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

Should you visit Karachi or Sandakan?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Karachi 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: Karachi or Sandakan?

Karachi

Karachi is the capital of the Pakistani province of Sindh. It is the most populous city in Pakistan, and sixth most populous city proper in the world. Karachi, located on the coast of the Arabian Sea, is the financial and commercial center of the nation, as well as its largest port. The pace of life here is more hurried, and social attitudes are far more liberal than elsewhere in Pakistan. Locals call it the City of Lights, the City of The Quaid, and the City that Never Sleeps. The city credits its growth to the mixed populations of economic and political migrants along with refugees from different national, provincial, linguistic and religious origins, who generally come to the city to settle permanently.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Karachi or Sandakan?

Karachi has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Sandakan. When comparing the sizes of Karachi 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 Karachi or Sandakan?

Karachi 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 Karachi or Sandakan in the Summer?

Both Sandakan and Karachi are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Sandakan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the summer, Karachi is around the same temperature as Sandakan. Typically, the summer temperatures in Karachi in July average around 30°C (86°F), and Sandakan averages at about 27°C (81°F).

It's quite sunny in Sandakan. Karachi usually receives less sunshine than Sandakan during summer. Karachi gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Sandakan receives 221 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sandakan. In July, Karachi usually receives less rain than Sandakan. Karachi gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 195 mm (7.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Karachi or Sandakan in the Autumn?

Both Sandakan and Karachi during the autumn are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Sandakan year-round.

In October, Karachi is generally around the same temperature as Sandakan. Daily temperatures in Karachi average around 29°C (84°F), and Sandakan fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

It's quite sunny in Karachi. In the autumn, Karachi often gets more sunshine than Sandakan. Karachi gets 284 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sandakan receives 191 hours of full sun.

Sandakan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Karachi usually gets less rain in October than Sandakan. Karachi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 253 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Karachi or Sandakan in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Karachi and Sandakan. Sandakan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Karachi is cooler than Sandakan in the winter. The daily temperature in Karachi averages around 19°C (66°F) in January, and Sandakan fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).

In Karachi, it's very sunny this time of the year. Karachi usually receives more sunshine than Sandakan during winter. Karachi gets 271 hours of sunny skies, while Sandakan receives 156 hours of full sun in the winter.

Sandakan receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Karachi usually receives less rain than Sandakan. Karachi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Karachi or Sandakan in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Karachi as well as Sandakan. The warm climate attracts visitors to Sandakan throughout the year.

In the spring, Karachi is around the same temperature as Sandakan. Typically, the spring temperatures in Karachi in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Sandakan averages at about 28°C (82°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sandakan. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Karachi this time of the year. In the spring, Karachi often gets more sunshine than Sandakan. Karachi gets 277 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sandakan receives 247 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Sandakan. Karachi usually gets less rain in April than Sandakan. Karachi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Sandakan and Karachi