Which place is cheaper, Beijing or Sandakan?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sandakan or Beijing?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sandakan or Beijing? 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 Beijing?
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.
Beijing
Beijing is the capital of China and, with 21.5 million people, it is the second most populated city in the world after Shanghai. It is a city that keeps pockets of its history hidden in old neighborhoods or back alleys, despite the constant change and modernization that goes on around it. As the capital city of China, there is plenty of history and culture. You can still get yourself lost in one of the last remaining hutongs, which are old neighborhoods that remain untouched by the city's modernization. The alleys that weave between the old homes are lined with drying clothes, corner markets, and people going about their daily lives the way they have for centuries. Surrounding these hutongs you'll find modern buildings and a booming economy, all threatening to destroying these last bits of Beijing's history. Beijing offers a glimpse into a microcosm that represents the entire country of China. Make sure you give yourself enough time in China to truly experience Beijing. You can pass a lot of time soaking up life in the city, which remains as diverse as the country it resides within.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Malaysia, The Best Adventure Tours to Malaysia, The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySandakan $58Beijing $77
The average daily cost (per person) in Sandakan is $58, while the average daily cost in Beijing is $77. 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 Beijing in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSandakan $20Beijing $39
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSandakan $40Beijing $78
Compare Hotels in Sandakan and Beijing
Looking for a hotel in Sandakan or Beijing? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sandakan $33Beijing $7.63
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Beijing
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Beijing:
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Taxi$4.71
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Train from Airport for Two$6.90
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Taxi to Hotel$8.28
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2 Metro Passes$2.21
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Metro$0.55
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Beijing
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Beijing:
- Museum of the Communist Party of China Transfer Optional: $10
- Private Mutianyu Great Wall Day Tour w/ Optional Guide/Transfer: $15
- From Mutianyu Great Wall Transfer with Pick-Up: $17
- Beijing Daxing International Airport shuttle bus transfer service: $20
- Beijing Airport Transfer: $21
- Private Arrival Transfer: Beijing Train Stations to Hotel: $22
- Beijing Railway Station Departure Transfer: Hotel/Apartment to Railway Station: $23
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Beijing Airport (PEK or PKX): $27
- Private One Way Transfer Services from Train Stations in Beijing to Your Hotels : $27
- Private Arrival Transfer: Beijing Airport (PEK or PKX) to Hotel: $27
- Private Arrival Transfer: Beijing Airport (PEK or PKX) to Hotel: $27
- Private Beijing Airport Transfer To Beijing Downtown Hotel: $28
Is it cheaper to fly into Sandakan or Beijing?
Prices for flights to both Beijing 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 $19Beijing $21
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 Beijing
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Beijing:
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Popcorn$0.83
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Hot Pot Dinner$6.90
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Dumpling Breakfast for Two$2.76
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Watermelon$1.93
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Peking Duck Dinner for 2$16
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Two Popsicles$0.83
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Beijing
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Beijing.
- Online Cooking Class Handmade Noodles by Sunflower Li: $20
- Online Cooking Class Orange Chicken by Sunflower Li: $20
- Nangong Hot Spring Water World with Dinner: $38
- Beijing Hutong Breakfast Food Tour: $55
- Temple of Heaven Private Tour w/Option Show &Dinner: $60
- 3 hours Morning or Afternoon Tea Tasting on Maliandao Street and Tea Restaurant Lunch or Dinner Tour: $69
- Mogolian Hot Pot Dinner with no limit soft drink and local beer .: $70
- Old Beijing Dinner Tour: $80
- Authentic Lunch or Dinner Tour in Beijing's Best Hidden Spots: $80
- Acrobatic Show with Peking Duck Dinner Private Tour: $80
- Discovery more local Beijing evening food Tour: $89
- 4-hour Evening Tour: Jingshan Hill, Beihai Park & Hutongs Street Food Tour: $105
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sandakan $7.19Beijing $24
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Beijing
Here are a few typical costs in Beijing for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Entry to Summer Palace for Two$8.28
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Two Opera Tickets$59
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Temple of Heaven Park Entrance (for 2)$9.66
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Forbidden City (for 2)$17
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Forbidden City Tickets$17
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Audio Guides at Forbidden City$11
Tours and Activities in Beijing
Here are a few actual costs in Beijing for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Beijing's Old Hutongs: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $4.99
- Summer Palace Free Walking Tour: $5.00
- Temple of Heaven Free Walking Tour: $5.00
- Beijing's Old Hutongs: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.34
- Beijing Summer Palace Entrance Ticket (with Optional Guided Service): $8.00
- Beijing Temple of Heaven Entrance Ticket (with Optional Guided Service): $8.00
- The Old Summer Palace (Yuanmingyuan) Entrance Ticket: $8.00
- Confucius Temple and Imperial College Entrance Ticket : $8.00
- Summer Palace Admission Ticket Pre-booking Service: $8.80
- Summer Palace Ticket: $9.90
- Beijing Forbidden City Admission Ticket Pre Booking Service: $9.98
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySandakan $6.59Beijing $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Beijing
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Beijing:
- Evening Food Private Tour with Brewery Taproom Hopping at Slow Boat in Beijing: $110
- Private Tour-Drum Tower, Hutong Food Taste and Local Brewery Beer: $150
- 5-Hour Private Changyu Chateau Wine Tasting Tour from Beijing: $178
- Private Changyu Chateau Wine Tasting Tour and Mutianyu Great Wall Visit: $238
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sandakan and Beijing, we can see that Beijing is more expensive. And not only is Sandakan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Beijing would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Beijing 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 Beijing Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sandakan or Beijing?
Beijing has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Sandakan. When comparing the sizes of Sandakan and Beijing, 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 Beijing?
Beijing 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 Beijing in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Sandakan and Beijing. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Sandakan year-round. Also, most visitors come to Beijing for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Sandakan is around the same temperature as Beijing. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sandakan in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Beijing averages at about 27°C (80°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Beijing this time of the year. In Sandakan, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sandakan usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Beijing during summer. Sandakan gets 221 hours of sunny skies, while Beijing receives 224 hours of full sun in the summer.
Beijing receives a lot of rain in the summer. Sandakan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Sandakan usually receives more rain than Beijing. Sandakan gets 195 mm (7.7 in) of rain, while Beijing receives 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySandakan 27°C (81°F)Beijing 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Beijing in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Sandakan as well as Beijing. Sandakan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Beijing because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Sandakan is generally much warmer than Beijing. Daily temperatures in Sandakan average around 28°C (82°F), and Beijing fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Beijing. In the autumn, Sandakan often gets less sunshine than Beijing. Sandakan gets 191 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Beijing receives 227 hours of full sun.
Sandakan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Sandakan usually gets more rain in October than Beijing. Sandakan gets 253 mm (10 in) of rain, while Beijing receives 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSandakan 28°C (82°F)Beijing 14°C (56°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Beijing in the Winter?
Both Beijing and Sandakan are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Sandakan throughout the year. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Beijing this time of year.
It's quite cold in Beijing in the winter. Sandakan is much warmer than Beijing in the winter. The daily temperature in Sandakan averages around 26°C (80°F) in January, and Beijing fluctuates around -4°C (26°F).
It's quite sunny in Beijing. Sandakan usually receives less sunshine than Beijing during winter. Sandakan gets 156 hours of sunny skies, while Beijing receives 201 hours of full sun in the winter.
It's quite rainy in Sandakan. In January, Sandakan usually receives more rain than Beijing. Sandakan gets 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain, while Beijing receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySandakan 26°C (80°F)Beijing -4°C (26°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Beijing in the Spring?
Both Beijing and Sandakan during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Sandakan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Beijing for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Sandakan is much warmer than Beijing. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sandakan in April average around 28°C (82°F), and Beijing averages at about 14°C (57°F).
In Beijing, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Sandakan. In the spring, Sandakan often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Beijing. Sandakan gets 247 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Beijing receives 247 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Sandakan. Sandakan usually gets more rain in April than Beijing. Sandakan gets 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Beijing receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSandakan 28°C (82°F)Beijing 14°C (57°F)
Typical Weather for Beijing and Sandakan
| Sandakan | Beijing | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (80°F) | 437 mm (17.2 in) | -4°C (26°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (80°F) | 268 mm (10.6 in) | -1°C (30°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 195 mm (7.7 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 213 mm (8.4 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 182 mm (7.2 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 253 mm (10 in) | 14°C (56°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 344 mm (13.5 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 462 mm (18.2 in) | -1°C (29°F) | 2 mm (0.1 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.