also fresh vegetables, rice, and other typical Japanese ingredients in the area.

While Milford Sound is not famous for its food, you'll find what you need there. You'll find a restaurant or two in the small town of Milford Sound. Your best option is the Milford Sound Lodge. In the park you'll want to come prepared with your own food. Many organized tours include a picnic lunch.

Is Milford Sound or Sado Better for Nightlife?

Neither Milford Sound or Sado offer decent nightlife.

Milford Sound doesn't offer many options. Things get quiet at night and there's little in the form of nightlife.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Sado. This is a quiet island and doesn't have much in the form of nightlife.

Is Milford Sound or Sado Better for Hiking?

Milford Sound is an unbeatable place for the nearby hiking options. Also, Sado is not as famous, but is still a good island to visit for its hiking trails.

People visit Milford Sound specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. The Milford Track has long been considered one of the world's best hikes. It's also, arguably, the most famous hike in New Zealand. The 53 kilometer trek takes you from Lake Te Anau through stunning scenery, alpine settings, and across spectacular suspension bridges.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Sado. 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 Milford Sound or Sado?

Sado is a decent place to visit for its shopping areas. However, Milford Sound is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Sado has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. 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.

Milford Sound is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Milford Sound or Sado More Beautiful?

Milford Sound is an unbeatable place for its scenery and beauty. However, Sado is not a destination known for its beauty.

You'll find world class beauty in Milford Sound as well. This is one of the most spectacular natural settings in New Zealand. The remoteness, combined with the mountains, waterfalls, and stunning views make this a true bucket list destination.

Sado is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Milford Sound or Sado Better for Families?

Milford Sound is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Sado is not as famous, but is still a good island to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Milford Sound is a very family-friendly place to visit. The outdoor wonders will impress the kids as much as the adults. There are shorter walks that are family-friendly and the boat rides are also fun for the whole family. You can take a scenic flight or visit the stunning Mirror Lakes. This really is a playground for both kids and adults.

Sado is a family-friendly fiord. 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 Milford Sound or Sado Better for Couples?

Milford Sound is notable for romance. Also, Sado is not as famous, but is still a good island to visit for its romantic activities.

Milford Sound is a very popular place to visit for couples. This is one of the most stunning natural areas in the world, and the romance comes from the spectacular beauty, world class hikes, and breathtaking surroundings that will leave you awed and inspired.

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 Milford Sound or Sado Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Milford Sound and Sado are both notable destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Milford Sound. The area's remoteness and high price tag make it a bit challenging for backpackers and budget travelers. If you have plenty of time and enough money, it is truly a not to be missed destination.

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

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

Milford Sound is a moderate fiord for its public transit. However, Sado is a mediocre island for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit is generally limited in Milford Sound. There are buses in the area, but private vehicles or organized tours are your best option for getting around.

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 Milford Sound or Sado a more walkable city?

Neither Milford Sound or Sado are walkable places.

Milford Sound is not a very walkable fiord. This is one of the most remote places in New Zealand so you really must have a car or organized transportation to get around.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Sado or Milford Sound?

How long in Milford Sound or Sado?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Milford Sound and Sado. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Milford Sound than in Sado. Usually, 2-6 days is a good amount of time for Milford Sound, and 2-3 days is enough time in Sado.

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

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

One day in Milford Sound or Sado?

Visitors enjoy the skiing when visiting the destination of Milford Sound. 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 food and museums when visiting the off-the-beaten-path destination of Sado. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Milford Sound or Sado?

Milford Sound is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the hiking. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. Hikers are also drawn to this area. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

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. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Five days in Milford Sound or Sado?

Visitors enjoy the skiing when visiting the remote destination of Milford Sound. This fiord 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.

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the traditional destination of Sado. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days 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.

A week in Milford Sound or Sado?

The remote fiord of Milford Sound offers skiing. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

You'll find museums and food around the island of Sado. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in New Zealand, The Best Luxury Tours to New Zealand, The Best Adventure Tours to Japan, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan.

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