Which place is cheaper, Sandakan or Jaisalmer?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Jaisalmer or Sandakan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Jaisalmer 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: Jaisalmer or Sandakan?
Jaisalmer
Jaisalmer is located in western part of the Rajasthan state of India. The city is known as the "Golden City" for its Sonar Qila, or 'Golden Fort'. This fort is different than other forts in India in that it is a living fort, meaning that it contains many hotels, homes, and shops for locals and visitors. The city is very close to the Thar Desert, to which excursions can be made.
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 India, The Best Sightseeing Tours in India, 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 dayJaisalmer $37Sandakan $58
The average daily cost (per person) in Jaisalmer is $37, 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 Jaisalmer and Sandakan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personJaisalmer $13Sandakan $20
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomJaisalmer $26Sandakan $40
Compare Hotels in Jaisalmer and Sandakan
Looking for a hotel in Jaisalmer 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: Jaisalmer Hotel Prices and Sandakan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Jaisalmer $12Sandakan $33
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Jaisalmer
Also for Jaisalmer, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer From Jaisalmer Airport To Jaisalmer Hotel: $10
- Private Transfer From Jaisalmer Hotel To Jaisalmer Airport: $10
- One Way Transfer Service From Jaisalmer Airport To Hotel: $12
- One Way Transfer Service From Jaisalmer Hotel To Airport: $12
- Private One Way Transfer From Jaisalmer Airport To Jaisalmer Hotel: $12
- From Jaisalmer : Private Transfer To Sam / Khuri Sand Dunes: $18
- Private Transfer From Jaisalmer To Khuri Sand Dunes: $19
- Private Transfer From Jaisalmer To Sam Sand Dunes: $19
- Pokhran Airport transfer: $28
- Private Transfer from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur: $37
- One Way Transfer From Jaisalmer To Jodhpur: $42
- From Jaisalmer : Transfer To Jodhpur Via Osian Temple: $43
Is it cheaper to fly into Jaisalmer or Sandakan?
Prices for flights to both Sandakan and Jaisalmer 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 dayJaisalmer $13Sandakan $19
Typical Food Prices in Jaisalmer
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Jaisalmer:
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Dinner$4.78
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Jaisalmer
For Jaisalmer, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Half Day SunSet Tour with Dinner: $26
- Jaisalmer Heritage Cultural Walking & Street Food Tour: $28
- Half Day Camel Safari Sunset with Dinner Tour (Non Touristic): $30
- Pleasant Sunset Safari With Dinner On Dunes (From 2:00 PM to Approx. 10:00 PM): $33
- Peaceful Non -Touristic Sunset Camel Safari With Dinner : $35
- Sunset Safari With Dinner: $37
- Half Day Desert Safari with Camel ride & dinner: $42
- Sun Set Safari with Dinner: $45
- 4×4 Jeep Safari And Camel Safari With Dinner On Sand dunes: $48
- Away from the Crowd Dinner on dunes/ In Non Touristic Desert: $55
- DiNnER iN HeVeN /aT Golden Desert of Jaisalmer: $55
- DiNnER !N G0LdEN DE$ERT 0F jASeLMeR: $55
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.Jaisalmer $12Sandakan $7.19
Typical Entertainment Prices in Jaisalmer
For Jaisalmer, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Sam Sand Dunes for Two$3.59
Tours and Activities in Jaisalmer
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Jaisalmer.
- Temple Tour Of Jaisalmer Rajasthan: $6.14
- Explore Jaisalmer with Professional Tour Guide: $12
- Explore Jaisalmer at Night (2 Hour Guided Walking Tour): $12
- Jaisalmer Walking Tour: A Stroll Through Time and Culture: $12
- Colorful Markets of Jaisalmer (3 Hour Guided Tour): $12
- Heritage & Cultural Trails of Jaisalmer- Guided Walking Tour: $13
- Experience Jaisalmer at Night (2 Hour Guided Walking Tour): $13
- Vibrant Markets of Jaisalmer (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $13
- Golden City Photography Guided Tour to Capture City Hues: $13
- Heritage & Cultural Trails of Jaisalmer Guided Walking Tour: $13
- Jaisalmer Heritage Trails (2 Hour Guided Walking Tour): $14
- Explore Jaisalmer in Nightlights -2 Hour Guided Walking Tour: $14
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 dayJaisalmer $9.23Sandakan $6.59
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Jaisalmer and Sandakan, we can see that Sandakan is more expensive. And not only is Jaisalmer much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Jaisalmer would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Jaisalmer 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 Jaisalmer.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Jaisalmer Expensive? and Is Sandakan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Jaisalmer or Sandakan?
Sandakan has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Jaisalmer. When comparing the sizes of Jaisalmer 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.
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.