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

Should you visit Qingdao or Sado?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Qingdao 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.

Where Should I go: Qingdao or Sado?

Qingdao

Qingdao, China, located in the Shandong Province, is a very large city right on the Yellow Sea coast. The city, whose name means "The Green Island" due to it's gorgeous landscapes and interesting geography, was named China's most livable city in 2012. The city is rich in history, having almost become a German territory in 1897 and being occupied by the Japanese during WWI. Evidence of these occupiers is present in much of the architecture around the city, which includes a few Catholic and Protestant churches.

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 Cultural Tours in China, The Best Luxury Tours to China, The Best Adventure Tours to Japan, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan.


Which place is cheaper, Sado or Qingdao?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Qingdao is $73, while the average daily cost in Sado is $82. 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 Qingdao and Sado in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Qingdao $27
    Sado $31
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Qingdao $54
    Sado $62
Compare Hotels in Qingdao and Sado

Looking for a hotel in Qingdao 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 Qingdao


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: Sado Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Qingdao $12
    Sado $14

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Qingdao

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

  • Qingdao Cruise Port Departure Transfer from City Hotels: $36
  • Qingdao Railway Station Depature Transfer from City Hotels: $36
  • Qingdao Railway Station Arrival Transfer to City Hotel: $36
  • Qingdao Northern Railway Station Arrival Private One-Way Transfer: $42
  • Qingdao Private Transfer from Qingdao central to Qingdao Airport (TAO): $53
  • Qingdao Private Transfer from Qingdao Airport (TAO) to central Qingdao: $54
  • Private Qingdao Airport Arrival Transfer to City Hotels: $80
  • Qingdao Liuting Airport Transfer Service by Minivan: $86

Is it cheaper to fly into Qingdao or Sado?

Prices for flights to both Sado and Qingdao 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
    Qingdao $35
    Sado $42

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Qingdao $20
    Sado $8.74

Tours and Activities in Qingdao

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

  • Qingdao After Dark: 4-Hour Illumination Tour with Options: $150
  • Half Day Tour and Trek to Fushan Mountain: $170
  • Private Qingdao highlights city tour with Lunch and Qingdao beer: $175
  • Private Qingdao Laoshan half day tour with one bottle of Tsingdao beer as gift: $199
  • German Era Tour of Old Town Qingdao with Lunch and Beer Museum: $200
  • Alternative City Tour with Navy Museum, Beer Street and TV Tower, Lunch Included: $200
  • Qingdao private half day tour with Tsingdao Beer Lunch : $202
  • Qingdao Shore Excursion: Private Full Day Laoshan Mountain Sightseeing Tour: $207
  • Private Qingdao Essentials Tour: City Highlights and Beer Museum: $216
  • Laoshan Mountain Full Day Private Activity Tour: $224
  • Qingdao Private Day Tour to Laoshan Mountain with Lunch and Cable Car: $238
  • Private Qingdao Laoshan day tour with lunch& round way cable car: $240

Tours and Activities in Sado

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Sado are as follows:

  • Sado Island Highlights: 3-Hour Bike Tour: $84

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Qingdao $14
    Sado $69


When comparing the travel costs between Qingdao 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 Qingdao Expensive? and Is Sado Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Qingdao 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 Qingdao or Sado in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Qingdao as well as Sado. Also, most visitors come to Sado for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Qingdao is around the same temperature as Sado. Typically, the summer temperatures in Qingdao in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Sado averages at about 23°C (74°F).

In the summer, Qingdao often gets less sunshine than Sado. Qingdao gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sado receives 198 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Sado. Qingdao receives a lot of rain in the summer. Qingdao usually gets more rain in July than Sado. Qingdao gets 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Sado receives 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Qingdao 25°C (77°F) 
    Sado 23°C (74°F)

Should I visit Qingdao or Sado in the Autumn?

Both Sado and Qingdao are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Sado because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In October, Qingdao is generally around the same temperature as Sado. Daily temperatures in Qingdao average around 17°C (62°F), and Sado fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Qingdao. Qingdao usually receives more sunshine than Sado during autumn. Qingdao gets 220 hours of sunny skies, while Sado receives 155 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sado. In October, Qingdao usually receives less rain than Sado. Qingdao gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Sado receives 127 mm (5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Qingdao 17°C (62°F) 
    Sado 16°C (60°F)

Should I visit Qingdao or Sado in the Winter?

Both Sado and Qingdao during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, 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. The weather in Qingdao can be very cold. Qingdao is much colder than Sado in the winter. The daily temperature in Qingdao averages around -0°C (32°F) in January, and Sado fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

In the winter, Qingdao often gets more sunshine than Sado. Qingdao gets 185 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sado receives 65 hours of full sun.

Sado gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Qingdao usually gets less rain in January than Sado. Qingdao gets 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Sado receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Qingdao -0°C (32°F) 
    Sado 3°C (37°F)

Should I visit Qingdao or Sado in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Qingdao and Sado.

In the spring, Qingdao is a little warmer than Sado. Typically, the spring temperatures in Qingdao in April average around 12°C (53°F), and Sado averages at about 10°C (51°F).

In Qingdao, it's very sunny this time of the year. Qingdao usually receives more sunshine than Sado during spring. Qingdao gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Sado receives 194 hours of full sun in the spring.

Sado receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Qingdao usually receives less rain than Sado. Qingdao gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Sado receives 102 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Qingdao 12°C (53°F) 
    Sado 10°C (51°F)

Typical Weather for Sado and Qingdao

Qingdao Sado
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -0°C (32°F) 11 mm (0.4 in) 3°C (37°F) 138 mm (5.4 in)
Feb 1°C (34°F) 12 mm (0.5 in) 3°C (37°F) 102 mm (4 in)
Mar 6°C (43°F) 21 mm (0.8 in) 5°C (41°F) 90 mm (3.5 in)
Apr 12°C (53°F) 37 mm (1.5 in) 10°C (51°F) 102 mm (4 in)
May 17°C (62°F) 51 mm (2 in) 15°C (59°F) 99 mm (3.9 in)
Jun 21°C (70°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 19°C (66°F) 125 mm (4.9 in)
Jul 25°C (77°F) 211 mm (8.3 in) 23°C (74°F) 161 mm (6.3 in)
Aug 26°C (79°F) 162 mm (6.4 in) 25°C (78°F) 137 mm (5.4 in)
Sep 22°C (72°F) 99 mm (3.9 in) 21°C (70°F) 161 mm (6.3 in)
Oct 17°C (62°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 16°C (60°F) 127 mm (5 in)
Nov 10°C (49°F) 28 mm (1.1 in) 11°C (51°F) 159 mm (6.3 in)
Dec 3°C (37°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 6°C (43°F) 162 mm (6.4 in)