Which place is cheaper, Sandakan or Doha?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Doha or Sandakan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Doha and Sandakan can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Doha or Sandakan?
Doha
Doha is the capital city of Qatar, modern and rapidly developing with much construction underway. It is home to Doha International Airport, the main point of entry for Qatar, as well as many of the country's best museums and examples of cultural heritage.
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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Malaysia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Malaysia.
-
Doha Prices
Qatar PricesSandakan Prices
Malaysia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDoha $244Sandakan $83
The average daily cost (per person) in Doha is $244, while the average daily cost in Sandakan is $83. 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 Doha and Sandakan in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDoha $119Sandakan $23
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDoha $238Sandakan $46
Compare Hotels in Doha and Sandakan
Looking for a hotel in Doha 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: Doha Hotel Prices and Sandakan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Doha $23Sandakan $38
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Doha
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Doha:
- Departure Transfer From Doha City: $15
- Private Car Transfer from Doha City: $20
- Departure Transfer From West Bay / Pearl Qatar: $20
- Departure Transfer from Lusail: $27
- From North of Qatar Guided Tour with Transfers: $35
- Doha Airport Transfers Taxi: $35
- Doha Night Desert Safari Camel Ride Dune Bashing with Transfer: $39
- Transfer from Hamad Airport to Doha City - Stress-Free Tranafer: $40
- Qatar Doha Airport (DOH) to Qatar Doha - Private Transfer: $41
- Private Transfer from Doha City Hotels to Doha Cruise Port: $57
- Private Transfer from Doha Cruise Port to Doha City Hotels: $57
- Doha, Qatar : Private Airport Transfer 24/7: $70
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sandakan
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sandakan:
- Private 1 Way Transfer from Sandakan to Semporna or Tawau: $241
- Private 1-Way Transfer Sandakan to/from Kinabatangan River: $124
- Private 1Way Transfer to/from Sandakan Airport, City or Sepilok: $39
Is it cheaper to fly into Doha or Sandakan?
Prices for flights to both Sandakan and Doha 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
-
Food Meals for one dayDoha $106Sandakan $37
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Doha
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Doha.
- Starlight Dhow Cruise Dinner Experience on Doha Waterfront: $34
- Traditional Sunset Dhow Cruise Tour with BBQ Buffet Dinner: $35
- Traditional Dhow Cruise Tour with Dinner on board: $50
- Sunset Dinner Cruise in Doha Bay A Traditional Dhow Experience: $55
- Qatar: Desert Dune Bashing with lunch/dinner in Desert Beach Camp: $55
- Moonlight Dinner Cruise with Transfers: $59
- Full-day Desert Beach Camp with Buffet lunch/dinner: $60
- Private Souk Waqif Tour with Lunch/Dinner: $85
- Full Day Desert Safari with Camp Access, Buffet Dinner,Camel Ride: $99
- Qatar Desert Safari Tour with Bedouin Camp Lunch or Dinner: $130
- Overnight Private Desert Safari with Buffet Dinner and Camel Ride: $149
- Full Day Desert Safari with Inland Sea Visit and Buffet Dinner: $150
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
- Sandakan Mangrove Fireflies Dinners Tastings and Cruise: $70
- Sandakan : Fireflies and Mangrove Cruise with Dinner: $193
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Doha $18Sandakan $8.39
Tours and Activities in Doha
Here are a few actual costs in Doha for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Doha Tour App Hidden Gems Game and Big Qatar Quiz: $20
- National Museum Ticket at Qatar: $23
- 3-2-1 Olympic and Sports Museum ticket | Qatar: $23
- The Heart of the Desert – Doha Safari & Inland Sea Tour: $28
- Qatar Desert Safari Adventure Experience .: $28
- Half Day Desert Safari from Cruise Airport or Hotel: $28
- Doha Desert Safari Adventure CamelRide, DuneBashing & Inland Sea: $29
- Doha Group Tour Skyline Souq and Cultural Village: $29
- Doha 4 Hours City Tour with Licensed Tour Guide: $29
- Explore Doha Souq Waqif Katara Cultural Village Pearl Island Tour: $30
- Top Doha Night City Tour Including Souq Waqif , Lusail And Katara: $30
- Moonlight on The Gulf A Doha Dhow Cruise Adventure: $30
Tours and Activities in Sandakan
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Sandakan are as follows:
- Private Tour: Half Day Sandakan City Tour Including Local Lunch: $60
- 6 Must-see Local Spots Private Tour with Lunch: $64
- From 7 Unmissable Local Stops Private Tour: $75
- Kinabatangan River Cruise from Sandakan: $90
- Sukau Rainforest Wildlife Journey & Dawn Cruises: $90
- Sandakan Private City Tour, Orangutan, Sun Bears and Rainforest: $96
- Borneo Kinabatangan River Cruise Day Trip: $105
- Local Stories, City, Spice, Cruise, Fireflies Tour: $106
- Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre & Sepilok Orang Utan Rehab Centre Tour: $112
- Day Trip Sepilok Orang-utan And City Tour (Flight Excluded): $119
- Full Day Sepilok Orangutan and Rainforest Discovery Centre Tour: $120
- Sukau Big 5 Sunset Cruise Day Tour from Sandakan (Small Group): $120
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayDoha $15Sandakan $7.69
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Doha and Sandakan, we can see that Doha is more expensive. And not only is Sandakan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Doha 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 Doha would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Doha 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 Doha Expensive? and Is Sandakan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Doha or Sandakan?
Sandakan has a larger population, and is about 14% larger than the population of Doha. When comparing the sizes of Doha 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.