Which place is cheaper, Christchurch or Sandakan?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sandakan or Christchurch?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sandakan or Christchurch? 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 Christchurch?
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.
Christchurch
Christchurch is the largest city on the South Island of New Zealand, right beside the Canterbury Plains. Most people begin their South Island travels here. The city itself can be fascinating to explore so it is worth allowing yourself several days in town as an introduction to the region.
The River Avon flows through the city center, twisting through the old buildings. Christchurch is referred to in New Zealand as the Garden City and it is easy to see why. It's quite a nice city with trees spread throughout. The economy is centered around international tourism as well as foreign education. There is a high Asian student population here, giving the city a diverse feel.
Christchurch's climate is temperate and the city receives moderate rainfall. In January average high temperatures are around 73 degrees Fahrenheit with averages around 52 degrees Fahrenheit in July. There is a sea breeze during the summer months that keep temperatures pleasant. Temperatures can drop below freezing at night during the winter months. Snow may also fall several times a year.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Malaysia, The Best Adventure Tours to Malaysia, The Best G Adventures Tours to New Zealand, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Auckland.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySandakan $58Christchurch $95
The average daily cost (per person) in Sandakan is $58, while the average daily cost in Christchurch is $95. 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 Christchurch in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSandakan $20Christchurch $49
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSandakan $40Christchurch $98
Compare Hotels in Sandakan and Christchurch
Looking for a hotel in Sandakan or Christchurch? 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 Christchurch Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sandakan $33Christchurch $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Christchurch
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Christchurch:
- Private Transfer from Lyttelton Port to Christchurch Airport CHC: $29
- Christchurch to Christchurch Airport(CHC)- Departure Transfer: $32
- Christchurch Hotels to Airport Transfer: $51
- Arrival Private Transfer from Airport CHC to Christchurch in Business Car: $66
- Christchurch Airport Transfers : Christchurch to Airport CHC in Business Car: $66
- Departure Private Transfers from Christchurch to Airport CHC in Business Car: $66
- Christchurch Airport: 1-Way Private Transfer to Christchurch: $69
- Christchurch City Hotels to Airport Transfer - Lowest price 1 to 9 Passengers: $78
- Christchurch Airport Transfers : Christchurch to Airport CHC in Luxury Van: $91
- Departure Private Transfers from Christchurch to Airport CHC in Luxury Van: $91
- Christchurch Airport (CHC): Transfer to Christchurch hotels: $129
Is it cheaper to fly into Sandakan or Christchurch?
Prices for flights to both Christchurch 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 $19Christchurch $31
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.Sandakan $7.19Christchurch $17
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
Tours and Activities in Christchurch
Here are a few actual costs in Christchurch for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Hop-On Hop-Off Tour by Vintage Tram: $21
- Christchurch Gondola Ride Ticket: $25
- Christchurch International Antarctic Centre Entry Tickets: $35
- International Antarctic Center General Admission Ticket: $36
- Christchurch Gondola and Tram City Tour Combo: $42
- Christchurch Tram City Tour & Punting Combo: $46
- Gondola Ticket and Punt Ride on the Avon River: $47
- Tram, Punt and Gondola Ride Combo Ticket: $62
- Waipara Wine Trail Afternoon Tour from Christchurch: $75
- Waipara Wine Experience for 2 or more, inc tastings and lunch: $108
- Lyttelton Shore Excursion: Christchurch Sightseeing with Antarctic Center: $109
- Akaroa Day Tour From Christchurch: $113
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySandakan $6.59Christchurch $11
Sample the Local Flavors in Christchurch
Also in Christchurch, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- From Full-Day Wine Tour with Lunch: $100
- All-Inclusive Waipara Region Wine Tour from Christchurch: $106
- From Guided Local Wine Tours in Waipara: $119
- Akaroa Craft Distillery HeliGin Experience: $532
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sandakan and Christchurch, we can see that Christchurch 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 Christchurch 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 Christchurch would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Christchurch 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 Christchurch Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sandakan or Christchurch?
Sandakan has a larger population, and is about 8% larger than the population of Christchurch. When comparing the sizes of Sandakan and Christchurch, 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 Christchurch?
Christchurch 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 Christchurch in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Sandakan and Christchurch. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Sandakan year-round. Furthermore, the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Christchurch this time of year.
Sandakan is much warmer than Christchurch in the summer. The daily temperature in Sandakan averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Christchurch fluctuates around 18°C (64°F)in January.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Christchurch 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 Christchurch during summer. Sandakan gets 221 hours of sunny skies, while Christchurch receives 224 hours of full sun in the summer.
Sandakan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Sandakan usually receives more rain than Christchurchin January. Sandakan gets 195 mm (7.7 in) of rain, while Christchurch receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuarySandakan 27°C (81°F)Christchurch 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Christchurch in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Sandakan as well as Christchurch. Sandakan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Christchurch for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Sandakan is much warmer than Christchurch. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sandakan in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Christchurch averages at about 12°C (54°F)in April.
In the autumn, Sandakan often gets more sunshine than Christchurchin April. Sandakan gets 191 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Christchurch receives 161 hours of full sun.
Sandakan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Sandakan usually gets more rain in October than Christchurchin April. Sandakan gets 253 mm (10 in) of rain, while Christchurch receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilSandakan 28°C (82°F)Christchurch 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Christchurch in the Winter?
Both Christchurch 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, many visitors come to Christchurch in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Sandakan is generally much warmer than Christchurchin July. Daily temperatures in Sandakan average around 26°C (80°F), and Christchurch fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).
Sandakan usually receives more sunshine than Christchurch during winter. Sandakan gets 156 hours of sunny skies, while Christchurch receives 122 hours of full sun in the winter.
It's quite rainy in Sandakan. In January, Sandakan usually receives more rain than Christchurchin July. Sandakan gets 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain, while Christchurch receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulySandakan 26°C (80°F)Christchurch 6°C (43°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Christchurch in the Spring?
Both Christchurch 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. Also, most visitors come to Christchurch for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.
Sandakan is much warmer than Christchurch in the spring. The daily temperature in Sandakan averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Christchurch fluctuates around 12°C (54°F)in October.
In Christchurch, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Sandakan. In the spring, Sandakan often gets more sunshine than Christchurchin October. Sandakan gets 247 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Christchurch receives 204 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Sandakan. Sandakan usually gets more rain in April than Christchurchin October. Sandakan gets 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Christchurch receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberSandakan 28°C (82°F)Christchurch 12°C (54°F)
Typical Weather for Christchurch and Sandakan
| Sandakan | Christchurch | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (80°F) | 437 mm (17.2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (80°F) | 268 mm (10.6 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 195 mm (7.7 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 213 mm (8.4 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 253 mm (10 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 344 mm (13.5 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 462 mm (18.2 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 45 mm (1.8 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.