Which place is cheaper, Sandakan or Koh Lanta?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Koh Lanta 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 Koh Lanta 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: Koh Lanta or Sandakan?
Koh Lanta
Located on the southern coast of Thailand is a place populated by long beaches and diving hotspots. Consisting of several islands, Koh Lanta is a large island with nine beaches along the coast. The beautiful scenery makes this a quiet and relaxing spot for tourists. The crowds on this island tend to be older than the party-seekers on Ko Phi Phi so you'll find more activities like serene walks on the beach or travelers catching a sunset.
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 Eco Tours in Thailand, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Thailand, 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 dayKoh Lanta $48Sandakan $58
The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Lanta is $48, 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 Koh Lanta and Sandakan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKoh Lanta $24Sandakan $20
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKoh Lanta $48Sandakan $40
Compare Hotels in Koh Lanta and Sandakan
Looking for a hotel in Koh Lanta 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: Koh Lanta Hotel Prices and Sandakan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Koh Lanta $5.66Sandakan $33
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Lanta
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Koh Lanta:
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Ferry from Koh Phi Phi to Koh Lanta$16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Koh Lanta
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Koh Lanta:
- One-Way Transfer from Koh Lanta to Krabi Town or Airport by Minivan: $11
- Pravate Transfer Lanta Island to Krabi Airport, Krabi Town, Ao nang: $74
- Koh Lanta :Krabi Airport Private Transfer:From Airport or Hotel: $111
- Koh lanta to phuket any hotel Private transfer: $171
Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Lanta or Sandakan?
Prices for flights to both Sandakan and Koh Lanta 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 dayKoh Lanta $11Sandakan $19
Typical Food Prices in Koh Lanta
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Koh Lanta:
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Casual Breakfast$4.36
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Casual Lunch$7.36
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Casual Dinner$12
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Fancy Dinner (for Two)$46
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Koh Lanta
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Koh Lanta.
- Cooking Experience at Lanta Thai Cookery School From Koh Lanta: $48
- Sukho Cuisine Thai Cooking School From Koh Lanta: $52
- Cooking Class and Market Tour at Lanta Thai Cookery School on Koh Lanta: $53
- Cooking Class & Market Tour with Thai Master Chef at Sukho Cuisine, Lanta: $62
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.Koh Lanta $31Sandakan $7.19
Typical Entertainment Prices in Koh Lanta
Here are a few typical costs in Koh Lanta for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Emerald Cave Tour$19
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Yoga Session (1 Hour)$9.55
Tours and Activities in Koh Lanta
Here are a few actual costs in Koh Lanta for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Half Day 2 Caves Ko Skull Tour Ko Lanta and Kayaking Ko Talabeng: $25
- Lanta 4 Islands + Emerald Cave Snorkeling Tour: $26
- Lanta 4 Islands tour (Longtail boat): $26
- 4 Island Tour to Emerald Cave by Longtail Boat from Koh Lanta: $28
- Half Day Mangrove Forest Kayaking Tour From Koh Lanta: $29
- Tung Yee Peng Mangrove Forest Tour By Longtail Boat From Koh Lanta: $30
- Lanta Mangrove Tour with Sea Cave Kayaking at Koh Talabeng: $30
- Koh Ngai, Koh Muk + Emerald Cave Snorkeling Tour by Classic Longtail Boat: $32
- Sea Cave and Mangrove Forest Kayaking Tour From Koh Lanta: $36
- Lanta Old Town and Mangrove Forest Sightseeing Tour: $40
- Snorkel Tour to Phi Phi Islands by Speed Boat from Koh Lanta: $42
- Koh Phi Phi Day Tour by Opal Travel Speedboat: $42
Tours and Activities in Sandakan
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Sandakan are as follows:
- Private Tour: Half Day Sandakan City Tour Including Local Lunch: $51
- Borneo Kinabatangan River Cruise Day Trip: $78
- Kinabatangan River Cruise from Sandakan: $90
- Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre & Sepilok Orang Utan Rehab Centre Tour: $105
- Private Full Day Sepilok Orang Utan, Bornean Sun Bear and Rainforest Discovery Center Tour: $125
- Labuk Proboscis, Sepilok, Sun Bear, Sandakan City Tour & Lunch: $138
- Sepilok Orang Utan & Bornean Sun Bear Centre with Sandakan City Tour with Lunch: $191
- 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
- 2D1N Sandakan Private Tour with Kinabatangan River Cruise: $290
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKoh Lanta $3.79Sandakan $6.59
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Lanta and Sandakan, we can see that Sandakan is more expensive. And not only is Koh Lanta much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Koh Lanta would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koh Lanta 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 Koh Lanta.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Koh Lanta Expensive? and Is Sandakan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Koh Lanta or Sandakan?
Sandakan has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Koh Lanta. When comparing the sizes of Koh Lanta 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 Koh Lanta or Sandakan?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Koh Lanta or Sandakan in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Lanta and Sandakan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Lanta year-round. Sandakan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Also, June to September is the rainy season in Koh Lanta. Sandakan receives a lot of rain in the summer. Koh Lanta gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Koh Lanta usually receives more rain than Sandakan. Koh Lanta gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 195 mm (7.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sandakan this time of the year. In Koh Lanta, it's very sunny this time of the year. Koh Lanta usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Sandakan during summer. Koh Lanta gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Sandakan receives 221 hours of full sun in the summer.
Koh Lanta is around the same temperature as Sandakan in the summer. The daily temperature in Koh Lanta averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Sandakan fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKoh Lanta 27°C (81°F)Sandakan 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Koh Lanta or Sandakan in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Koh Lanta as well as Sandakan. Koh Lanta attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Sandakan throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Sandakan. Koh Lanta receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Koh Lanta usually gets more rain in October than Sandakan. Koh Lanta gets 281 mm (11.1 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 253 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the autumn, Koh Lanta often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Sandakan. Koh Lanta gets 181 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sandakan receives 191 hours of full sun.
In the autumn, Koh Lanta is around the same temperature as Sandakan. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Koh Lanta in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Sandakan averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKoh Lanta 27°C (81°F)Sandakan 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Koh Lanta or Sandakan in the Winter?
Both Sandakan and Koh Lanta are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Lanta throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Sandakan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The dry season in Koh Lanta is January to April. It rains a lot this time of the year in Sandakan. In January, Koh Lanta usually receives less rain than Sandakan. Koh Lanta gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Koh Lanta. Koh Lanta usually receives more sunshine than Sandakan during winter. Koh Lanta gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Sandakan receives 156 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Koh Lanta is generally around the same temperature as Sandakan. Daily temperatures in Koh Lanta average around 27°C (80°F), and Sandakan fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKoh Lanta 27°C (80°F)Sandakan 26°C (80°F)
Should I visit Koh Lanta or Sandakan in the Spring?
Both Sandakan and Koh Lanta during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Lanta because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Sandakan year-round.
January to April is the dry season in Koh Lanta. June to September is the rainy season in Koh Lanta. Sandakan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Lanta. Koh Lanta usually gets more rain in April than Sandakan. Koh Lanta gets 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Sandakan, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Koh Lanta. In the spring, Koh Lanta often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Sandakan. Koh Lanta gets 249 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sandakan receives 247 hours of full sun.
Koh Lanta is around the same temperature as Sandakan in the spring. The daily temperature in Koh Lanta averages around 29°C (85°F) in April, and Sandakan fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKoh Lanta 29°C (85°F)Sandakan 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Sandakan and Koh Lanta
| Koh Lanta | Sandakan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (80°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 437 mm (17.2 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 268 mm (10.6 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (85°F) | 124 mm (4.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 244 mm (9.6 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 224 mm (8.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 269 mm (10.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 195 mm (7.7 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 262 mm (10.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 213 mm (8.4 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 355 mm (14 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 281 mm (11.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 253 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 204 mm (8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 344 mm (13.5 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 116 mm (4.6 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.