A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Chumphon vs. Sandakan for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Chumphon or Sandakan?

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

Should I visit Chumphon 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: Chumphon or Sandakan?

Chumphon

Sometimes tourism has a tendency to spoil the natural beauty of a place. This is not the case in the magical city of Chumphon, Thailand. As the gateway to the Chumphon Archipelago, this city has maintained natural, untouched beauty. Its miles of coastline are full of fine beaches with fishing, swimming and a number of other activities.

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 Chiang Mai, The Best 10-Day Tours from Bangkok, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Malaysia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Malaysia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chumphon and Sandakan, we can see that Sandakan is more expensive. And not only is Chumphon much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Chumphon would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chumphon 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 Chumphon.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Chumphon Expensive? and Is Sandakan Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Chumphon or Sandakan?

Sandakan has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Chumphon. When comparing the sizes of Chumphon 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 Chumphon 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 Chumphon or Sandakan in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Chumphon as well as Sandakan. Chumphon 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. Chumphon receives a lot of rain in the summer. Chumphon usually gets less rain in July than Sandakan. Chumphon gets 174 mm (6.9 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. In the summer, Chumphon often gets less sunshine than Sandakan. Chumphon gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sandakan receives 221 hours of full sun.

In the summer, Chumphon is around the same temperature as Sandakan. Typically, the summer temperatures in Chumphon in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Sandakan averages at about 27°C (81°F).

Should I visit Chumphon or Sandakan in the Autumn?

Both Sandakan and Chumphon are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Chumphon 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. It's quite rainy in Chumphon. In October, Chumphon usually receives more rain than Sandakan. Chumphon gets 276 mm (10.9 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 253 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Chumphon usually receives less sunshine than Sandakan during autumn. Chumphon gets 167 hours of sunny skies, while Sandakan receives 191 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Chumphon is generally around the same temperature as Sandakan. Daily temperatures in Chumphon average around 27°C (81°F), and Sandakan fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

Should I visit Chumphon or Sandakan in the Winter?

Both Sandakan and Chumphon during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Chumphon 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. Chumphon usually gets less rain in January than Sandakan. Chumphon gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

It's quite sunny in Chumphon. In the winter, Chumphon often gets more sunshine than Sandakan. Chumphon gets 255 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sandakan receives 156 hours of full sun.

Chumphon is around the same temperature as Sandakan in the winter. The daily temperature in Chumphon averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Sandakan fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).

Should I visit Chumphon or Sandakan in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Chumphon and Sandakan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Chumphon 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, Chumphon usually receives less rain than Sandakan. Chumphon gets 74 mm (2.9 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 Chumphon, it's very sunny this time of the year. Chumphon usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Sandakan during spring. Chumphon gets 239 hours of sunny skies, while Sandakan receives 247 hours of full sun in the spring.

In the spring, Chumphon is around the same temperature as Sandakan. Typically, the spring temperatures in Chumphon in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Sandakan averages at about 28°C (82°F).

Typical Weather for Sandakan and Chumphon