Which place is cheaper, Airlie Beach or Sandakan?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Sandakan or Airlie Beach?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sandakan or Airlie Beach? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Sandakan or Airlie Beach?
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.
Airlie Beach
Airlie Beach, in Queensland, offers the closest port to the Whitsunday Islands on the Great Barrier Reef. It's a small town of only 25,000 and has grown out of the area's popularity as a tourist destination. It's main industry remains tourism and, as such, there are many venues set up to accommodate travelers hoping to make trips to the Whitsunday Islands and the Outer Great Barrier Reef. The town has the feel of a vacation destination. While in the past Airlie Beach appealed specifically to the backpacker crowd, it's popularity has spread and now there are facilities catering to all travel types. The area has become more commercialized and there are plenty of large resorts to choose from. Even so, you'll still find no shortage of affordable accommodation around town.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Malaysia, The Best Adventure Tours to Malaysia, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Australia, and The Best Honeymoon Tours in Australia.
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Sandakan Prices
Malaysia PricesAirlie Beach Prices
Australia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySandakan $81Airlie Beach $165
The average daily cost (per person) in Sandakan is $81, while the average daily cost in Airlie Beach is $165. 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 Sandakan and Airlie Beach in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSandakan $23Airlie Beach $59
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSandakan $46Airlie Beach $118
Compare Hotels in Sandakan and Airlie Beach
Looking for a hotel in Sandakan or Airlie Beach? 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: Sandakan Hotel Prices and Airlie Beach Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sandakan $37Airlie Beach $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sandakan
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sandakan:
- Private 1Way Transfer to/from Sandakan Airport, City or Sepilok: $38
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Airlie Beach
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Airlie Beach:
- Whitsundays: Airport Transfer to/from Airlie Beach: $16
- One Way Airport Transfer: Proserpine-Airlie Beach (or vice versa): $17
- Transfer from Whitsunday Coast Airport: $17
- Established Return Airport Transfer Proserpine to Airlie Beach: $28
- Airport Transfer to Shute Harbour / Renta Yacht / Freedom Shores: $32
- Private Transfer to/from Shute Harbour: $134
- Private Transfer to/from Whitsunday Coast Airport: $148
Is it cheaper to fly into Sandakan or Airlie Beach?
Prices for flights to both Airlie Beach and Sandakan 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 daySandakan $36Airlie Beach $55
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
- Sandakan : Fireflies and Mangrove Cruise with Dinner: $193
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Airlie Beach
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Airlie Beach.
- 3-Hour Sunset Segway Tour with Dinner: $82
- Whitsundays Segway Sunset and Boardwalk Tour with Dinner: $83
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sandakan $8.15Airlie Beach $161
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: $60
- Private Sandakan City Must See 6 Highlights Tour with Guide & Car: $63
- From 7 Unmissable Local Stops Private Tour: $75
- Sukau Rainforest Wildlife and Dawn Cruises Tour in Sandakan: $83
- Borneo Kinabatangan River Cruise Day Trip: $88
- Sandakan Private City Tour Orangutan Sun Bears and Rainforest: $89
- Kinabatangan River Cruise from Sandakan: $90
- Sukau Rainforest Wildlife Journey & Dawn Cruises: $90
- Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre & Sepilok Orang Utan Rehab Centre Tour: $112
- Day Trip Sepilok Orang-utan And City Tour (Flight Excluded): $119
- Private Full Day Sepilok Orang Utan, Bornean Sun Bear and Rainforest Discovery Center Tour: $125
- Labuk Proboscis, Sepilok, Sun Bear, Sandakan City Tour & Lunch: $147
Tours and Activities in Airlie Beach
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Airlie Beach are as follows:
- Private Airlie Beach Tuk-Tuk Tours: $20
- 2-Hour Sunset Cruise with Sparkling Wine: $45
- Roundtrip Tour to Cedar Creek.: $45
- Sundowner Sunset Cruise Airlie Beach: $46
- Whisper Cruises - One-Hour Turtle Spotting Bay Cruise: $46
- Airlie Beach Sunset Cruise : $46
- Airlie Beach Trike Tours: $50
- Whitsundays Sunset Sailing Cruise: $57
- Glass-Bottom Boat Tour: $59
- Airlie Beach Glass Bottom Boat Tour: $59
- #1 Sightseeing Explorer 3hr tour.: $62
- Half Day Turtle Tour Sea Kayaking Adventure: $65
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySandakan $7.47Airlie Beach $9.06
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sandakan and Airlie Beach, we can see that Airlie Beach is more expensive. And not only is Sandakan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Sandakan is in Asia and Airlie Beach is in Pacific, 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 Airlie Beach would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Airlie Beach 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 Sandakan Expensive? and Is Airlie Beach Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Sandakan or Airlie Beach?
Airlie Beach has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Sandakan experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Sandakan or Airlie Beach in the Summer?
Both Airlie Beach and Sandakan are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Sandakan throughout the year. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Airlie Beach because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Sandakan is generally around the same temperature as Airlie Beachin January. Daily temperatures in Sandakan average around 27°C (81°F), and Airlie Beach fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
It's quite sunny in Airlie Beach. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sandakan. Sandakan usually receives less sunshine than Airlie Beach during summer. Sandakan gets 221 hours of sunny skies, while Airlie Beach receives 285 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Airlie Beach. It's quite rainy in Sandakan. In July, Sandakan usually receives less rain than Airlie Beachin January. Sandakan gets 195 mm (7.7 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 331 mm (13 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuarySandakan 27°C (81°F)Airlie Beach 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Airlie Beach in the Autumn?
Both Airlie Beach and Sandakan during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Sandakan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Airlie Beach this time of year.
Sandakan is a little warmer than Airlie Beach in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sandakan averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Airlie Beach fluctuates around 23°C (73°F)in April.
In Airlie Beach, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Sandakan often gets less sunshine than Airlie Beachin April. Sandakan gets 191 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Airlie Beach receives 207 hours of full sun.
Airlie Beach gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Sandakan. Sandakan usually gets more rain in October than Airlie Beachin April. Sandakan gets 253 mm (10 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilSandakan 28°C (82°F)Airlie Beach 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Airlie Beach in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Sandakan and Airlie Beach. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Sandakan year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Airlie Beach for the shopping scene and the cuisine.
In the winter, Sandakan is much warmer than Airlie Beach. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sandakan in January average around 26°C (80°F), and Airlie Beach averages at about 16°C (62°F)in July.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Airlie Beach this time of the year. Sandakan usually receives less sunshine than Airlie Beach during winter. Sandakan gets 156 hours of sunny skies, while Airlie Beach receives 226 hours of full sun in the winter.
Sandakan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Sandakan usually receives more rain than Airlie Beachin July. Sandakan gets 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulySandakan 26°C (80°F)Airlie Beach 16°C (62°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Airlie Beach in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Sandakan as well as Airlie Beach. Sandakan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to Airlie Beach in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.
In April, Sandakan is generally a little warmer than Airlie Beachin October. Daily temperatures in Sandakan average around 28°C (82°F), and Airlie Beach fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Airlie Beach. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sandakan this time of the year. In the spring, Sandakan often gets less sunshine than Airlie Beachin October. Sandakan gets 247 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Airlie Beach receives 298 hours of full sun.
Sandakan receives a lot of rain in the spring. Sandakan usually gets more rain in April than Airlie Beachin October. Sandakan gets 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberSandakan 28°C (82°F)Airlie Beach 23°C (73°F)
Typical Weather for Airlie Beach and Sandakan
| Sandakan | Airlie Beach | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (80°F) | 437 mm (17.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 331 mm (13 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (80°F) | 268 mm (10.6 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 377 mm (14.8 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 312 mm (12.3 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 195 mm (7.7 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 213 mm (8.4 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 253 mm (10 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 344 mm (13.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 462 mm (18.2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 191 mm (7.5 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.