Which place is cheaper, Sandakan or Can Tho?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Can Tho or Sandakan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Can Tho and Sandakan can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Can Tho or Sandakan?
Can Tho
Can Tho is the largest city of Vietnam's Mekong Delta, and is best known for its canal network of floating markets, restaurants, bars, and hotels, Buddhist pagodas, and the beauty of the delta, which is illuminated in the evenings.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Ho Chi Minh City, The Best 10-Day Tours from Hanoi, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Malaysia, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Malaysia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCan Tho $58Sandakan $67
The average daily cost (per person) in Can Tho is $58, while the average daily cost in Sandakan is $67. 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 Can Tho and Sandakan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCan Tho $28Sandakan $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCan Tho $56Sandakan $46
Compare Hotels in Can Tho and Sandakan
Looking for a hotel in Can Tho 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: Can Tho Hotel Prices and Sandakan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Can Tho $13Sandakan $38
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Can Tho
Also for Can Tho, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- PRIVATE CAR: Can Tho AIRPORT <=> CanTho Hotels (one way transfer): $30
- Private Transfer: Can Tho Airport - Can Tho City Center: $35
- Private Transfer: Can Tho Airport to/from Can Tho City Center: $37
- Private Transfer from Can Tho City to Can Tho (VCA) Airport: $49
- Private Transfer from Vinh Long to Tan Son Nhat (SGN) Airport: $109
- Private Transfer from Thanh Thoi to Tan Son Nhat (SGN) Airport: $109
- Private Transfer from Can Tho City to Tan Son Nhat (SGN) Airport: $116
- Private Transfer from Can Tho (VCA) Airport to Can Tho City: $127
Is it cheaper to fly into Can Tho or Sandakan?
Prices for flights to both Sandakan and Can Tho 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 dayCan Tho $17Sandakan $21
Typical Food Prices in Can Tho
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Can Tho:
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Restaurant Dinner (for Two)$5.28
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Coconut$0.28
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Mango$1.10
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Hot Pot Dinner (for Two)$7.07
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Two Vietnamese Iced Coffees$0.65
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Casual Lunch (for One)$2.84
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Can Tho
For Can Tho, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Boat tour on Mekong river see the sunset, small canal, Vegan dinner, street food: $29
- Biking and Cooking Class in Can Tho Rural: $32
- Local Food Tour: $33
- Explore Can Tho City tour combine Local Food tour - in afternoon: $35
- Biking and cooking class in the rural tour at Can Tho: $36
- Can Tho food tour designed by local chef: $38
- Street food tour back of the bike in Can Tho: $39
- Eco Cooking Class and Market Tour: $47
- Walking street food tour designed by local chef: $48
- Discover Local Cuisine: Walking Food Tour in Can Tho: $49
- Mekong Delta Cooking Class with Lunch: $69
- Can Tho Cooking Class - Motorbike trip in the countryside: $69
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.Can Tho $17Sandakan $8.31
Typical Entertainment Prices in Can Tho
For Can Tho, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Sunset Boat Ride$2.03
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Half Day Floating Market Tour$8.53
Tours and Activities in Can Tho
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Can Tho.
- FREE FOOT TOUR- ENJOY LOCAL FOOD: $8.40
- Mekong Delta and Cai Rang Floating Market 5-Hours Tour: $32
- The hidden Fabulous Floating Market and small canal (Non-tourist small canal): $33
- Discover Can Tho Floating Market and Small Canal Adventure: $35
- Bicycle Tour Through Peaceful Villages: $35
- Private Half Day Tour - Sơn Islet: $36
- Mekong Delta and Cai Rang Floating Market Tour: $36
- Can Tho Sunset Tour : $38
- Private Half Day Tour - Cái Răng Floating Market: $40
- Sunset Experience on Mekong River and Explore Brilliant City: $40
- Cai Rang Floating Market and Fruit Garden Tour: $42
- Can Tho floating market tour and small canal: $42
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: $112
- Borneo Kinabatangan River Cruise Day Trip: $78
- Borneo Wildlife Tour 2 Days 1 Night At Tanjung Bulat Jungle Camp Kinabatangan: $205
- Borneo Wildlife Tour 3 Days 2 Nights At Tanjung Bulat Jungle Camp Kinabatangan: $256
- Kinabatangan River Cruise from Sandakan: $90
- Labuk Proboscis, Sepilok, Sun Bear, Sandakan City Tour & Lunch: $147
- 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
- Kinabatangan River Wildlife Cruise with Lunch: $192
- Orangutan Sanctuary Shared Day Trip Tour: $340
- Sepilok Orang Utan & Bornean Sun Bear Centre with Sandakan City Tour with Lunch: $191
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCan Tho $6.71Sandakan $7.62
Typical Alcohol Prices in Can Tho
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Can Tho from other travelers:
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Beer$3.25
When comparing the travel costs between Can Tho and Sandakan, we can see that Sandakan 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 Can Tho Expensive? and Is Sandakan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Can Tho or Sandakan?
Sandakan has a larger population, and is about 51% larger than the population of Can Tho. When comparing the sizes of Can Tho 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 Can Tho 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 Can Tho or Sandakan in the Summer?
Both Sandakan and Can Tho during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Can Tho 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 Can Tho. Can Tho usually gets more rain in July than Sandakan. Can Tho gets 313 mm (12.3 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 195 mm (7.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Sandakan, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Can Tho often gets less sunshine than Sandakan. Can Tho gets 168 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sandakan receives 221 hours of full sun.
Can Tho is around the same temperature as Sandakan in the summer. The daily temperature in Can Tho averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Sandakan fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyCan Tho 28°C (82°F)Sandakan 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Can Tho or Sandakan in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Can Tho and Sandakan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Can Tho year-round. Sandakan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
December to April in Can Tho is the dry season. Also, May to November is the rainy season in Can Tho. Sandakan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Can Tho gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Can Tho usually receives more rain than Sandakan. Can Tho gets 343 mm (13.5 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 253 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Can Tho usually receives less sunshine than Sandakan during autumn. Can Tho gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Sandakan receives 191 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In the autumn, Can Tho is around the same temperature as Sandakan. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Can Tho in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Sandakan averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberCan Tho 28°C (82°F)Sandakan 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Can Tho or Sandakan in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Can Tho as well as Sandakan. Can Tho 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. Can Tho usually gets less rain in January than Sandakan. Can Tho gets 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Can Tho this time of the year. In the winter, Can Tho often gets more sunshine than Sandakan. Can Tho gets 240 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sandakan receives 156 hours of full sun.
In January, Can Tho is generally around the same temperature as Sandakan. Daily temperatures in Can Tho average around 26°C (78°F), and Sandakan fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryCan Tho 26°C (78°F)Sandakan 26°C (80°F)
Should I visit Can Tho or Sandakan in the Spring?
Both Sandakan and Can Tho are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Can Tho 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 Can Tho is December to April. The rainy season in Can Tho is May to November. It rains a lot this time of the year in Sandakan. It's quite rainy in Can Tho. In April, Can Tho usually receives around the same amount of rain as Sandakan. Can Tho gets 103 mm (4.1 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
It's quite sunny in Sandakan. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Can Tho. Can Tho usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Sandakan during spring. Can Tho gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Sandakan receives 247 hours of full sun in the spring.
Can Tho is around the same temperature as Sandakan in the spring. The daily temperature in Can Tho averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Sandakan fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilCan Tho 29°C (84°F)Sandakan 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Sandakan and Can Tho
| Can Tho | Sandakan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (78°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 437 mm (17.2 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (80°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 268 mm (10.6 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| May | 29°C (84°F) | 268 mm (10.6 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 332 mm (13.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 313 mm (12.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 195 mm (7.7 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 365 mm (14.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 213 mm (8.4 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 360 mm (14.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 343 mm (13.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 253 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 344 mm (13.5 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (79°F) | 60 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.