Which place is cheaper, Sandakan or Lombok?
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 Lombok 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 Lombok 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: Lombok or Sandakan?
Lombok
Lombok is an island east of the well-tread Bali and west of lesser-developed Sumbawa. While Lombok is not as popular as its neighbor to the west, it is a great place to visit for that very reason. Less popularity means lower prices for accommodations, food, activities, and less-inundated tourist spots. Nonetheless, Lombok is rapidly developing in tourism, and the government is naming it and Sumbawa the number two tourism spots, following Bali.
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 Wildlife Tours to Indonesia, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Indonesia, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Malaysia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Malaysia.
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Lombok Prices
Indonesia PricesSandakan Prices
Malaysia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLombok $59Sandakan $81
The average daily cost (per person) in Lombok is $59, 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 Lombok and Sandakan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLombok $28Sandakan $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLombok $56Sandakan $46
Compare Hotels in Lombok and Sandakan
Looking for a hotel in Lombok 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: Lombok Hotel Prices and Sandakan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Lombok $11Sandakan $37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lombok
Also for Lombok, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Kuta Lombok Transfer: $12
- Private Transfer International Airport Lombok (LOP) To Hotel: $17
- Gili Trawangan, Air, or 1-Way Boat Transfer to Bali: $28
- Private Transfer from Lombok Airport (LOP) to Lombok Cruise Port: $29
- Private Transfer from Lombok Cruise Port to Lombok island hotels: $29
- Private Transfer from Lombok Island Hotels to Lombok Cruise Port: $29
- Private Transfer from Lombok Airport (LOP) to Koeta : $29
- Private Transfer from Lombok Airport (LOP) to Batu Payung: $30
- Private Airport Lombok Transfers to or from Gili Islands: $32
- Private Transfer from Mataram to Lombok Airport (LOP): $35
- Private Transfer from Lombok Airport (LOP) to Mangsit: $35
- Private Transfer from Lombok Airport (LOP) to Bintaro: $35
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 Lombok or Sandakan?
Prices for flights to both Sandakan and Lombok 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 dayLombok $20Sandakan $36
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lombok
For Lombok, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Anggrek Putih Lombok Cooking Class : $25
- Kids Cooking Class at Tugu Hotel Lombok: $63
- Love and Legends: The Ultimate Romantic Dinner on the beach : $65
- Amazing Lombok BBQ Beach Sunset Dinner: $86
- Lombok Cooking Class at Tugu Hotel Lombok: $100
- Royal Dinner Experience in Lombok at Royal Tugudom: $119
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.Lombok $9.90Sandakan $8.15
Tours and Activities in Lombok
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Lombok.
- Gili T Island: The Thrilling Sunset Snorkeling Adventure: $17
- Lombok Private Tour-Car Hire With Full day Customize Trip: $33
- Lombok Customize Tour with Private Driver: $35
- Lombok Private Custom Tour - Lombok Car Hire with Driver : $36
- Half-Day Mataram City Tour: $45
- Lombok Private Customize Tour: $45
- Lombok Customize Tour: $45
- Lombok White Water Rafting and Pura Lingsar Private Full Day Tour: $48
- Gili Nanggu Snorkeling Tour to a Tropical Paradise: $49
- Mataram Lombok Historical City tour: $49
- Lombok City Tour combination With Temple Tour : $49
- Benang Stokel, Benang Kelambu, Culture, & Beach Tour: $49
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: $82
- 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 dayLombok $7.84Sandakan $7.47
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lombok and Sandakan, we can see that Sandakan is more expensive. And not only is Lombok much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Lombok would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lombok 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 Lombok.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Lombok Expensive? and Is Sandakan Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Lombok 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 Lombok or Sandakan in the Summer?
Both Sandakan and Lombok during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Lombok because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Sandakan year-round.
May to September is the dry season in Lombok. Sandakan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Lombok usually gets less rain in July than Sandakan. Lombok gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 195 mm (7.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
Lombok is around the same temperature as Sandakan in the summer. The daily temperature in Lombok averages around 26°C (79°F) in July, and Sandakan fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLombok 26°C (79°F)Sandakan 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Lombok or Sandakan in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Lombok and Sandakan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lombok year-round. Sandakan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Also, November to April is the rainy season in Lombok. Sandakan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Lombok gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Lombok usually receives less rain than Sandakan. Lombok gets 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 253 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In the autumn, Lombok is around the same temperature as Sandakan. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Lombok in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Sandakan averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLombok 28°C (82°F)Sandakan 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Lombok or Sandakan in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Lombok as well as Sandakan. Lombok 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. Lombok usually gets less rain in January than Sandakan. Lombok gets 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the winter, Lombok often gets more sunshine than Sandakan. Lombok gets 188 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sandakan receives 156 hours of full sun.
In January, Lombok is generally around the same temperature as Sandakan. Daily temperatures in Lombok average around 28°C (82°F), and Sandakan fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLombok 28°C (82°F)Sandakan 26°C (80°F)
Should I visit Lombok or Sandakan in the Spring?
Both Sandakan and Lombok are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Lombok 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 Lombok is May to September. The rainy season in Lombok is November to April. It rains a lot this time of the year in Sandakan. In April, Lombok usually receives less rain than Sandakan. Lombok gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Lombok is around the same temperature as Sandakan in the spring. The daily temperature in Lombok averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Sandakan fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLombok 28°C (82°F)Sandakan 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Sandakan and Lombok
| Lombok | Sandakan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 437 mm (17.2 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 268 mm (10.6 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) |
| Jul | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 195 mm (7.7 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 213 mm (8.4 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 109 mm (4.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 253 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 216 mm (8.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 344 mm (13.5 in) |
| Dec | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 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.