Which place is cheaper, Sandakan or Ao Nang?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Ao Nang or Sandakan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Ao Nang or Sandakan? 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: Ao Nang or Sandakan?
Ao Nang
If you're looking for a relaxing beach on the coast of Thailand, it might be time to make a trip to Ao Nang. This developed and "westernized" beach was once the place to be for backpackers, but is now quite popular with package tourist crowds, too, as prices have risen in recent decades. Here you'll find nice hotels, restaurants, and plenty of fun activities at the beach and nearby, too.
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 Tours Under $1000 in Thailand, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, 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 dayAo Nang $107Sandakan $58
The average daily cost (per person) in Ao Nang is $107, 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 Ao Nang and Sandakan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAo Nang $52Sandakan $20
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAo Nang $104Sandakan $40
Compare Hotels in Ao Nang and Sandakan
Looking for a hotel in Ao Nang 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: Sandakan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ao Nang $56Sandakan $33
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ao Nang
Also for Ao Nang, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Eco-Transfer: One-way Ao Nang - Downtown, Krabi: $18
- Private Eco-Transfer: One-way Ao Nang - Bus Station, Krabi: $18
- Krabi Airport Private One-Way SUV Transfer: $22
- Private SUV-Transfer: One-way Ao Nang - Bus Statation: $22
- Private SUV-Transfer: One-way Ao Nang - Downtown, Krabi: $22
- Aonang : Ferry Transfer from Aonang to Ko Lanta: $23
- Aonang : Ferry Transfer from Aonang to Phuket: $31
- Krabi:Speedboat Transfer to Phi Phi Islands: $41
- Phuket: Speedboat Transfer to Ao Nang or Railay via Ko Yao: $41
- Private SUV-Transfer: One-way Krabi to Phuket: $105
Is it cheaper to fly into Ao Nang or Sandakan?
Prices for flights to both Sandakan and Ao Nang 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 dayAo Nang $24Sandakan $19
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ao Nang
For Ao Nang, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Krabi: Ya's Cookery Late Afternoon Thai Cooking Class: $39
- Krabi : Authentic Thai Cooking Class with Market Tour: $40
- Krabi: Morning/Afternoon Thai Cooking Class at Ya's Cookery: $46
- Half Day Thai Cooking Class in Ao Nang, Krabi: $50
- Krabi 7 Island Sunset by Luxury Vintage Boat With BBQ Dinner: $127
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.Ao Nang $11Sandakan $7.19
Tours and Activities in Ao Nang
For Ao Nang, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Krabi: South Kayak Klong Root Kayaking Tour: $16
- Krabi ATV adventure drive 30mins: $22
- Krabi kayaking and swimming clongrood Tour: $22
- Krabi 4 Island One Day Tour by Speed boat or Longtail boat: $24
- ATV adventure 30 mins drive: $27
- Krabi: Bioluminescent Plankton, Snorkeling & Sunset Tour: $27
- Kayak Tour in Krabi Mangrove Forest with Lunch: $27
- Krabi: ATV adventure and extreme: $31
- Kayaking klongroot and atv adventure: $32
- From Hong Islands Day Tour by Boat with Lunch: $32
- Krabi: Tiger Cave, Hot Springs and Emerald Pool Jungle Tour: $35
- Krabi: Railay Beach Bioluminescent Plankton Ferry Cruise: $35
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 dayAo Nang $15Sandakan $6.59
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ao Nang and Sandakan, we can see that Ao Nang is more expensive. And not only is Sandakan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Ao Nang would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ao Nang 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 Ao Nang Expensive? and Is Sandakan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ao Nang or Sandakan?
Sandakan has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Ao Nang. When comparing the sizes of Ao Nang 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 Ao Nang 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 Ao Nang or Sandakan in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Ao Nang as well as Sandakan. Ao Nang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Sandakan throughout the year.
August to October in Ao Nang is the rainy season. It's quite rainy in Sandakan. Ao Nang receives a lot of rain in the summer. Ao Nang usually gets more rain in July than Sandakan. Ao Nang gets 287 mm (11.3 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 Ao Nang this time of the year. In the summer, Ao Nang often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Sandakan. Ao Nang gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sandakan receives 221 hours of full sun.
In July, Ao Nang is generally around the same temperature as Sandakan. Daily temperatures in Ao Nang average around 28°C (82°F), and Sandakan fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAo Nang 28°C (82°F)Sandakan 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Ao Nang or Sandakan in the Autumn?
Both Sandakan and Ao Nang are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ao Nang throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Sandakan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The dry season in Ao Nang is December to March. The rainy season in Ao Nang is August to October. It rains a lot this time of the year in Sandakan. It's quite rainy in Ao Nang. In October, Ao Nang usually receives more rain than Sandakan. Ao Nang gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 253 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Ao Nang usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Sandakan during autumn. Ao Nang gets 181 hours of sunny skies, while Sandakan receives 191 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Ao Nang is around the same temperature as Sandakan in the autumn. The daily temperature in Ao Nang averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Sandakan fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAo Nang 27°C (81°F)Sandakan 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Ao Nang or Sandakan in the Winter?
Both Sandakan and Ao Nang during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Ao Nang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Sandakan year-round.
December to March is the dry season in Ao Nang. Sandakan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Ao Nang usually gets less rain in January than Sandakan. Ao Nang gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
It's quite sunny in Ao Nang. In the winter, Ao Nang often gets more sunshine than Sandakan. Ao Nang gets 287 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sandakan receives 156 hours of full sun.
In the winter, Ao Nang is around the same temperature as Sandakan. Typically, the winter temperatures in Ao Nang in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Sandakan averages at about 26°C (80°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAo Nang 28°C (82°F)Sandakan 26°C (80°F)
Should I visit Ao Nang or Sandakan in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Ao Nang and Sandakan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ao Nang year-round. Sandakan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Sandakan receives a lot of rain in the spring. Ao Nang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Ao Nang usually receives more rain than Sandakan. Ao Nang gets 120 mm (4.7 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 Ao Nang, it's very sunny this time of the year. Ao Nang usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Sandakan during spring. Ao Nang gets 249 hours of sunny skies, while Sandakan receives 247 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Ao Nang is generally around the same temperature as Sandakan. Daily temperatures in Ao Nang average around 29°C (84°F), and Sandakan fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAo Nang 29°C (84°F)Sandakan 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Sandakan and Ao Nang
| Ao Nang | Sandakan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 437 mm (17.2 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (83°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 268 mm (10.6 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 318 mm (12.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 279 mm (11 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 195 mm (7.7 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 262 mm (10.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 213 mm (8.4 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 399 mm (15.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 304 mm (12 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 253 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 344 mm (13.5 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 62 mm (2.4 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.