Which place is cheaper, Sandakan or Amman?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Amman or Sandakan?
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 Amman and Sandakan. 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.
Where Should I go: Amman or Sandakan?
Amman
Amman is the largest city in of the Hashemite Kingdom of the country of Jordan. It is also the capital city of Jordan and has a population of over four million people. Many people use Amman as a base for venturing out into the rest of Jordan and other surrounding countries. There are many things to see and do in Amman.
Sandakan
Located on the Northeast side of the state of Sabah in Borneo is the city of Sandakan, which is the 2nd largest city in the country. Sandakan was a prosperous port town in the 1800s because of its exports of tobacco, timber, pearls, and ivory. However, this booming town that was formerly the administrative capital in North Borneo was bombed practically out of existence at the end of World War II.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Jordan, The Best Budget Tours to Jordan, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Malaysia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Malaysia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAmman $110Sandakan $58
The average daily cost (per person) in Amman is $110, while the average daily cost in Sandakan is $58. 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 Amman and Sandakan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAmman $49Sandakan $20
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAmman $98Sandakan $40
Compare Hotels in Amman and Sandakan
Looking for a hotel in Amman or Sandakan? 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: Amman Hotel Prices and Sandakan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Amman $24Sandakan $33
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Amman
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Amman:
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Bus Ride (for Two)$0.71
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RIde to Airport$28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Amman
Also for Amman, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Amman Airport to Amman Hotel : $20
- Queen Alia Airport Transfer : $21
- Airport pickup or drop off transfer from or to Amman city: $23
- Amman Airport private Transfers From/To multi destinations : $24
- From Amman :Private transfer to Airport, Dead Sea and Petra.: $25
- Amman Airport: Private Transfer to Amman Hotels: $27
- Amman Airport Private Arrival Transfer: $27
- Private Transfer from / to Amman Airport to Amman Hotel: $28
- Petra Private Transfer to or from Amman or Airport or Dead Sea or K.H.B: $30
- Private departure transfer from Amman to airport: $30
- Private Transfer From Amman To Different Cities: $33
- Airport Transfer to Any Hotel In Amman: $37
Is it cheaper to fly into Amman or Sandakan?
Prices for flights to both Sandakan and Amman 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 dayAmman $34Sandakan $19
Typical Food Prices in Amman
For Amman, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Pastries$4.23
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Tea$5.64
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Amman
For Amman, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Amman:Home resturant lunch and dinner: $37
- Private Day or Night Amman Sightseeing - Optional Cooking or Wine Tasting Tour : $51
- 3 course dinner with a sommelier: $56
- Private Lunch or Dinner at a Local Traditional Restaurant in Amman: $71
- Private Jordan Heritage Restaurant Lunch or Dinner Experience : $109
- 3-Hours Guided Food Tour in Amman: $130
- Private Jordan Heritage Restaurant Lunch or Dinner with Wine Experience : $173
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sandakan
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Sandakan.
- Mangrove Cruise with Fireflies Tour Including Dinner from Sandakan: $64
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Amman $32Sandakan $7.19
Tours and Activities in Amman
For Amman, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- the apple bottom jeans experience 3: $1.14
- Discover the hidden gems of Amman's Rainbow street on a self-guided audio tour: $5.00
- JR The Wine Experience: $26
- Amman Safe Tour: Authentic Cuisine, Local Experience & Souv.: $35
- Private Sightseeing City Tour: $40
- Amman : Must-See attractions Private walking tour: $43
- History & Culture Immersion, City Tour Of Amman : $43
- Half Day Private Tour to Iraq al-Amir (Qasr al-‘Abed): $45
- Half Day Private tour to Dead Sea From Amman. : $50
- Half Day Tour: Jerash From Amman.: $52
- Downtown (Amman city) sightseeing 5 hours : $53
- From Private Jerash, Ajloun Castle, and Umm Qais Tour: $53
Tours and Activities in Sandakan
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Sandakan are as follows:
- 2D1N Sandakan Private Tour with Kinabatangan River Cruise: $290
- Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre & Sepilok Orang Utan Rehab Centre Tour: $105
- Borneo Kinabatangan River Cruise Day Trip: $78
- Borneo Wildlife Tour 2 Days 1 Night At Tanjung Bulat Jungle Camp Kinabatangan: $197
- Borneo Wildlife Tour 3 Days 2 Nights At Tanjung Bulat Jungle Camp Kinabatangan: $241
- Kinabatangan River Cruise from Sandakan: $90
- Labuk Proboscis, Sepilok, Sun Bear, Sandakan City Tour & Lunch: $138
- Private Full Day Sepilok Orang Utan, Bornean Sun Bear and Rainforest Discovery Center Tour: $125
- Private Tour: Half Day Sandakan City Tour Including Local Lunch: $51
- Sepilok Orang Utan & Bornean Sun Bear Centre with Sandakan City Tour with Lunch: $191
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAmman $14Sandakan $6.59
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Amman and Sandakan, we can see that Amman is more expensive. And not only is Sandakan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Amman is in Middle East and Sandakan 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 Sandakan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sandakan 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 Amman would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Amman than you might in Sandakan.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Amman Expensive? and Is Sandakan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Amman or Sandakan?
Amman has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Sandakan. When comparing the sizes of Amman and Sandakan, 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 Amman or Sandakan?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Amman or Sandakan in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Amman as well as Sandakan. Amman attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Sandakan throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Sandakan. Amman usually gets less rain in July than Sandakan. Amman gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 195 mm (7.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sandakan. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Amman this time of the year. In the summer, Amman often gets more sunshine than Sandakan. Amman gets 364 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sandakan receives 221 hours of full sun.
Amman is around the same temperature as Sandakan in the summer. The daily temperature in Amman averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Sandakan fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAmman 25°C (77°F)Sandakan 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Amman or Sandakan in the Autumn?
Both Sandakan and Amman are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Amman throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Sandakan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Sandakan. In October, Amman usually receives less rain than Sandakan. Amman gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 253 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Amman. Amman usually receives more sunshine than Sandakan during autumn. Amman gets 274 hours of sunny skies, while Sandakan receives 191 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In the autumn, Amman is cooler than Sandakan. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Amman in October average around 20°C (68°F), and Sandakan averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAmman 20°C (68°F)Sandakan 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Amman or Sandakan in the Winter?
Both Sandakan and Amman during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Amman because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Sandakan year-round.
Sandakan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Amman. Amman usually gets less rain in January than Sandakan. Amman gets 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the winter, Amman often gets more sunshine than Sandakan. Amman gets 184 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sandakan receives 156 hours of full sun.
In January, Amman is generally much colder than Sandakan. Daily temperatures in Amman average around 8°C (46°F), and Sandakan fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAmman 8°C (46°F)Sandakan 26°C (80°F)
Should I visit Amman or Sandakan in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Amman and Sandakan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Amman year-round. Sandakan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Sandakan receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Amman usually receives less rain than Sandakan. Amman gets 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sandakan this time of the year. In Amman, it's very sunny this time of the year. Amman usually receives more sunshine than Sandakan during spring. Amman gets 269 hours of sunny skies, while Sandakan receives 247 hours of full sun in the spring.
Amman is much colder than Sandakan in the spring. The daily temperature in Amman averages around 16°C (61°F) in April, and Sandakan fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAmman 16°C (61°F)Sandakan 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Sandakan and Amman
| Amman | Sandakan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 8°C (46°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 437 mm (17.2 in) |
| Feb | 9°C (48°F) | 98 mm (3.9 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 268 mm (10.6 in) |
| Mar | 12°C (54°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (61°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| May | 21°C (70°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (75°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 195 mm (7.7 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 213 mm (8.4 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) |
| Oct | 20°C (68°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 253 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 14°C (57°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 344 mm (13.5 in) |
| Dec | 10°C (50°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 462 mm (18.2 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.