A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sapporo vs. Wellington for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Sapporo or Wellington?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Sapporo and Wellington 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.

Sapporo

Sapporo is a snowy, vibrant, and laid-back city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums. See Sapporo travel costs.

Wellington

Wellington is a laid-back, funky, and compact city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Wellington travel costs.

Sapporo and Wellington: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sapporo or Wellington?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Sapporo than Wellington, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Sapporo is more popular for its skiing, museums and attractions, and big city activities, while Wellington is known for its beaches and hiking. Sapporo is popular for its skiing, winter activities, and the yearly Sapporo Snow Festival. It is also home to Odori Park. Wellington is popular for its waterfront promenade, quirky cafe culture, and relaxing beaches.

How is Sapporo different from Wellington?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Sapporo or Wellington Better for Skiing?

Sapporo is a very popular place for skiing and snowboarding. However, Wellington is not a skiing destination.

Visitors travel far to experience snow skiing in Sapporo. There are many great ski areas that are an easy day trip from the center of town. Very close by you'll find Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort and Sapporo Teine is where the 1972 Winter Olympics were held. It's divided into the family-friendly Olympia Zone and the more advanced Highland Zone.

Wellington is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Sapporo or Wellington?

Sapporo is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

Sapporo offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There are a number of shrines and museums in the city. Make sure you check out Hokkaidō Shrine, Sapporo TV Tower, Sapporo Clock Tower, and the Sapporo Science Center.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Wellington. As the capital city, you'll find a number of museums and sights around town. Check out the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, the Beehive, the Wellington Museum, and the City Gallery.

Is the Food Better in Sapporo or Wellington? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Sapporo and Wellington both to be excellent destinations.

Sapporo has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The local cuisine focuses on the world class fishing in the area as well as the great agriculture. Pork is a common meat ingredient and many dishes include ramen, vegetables, or grilled seafood.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Wellington makes for a great culinary experience. There are waterfront restaurants and a vibrant cafe scene around town. You'll also find local markets and many diverse eateries that you can explore.

Is Sapporo or Wellington Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find excellent options in both Sapporo and Wellington.

The nightlife in Sapporo has something for everybody. The city's nightlife scene is laid back and mostly concentrated in the Susukino area. In particular, King Xmhu is famous for its party nights and wild decor.

Wellington offers plenty to do in the evening. The best nightlife scene is found along Courtenay Place. There you'll find nightclubs, pubs, and cocktail bars. Cuba Street is another fun area with a bit more of a local vibe, and the waterfront is another great nightlife district in the city.

Is Sapporo or Wellington Better for Beaches?

Wellington is a great city for the beach. However, Sapporo is not a beach destination.

The beaches at Wellington attract visitors from all over. There are nice beaches within walking distance of the city center. There are also beaches that are well worth the drive if you're looking to get a bit out of town. In the summer months, there are swimming beaches, and year around they have nice views and a good atmosphere.

Sapporo is not a beach destination.

Is Sapporo or Wellington Better for Hiking?

Wellington is a city with good options for hiking. However, Sapporo is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Wellington. The area has rolling hills and beautiful coastlines that are filled with walking trails and scenic views. Some of the more popular trails in the area are the Red Rocks walk and the City-to-Sea walk.

Sapporo is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sapporo or Wellington?

If you're looking to go shopping, Sapporo and Wellington both offer plenty of excellent spots.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Sapporo. Shopping malls are the most popular places to enjoy browsing the stores. This is particularly nice during the snowy winter months when you can escape into the heated malls.

Wellington is an extremely popular place for shoppers. For the city's best shopping, head to the "Golden Mile". This is the area defined by Lambton Quay, Willis Street, Manners Street and Courtenay Place. There are boutique designers and high end fashion outlets throughout the area. The city also has many great markets and local shopping areas.

Is Sapporo or Wellington Better for Families?

Both Sapporo and Wellington are excellent to visit with kids.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Sapporo. The city has many activities for families, any time of year. There's skiing and winter sports in the winter and theme parks and camping in the summer. There's also a Puppet Theater and indoor play areas for when the weather is poor.

Wellington is a very family-friendly place to visit. There's the Wellington Zoo as well as Island Bay Marine Education Centre, both of which are great for animal-lovers. Waitangi Park is a nice park where kids can run around and play, and if you're looking for something indoors, head to the Space Place at Carter Observatory. If everyone needs some down time, there's always the beach with is fun to hang out at.

Is Sapporo or Wellington Better for Couples?

Sapporo is a very popular place for its romantic activities. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Sapporo makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples will enjoy the parks, gardens, museums, and winter sports in the area. A highlight for everyone is a visit to the famous Sapporo Snow Festival, which features many ice sculptures.

Wellington is a good city for couples to visit. The botanical gardens are beautiful to explore, and there is also a bird sanctuary in the area as well. Couple's will also enjoy the many nice restaurants and beautiful outdoor space around town.

Is Sapporo or Wellington Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Sapporo and Wellington are excellent places to visit.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Sapporo. There are a number of hostels around town and many fun activities that backpackers will enjoy.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Wellington. Located on the south side of the North Island, many backpackers use this city as a gateway to the South Island. There are many hostels around town and other fellow backpackers to hang out with.

Is Sapporo or Wellington Better for Students?

Sapporo is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Sapporo is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. The city is welcoming to international students and many people enjoy studying at Sapporo International University.

Wellington is popular with students. The locals are friendly and welcoming, and the atmosphere is a nice setting for students.

Is Sapporo or Wellington Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Sapporo and Wellington both offer excellent public transit to get you around.

Sapporo offers a very effecient public transportation network. Most visitors use the subway system to get around. There are three lines - the Namboku Line, Tozai Line, and Toho Line- all of which pass through Odori Station. The city also has a streetcar and buses.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Wellington. There are city buses, trains, and ferries that are popular with tourists and locals alike.

Is Sapporo or Wellington a more walkable city?

Sapporo and Wellington are excellent when it comes to walkability.

Sapporo is a very walkable destination. The city center, where you'll find many of the attractions, is walkable. Susukino Station is about a 20 or 30 minute walk from JR Sapporo Station.

Wellington is very walkable. This is one of New Zealand's most walkable cities and it has a compact city center.

For even more information, also check out Is Sapporo Worth Visiting? and Is Wellington Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Wellington or Sapporo?

How long in Sapporo or Wellington?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Sapporo and Wellington. In our opinion, Sapporo has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Sapporo than Wellington. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Sapporo than Wellington 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 Sapporo.

One day in Sapporo or Wellington?

When visiting Sapporo, people usually allow for lots of time. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Wellington, you'll find nightlife and food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Sapporo or Wellington?

When visiting Sapporo, people usually allow for lots of time. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

In Wellington, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Most people come for the beaches. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Wellington has to offer.

Five days in Sapporo or Wellington?

Sapporo, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Wellington is a great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Sapporo or Wellington?

Sapporo is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Wellington. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Wellington. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Coach Bus Tours in Japan, The Best Adventure Tours to Japan, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in New Zealand, and The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand.

When comparing the travel costs between Sapporo and Wellington, we can see that Sapporo 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. Even though Sapporo is in Asia and Wellington is in Pacific, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Sapporo Expensive? and Is Wellington Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Sapporo or Wellington?

Sapporo has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Wellington. When comparing the sizes of Sapporo and Wellington, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Sapporo or Wellington?

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

Should I visit Sapporo or Wellington in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Sapporo and Wellington. Many travelers come to Sapporo for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Wellington in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Sapporo is generally a little warmer than Wellingtonin January. Daily temperatures in Sapporo average around 21°C (69°F), and Wellington fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Wellington this time of the year. Sapporo usually receives less sunshine than Wellington during summer. Sapporo gets 179 hours of sunny skies, while Wellington receives 242 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Sapporo usually receives more rain than Wellingtonin January. Sapporo gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Sapporo or Wellington in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Sapporo as well as Wellington. Many visitors come to Sapporo in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Wellington for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.

Sapporo is cooler than Wellington in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sapporo averages around 11°C (52°F) in October, and Wellington fluctuates around 15°C (58°F)in April.

In the autumn, Sapporo often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Wellingtonin April. Sapporo gets 156 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wellington receives 163 hours of full sun.

Sapporo receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Sapporo usually gets more rain in October than Wellingtonin April. Sapporo gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sapporo or Wellington in the Winter?

Both Wellington and Sapporo are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Sapporo for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Wellington because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Sapporo can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Sapporo is much colder than Wellington. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sapporo in January average around -5°C (24°F), and Wellington averages at about 10°C (49°F)in July.

Sapporo usually receives less sunshine than Wellington during winter. Sapporo gets 99 hours of sunny skies, while Wellington receives 122 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Wellington. It's quite rainy in Sapporo. In January, Sapporo usually receives around the same amount of rain as Wellingtonin July. Sapporo gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Sapporo or Wellington in the Spring?

Both Wellington and Sapporo during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Sapporo because of the activities around the city. Furthermore, the beaches are the main draw to Wellington this time of year.

In April, Sapporo is generally much colder than Wellingtonin October. Daily temperatures in Sapporo average around 7°C (44°F), and Wellington fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Sapporo often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Wellingtonin October. Sapporo gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wellington receives 180 hours of full sun.

Sapporo usually gets less rain in April than Wellingtonin October. Sapporo gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Wellington and Sapporo