Which place is cheaper, Sandakan or Chiang Rai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Chiang Rai or Sandakan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Chiang Rai or Sandakan, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Chiang Rai or Sandakan?
Chiang Rai
If you find yourself dreaming of a vacation in Northern Thailand, consider the metropolitan city of Chiang Rai. This centrally located capital of the Chiang Rai province provides an excellent home base for exploring the surrounding areas. While it serves well as a home base, it has its own charms worth wandering.
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 for Seniors to Thailand, The Best Contiki 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 dayChiang Rai $39Sandakan $58
The average daily cost (per person) in Chiang Rai is $39, 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 Chiang Rai and Sandakan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChiang Rai $17Sandakan $20
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChiang Rai $34Sandakan $40
Compare Hotels in Chiang Rai and Sandakan
Looking for a hotel in Chiang Rai 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: Chiang Rai Hotel Prices and Sandakan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Chiang Rai $3.18Sandakan $33
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Chiang Rai
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Chiang Rai:
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Bus to White Temple$1.09
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chiang Rai
Also for Chiang Rai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Arrival Transfer: Chiang Rai International Airport to Hotel: $20
- Private Airport (CEI) Transfer to Hotel: $22
- Private Airport Transfer in Chiang Rai: $22
- Chiang Rai Airport (CEI): Private Chiang Rai Hotel Transfer: $32
- Private Transfer Chiang Rai Airport to and from Mueang Chiang Rai: $41
- Chiang Rai Airport: Transfer To Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai: $77
- Private Transfer from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai: $83
- Chiang Mai Private Car transfer to/from Chiang Rai: $119
- Private Transfer From Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai: $122
- Chiang Mai Private Car transfer to/from Chiang Saen Border: $141
- SUV Private car Chiang Mai transfer to/from Chiang Rai: $149
- Chiang Khong Border Private Car transfer to/from Chiang Mai: $159
Is it cheaper to fly into Chiang Rai or Sandakan?
Prices for flights to both Sandakan and Chiang Rai 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 dayChiang Rai $12Sandakan $19
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chiang Rai
For Chiang Rai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Authentic Private Thai Cooking Class in Chiang Rai: $33
- 1 Day Trekking Group Tour With Bamboo Cooking / Chiang Rai: $47
- Half-Day Thai Cooking Class with organic ingredients: $50
- Chiang Rai Private Cooking Class - Cooking With Ann: $57
- Jungle Adventure-Group Trekking & Bamboo Cooking: $68
- Chiang Rai by Night with Show, Dinner and Trishaw Ride: $82
- Chiang Rai City Tour with Dinner and Show: $86
- Chiang Rai by Night: Incredible Temples, Market and Northern Dinner: $128
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.Chiang Rai $7.38Sandakan $7.19
Tours and Activities in Chiang Rai
For Chiang Rai, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Sightseeing Join Tour Chiang Rai / PICK UP ONLY IN CHIANG RAI: $30
- Guided Full-Day Highlights Tour with Lunch: $34
- Chiang Rai:Guide with lunch full day Highlight Tour: $34
- Guided Highlights Full-Day Tour with Thai Lunch: $36
- Popular Sightseeing Tour 8 Places - Small group: $38
- Full Day Group Tour in Chiang Rai: $40
- Day tour visit the top attractions in chiang rai: $41
- Popular Sightseeing Tour 8 places, Buffet Lunch: $41
- Temple Treasures & Popular Sightseeings (Buffet): $41
- JOIN TOUR 1 day trip around Chiang Rai included lunch buffet: $41
- Explore the adventures of Chiang Rai and the Golden Triangle: $41
- Half Day Cycling Tour to the White temple: $41
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 dayChiang Rai $8.32Sandakan $6.59
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chiang Rai and Sandakan, we can see that Sandakan is more expensive. And not only is Chiang Rai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Chiang Rai would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chiang Rai 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 Sandakan would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sandakan than you might in Chiang Rai.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Chiang Rai Expensive? and Is Sandakan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Chiang Rai or Sandakan?
Sandakan has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Chiang Rai. When comparing the sizes of Chiang Rai 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.
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.