Which place is cheaper, Sandakan or Islamabad?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Islamabad 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 Islamabad 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: Islamabad or Sandakan?
Islamabad
Islamabad is the capital of Pakistan, specially built in the 1960's to replace the former capital, Karachi. Most of the city's population are employees of the government, though many people come from all over Pakistan to enjoy the city's peaceful atmosphere and green spaces, museums, and monuments.
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 Adventure Tours to Pakistan, The Best Cultural Tours in Pakistan, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Malaysia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Malaysia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayIslamabad $42Sandakan $58
The average daily cost (per person) in Islamabad is $42, while the average daily cost in Sandakan is $58. 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 Islamabad and Sandakan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personIslamabad $20Sandakan $20
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomIslamabad $40Sandakan $40
Compare Hotels in Islamabad and Sandakan
Looking for a hotel in Islamabad 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: Islamabad Hotel Prices and Sandakan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Islamabad $7.68Sandakan $33
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Islamabad
Also for Islamabad, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Islamabad International Airport Transfer: $35
- Islamabad International Airport Transfer - ARRIVAL: $40
- Islamabad International Airport Transfer - DEPARTURE: $40
- Private Chauffeur: Arrival Transfer Airport Pick up (Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore): $50
- Islamabad International Airport Departure Drop off Transfer : $55
- Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Departures: $55
- Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Arrival: $55
- Islamabad International Airport Arrival Pick up Transfer: $55
- Private Transfer from Islamabad Airport to Pakistan: $61
- Transit Trip: Murree Exploration Day Trip & Round Trip Airport Transfer: $140
Is it cheaper to fly into Islamabad or Sandakan?
Prices for flights to both Sandakan and Islamabad 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 dayIslamabad $15Sandakan $19
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Islamabad $9.48Sandakan $7.19
Tours and Activities in Islamabad
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Islamabad.
- Full-Day Sightseeing Tour Of Islamabad: $80
- Islamabad In & Around Full Day Customized City Tour: $80
- Shopping Tour: Full Day Islamabad Markets Exploration Tour: $90
- Private Tour: Hidden Gems of Islamabad Exploration Tour: $90
- Islamabad Instagram Tour: Most Famous Spots (Private & All-Inclusive): $95
- City Tour with Faisal Mosque and Lake View Park: $95
- Best of Islamabad Half Day Tour With Meal At Monal Restaurant (Morn & Eve Slots): $100
- Islamabad City Tour With Faisal Mosque, Pakistan Monument & Lunch : $110
- Top Ten Wonders of Islamabad Guided City Tour: $120
- Private Tour: Guided Day Trip To Murree from Islamabad: $130
- 5-Hour Private Guided Tour in Islamabad City: $130
- Full Day Private Guided Tour of Taxila Gandahara Civilization : $140
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: $105
- Borneo Kinabatangan River Cruise Day Trip: $78
- Borneo Wildlife Tour 2 Days 1 Night At Tanjung Bulat Jungle Camp Kinabatangan: $197
- Borneo Wildlife Tour 3 Days 2 Nights At Tanjung Bulat Jungle Camp Kinabatangan: $241
- Kinabatangan River Cruise from Sandakan: $90
- Labuk Proboscis, Sepilok, Sun Bear, Sandakan City Tour & Lunch: $138
- Private Full Day Sepilok Orang Utan, Bornean Sun Bear and Rainforest Discovery Center Tour: $125
- Private Tour: Half Day Sandakan City Tour Including Local Lunch: $51
- Sepilok Orang Utan & Bornean Sun Bear Centre with Sandakan City Tour with Lunch: $191
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayIslamabad $2.88Sandakan $6.59
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Islamabad and Sandakan, we can see that Sandakan is more expensive. And not only is Islamabad much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Islamabad would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Islamabad 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 Islamabad.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Islamabad Expensive? and Is Sandakan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Islamabad or Sandakan?
Islamabad has a larger population, and is about 53% larger than the population of Sandakan. When comparing the sizes of Islamabad 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 Islamabad or Sandakan?
Islamabad has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Sandakan experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Islamabad or Sandakan in the Summer?
Both Sandakan and Islamabad during the summer are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Sandakan year-round.
The heat can be very extreme in Islamabad. In the summer, Islamabad is a little warmer than Sandakan. Typically, the summer temperatures in Islamabad in July average around 32°C (90°F), and Sandakan averages at about 27°C (81°F).
In Sandakan, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Islamabad. In the summer, Islamabad often gets more sunshine than Sandakan. Islamabad gets 247 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sandakan receives 221 hours of full sun.
Sandakan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Islamabad. Islamabad usually gets more rain in July than Sandakan. Islamabad gets 237 mm (9.3 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 195 mm (7.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyIslamabad 32°C (90°F)Sandakan 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Islamabad or Sandakan in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Islamabad and Sandakan. Sandakan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In October, Islamabad is generally around the same temperature as Sandakan. Daily temperatures in Islamabad average around 26°C (80°F), and Sandakan fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
In Islamabad, it's very sunny this time of the year. Islamabad usually receives more sunshine than Sandakan during autumn. Islamabad gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Sandakan receives 191 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Sandakan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Islamabad usually receives less rain than Sandakan. Islamabad gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 253 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberIslamabad 26°C (80°F)Sandakan 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Islamabad or Sandakan in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Islamabad as well as Sandakan. The warm climate attracts visitors to Sandakan throughout the year.
Islamabad is much colder than Sandakan in the winter. The daily temperature in Islamabad averages around 14°C (57°F) in January, and Sandakan fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Islamabad this time of the year. In the winter, Islamabad often gets more sunshine than Sandakan. Islamabad gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sandakan receives 156 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Sandakan. Islamabad usually gets less rain in January than Sandakan. Islamabad gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryIslamabad 14°C (57°F)Sandakan 26°C (80°F)
Should I visit Islamabad or Sandakan in the Spring?
Both Sandakan and Islamabad are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Sandakan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the spring, Islamabad is around the same temperature as Sandakan. Typically, the spring temperatures in Islamabad in April average around 27°C (80°F), and Sandakan averages at about 28°C (82°F).
It's quite sunny in Sandakan. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Islamabad. Islamabad usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Sandakan during spring. Islamabad gets 258 hours of sunny skies, while Sandakan receives 247 hours of full sun in the spring.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Sandakan. In April, Islamabad usually receives less rain than Sandakan. Islamabad gets 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilIslamabad 27°C (80°F)Sandakan 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Sandakan and Islamabad
| Islamabad | Sandakan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 14°C (57°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 437 mm (17.2 in) |
| Feb | 16°C (61°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 268 mm (10.6 in) |
| Mar | 21°C (70°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (80°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| May | 32°C (89°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Jun | 35°C (94°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) |
| Jul | 32°C (90°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 195 mm (7.7 in) |
| Aug | 31°C (89°F) | 221 mm (8.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 213 mm (8.4 in) |
| Sep | 31°C (87°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (80°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 253 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 344 mm (13.5 in) |
| Dec | 15°C (59°F) | 30 mm (1.2 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.