Which place is cheaper, Sandakan or Luang Prabang?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Luang Prabang or Sandakan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Luang Prabang or Sandakan, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Luang Prabang or Sandakan?
Luang Prabang
Southeast Asia is a region full of mystical wonders and cultural charm, but nowhere is as charming as the city of Luang Prabang. As the former capital of Laos, Luang Prabang was reopened to tourism in 1989. With that move the city experienced an upswing in revenue and was able to restore and rebuild the beautiful colonial mansions to serve as guesthouses and hotels for the new swarm of tourists.
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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Laos, The Best Adventure Tours to Laos, 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 dayLuang Prabang $14Sandakan $58
The average daily cost (per person) in Luang Prabang is $14, 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 Luang Prabang and Sandakan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLuang Prabang $5.72Sandakan $20
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLuang Prabang $11Sandakan $40
Compare Hotels in Luang Prabang and Sandakan
Looking for a hotel in Luang Prabang 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: Luang Prabang Hotel Prices and Sandakan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Luang Prabang $2.11Sandakan $33
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Luang Prabang
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Luang Prabang are as follows:
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Tuk Tuk Ride$2.36
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Luang Prabang
Also for Luang Prabang, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Luang Prabang Private Airport transfers: $9.00
- LPQ Airport: Private Transfer to/from Luang Prabang City: $29
- Private Transfer from Tortola island to Tortola Cruise Port: $81
Is it cheaper to fly into Luang Prabang or Sandakan?
Prices for flights to both Sandakan and Luang Prabang 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 dayLuang Prabang $5.47Sandakan $19
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Luang Prabang
For Luang Prabang, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Bamboo Weaving Workshop & Cooking Class: $44
- Day-time Bamboo weaving & Cooking Classes join-in: $44
- Evening Bamboo weaving & Cooking classes join-in: $47
- Mekong Sunset Cruise and Hot Pot Dinner: $50
- Luang Prabang Mekong Sunset Cruise and Hot Pot Dinner: $51
- Evening Cooking Class & Local Baci Ceremony: $51
- Laos Cooking Class in Luang Prabang: $55
- Cooking Class: $55
- Luang Prabang Evening food tour by Tuktuk: $56
- Luang Prabang Evening Food Tour by Tuk-Tuk: $57
- Luang Prabang Evening Food Tour by Tuk-Tuk : $58
- Full Day bamboo experience with cooking class & Kuang si waterfalls: $59
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.Luang Prabang $2.72Sandakan $7.19
Tours and Activities in Luang Prabang
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Luang Prabang.
- Small Group Half Day Luang Prabang city tour: $30
- UNESCO World Heritage City Highlights Tour: $32
- Sunset Cruise Luang Prabang: $35
- Luang Prabang Mountain Bike Cycling Tour: $39
- Guided Meditation Experience in Luang Prabang: $40
- Luang Prabang Foodie Walking Tour and Monk Blessing: $40
- Morning local food Market experience option waterfall tour: $40
- Full day / Half Day Kayaking and Pak Ou Caves with optional sunset cruise: $41
- From Guided Mountain Bike Tour with Lunch: $42
- Luang Prabang City Tour & Kuang Si Waterfalls: $42
- Kayak Tour to Pak Ou Caves: $43
- Sunset Cruise in Luang Prabang with Live Performance: $45
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 dayLuang Prabang $1.82Sandakan $6.59
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Luang Prabang and Sandakan, we can see that Sandakan is more expensive. And not only is Luang Prabang much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Luang Prabang would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Luang Prabang 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 Luang Prabang.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Luang Prabang Expensive? and Is Sandakan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Luang Prabang or Sandakan?
Sandakan has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Luang Prabang. When comparing the sizes of Luang Prabang 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 Luang Prabang 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 Luang Prabang or Sandakan in the Summer?
Both Sandakan and Luang Prabang during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Luang Prabang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Sandakan year-round.
Sandakan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Luang Prabang. Luang Prabang usually gets more rain in July than Sandakan. Luang Prabang gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 195 mm (7.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the summer, Luang Prabang is around the same temperature as Sandakan. Typically, the summer temperatures in Luang Prabang in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Sandakan averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLuang Prabang 28°C (82°F)Sandakan 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Luang Prabang or Sandakan in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Luang Prabang and Sandakan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Luang Prabang year-round. Sandakan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Sandakan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Luang Prabang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Luang Prabang usually receives less rain than Sandakan. Luang Prabang gets 126 mm (5 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 253 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In October, Luang Prabang is generally around the same temperature as Sandakan. Daily temperatures in Luang Prabang average around 26°C (79°F), and Sandakan fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLuang Prabang 26°C (79°F)Sandakan 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Luang Prabang or Sandakan in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Luang Prabang as well as Sandakan. Luang Prabang 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. Luang Prabang usually gets less rain in January than Sandakan. Luang Prabang gets 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
Luang Prabang is cooler than Sandakan in the winter. The daily temperature in Luang Prabang averages around 21°C (70°F) in January, and Sandakan fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLuang Prabang 21°C (70°F)Sandakan 26°C (80°F)
Should I visit Luang Prabang or Sandakan in the Spring?
Both Sandakan and Luang Prabang are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Luang Prabang throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Sandakan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Sandakan. It's quite rainy in Luang Prabang. In April, Luang Prabang usually receives around the same amount of rain as Sandakan. Luang Prabang gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
In the spring, Luang Prabang is around the same temperature as Sandakan. Typically, the spring temperatures in Luang Prabang in April average around 28°C (82°F), and Sandakan averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLuang Prabang 28°C (82°F)Sandakan 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Sandakan and Luang Prabang
| Luang Prabang | Sandakan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 21°C (70°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 437 mm (17.2 in) |
| Feb | 23°C (73°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 268 mm (10.6 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| May | 29°C (84°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 195 mm (7.7 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 213 mm (8.4 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 126 mm (5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 253 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 344 mm (13.5 in) |
| Dec | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 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.