Which place is cheaper, Auckland or Sandakan?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Sandakan or Auckland?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sandakan or Auckland? 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 Auckland?
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.
Auckland
Auckland is located on the North Island of New Zealand on an isthmus between the Northland Peninsula and the other parts of the North Island. Auckland is not only a city but also a region. In 2010 New Zealand combined what had previously been four separate cities into one region. These cities include the southern city of Manukau, the western city of Waitakere, the North Shore in the north, and Auckland City. The City of Auckland is the largest city in Polynesia and is very diverse with many expatriates from elsewhere in Polynesia. This diversity becomes most apparent in Auckland's many festivals and sporting events.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Malaysia, The Best Adventure Tours to Malaysia, The Best Wildlife Tours to New Zealand, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in New Zealand.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySandakan $58Auckland $139
The average daily cost (per person) in Sandakan is $58, while the average daily cost in Auckland is $139. 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 Auckland in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSandakan $20Auckland $88
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSandakan $40Auckland $176
Compare Hotels in Sandakan and Auckland
Looking for a hotel in Sandakan or Auckland? 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 Auckland Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sandakan $33Auckland $16
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Auckland
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Auckland:
-
Bus from Airport$9.51
-
Airport Shuttle$15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Auckland
Also for Auckland, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private 1-Way Transfer to/from Airport: $27
- Auckland:City Hotel Transfers to/from Cruise Ship in Minivan: $27
- Private Transfer from Auckland City to Auckland Cruise Port: $39
- Cheap airport transfer: $53
- Auckland:Private 1 way Airport transfer to/from CBD Minivan: $53
- Private Transfer from Auckland Airport (AKL) to Auckland Port: $55
- Private Transfer from Auckland Port to Auckland Airport (AKL): $55
- Auckland Airport Private Transfers in a Luxury Minibus: $57
- Auckland Airport (AKL) to North Shore - Arrival Private Transfer: $60
- Auckland Airport: One-Way Private Transfer to Auckland: $68
- Auckland Airport Taxi: Private Transfer One Direction: $71
- Private Transfer From Auckland CBD Hotels To Cruise Ship: $72
Is it cheaper to fly into Sandakan or Auckland?
Prices for flights to both Auckland 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
-
Food Meals for one daySandakan $19Auckland $27
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
Typical Food Prices in Auckland
For Auckland, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Breakfast$4.75
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Auckland
For Auckland, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Auckland Harbour 3-Course Dinner Cruise with Welcome Drink: $89
- Auckland Harbour Sailboat Cruise Including Three Course Dinner: $90
- Flavours of the City Walking Food Tour: $104
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sandakan $7.19Auckland $27
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Auckland
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Auckland's activities, tours, and tickets:
-
Auckland Sky Tour (for 2)$33
-
Waiheke Island Tour (for 2)$120
Tours and Activities in Auckland
For Auckland, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Explore Auckland's Sailing Spirit: In-App Audio Tour: $5.32
- Auckland Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
- Maritime Museum Entry Ticket: $14
- Tree Heart Park Adventure Clue Trail Family Package: $15
- Auckland War Memorial Museum Entry Ticket: $17
- Skip the Line: Auckland Museum General Admission Entry Ticket: $17
- Vibrosaun Therapy Experience: $18
- Auckland Sky Tower General Admission Ticket : $24
- Sky Tower General Admission Ticket: $24
- Hologate Virtual Reality Gaming Experience: $29
- The Lagoon Lights Family Experience at Tree Heart Park: $30
- Hop-On Hop-Off Explorer Bus Ticket: $33
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one daySandakan $6.59Auckland $13
Sample the Local Flavors in Auckland
Also in Auckland, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Waiheke Island: Scenic Wine Tour Tasting Wines on Waiheke: $92
- Muriwai Scenic Wine Tour from Auckland: $106
- Waiheke Island: The Essence of Waiheke Wine Tour: $131
- Waiheke Island Gourmet Food and Wine Tour with Platter Lunch: $148
- Waiheke Island: Tour with Wine Tastings and Restaurant Lunch: $148
- From Waiheke Island Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch: $151
- From Small Group Kumeu Wine Tour with Lunch: $169
- Small-Group Kumeu Wine Country Tour Includes Wine Tastings & Lunch: $172
- Piha Waitakere Rainforest Wine Tour from Auckland: $178
- Auckland Coastal Experience - Small Group City & Beach Tour Incl. Wine Tasting: $196
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sandakan and Auckland, we can see that Auckland 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 Auckland 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 Auckland would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Auckland 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 Auckland Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sandakan or Auckland?
Auckland has a larger population, and is about 7% larger than the population of Sandakan. When comparing the sizes of Sandakan and Auckland, 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 Sandakan or Auckland?
Auckland 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 Auckland in the Summer?
Both Auckland and Sandakan during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Sandakan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Auckland for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
Sandakan is a little warmer than Auckland in the summer. The daily temperature in Sandakan averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Auckland fluctuates around 20°C (68°F)in January.
In Auckland, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Sandakan. In the summer, Sandakan often gets less sunshine than Aucklandin January. Sandakan gets 221 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Auckland receives 240 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Sandakan. Sandakan usually gets more rain in July than Aucklandin January. Sandakan gets 195 mm (7.7 in) of rain, while Auckland receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuarySandakan 27°C (81°F)Auckland 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Auckland in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Sandakan and Auckland. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Sandakan year-round. Also, many visitors come to Auckland in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Sandakan is much warmer than Auckland. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sandakan in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Auckland averages at about 16°C (61°F)in April.
Sandakan usually receives more sunshine than Auckland during autumn. Sandakan gets 191 hours of sunny skies, while Auckland receives 162 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Sandakan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Sandakan usually receives more rain than Aucklandin April. Sandakan gets 253 mm (10 in) of rain, while Auckland receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilSandakan 28°C (82°F)Auckland 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Auckland in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Sandakan as well as Auckland. Sandakan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Auckland for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
In January, Sandakan is generally much warmer than Aucklandin July. Daily temperatures in Sandakan average around 26°C (80°F), and Auckland fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
In the winter, Sandakan often gets more sunshine than Aucklandin July. Sandakan gets 156 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Auckland receives 141 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Auckland. Sandakan receives a lot of rain in the winter. Sandakan usually gets more rain in January than Aucklandin July. Sandakan gets 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain, while Auckland receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures January and JulySandakan 26°C (80°F)Auckland 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Auckland in the Spring?
Both Auckland and Sandakan are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Sandakan throughout the year. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Auckland because of the beaches and the activities around the city.
Sandakan is much warmer than Auckland in the spring. The daily temperature in Sandakan averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Auckland fluctuates around 14°C (58°F)in October.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sandakan. Sandakan usually receives more sunshine than Auckland during spring. Sandakan gets 247 hours of sunny skies, while Auckland receives 192 hours of full sun in the spring.
It's quite rainy in Sandakan. In April, Sandakan usually receives more rain than Aucklandin October. Sandakan gets 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Auckland receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberSandakan 28°C (82°F)Auckland 14°C (58°F)
Typical Weather for Auckland and Sandakan
| Sandakan | Auckland | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (80°F) | 437 mm (17.2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (80°F) | 268 mm (10.6 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 195 mm (7.7 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 213 mm (8.4 in) | 11°C (53°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 253 mm (10 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 344 mm (13.5 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 462 mm (18.2 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 83 mm (3.3 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.