Which place is cheaper, Sandakan or Pattaya?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Pattaya or Sandakan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Pattaya and Sandakan can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Pattaya or Sandakan?
Pattaya
Go where the locals go. If that is your vacation motto, you will want to take a look at the popular weekend getaway of Pattaya, Thailand. This seaside resort on the Eastern Gulf Coast of Thailand is just outside of Bangkok, and full of resorts, beer bars and beaches.
Hosting more than five million visitors a year, Pattaya is easily accessed from the capital and the airport. Keep in mind, the sex tourism industry is still a large money earner for this city, but efforts by local authorities have created resorts and attractions for families and vacationers from all around the world.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bangkok, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Phuket, 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 dayPattaya $66Sandakan $58
The average daily cost (per person) in Pattaya is $66, 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 Pattaya and Sandakan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPattaya $24Sandakan $20
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPattaya $48Sandakan $40
Compare Hotels in Pattaya and Sandakan
Looking for a hotel in Pattaya 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: Pattaya Hotel Prices and Sandakan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pattaya $12Sandakan $33
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pattaya
Also for Pattaya, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Return hotel transfers to Gems Gallery Pattaya (Jewelry) : $2.12
- Bus transfer between Pattaya and Bangkok: $3.69
- Big Bee farm Pattaya ( Entry & Return Transfers): $11
- Pattaya City: Tappia Floating Cafe Pattaya Transfer & Drink: $16
- Mini Siam Miniature World in Pattaya with Return Transfer: $19
- Pattaya Art in Paradise Admission Ticket with Return Transfer: $19
- Teddy Bear Museum in Pattaya with Return Transfer: $22
- Frost Magical Ice Of Siam in Pattaya with Return Transfer: $24
- Mimosa Pattaya City of Love with Show & Return Transfer: $24
- Mimosa Pattaya City of Love with Cabaret Show & Return Transfer: $24
- Frost Magical Ice Of Siam at Pattaya with Return Transfer: $24
- Mini Siam Miniature World Admission with Roundtrip Transfer from Pattaya: $24
Is it cheaper to fly into Pattaya or Sandakan?
Prices for flights to both Sandakan and Pattaya 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 dayPattaya $22Sandakan $19
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Pattaya
For Pattaya, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- All Star Dinner Cruise, Cabaret Show & Beer Buffet: $32
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.Pattaya $21Sandakan $7.19
Tours and Activities in Pattaya
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Pattaya.
- Floating Market Entry Ticket: $3.18
- Pattaya sheep Farm Entrance Tickets: $3.60
- FlowerLand Pattaya Admission Ticket (Optional Activities): $4.97
- Fairy Sweet Village Pattaya Entry ticket: $5.41
- Art in Paradise Pattaya Admission Ticket: $6.00
- Mini Siam Entry Ticket: $6.62
- Entry Ticket for Art in Paradise 3D Art Museum in Pattaya: $7.18
- Pattaya : Coral Island Tour by Speedboat with Indian Lunch & Pick Up from Hotel: $7.59
- Half-day Coral Island Join Tour with Lunch from Pattaya: $7.73
- Pattaya Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Mini Siam Miniature World in Pattaya Admission Ticket: $9.44
- Mini Siam Miniature World at Pattaya Admission Ticket: $9.44
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 dayPattaya $8.18Sandakan $6.59
When comparing the travel costs between Pattaya and Sandakan, we can see that Pattaya 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 Pattaya Expensive? and Is Sandakan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Pattaya or Sandakan?
Sandakan has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Pattaya. When comparing the sizes of Pattaya 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 Pattaya 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 Pattaya or Sandakan in the Summer?
Both Sandakan and Pattaya during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Pattaya 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. Pattaya usually gets less rain in July than Sandakan. Pattaya gets 88 mm (3.5 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, Pattaya often gets less sunshine than Sandakan. Pattaya gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sandakan receives 221 hours of full sun.
Pattaya is around the same temperature as Sandakan in the summer. The daily temperature in Pattaya averages around 29°C (84°F) in July, and Sandakan fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPattaya 29°C (84°F)Sandakan 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Pattaya or Sandakan in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Pattaya and Sandakan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Pattaya year-round. Sandakan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
December to April in Pattaya is the dry season. Also, June to October is the rainy season in Pattaya. Sandakan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Pattaya gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Pattaya usually receives around the same amount of rain as Sandakan. Pattaya gets 258 mm (10.2 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 253 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In Pattaya, it's very sunny this time of the year. Pattaya usually receives more sunshine than Sandakan during autumn. Pattaya gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Sandakan receives 191 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In the autumn, Pattaya is around the same temperature as Sandakan. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Pattaya in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Sandakan averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPattaya 28°C (82°F)Sandakan 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Pattaya or Sandakan in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Pattaya as well as Sandakan. Pattaya 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. Pattaya usually gets less rain in January than Sandakan. Pattaya gets 23 mm (0.9 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 Pattaya this time of the year. In the winter, Pattaya often gets more sunshine than Sandakan. Pattaya gets 276 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sandakan receives 156 hours of full sun.
In January, Pattaya is generally around the same temperature as Sandakan. Daily temperatures in Pattaya average around 27°C (80°F), and Sandakan fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPattaya 27°C (80°F)Sandakan 26°C (80°F)
Should I visit Pattaya or Sandakan in the Spring?
Both Sandakan and Pattaya are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Pattaya 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 Pattaya is December to April. The rainy season in Pattaya is June to October. It rains a lot this time of the year in Sandakan. In April, Pattaya usually receives less rain than Sandakan. Pattaya gets 69 mm (2.7 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 Pattaya. Pattaya usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Sandakan during spring. Pattaya gets 262 hours of sunny skies, while Sandakan receives 247 hours of full sun in the spring.
Pattaya is around the same temperature as Sandakan in the spring. The daily temperature in Pattaya averages around 30°C (86°F) in April, and Sandakan fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPattaya 30°C (86°F)Sandakan 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Sandakan and Pattaya
| Pattaya | Sandakan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (80°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 437 mm (17.2 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 268 mm (10.6 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (85°F) | 62 mm (2.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) |
| Apr | 30°C (86°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| May | 30°C (85°F) | 202 mm (7.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (85°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (84°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 195 mm (7.7 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 213 mm (8.4 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 232 mm (9.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 253 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 344 mm (13.5 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 16 mm (0.6 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.