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

Should you visit Tianjin or Sado?

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

Should I visit Tianjin 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: Tianjin or Sado?

Tianjin

Tianjin is a large metropolis on the north east coast of China. This ancient city, which dates back to prehistoric times, is one of five National Central Cities of China and is rich in culture and history. Tianjin is most famous for its beautiful walking streets and history of European concession territories.

Tianjin experiences hot and humid summers, with temperatures reaching 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Winters are cool and dry with temperatures around 15° (F). Spring and Autumn tend to be the best times to visit as weather is a little more mild, although Spring has a tendency to be a little rainy.

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.


Which place is cheaper, Sado or Tianjin?

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 Tianjin is $92, 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 Tianjin and Sado in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Tianjin $35
    Sado $31
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Tianjin $70
    Sado $62
Compare Hotels in Tianjin and Sado

Looking for a hotel in Tianjin 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 Tianjin


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.
    Tianjin $37
    Sado $14

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tianjin

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

  • [Airport Transfer] Tianjin Airport ⇔ Tianjin City Transfer ☆ High reputation for service <Charter charter>: $13
  • Tianjin Binhai Airport(TSN) to Tianjin - Arrival Private Transfer: $24
  • Tianjin Binhai International Airport Private Arrival Transfer to City Area : $29
  • Tianjin Cruise Port Private Transfer to Binhai Railway Station: $32
  • Tianjin Railway Station Private Transfer to Cruise Port: $32
  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Tianjin Binhai International Airport (TSN): $39
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Tianjin Binhai International Airport (TSN) to Hotel: $39
  • Tianjin Airport (TSN) to Tianjin RoundTrip Private Transfer: $48
  • Tianjin Cruise Port Transfer To Tianjin Airport one way private transfer: $50
  • Private Tianjin Transfer to Xingang International Cruise Port from City Hotels: $60
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Tianjin Cruise Port to Train Stations (Tianjin/Tanggu): $63
  • Private Transfer from Tianjin Cruise Port to Tianjin City Hotels: $73

Is it cheaper to fly into Tianjin or Sado?

Prices for flights to both Sado and Tianjin 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
    Tianjin $36
    Sado $42

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Tianjin $10
    Sado $8.74

Tours and Activities in Tianjin

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tianjin.

  • Tianjin International Cruise Home Port to Beijing Airport/City Tr: $119
  • Guided Day Tour to Tianjin Downtown with Lunch: $148
  • Private Tianjin City Night Tour with Haihe River Cruise: $176
  • 5-Hour Private Tianjin Shopping Tour from Tianjin Cruise Port: $179
  • Tianjin Cruise Port To Beijing Capital Airport With the English Speaking Driver: $187
  • Private Tianjin City Highlight Day Tour: $188
  • Tianjin Port-up To Beijing City Self-Guide Tour and Drop-off at Beijing Hotel: $192
  • 4-Hour Tianjin Shore Excursion to Shijia Mansion with Bullet Train Experience: $210
  • Tianjin Shore Excursion: Huangyaguan Great Wall Private Day Tour: $214
  • Tianjin Private Walking Tour Guided by a Lady Worked in Europe: $215
  • Private Tianjin Shopping Tour: $218
  • All-inclusive Day Tour: China House, Five Avenues, Ancient Street & Tianjin Eye: $224

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
    Tianjin $11
    Sado $69


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



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

Both Sado and Tianjin during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Sado this time of year.

Tianjin is a little warmer than Sado in the summer. The daily temperature in Tianjin averages around 27°C (80°F) in July, and Sado fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

It's quite sunny in Tianjin. In the summer, Tianjin often gets more sunshine than Sado. Tianjin gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sado receives 198 hours of full sun.

Sado gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Tianjin. Tianjin usually gets more rain in July than Sado. Tianjin gets 185 mm (7.3 in) of rain, while Sado receives 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Tianjin 27°C (80°F) 
    Sado 23°C (74°F)

Should I visit Tianjin or Sado in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Tianjin and Sado. Also, many travelers come to Sado for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Tianjin is around the same temperature as Sado. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Tianjin in October average around 15°C (58°F), and Sado averages at about 16°C (60°F).

In Tianjin, it's very sunny this time of the year. Tianjin usually receives more sunshine than Sado during autumn. Tianjin gets 227 hours of sunny skies, while Sado receives 155 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Sado receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Tianjin usually receives less rain than Sado. Tianjin gets 21 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Sado receives 127 mm (5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Tianjin 15°C (58°F) 
    Sado 16°C (60°F)

Should I visit Tianjin or Sado in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Tianjin as well as Sado. Also, many visitors come to Sado in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Sado can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Tianjin. In January, Tianjin is generally much colder than Sado. Daily temperatures in Tianjin average around -3°C (27°F), and Sado fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tianjin this time of the year. In the winter, Tianjin often gets more sunshine than Sado. Tianjin gets 201 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sado receives 65 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Sado. Tianjin usually gets less rain in January than Sado. Tianjin gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Sado receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Tianjin -3°C (27°F) 
    Sado 3°C (37°F)

Should I visit Tianjin or Sado in the Spring?

Both Sado and Tianjin are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

Tianjin is a little warmer than Sado in the spring. The daily temperature in Tianjin averages around 14°C (58°F) in April, and Sado fluctuates around 10°C (51°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tianjin. Tianjin usually receives more sunshine than Sado during spring. Tianjin gets 247 hours of sunny skies, while Sado receives 194 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sado. In April, Tianjin usually receives less rain than Sado. Tianjin gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Sado receives 102 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Tianjin 14°C (58°F) 
    Sado 10°C (51°F)

Typical Weather for Sado and Tianjin

Tianjin Sado
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -3°C (27°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 3°C (37°F) 138 mm (5.4 in)
Feb -1°C (31°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 3°C (37°F) 102 mm (4 in)
Mar 6°C (43°F) 9 mm (0.3 in) 5°C (41°F) 90 mm (3.5 in)
Apr 14°C (58°F) 25 mm (1 in) 10°C (51°F) 102 mm (4 in)
May 21°C (69°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 15°C (59°F) 99 mm (3.9 in)
Jun 25°C (77°F) 68 mm (2.7 in) 19°C (66°F) 125 mm (4.9 in)
Jul 27°C (80°F) 185 mm (7.3 in) 23°C (74°F) 161 mm (6.3 in)
Aug 26°C (79°F) 155 mm (6.1 in) 25°C (78°F) 137 mm (5.4 in)
Sep 21°C (70°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 21°C (70°F) 161 mm (6.3 in)
Oct 15°C (58°F) 21 mm (0.8 in) 16°C (60°F) 127 mm (5 in)
Nov 6°C (43°F) 11 mm (0.4 in) 11°C (51°F) 159 mm (6.3 in)
Dec -1°C (31°F) 4 mm (0.2 in) 6°C (43°F) 162 mm (6.4 in)


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