Which place is cheaper, Sandakan or Krabi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Krabi or Sandakan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Krabi and Sandakan can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Krabi or Sandakan?
Krabi
Krabi is both a large town and region in southern Thailand. While the region is covered in beaches, if you're more interested in immersion in Thai culture than the salty ocean, consider a trip to "Krabi Town". Pronounced "Grabee," this small, but bustling city is just up the river from the coast, and is the gateway to the beaches in the surrounding Province of Krabi (where you'll find famous places such as Railay, Ao Nang, Haad Yao, and plenty of others). Krabi Town is full of hotels, agencies, and western restaurants, but if you look hard enough, you'll easily see the energy and life of Thailand. While there are no beaches in the town itself, there is plenty of Thai culture to experience. There's a good chance you'll be passing through on your way to one of the famous beaches, so take advantage of your brief time here.
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 10-Day Tours in Thailand, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Thailand, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Malaysia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Malaysia.
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Krabi Prices
Thailand PricesSandakan Prices
Malaysia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKrabi $74Sandakan $81
The average daily cost (per person) in Krabi is $74, while the average daily cost in Sandakan is $81. 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 Krabi and Sandakan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKrabi $42Sandakan $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKrabi $84Sandakan $46
Compare Hotels in Krabi and Sandakan
Looking for a hotel in Krabi 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: Krabi Hotel Prices and Sandakan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Krabi $4.37Sandakan $37
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Krabi
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Krabi are as follows:
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Scooter Rental$9.42
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Short Tuk-Tuk Ride$3.14
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2 Bottles of Gasoline$2.51
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Longboat Taxi from Town$6.28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Krabi
Also for Krabi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Krabi International Airport Arrival Shared Transfer To Ao Nang : $12
- Krabi International Airport Departure Shared Transfer from Aonang: $12
- Krabi Airport (KBV) Private Transfer: $13
- Krabi to Koh Lanta Transfer by Shared Air Conditioned Van: $13
- Ferry Transfer to/from Phi Phi Tonsai or Laem Tong: $14
- Ferry Transfer To or From Phi Phi Don Island: $14
- Shared Van Transfer from Krabi to Koh Lanta with Hotel Drop Off: $15
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Krabi HTL-APT (KBV): $15
- One-Way Ferry Transfer to/from Koh Phi Phi: $16
- Private Transfer : Krabi Hotel to Krabi Airport Departure: $20
- Private Transfer : Krabi Hotel to Krabi Airport Departure: $20
- Private Departure Transfer : Krabi Hotel to Krabi Airport: $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sandakan
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sandakan:
- Private 1Way Transfer to/from Sandakan Airport, City or Sepilok: $38
Is it cheaper to fly into Krabi or Sandakan?
Prices for flights to both Sandakan and Krabi 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 dayKrabi $25Sandakan $36
Typical Food Prices in Krabi
For Krabi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$7.85
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Drinks on the Beach$7.54
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Sit Down Dinner (for Two)$19
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Nice Dinner (for Two)$35
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Mango Shake$1.57
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Pad Thai$3.14
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Fruit from the Market$1.88
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Pancakes$3.14
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Coffee & Cake$2.36
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Krabi
For Krabi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Snorkeling and Sunset to Krabi 7 Islands by Longtail Boat + Buffet BBQ Dinner: $37
- Hands on Half-day Cooking Class by Authentic Thai Cooking: $39
- 7 Islands Sunset Tour with Buffet Dinner & Night Snorkeling: $39
- Traditional Thai Cooking Class with Smart Cook: $40
- Penny Thai Cooking Class Krabi: $45
- Krabi Kitchens Food Tour with 15 Plus Tastings: $45
- Krabi Bites Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $45
- Krabi 7 Island Sunset & BBQ Dinner (Join Tour): $45
- Krabi 7 Islands Snorkeling, Sunset Dinner & Plankton Night : $45
- Thai Charm Cooking School Krabi: $46
- Authentic Thai Cooking Class in Ao Nang: $46
- Kayaking and BBQ Dinner On The Beach Ao Thalane From Krabi: $48
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
- Sandakan : Fireflies and Mangrove Cruise with Dinner: $193
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Krabi $12Sandakan $8.15
Typical Entertainment Prices in Krabi
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Krabi's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Thai-English Book$10
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Thai Massages (for Two)$25
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Bikini & Sarong$19
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Yoga Class (1 Hour)$14
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Backgammon Set (travel size)$7.85
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Kayak Trip (for Two)$60
Tours and Activities in Krabi
For Krabi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- DIY tour - Finest selection of Krabi Hidden Gems: $8.17
- Railay Phra Nang and Diamond Cave Sunset tour: $21
- Krabi 4 Islands Snorkeling and Thale Waek Full Day Tour : $21
- ATV Adventure in Krabi Thailand: $22
- Krabi ATV adventure tour 1 Hour : $23
- Blue Dragon Cabaret Ticket Dazzling Night from Krabi: $24
- Klong Root Kayaking and Swimming with ATV Tour From Krabi : $24
- Ao Thalane Kayaking Mangrove Forests Adventure from Krabi : $24
- 4 Islands Day Tour from Krabi: $25
- Krabi 4 Islands Shared Tour with Lunch and Guide: $25
- ATV Adventure in Thrills Await: $28
- Railay Beach and Caves Tour from Ao Nang - Half Day: $28
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: $112
- Borneo : Orangutan, Proboscis Monkey, and Sun Bear Tour: $338
- Borneo Kinabatangan River Cruise Day Trip: $88
- Borneo Wildlife Tour 2 Days 1 Night At Tanjung Bulat Jungle Camp Kinabatangan: $230
- Borneo Wildlife Tour 3 Days 2 Nights At Tanjung Bulat Jungle Camp Kinabatangan: $260
- Day Trip Sepilok Orang-utan And City Tour (Flight Excluded): $119
- From Sandakan to Kinabatangan River Safari Boat Cruise Day Tour: $163
- From 7 Unmissable Local Stops Private Tour: $75
- Full Day At Sepilok Orangutan, Sun Bear & Sandakan City Tour: $164
- Kinabatangan River Cruise from Sandakan: $90
- Labuk Proboscis, Sepilok, Sun Bear, Sandakan City Tour & Lunch: $147
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKrabi $5.00Sandakan $7.47
Typical Alcohol Prices in Krabi
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Krabi are as follows:
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Beer$2.83
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Cocktails (for Two)$9.42
When comparing the travel costs between Krabi 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 Krabi Expensive? and Is Sandakan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Krabi or Sandakan?
Sandakan has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Krabi. When comparing the sizes of Krabi 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 Krabi or Sandakan?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Krabi or Sandakan in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Krabi as well as Sandakan. Krabi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Sandakan throughout the year.
August to October in Krabi is the rainy season. It's quite rainy in Sandakan. Krabi receives a lot of rain in the summer. Krabi usually gets more rain in July than Sandakan. Krabi gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 195 mm (7.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sandakan. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Krabi this time of the year. In the summer, Krabi often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Sandakan. Krabi gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sandakan receives 221 hours of full sun.
In the summer, Krabi is around the same temperature as Sandakan. Typically, the summer temperatures in Krabi in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Sandakan averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKrabi 28°C (82°F)Sandakan 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Krabi or Sandakan in the Autumn?
Both Sandakan and Krabi are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Krabi 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 Krabi is December to March. The rainy season in Krabi is August to October. It rains a lot this time of the year in Sandakan. It's quite rainy in Krabi. In October, Krabi usually receives more rain than Sandakan. Krabi gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 253 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Krabi usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Sandakan during autumn. Krabi gets 181 hours of sunny skies, while Sandakan receives 191 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Krabi is generally around the same temperature as Sandakan. Daily temperatures in Krabi average around 27°C (81°F), and Sandakan fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKrabi 27°C (81°F)Sandakan 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Krabi or Sandakan in the Winter?
Both Sandakan and Krabi during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Krabi because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Sandakan year-round.
December to March is the dry season in Krabi. Sandakan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Krabi usually gets less rain in January than Sandakan. Krabi gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
It's quite sunny in Krabi. In the winter, Krabi often gets more sunshine than Sandakan. Krabi gets 287 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sandakan receives 156 hours of full sun.
Krabi is around the same temperature as Sandakan in the winter. The daily temperature in Krabi averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and Sandakan fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKrabi 28°C (82°F)Sandakan 26°C (80°F)
Should I visit Krabi or Sandakan in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Krabi and Sandakan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Krabi year-round. Sandakan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Sandakan receives a lot of rain in the spring. Krabi gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Krabi usually receives more rain than Sandakan. Krabi gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sandakan this time of the year. In Krabi, it's very sunny this time of the year. Krabi usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Sandakan during spring. Krabi gets 249 hours of sunny skies, while Sandakan receives 247 hours of full sun in the spring.
In the spring, Krabi is around the same temperature as Sandakan. Typically, the spring temperatures in Krabi in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Sandakan averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKrabi 29°C (84°F)Sandakan 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Sandakan and Krabi
| Krabi | Sandakan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 437 mm (17.2 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (83°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 268 mm (10.6 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 318 mm (12.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 279 mm (11 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 195 mm (7.7 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 262 mm (10.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 213 mm (8.4 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 399 mm (15.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 304 mm (12 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 253 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 344 mm (13.5 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 62 mm (2.4 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.