A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Pai vs. Sandakan for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Pai 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 Pai 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: Pai or Sandakan?

Pai

As the lush green mountains adorn the blue horizon amidst its creamy clouds, Pai, in northern Thailand, works as one of the many hubs for some of the world's most exciting cultural adventures and natural wonders. Within this small town just north of the Mae Hong Son Province, near the Myanmar border, Pai lays on the Pai River and holds a population of no more than 2,500. Despite its geographical insignificance, this town attracts a wide array of tourists. From breathtaking waterfalls to relaxing hot springs, you will find yourself astonished at how much this little city holds within its borders.

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 G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Malaysia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Malaysia.

When comparing the travel costs between Pai and Sandakan, we can see that Pai 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 Pai Expensive? and Is Sandakan Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Pai 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 Pai or Sandakan in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Pai as well as Sandakan. Pai 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. Pai receives a lot of rain in the summer. Pai usually gets more rain in July than Sandakan. Pai gets 211 mm (8.3 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. In the summer, Pai often gets less sunshine than Sandakan. Pai gets 146 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sandakan receives 221 hours of full sun.

In the summer, Pai is around the same temperature as Sandakan. Typically, the summer temperatures in Pai in July average around 29°C (85°F), and Sandakan averages at about 27°C (81°F).

Should I visit Pai or Sandakan in the Autumn?

Both Sandakan and Pai are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Pai 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 Pai. In October, Pai usually receives less rain than Sandakan. Pai gets 115 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 253 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pai. Pai usually receives more sunshine than Sandakan during autumn. Pai gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Sandakan receives 191 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Pai is generally around the same temperature as Sandakan. Daily temperatures in Pai average around 29°C (84°F), and Sandakan fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

Should I visit Pai or Sandakan in the Winter?

Both Sandakan and Pai during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Pai 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. Pai usually gets less rain in January than Sandakan. Pai gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

It's quite sunny in Pai. In the winter, Pai often gets more sunshine than Sandakan. Pai gets 283 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sandakan receives 156 hours of full sun.

Pai is cooler than Sandakan in the winter. The daily temperature in Pai averages around 24°C (74°F) in January, and Sandakan fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).

Should I visit Pai or Sandakan in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Pai and Sandakan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Pai year-round. Sandakan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Sandakan receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Pai usually receives less rain than Sandakan. Pai gets 48 mm (1.9 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 Pai, it's very sunny this time of the year. Pai usually receives more sunshine than Sandakan during spring. Pai gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Sandakan receives 247 hours of full sun in the spring.

The heat can be very extreme in Pai. In the spring, Pai is a little warmer than Sandakan. Typically, the spring temperatures in Pai in April average around 32°C (89°F), and Sandakan averages at about 28°C (82°F).

Typical Weather for Sandakan and Pai