Which place is cheaper, Sandakan or Petra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Petra or Sandakan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Petra and Sandakan can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Petra or Sandakan?
Petra
Whether you're checking off the Seven Wonders of the World, or you're just a huge Indiana Jones fan, the city of Petra must be on your bucket list. The "rose red city, half as old as time," was the capital of the Nabataean kingdom in the 6th century BC. It was the center for trade and commerce until an earthquake took out buildings and destroyed their water management system. After this destruction, the city of Petra seemed to be lost to western civilization.
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 Historical Tours in Jordan, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Jordan, 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 dayPetra $125Sandakan $58
The average daily cost (per person) in Petra is $125, 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 Petra and Sandakan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPetra $59Sandakan $20
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPetra $118Sandakan $40
Compare Hotels in Petra and Sandakan
Looking for a hotel in Petra 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: Petra Hotel Prices and Sandakan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Petra $23Sandakan $33
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Petra
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Petra:
- Private Transfer Amman Airport to Ma'in Hotel and vice versa: $73
- Petra to Wadi Rum Private Transfer: $80
- Private Departure Transfer: Petra Hotels to Amman Airport: $93
- Private Transfer from Petra City Hotels to Aqaba Airport: $93
- Private Transfer From Petra to Amman or Airport With Optional : $99
- Petra Private Transfer to or from Aqaba: $105
- Petra to Aqaba South Beach Hotels Private Transfer: $110
- Private transfer Petra to/from Wadi Rum: $118
- Private Transfer Amman Airport to Petra or vice versa via the King's Highway: $120
- Private Transfer Petra to/from Wadi Rum: $135
- Petra to Madaba Private Transfer: $140
- Petra to Sheikh Hussein Crossing Border Private Transfer: $180
Is it cheaper to fly into Petra or Sandakan?
Prices for flights to both Sandakan and Petra 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 dayPetra $38Sandakan $19
Typical Food Prices in Petra
Some typical examples of dining costs in Petra are as follows:
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Dinner for Two$12
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Juice$1.76
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Petra
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Petra.
- Cooking outside in little Petra between the Mountains. : $45
- Private Outdoor bedouin Dinner in Petra: $300
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.Petra $47Sandakan $7.19
Typical Entertainment Prices in Petra
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Petra are as follows:
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Entry to Petra for One$71
Tours and Activities in Petra
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Petra are as follows:
- 3-hour Private Guided Tour In Petra with hotel pick up.: $75
- Private Indiana-Jones Archeological Trail Tour: $90
- Private Half-Day Tour of Petra with Lunch: $120
- Wadi Rum Day Tour from Petra ending in Aqaba: $138
- Private Petra Back Entrance Tour with Guide .: $140
- 3 Hour Horse Riding Adventure around the Petra Area: $145
- Wadi Rum Private Tour from Petra with Martian and Star Wars Film Site: $173
- Petra Back Entrance Private Walking Tour: $215
- Private Full-Day Tour to Petra and Wadi Rum from Dead Sea: $269
- Private Back Trail Tour of Petra starting from the Monastery : $276
Tours and Activities in Sandakan
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Sandakan are as follows:
- Private Tour: Half Day Sandakan City Tour Including Local Lunch: $51
- Borneo Kinabatangan River Cruise Day Trip: $78
- Kinabatangan River Cruise from Sandakan: $90
- Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre & Sepilok Orang Utan Rehab Centre Tour: $105
- Private Full Day Sepilok Orang Utan, Bornean Sun Bear and Rainforest Discovery Center Tour: $125
- Labuk Proboscis, Sepilok, Sun Bear, Sandakan City Tour & Lunch: $138
- Sepilok Orang Utan & Bornean Sun Bear Centre with Sandakan City Tour with Lunch: $191
- 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
- 2D1N Sandakan Private Tour with Kinabatangan River Cruise: $290
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPetra $15Sandakan $6.59
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Petra and Sandakan, we can see that Petra is more expensive. And not only is Sandakan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Petra is in Middle East and Sandakan is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Petra would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Petra 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 Petra Expensive? and Is Sandakan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Petra or Sandakan?
Sandakan has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Petra. When comparing the sizes of Petra 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 Petra or Sandakan?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Petra or Sandakan in the Summer?
Both Sandakan and Petra are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Petra 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 July, Petra usually receives less rain than Sandakan. Petra gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 195 mm (7.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
It's quite sunny in Sandakan. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Petra. Petra usually receives more sunshine than Sandakan during summer. Petra gets 384 hours of sunny skies, while Sandakan receives 221 hours of full sun in the summer.
Petra can become quite hot in the summer. In July, Petra is generally a little warmer than Sandakan. Daily temperatures in Petra average around 33°C (91°F), and Sandakan fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPetra 33°C (91°F)Sandakan 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Petra or Sandakan in the Autumn?
Both Sandakan and Petra during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Petra 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. Petra usually gets less rain in October than Sandakan. Petra gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 253 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year.
It's quite sunny in Petra. In the autumn, Petra often gets more sunshine than Sandakan. Petra gets 295 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sandakan receives 191 hours of full sun.
Petra is around the same temperature as Sandakan in the autumn. The daily temperature in Petra averages around 27°C (80°F) in October, and Sandakan fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPetra 27°C (80°F)Sandakan 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Petra or Sandakan in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Petra and Sandakan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Petra year-round. Sandakan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Sandakan receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Petra usually receives less rain than Sandakan. Petra gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
In Petra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Petra usually receives more sunshine than Sandakan during winter. Petra gets 234 hours of sunny skies, while Sandakan receives 156 hours of full sun in the winter.
In the winter, Petra is much colder than Sandakan. Typically, the winter temperatures in Petra in January average around 15°C (59°F), and Sandakan averages at about 26°C (80°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPetra 15°C (59°F)Sandakan 26°C (80°F)
Should I visit Petra or Sandakan in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Petra as well as Sandakan. Petra 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. Petra usually gets less rain in April than Sandakan. Petra gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sandakan. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Petra this time of the year. In the spring, Petra often gets more sunshine than Sandakan. Petra gets 282 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sandakan receives 247 hours of full sun.
In April, Petra is generally cooler than Sandakan. Daily temperatures in Petra average around 25°C (76°F), and Sandakan fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPetra 25°C (76°F)Sandakan 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Sandakan and Petra
| Petra | Sandakan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 15°C (59°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 437 mm (17.2 in) |
| Feb | 17°C (62°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 268 mm (10.6 in) |
| Mar | 20°C (68°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) |
| Apr | 25°C (76°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Jun | 31°C (88°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) |
| Jul | 33°C (91°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 195 mm (7.7 in) |
| Aug | 32°C (90°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 213 mm (8.4 in) |
| Sep | 30°C (87°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (80°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 253 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (70°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 344 mm (13.5 in) |
| Dec | 16°C (62°F) | 41 mm (1.6 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.