Which place is cheaper, Sandakan or Mumbai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Mumbai or Sandakan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Mumbai 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: Mumbai or Sandakan?
Mumbai
Mumbai is the largest city in India and the capital of Maharashtra state. It is still occasionally referred to as Bombay, but most people know it now as Mumbai. It's the commercial capital of the country and is a major port city. It's also famous for Bollywood, which is the movie capital of the country and famous for it's music filled Bollywood flicks that have become popular around the world. Mumbai is arguably the most cosmopolitan city in India and has some of the most liberal views of an otherwise conservative country. Many immigrants and expats live in Mumbai and it's easy to see the blend of cultures.
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 2-Week Tours from Mumbai, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to India, 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 dayMumbai $69Sandakan $58
The average daily cost (per person) in Mumbai is $69, 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 Mumbai and Sandakan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMumbai $34Sandakan $20
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMumbai $68Sandakan $40
Compare Hotels in Mumbai and Sandakan
Looking for a hotel in Mumbai 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: Mumbai Hotel Prices and Sandakan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mumbai $7.77Sandakan $33
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mumbai
Also for Mumbai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Dharavi Slum Tour in Mumbai with Combo Packages & Transfers: $12
- Mumbai Private Car: Airport to Hotel Transfer: $18
- Airport to Hotel or Hotel to Airport Transfers: $24
- Private Transfer to/from Mumbai Airport: $24
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Mumbai HTL-APT (BOM): $27
- Private Transfer From/To Mumbai Chhatrapati International Airport: $27
- Affordable transfer from Mumbai Airport to Pune: $28
- Mumbai Airport Transfer in Private Vehicle: $28
- Private Hotel Transfers to/from Mumbai Airport: $30
- One way Private transfer from Mumbai Airport to Hotel: $34
- Private Hotel Transfers to/from Airport: $36
- Private Transfer from Chatrapati Shivaji (BOM) Airport to Mumbai: $39
Is it cheaper to fly into Mumbai or Sandakan?
Prices for flights to both Sandakan and Mumbai 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 dayMumbai $26Sandakan $19
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mumbai
For Mumbai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Virtual Authentic Indian Tea and Paratha Cooking Class: $14
- Hidden Gems and Street Food Tour: $15
- Discover Mumbai's street & beach with food tour: $17
- Mumbai Food Tour: $20
- Vegetarian Indian Cuisine Virtual Cooking Class Experience from Mumbai: $20
- Mumbai Food Tour: $25
- Street Food Tour - Eat like a Local with sunset view: $26
- Old Bombay Bazaar and Food Tour with local Guide: $27
- Guided Food Tour Through the Vibrant Markets of Old Bombay: $28
- Street Food Tour: $32
- Indian cusine demonstration cum hands on with Hi Tea / Dinner at a Family home: $33
- Mumbai Street Food Tour with Sun Set View: $38
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.Mumbai $2.66Sandakan $7.19
Tours and Activities in Mumbai
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Mumbai.
- Audio Guided Walking Tour on HopOn India App – From Gateway to Fountain, Mumbai: $5.32
- Elephanta Caves Audio Guided Walking Tour, Mumbai on HopOn India App: $5.34
- Highlights Bus Full-Day Tour in Hindi: $5.40
- Dharavi Slum Tour with Local guide: $6.00
- Audio Guided Tour of Matunga & Dadar Parsi Colony, Mumbai: $6.14
- Malabar District, Scavenger Hunt & Self-Guided Tour: $6.56
- Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $6.56
- Mumbai (Malabar District) Self-Guided Tour: $6.67
- Dharavi Slum Tour: $8.63
- Dharavi Slum Tour: $8.99
- Inside Dharavi: Unveiling Mumbai's Slum Culture Tour: $9.11
- Dharavi Slum Experience with Local Resident English Guide: $9.50
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 dayMumbai $3.69Sandakan $6.59
Sample the Local Flavors in Mumbai
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Mumbai:
- Bombay Party (Bar Crawl): $25
- South Bombay Pub Crawl: $39
- South Bombay Pub Crawl: $39
- Mumbai Pub Crawl: History, Iconic Bars, Cocktail Workshop, Stories and Drinks : $90
- Mumbai Private Bar Crawl with City Night Tour: $124
- Nashik: Private Full-Day Wine Tour with Tastings From Mumbai: $128
- Full-Day Private Wine Tour at Sula Vineyards from Mumbai: $152
- Wine Tasting Tour Sula Vineyards Nashik - (Day excursion from Mumbai): $163
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mumbai and Sandakan, we can see that Mumbai is more expensive. And not only is Sandakan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Sandakan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sandakan 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 Mumbai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Mumbai than you might in Sandakan.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mumbai Expensive? and Is Sandakan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mumbai or Sandakan?
Mumbai has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Sandakan. When comparing the sizes of Mumbai 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 Mumbai 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 Mumbai or Sandakan in the Summer?
Both Sandakan and Mumbai during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Mumbai 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 Mumbai. Mumbai usually gets more rain in July than Sandakan. Mumbai gets 640 mm (25.2 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 195 mm (7.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Sandakan, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Mumbai often gets less sunshine than Sandakan. Mumbai gets 73 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sandakan receives 221 hours of full sun.
In the summer, Mumbai is around the same temperature as Sandakan. Typically, the summer temperatures in Mumbai in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Sandakan averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMumbai 28°C (82°F)Sandakan 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Mumbai or Sandakan in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Mumbai and Sandakan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Mumbai year-round. Sandakan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Sandakan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Mumbai usually receives less rain than Sandakan. Mumbai gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 253 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In Mumbai, it's very sunny this time of the year. Mumbai usually receives more sunshine than Sandakan during autumn. Mumbai gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while Sandakan receives 191 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Mumbai is generally around the same temperature as Sandakan. Daily temperatures in Mumbai average around 29°C (84°F), and Sandakan fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMumbai 29°C (84°F)Sandakan 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Mumbai or Sandakan in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Mumbai as well as Sandakan. Mumbai 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. Mumbai usually gets less rain in January than Sandakan. Mumbai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mumbai this time of the year. In the winter, Mumbai often gets more sunshine than Sandakan. Mumbai gets 270 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sandakan receives 156 hours of full sun.
Mumbai is around the same temperature as Sandakan in the winter. The daily temperature in Mumbai averages around 24°C (75°F) in January, and Sandakan fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMumbai 24°C (75°F)Sandakan 26°C (80°F)
Should I visit Mumbai or Sandakan in the Spring?
Both Sandakan and Mumbai are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Mumbai 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. In April, Mumbai usually receives less rain than Sandakan. Mumbai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
It's quite sunny in Sandakan. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mumbai. Mumbai usually receives more sunshine than Sandakan during spring. Mumbai gets 284 hours of sunny skies, while Sandakan receives 247 hours of full sun in the spring.
In the spring, Mumbai is around the same temperature as Sandakan. Typically, the spring temperatures in Mumbai in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Sandakan averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMumbai 29°C (84°F)Sandakan 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Sandakan and Mumbai
| Mumbai | Sandakan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 437 mm (17.2 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 268 mm (10.6 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| May | 30°C (86°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (84°F) | 560 mm (22 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 640 mm (25.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 195 mm (7.7 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 520 mm (20.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 213 mm (8.4 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 320 mm (12.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 253 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 344 mm (13.5 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (79°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.