Which place is cheaper, Sandakan or Lahore?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Lahore or Sandakan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Lahore and Sandakan. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Lahore or Sandakan?
Lahore
As Pakistan's second largest city and the capital of the north-eastern Punjab province, Lahore is widely considered the country's cultural capital. Some of its best-known features include the Lahore Fort, Badshahi Mosque and Gurdwara, a mall surrounded by buildings from the British Raj, and many unique markets and neighborhoods.
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 Pakistan, The Best Cultural Tours in Pakistan, 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 dayLahore $57Sandakan $58
The average daily cost (per person) in Lahore 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 Lahore and Sandakan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLahore $37Sandakan $20
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLahore $74Sandakan $40
Compare Hotels in Lahore and Sandakan
Looking for a hotel in Lahore 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: Lahore Hotel Prices and Sandakan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Lahore $9.98Sandakan $33
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lahore
Also for Lahore, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Chauffeur: Lahore International Airport Transfer - Arrival : $30
- Chauffeur: Lahore International Airport Transfer - Departure: $30
- Airport Transfer : $60
- Transit Trip: Lahore Guided Day Trip With Round Trip Airport Transfers: $140
Is it cheaper to fly into Lahore or Sandakan?
Prices for flights to both Sandakan and Lahore 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 dayLahore $14Sandakan $19
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lahore
For Lahore, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Street Food Tour of Lahore's Walled City : $85
- Lahore's Complete Night Food Tour: Local Culinary Experience: $110
- Full Day Lahore Private Guided Food Tour: $299
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.Lahore $5.08Sandakan $7.19
Tours and Activities in Lahore
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Lahore.
- Lahore Big Bus City Tour: $20
- Lahori Food Experience: $65
- Wahga Border Flag Ceremony & Shalimar Garden Private Tour: $70
- Guided Walking Tour: Walled City of Lahore : $90
- Full Day Private Guided Lahore Sightseeing Tour : $95
- Lahore Walled City Walking Tour: $102
- Rangeela Rikshaw Walled City Guided Tour Lahore : $110
- Rangeela Rickshaw Walled City Guided Tour Lahore : $110
- Private Tour: Lahore Full Day Customized Guided Trip : $120
- 1 Day Rohtas Fort & Khewra Salt Mines Tour: $120
- Lahore City, Fort, Museums and Walled City Exploration Tour: $120
- Private Lahore Full Day Sightseeing Tour with Local Guide: $120
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 dayLahore $4.89Sandakan $6.59
When comparing the travel costs between Lahore 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 Lahore Expensive? and Is Sandakan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Lahore or Sandakan?
Lahore has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Sandakan. When comparing the sizes of Lahore 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 Lahore or Sandakan?
Lahore 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 Lahore or Sandakan in the Summer?
Both Sandakan and Lahore during the summer are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Sandakan year-round.
The heat can be very extreme in Lahore. In the summer, Lahore is a little warmer than Sandakan. Typically, the summer temperatures in Lahore in July average around 33°C (91°F), and Sandakan averages at about 27°C (81°F).
In Sandakan, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Lahore. In the summer, Lahore often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Sandakan. Lahore gets 228 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sandakan receives 221 hours of full sun.
Sandakan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Lahore. Lahore usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Sandakan. Lahore gets 202 mm (8 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 195 mm (7.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLahore 33°C (91°F)Sandakan 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Lahore or Sandakan in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Lahore and Sandakan. Sandakan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In October, Lahore is generally around the same temperature as Sandakan. Daily temperatures in Lahore average around 27°C (81°F), and Sandakan fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
In Lahore, it's very sunny this time of the year. Lahore usually receives more sunshine than Sandakan during autumn. Lahore gets 290 hours of sunny skies, while Sandakan receives 191 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Sandakan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Lahore usually receives less rain than Sandakan. Lahore gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 253 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLahore 27°C (81°F)Sandakan 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Lahore or Sandakan in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Lahore as well as Sandakan. The warm climate attracts visitors to Sandakan throughout the year.
Lahore is much colder than Sandakan in the winter. The daily temperature in Lahore averages around 14°C (58°F) in January, and Sandakan fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Lahore this time of the year. In the winter, Lahore often gets more sunshine than Sandakan. Lahore gets 220 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sandakan receives 156 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Sandakan. Lahore usually gets less rain in January than Sandakan. Lahore gets 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLahore 14°C (58°F)Sandakan 26°C (80°F)
Should I visit Lahore or Sandakan in the Spring?
Both Sandakan and Lahore are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Sandakan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the spring, Lahore is around the same temperature as Sandakan. Typically, the spring temperatures in Lahore in April average around 28°C (83°F), and Sandakan averages at about 28°C (82°F).
It's quite sunny in Sandakan. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Lahore. Lahore usually receives more sunshine than Sandakan during spring. Lahore gets 278 hours of sunny skies, while Sandakan receives 247 hours of full sun in the spring.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Sandakan. In April, Lahore usually receives less rain than Sandakan. Lahore gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLahore 28°C (83°F)Sandakan 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Sandakan and Lahore
| Lahore | Sandakan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 14°C (58°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 437 mm (17.2 in) |
| Feb | 17°C (62°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 268 mm (10.6 in) |
| Mar | 22°C (72°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (83°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| May | 33°C (91°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Jun | 35°C (96°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) |
| Jul | 33°C (91°F) | 202 mm (8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 195 mm (7.7 in) |
| Aug | 32°C (90°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 213 mm (8.4 in) |
| Sep | 31°C (88°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 253 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (70°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 344 mm (13.5 in) |
| Dec | 16°C (60°F) | 14 mm (0.5 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.