Which place is cheaper, Sandakan or Hoi An?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Hoi An or Sandakan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Hoi An and Sandakan. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Hoi An or Sandakan?
Hoi An
Located just south of the city of Da Nang, Hoi An is famous for it's beautiful old town. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Unfortunately, since its designation as a World Heritage Site in 1999, mass tourism has grown and the city has felt the growing pains. Most of the homes and shops in the old town are now used for commercial purposes. The city is still quaint, but the old town is lined with tailor shops, souvenir stores, and restaurants. Foreigners are required to purchase a ticket to enter the old town of Hoi An (120,000 VND, about $5).
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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in Vietnam, The Best Historical Tours in Vietnam, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Malaysia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Malaysia.
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Hoi An Prices
Vietnam PricesSandakan Prices
Malaysia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHoi An $51Sandakan $81
The average daily cost (per person) in Hoi An is $51, while the average daily cost in Sandakan is $81. 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 Hoi An and Sandakan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHoi An $20Sandakan $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHoi An $40Sandakan $46
Compare Hotels in Hoi An and Sandakan
Looking for a hotel in Hoi An 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: Hoi An Hotel Prices and Sandakan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hoi An $18Sandakan $37
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Hoi An
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Hoi An are as follows:
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Taxi From Danang to Hoi An$8.34
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Bus From Hoi An Bus Station to Town$0.57
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hoi An
Also for Hoi An, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Hue Private Car with Driver for Customizable Trip & Transfer: $7.09
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sandakan
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sandakan:
- Private 1Way Transfer to/from Sandakan Airport, City or Sepilok: $39
Is it cheaper to fly into Hoi An or Sandakan?
Prices for flights to both Sandakan and Hoi An 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 dayHoi An $16Sandakan $36
Typical Food Prices in Hoi An
For Hoi An, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner at Bamboo Village (for Two)$13
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$3.79
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Casual Dinner (for Two)$7.58
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 : Fireflies and Mangrove Cruise with Dinner: $193
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hoi An $12Sandakan $8.15
Typical Entertainment Prices in Hoi An
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Hoi An's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Golf (for Two)$140
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Short Boat Ride$1.52
Tours and Activities in Hoi An
For Hoi An, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Hue : Shuttle bus from Hue to Hoi An and sightseeing: $16
- Hue-Da Nang-Hoi An Bus Tour with English Guide & Sightseeing: $22
- Hue: Half-Day Tour with Optional Dragon Boat Perfume River: $28
- Phu Quoc: 3 Islands Snorkeling/ Cable Car Adventure: $45
- Hoi An Experience 3 Hours Wood Carving Class with Local Artist: $47
- My Son Sanctuary Private Tour - Early Morning or Half Day Tour: $50
- My Son - Hoi An Full Day Private Tour With Meals: $75
- My Son - Danang from Tien Sa cruise harbor: $150
- Cruiseship Trip from TIEN SA or CHAN MAY Port to MY SON HOLYLAND & HOI AN City: $154
- Cruiseship Trip from TIEN SA or CHAN MAY Port to MY SON HOLYLAND & DA NANG City: $154
- Cruiseship Tour to MY SON HOLYLAND - DA NANG CITY From Chan May or Tien Sa Port: $179
- My Son - Danang from Tien Sa cruise harbor: $180
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: $112
- Borneo : Orangutan, Proboscis Monkey, and Sun Bear Tour: $338
- Borneo Kinabatangan River Cruise Day Trip: $88
- Borneo Wildlife Tour 2 Days 1 Night At Tanjung Bulat Jungle Camp Kinabatangan: $230
- Borneo Wildlife Tour 3 Days 2 Nights At Tanjung Bulat Jungle Camp Kinabatangan: $260
- Day Trip Sepilok Orang-utan And City Tour (Flight Excluded): $119
- From Sandakan to Kinabatangan River Safari Boat Cruise Day Tour: $164
- From 7 Unmissable Local Stops Private Tour: $75
- Full Day At Sepilok Orangutan, Sun Bear & Sandakan City Tour: $164
- Kinabatangan River Cruise from Sandakan: $90
- Labuk Proboscis, Sepilok, Sun Bear, Sandakan City Tour & Lunch: $147
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHoi An $8.59Sandakan $7.47
Typical Alcohol Prices in Hoi An
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Hoi An are as follows:
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Bottle of Wine$9.10
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hoi An and Sandakan, we can see that Sandakan is more expensive. And not only is Hoi An much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hoi An would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hoi An 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 Hoi An.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hoi An Expensive? and Is Sandakan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hoi An or Sandakan?
Sandakan has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Hoi An. When comparing the sizes of Hoi An 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 Hoi An 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 Hoi An or Sandakan in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Hoi An as well as Sandakan. Hoi An attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Sandakan throughout the year.
Also, February to July in Hoi An is the dry season. September to January in Hoi An is the rainy season. It's quite rainy in Sandakan. Hoi An usually gets less rain in July than Sandakan. Hoi An gets 71 mm (2.8 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 Hoi An this time of the year. In the summer, Hoi An often gets more sunshine than Sandakan. Hoi An gets 242 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sandakan receives 221 hours of full sun.
In the summer, Hoi An is around the same temperature as Sandakan. Typically, the summer temperatures in Hoi An in July average around 29°C (85°F), and Sandakan averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHoi An 29°C (85°F)Sandakan 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Hoi An or Sandakan in the Autumn?
Both Sandakan and Hoi An are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Hoi An 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 Hoi An. In October, Hoi An usually receives more rain than Sandakan. Hoi An gets 613 mm (24.1 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 253 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Hoi An usually receives less sunshine than Sandakan during autumn. Hoi An gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Sandakan receives 191 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Hoi An is generally around the same temperature as Sandakan. Daily temperatures in Hoi An average around 25°C (78°F), and Sandakan fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHoi An 25°C (78°F)Sandakan 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Hoi An or Sandakan in the Winter?
Both Sandakan and Hoi An during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Hoi An because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Sandakan year-round.
February to July is the dry season in Hoi An. September to January is the rainy season in Hoi An. Sandakan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Hoi An. Hoi An usually gets less rain in January than Sandakan. Hoi An gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the winter, Hoi An often gets less sunshine than Sandakan. Hoi An gets 136 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sandakan receives 156 hours of full sun.
Hoi An is cooler than Sandakan in the winter. The daily temperature in Hoi An averages around 22°C (71°F) in January, and Sandakan fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHoi An 22°C (71°F)Sandakan 26°C (80°F)
Should I visit Hoi An or Sandakan in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Hoi An and Sandakan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Hoi An 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, Hoi An usually receives less rain than Sandakan. Hoi An gets 33 mm (1.3 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 Hoi An, it's very sunny this time of the year. Hoi An usually receives less sunshine than Sandakan during spring. Hoi An gets 210 hours of sunny skies, while Sandakan receives 247 hours of full sun in the spring.
In the spring, Hoi An is around the same temperature as Sandakan. Typically, the spring temperatures in Hoi An in April average around 26°C (80°F), and Sandakan averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHoi An 26°C (80°F)Sandakan 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Sandakan and Hoi An
| Hoi An | Sandakan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 22°C (71°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 437 mm (17.2 in) |
| Feb | 23°C (73°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 268 mm (10.6 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (80°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (85°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 195 mm (7.7 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (85°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 213 mm (8.4 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 331 mm (13 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (78°F) | 613 mm (24.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 253 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 24°C (76°F) | 376 mm (14.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 344 mm (13.5 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 223 mm (8.8 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 462 mm (18.2 in) |
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.