Which place is cheaper, Sandakan or Kathmandu?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Kathmandu 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.
Kathmandu is the capital and largest city in the country of Nepal. Its metropolitan area forms one large urban area that includes the area of Patan to the south. As of 2011 there were 2.5 million residents in the Kathmandu metropolis and over 3 million in the entire metropolitan area. Kathmandu is likely to be your entry point into Nepal and is a great place to pick up supplies and arrange the details for any treks you hope to do. Many travelers rush through Kathmandu, turned off by the pollution and crowds, but to skip Kathmandu is to miss a major cultural, financial, and influential part of what defines the country of Nepal. The city itself is quite fun to explore if you allow it enough time and an open mind.
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 Nepal, The Best 10-Day Tours in Nepal, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Malaysia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Malaysia.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Kathmandu is $57, 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 Kathmandu and Sandakan in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Kathmandu 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.
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Kathmandu:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kathmandu:
Prices for flights to both Sandakan and Kathmandu 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.
Some typical examples of dining costs in Kathmandu are as follows:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kathmandu.
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Sandakan.
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Kathmandu are as follows:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kathmandu are as follows:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Sandakan are as follows:
When comparing the travel costs between Kathmandu and Sandakan, we can see that Sandakan is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kathmandu Expensive? and Is Sandakan Expensive?.
Kathmandu has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Sandakan. When comparing the sizes of Kathmandu 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.