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

Should you visit Jaipur 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 Jaipur 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: Jaipur or Sandakan?

Jaipur

Jaipur, India, famously known as the Pink City, is the capital of Rajasthan and is often a highlight for many travelers to the area. Dating back to the eighteenth century, it is part of the Indian Golden Triangle which also includes Delhi and Agra. It's also a stopping off point for travelers venturing into the desert cities of Jodhpur and Jaisalmer. The city has a population of about 6.66 million people, making it the largest city in the state of Rajasthan and the tenth largest city in the country.

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 Budget Tours to India, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New Delhi, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Malaysia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Malaysia.


Which place is cheaper, Sandakan or Jaipur?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Jaipur is $19, 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 Jaipur and Sandakan in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Jaipur $12
    Sandakan $20
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Jaipur $24
    Sandakan $40
Compare Hotels in Jaipur and Sandakan

Looking for a hotel in Jaipur 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.

Hotels in Jaipur


Hotels in Sandakan


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: Jaipur Hotel Prices and Sandakan Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Jaipur $1.54
    Sandakan $33

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Jaipur

Also for Jaipur, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer Jaipur Airport JAI To Jaipur Hotels: $8.99
  • Private Transfer Jaipur Hotels To Jaipur Airport (JAI) Drop: $9.23
  • Private Train Station Transfer :- From Jaipur Train Station to Hotel: $10
  • Private Airport Transfer :- From Jaipur International Airport to Hotel: $10
  • One-Way Transfer Airport to Hotel: $12
  • Jaipur/Delhi/Agra: Private One-Way Transfers: $12
  • Jaipur Airport & Hotel Transfers/Pickup & Drop: $13
  • Jaipur Airport Transfer: $14
  • Private Transfer From Jaipur to Agra including Fatehpur Sikri: $15
  • Round trip airport Transfer Between Jaipur & Jaipur Airport JAI: $18
  • One Way Transfer from Jaipur : $18
  • Jaipur Airport Transfer (Jaipur Airport to Hotels and Homes) in Jaipur: $22

Is it cheaper to fly into Jaipur or Sandakan?

Prices for flights to both Sandakan and Jaipur 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 day
    Jaipur $4.75
    Sandakan $19
Typical Food Prices in Jaipur

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Jaipur:


  • Dinner
    $6.58
  • Soda
    $0.12

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Jaipur

For Jaipur, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Jaipur Street food tour: $4.59
  • Indian Cooking Class with Local Family in Jaipur: $9.83
  • Culture walking and food tour with guide in Jaipur.: $14
  • Food Tour and Eat like Locals : $16
  • Dinner With Traditional Rajput Family (Its Not Just Only A Cooking Class) : $16
  • cooking class demo with dinner: $20
  • Famous Masala Chowk Food Tour: $20
  • Cooking class demo with dinner : $21
  • Jaipur Full Day Tour with local family dinner: $21
  • Jaipur Cooking Class and home cooked dinner with Indian family: $21
  • Traditional Dinner with Family including Transfers: $22
  • Indian Home Based Cooking Class by Storyboard: $23

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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Jaipur $3.81
    Sandakan $7.19
Typical Entertainment Prices in Jaipur

For Jaipur, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Palace Entry for Two
    $1.20

Tours and Activities in Jaipur

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Jaipur.

  • All Inclusive Full Day Guided Jaipur City Tour: $4.50
  • Private Taj Mahal Sunrise Tour from Jaipur by Car: $5.00
  • From Half-Day City Tour with Guide: $5.88
  • Private Full Day Jaipur Sightseeing Tour By Tuk-Tuk: $6.00
  • Private Shopping Tour by Tuk Tuk: $6.00
  • Private Shopping City Tour by Tuk Tuk: $6.00
  • Private Full Day Jaipur Sightseeing Tour By Tuk Tuk: $6.00
  • From Private Half-Day City Tour with Guide: $6.50
  • Full day Jaipur sightseeing tour by tuk tuk.: $6.52
  • Jaipur customized Half Day Tour: $6.56
  • Full-Day Private Sightseeing Tour by tuk tuk: $6.71
  • Private Sightseeing Tour of Jaipur by Tuk-Tuk: $6.77

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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Jaipur $2.72
    Sandakan $6.59

Sample the Local Flavors in Jaipur

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Jaipur:

  • Pub Crawl Jaipur: $32
  • Pub Crawl Walking Tour: $39
  • Pub Crawl Jaipur: $39


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Jaipur and Sandakan, we can see that Sandakan is more expensive. And not only is Jaipur much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Jaipur would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Jaipur 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 Jaipur.

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


Which is Bigger, Jaipur or Sandakan?

Jaipur has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Sandakan. When comparing the sizes of Jaipur 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.