Which place is cheaper, Sado or Shenzhen?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Shenzhen 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 Shenzhen 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: Shenzhen or Sado?
Shenzhen
Located in the Guangdong Province of southeastern China, Shenzhen is a metropolis that connects Hong Kong to China's mainland. It is one of China's most populous cities, inhabited by vast array of people from other Chinese regions. It is perhaps best known for it shopping, collection of amusement parks, green parks, museums and galleries, and a few historic sites. It is on UNESCO's Creative Cities list.
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 Sightseeing Tours in China, The Best Cultural Tours in China, The Best Adventure Tours to Japan, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan.
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Shenzhen Prices
China PricesSado Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayShenzhen $140Sado $82
The average daily cost (per person) in Shenzhen is $140, 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 Shenzhen and Sado in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personShenzhen $91Sado $31
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomShenzhen $182Sado $62
Compare Hotels in Shenzhen and Sado
Looking for a hotel in Shenzhen 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.Shenzhen $15Sado $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Shenzhen
Also for Shenzhen, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfers to/from Bao'an Airport(SZX): $20
- shenzhen airport private transfer: $31
- [Airport Transfer] Shenzhen Airport 送 迎 Shenzhen City Transfer High reputation for service! : $32
- A One-Way Disneyland Pick-Up Transfer to Hong Kong Hotel: $33
- Private Transfer in Shenzhen with English Service: $35
- A One-Way Hotel Pick-Up Transfer to Hong Kong Disneyland: $36
- Shenzhen Private Transfer and Ongoing Travel Assistance: $39
- Hong Kong Airport (HKG) to Hong Kong - Arrival Private Transfer: $45
- Private Departure Transfer from Hong Kong to Hong Kong Airport: $45
- Private Transfer - Hong Kong Airport (HKG) to Kai Tak Cruise Port: $47
- Private Transfer - Kai Tak Cruise Port to Hong Kong Airport (HKG): $47
- Shenzhen Bao'an Airport Private Arrival Transfer to City Center: $49
Is it cheaper to fly into Shenzhen or Sado?
Prices for flights to both Sado and Shenzhen 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 dayShenzhen $35Sado $42
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Shenzhen
For Shenzhen, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Hong Kong Street Food Tour with Locals - Dim Sum, Wonton & more: $53
- Wet market tour & cooking class with local mum: $98
- Explore Hong Kong: Mid-Autumn Festival Food Tour: $103
- Discover Hong Kong’s Hidden Eats on a Tin Hau Food Tour: $109
- Small-Group Hong Kong Island Food Tour: $116
- Traditional Chinese Pun Choi cooking class in Hong Kong: $146
- Private Food Tour in Hong Kong: $148
- Hong Kong Street Food Tour with Local Guide: $149
- The 10 Tastings of Hong Kong With Locals: Private Street Food Tour : $176
- Hong Kong Private & Personalized Food Tour with a Local: $177
- Asian Favorites Cooking Class in Hong Kong (4-Course Meal): $184
- Hong Kong Style Noodles Cooking Class (Includes 4-Course Meal): $184
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Shenzhen $17Sado $8.74
Tours and Activities in Shenzhen
For Shenzhen, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Introduction to Hong Kong: Central Tip Based Walking Tour: $2.64
- Day in the life of a Hong Konger: Kowloon Tip Based Walking Tour: $2.64
- Between Two Systems: Hong Kong's Living History Tip Based Tour: $2.64
- Hong kong City Tour w/ Entry Fees & Lunch (2024) | 150+ booked: $2.64
- Hong Kong Observation Wheel Ticket: $5.45
- Hong Kong Airport Express Ticket: $10
- Hong Kong Peak Tram and Sky Terrace 428 Tickets (Optional): $13
- Monopoly Dreams Hong Kong Entry Ticket: $13
- Hong Kong Airport Express Train Tickets(Avoid Heavy Traffic): $15
- Hong Kong Airport Express E-Ticket : $15
- The Victoria Peak Tram Ticket | Hong Kong: $15
- Hong Kong Palace Museum Ticket: $17
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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayShenzhen $19Sado $69
Sample the Local Flavors in Shenzhen
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Shenzhen:
- Hong Kong Pub Crawl at Lan Kwai Fong (LKF): $46
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Shenzhen and Sado, we can see that Shenzhen is more expensive. And not only is Sado much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Shenzhen would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Shenzhen 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 Shenzhen Expensive? and Is Sado Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Shenzhen 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 Shenzhen or Sado in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Shenzhen as well as Sado. Additionally, many visitors come to Sado in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Shenzhen is a little warmer than Sado. Typically, the summer temperatures in Shenzhen in July average around 30°C (85°F), and Sado averages at about 23°C (74°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Shenzhen this time of the year. In the summer, Shenzhen often gets more sunshine than Sado. Shenzhen gets 231 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sado receives 198 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Sado. Shenzhen receives a lot of rain in the summer. Shenzhen usually gets more rain in July than Sado. Shenzhen gets 323 mm (12.7 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 JulyShenzhen 30°C (85°F)Sado 23°C (74°F)
Should I visit Shenzhen or Sado in the Autumn?
Both Sado and Shenzhen 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, Shenzhen is generally much warmer than Sado. Daily temperatures in Shenzhen average around 26°C (78°F), and Sado fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
Shenzhen usually receives more sunshine than Sado during autumn. Shenzhen gets 190 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. It's quite rainy in Shenzhen. In October, Shenzhen usually receives more rain than Sado. Shenzhen gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Sado receives 127 mm (5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberShenzhen 26°C (78°F)Sado 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Shenzhen or Sado in the Winter?
Both Sado and Shenzhen 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. Shenzhen is much warmer than Sado in the winter. The daily temperature in Shenzhen averages around 16°C (60°F) in January, and Sado fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).
In the winter, Shenzhen often gets more sunshine than Sado. Shenzhen gets 140 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. Shenzhen usually gets less rain in January than Sado. Shenzhen gets 26 mm (1 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 JanuaryShenzhen 16°C (60°F)Sado 3°C (37°F)
Should I visit Shenzhen or Sado in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Shenzhen and Sado.
In the spring, Shenzhen is much warmer than Sado. Typically, the spring temperatures in Shenzhen in April average around 23°C (73°F), and Sado averages at about 10°C (51°F).
Shenzhen usually receives less sunshine than Sado during spring. Shenzhen gets 95 hours of sunny skies, while Sado receives 194 hours of full sun in the spring.
Sado receives a lot of rain in the spring. Shenzhen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Shenzhen usually receives more rain than Sado. Shenzhen gets 154 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Sado receives 102 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilShenzhen 23°C (73°F)Sado 10°C (51°F)
Typical Weather for Sado and Shenzhen
| Shenzhen | Sado | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 16°C (60°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Feb | 16°C (61°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 102 mm (4 in) |
| Mar | 19°C (66°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Apr | 23°C (73°F) | 154 mm (6.1 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 102 mm (4 in) |
| May | 27°C (80°F) | 325 mm (12.8 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (83°F) | 382 mm (15 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 125 mm (4.9 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (85°F) | 323 mm (12.7 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (85°F) | 393 mm (15.5 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 300 mm (11.8 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (78°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (70°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 159 mm (6.3 in) |
| Dec | 17°C (63°F) | 27 mm (1.1 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.