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

Should you visit Eilat or Sandakan?

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

Should I visit Eilat 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: Eilat or Sandakan?

Eilat

Eilat serves as the gateway to Israel from Egypt. It's located at the southern tip of the country and sits on the Red Sea with views of the Gulf of Aqaba. It's location in the Negev Desert along the beautiful coast make it appealing to both domestic and international vacationers.

Eilat is a resort town with many dive shops and snorkeling opportunities. The population of about 50,000 can easily be overshadowed by vacationers. With no shortage of sun, entertainment, bars, and partying, you will find both Israeli and international tourists looking for an oasis of fun and relaxation.

Although the area's coral reefs were being damaged by overuse, the removal of contraversial fish cages in 2008 has led to a slow recovery and an improvement in the quality of diving and snorkeling in the area. There are also less crowds than you will find in Sharm el-Sheikh or Dahab, Egypt.

Eilat has a hot desert climate. The summers are hot and dry and the winters are warm and dry. Temperatures in the winter can range from 52 to 73 degrees Fahrenheit and summer temperatures are usually between 79 and 104 degrees Fahrenheit.

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 10-Day Tours in Israel, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Israel, 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 Eilat and Sandakan, we can see that Eilat is more expensive. And not only is Sandakan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Eilat 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 Eilat would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Eilat 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 Eilat Expensive? and Is Sandakan Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Eilat or Sandakan?

Sandakan has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Eilat. When comparing the sizes of Eilat 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 Eilat 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 Eilat or Sandakan in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Eilat as well as Sandakan. Eilat 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. Eilat usually gets less rain in July than Sandakan. Eilat gets 0 mm (0 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 Eilat this time of the year. In the summer, Eilat often gets more sunshine than Sandakan. Eilat gets 384 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sandakan receives 221 hours of full sun.

Eilat can become quite hot in the summer. In July, Eilat is generally a little warmer than Sandakan. Daily temperatures in Eilat average around 33°C (91°F), and Sandakan fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

Should I visit Eilat or Sandakan in the Autumn?

Both Sandakan and Eilat are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Eilat 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. In October, Eilat usually receives less rain than Sandakan. Eilat gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 253 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Eilat. Eilat usually receives more sunshine than Sandakan during autumn. Eilat gets 295 hours of sunny skies, while Sandakan receives 191 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Eilat is around the same temperature as Sandakan in the autumn. The daily temperature in Eilat averages around 26°C (79°F) in October, and Sandakan fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

Should I visit Eilat or Sandakan in the Winter?

Both Sandakan and Eilat during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Eilat 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. Eilat usually gets less rain in January than Sandakan. Eilat gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

It's quite sunny in Eilat. In the winter, Eilat often gets more sunshine than Sandakan. Eilat gets 234 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sandakan receives 156 hours of full sun.

In the winter, Eilat is much colder than Sandakan. Typically, the winter temperatures in Eilat in January average around 14°C (57°F), and Sandakan averages at about 26°C (80°F).

Should I visit Eilat or Sandakan in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Eilat and Sandakan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Eilat 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, Eilat usually receives less rain than Sandakan. Eilat gets 0 mm (0 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 Eilat, it's very sunny this time of the year. Eilat usually receives more sunshine than Sandakan during spring. Eilat gets 282 hours of sunny skies, while Sandakan receives 247 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Eilat is generally cooler than Sandakan. Daily temperatures in Eilat average around 24°C (75°F), and Sandakan fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

Typical Weather for Sandakan and Eilat