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

Should you visit Hat Yai 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 Hat Yai 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: Hat Yai or Sandakan?

Hat Yai

The fourth largest city of Thailand, Hat Yai is a popular tourist destination, especially on weekends and holidays for people in neighboring Malaysia and Singapore. It is best known as a commercial hub and shopping destination, and for its floating market and Buddhist temple.

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 Contiki Tours to Thailand, The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, 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 Hat Yai and Sandakan, we can see that Sandakan is more expensive. And not only is Hat Yai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hat Yai would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hat Yai 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 Hat Yai.

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

Which is Bigger, Hat Yai or Sandakan?

Sandakan has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Hat Yai. When comparing the sizes of Hat Yai 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 Hat Yai or Sandakan?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.

Should I visit Hat Yai or Sandakan in the Summer?

Both Sandakan and Hat Yai are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Hat Yai 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 Hat Yai. In July, Hat Yai usually receives less rain than Sandakan. Hat Yai gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 195 mm (7.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

It's quite sunny in Sandakan. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hat Yai. Hat Yai usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Sandakan during summer. Hat Yai gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Sandakan receives 221 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Hat Yai is generally around the same temperature as Sandakan. Daily temperatures in Hat Yai average around 29°C (83°F), and Sandakan fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

Should I visit Hat Yai or Sandakan in the Autumn?

Both Sandakan and Hat Yai during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Hat Yai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Sandakan year-round.

May to December is the rainy season in Hat Yai. Sandakan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Hat Yai. Hat Yai usually gets more rain in October than Sandakan. Hat Yai gets 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 253 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the autumn, Hat Yai often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Sandakan. Hat Yai gets 182 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sandakan receives 191 hours of full sun.

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

Should I visit Hat Yai or Sandakan in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Hat Yai and Sandakan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Hat Yai year-round. Sandakan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

January to April in Hat Yai is the dry season. Sandakan receives a lot of rain in the winter. Hat Yai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Hat Yai usually receives less rain than Sandakan. Hat Yai gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

In Hat Yai, it's very sunny this time of the year. Hat Yai usually receives more sunshine than Sandakan during winter. Hat Yai gets 221 hours of sunny skies, while Sandakan receives 156 hours of full sun in the winter.

In the winter, Hat Yai is around the same temperature as Sandakan. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hat Yai in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Sandakan averages at about 26°C (80°F).

Should I visit Hat Yai or Sandakan in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Hat Yai as well as Sandakan. Hat Yai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Sandakan throughout the year.

Also, January to April in Hat Yai is the dry season. May to December in Hat Yai is the rainy season. It's quite rainy in Sandakan. Hat Yai usually gets less rain in April than Sandakan. Hat Yai gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 107 mm (4.2 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 Hat Yai this time of the year. In the spring, Hat Yai often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Sandakan. Hat Yai gets 265 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sandakan receives 247 hours of full sun.

In April, Hat Yai is generally around the same temperature as Sandakan. Daily temperatures in Hat Yai average around 30°C (85°F), and Sandakan fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

Typical Weather for Sandakan and Hat Yai