Which place is cheaper, Dalian 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 Dalian?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sandakan or Dalian? 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 Dalian?
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.
Dalian
Dalian, China is a very large peninsula city located in the southernmost part of the Liaoning Province in northeast China. The area has a wealth of history, with roots in Russian and Japanese rule, resulting in unique architecture and many universities that attract foreign students and teachers. Dalian is also known for their beautiful green spaces and relaxing beaches which juxtapose a lot of the more industrial cities found throughout other areas of northern China.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Malaysia, The Best Adventure Tours to Malaysia, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China.
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Sandakan Prices
Malaysia PricesDalian Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySandakan $81Dalian $124
The average daily cost (per person) in Sandakan is $81, while the average daily cost in Dalian is $124. 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 Dalian in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSandakan $23Dalian $55
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSandakan $46Dalian $110
Compare Hotels in Sandakan and Dalian
Looking for a hotel in Sandakan or Dalian? 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 $37Dalian $41
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 Dalian
Also for Dalian, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport Chauffeur Service , to Dalian Transfer: $27
- Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport Chauffeur Service , to Dalian Transfer: $40
Is it cheaper to fly into Sandakan or Dalian?
Prices for flights to both Dalian 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 $36Dalian $48
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sandakan $8.15Dalian $4.86
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: $112
- Borneo : Orangutan, Proboscis Monkey, and Sun Bear Tour: $338
- Borneo Kinabatangan River Cruise Day Trip: $88
- Borneo Wildlife Tour 2 Days 1 Night At Tanjung Bulat Jungle Camp Kinabatangan: $230
- Borneo Wildlife Tour 3 Days 2 Nights At Tanjung Bulat Jungle Camp Kinabatangan: $260
- Day Trip Sepilok Orang-utan And City Tour (Flight Excluded): $119
- From Sandakan to Kinabatangan River Safari Boat Cruise Day Tour: $163
- From 7 Unmissable Local Stops Private Tour: $75
- Full Day At Sepilok Orangutan, Sun Bear & Sandakan City Tour: $164
- Kinabatangan River Cruise from Sandakan: $90
- Labuk Proboscis, Sepilok, Sun Bear, Sandakan City Tour & Lunch: $147
Tours and Activities in Dalian
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Dalian.
- Seaside and Skyline A Scenic Walking Tour of Dalian: $150
- Waves & Wharfs: Dalian's Chill Soul 1-Day Tour: $215
- Dalian City Private Day Tour in Your Way: $250
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySandakan $7.47Dalian $6.41
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sandakan and Dalian, we can see that Dalian 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 Dalian would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dalian 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 Dalian Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sandakan or Dalian?
Dalian has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Sandakan. When comparing the sizes of Sandakan and Dalian, 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 Dalian?
Dalian 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 Dalian in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Sandakan as well as Dalian. Sandakan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the summer, Sandakan is a little warmer than Dalian. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sandakan in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Dalian averages at about 24°C (75°F).
It's quite rainy in Dalian. Sandakan receives a lot of rain in the summer. Sandakan usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Dalian. Sandakan gets 195 mm (7.7 in) of rain, while Dalian receives 202 mm (8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySandakan 27°C (81°F)Dalian 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Dalian in the Autumn?
Both Dalian and Sandakan are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Sandakan throughout the year.
In October, Sandakan is generally much warmer than Dalian. Daily temperatures in Sandakan average around 28°C (82°F), and Dalian fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).
It's quite rainy in Sandakan. In October, Sandakan usually receives more rain than Dalian. Sandakan gets 253 mm (10 in) of rain, while Dalian receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSandakan 28°C (82°F)Dalian 15°C (58°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Dalian in the Winter?
Both Dalian and Sandakan during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Sandakan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Dalian can get quite cold in the winter. Sandakan is much warmer than Dalian in the winter. The daily temperature in Sandakan averages around 26°C (80°F) in January, and Dalian fluctuates around -4°C (25°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Sandakan. Sandakan usually gets more rain in January than Dalian. Sandakan gets 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain, while Dalian receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySandakan 26°C (80°F)Dalian -4°C (25°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Dalian in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Sandakan and Dalian. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Sandakan year-round.
In the spring, Sandakan is much warmer than Dalian. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sandakan in April average around 28°C (82°F), and Dalian averages at about 11°C (51°F).
Sandakan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Sandakan usually receives more rain than Dalian. Sandakan gets 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Dalian receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSandakan 28°C (82°F)Dalian 11°C (51°F)
Typical Weather for Dalian and Sandakan
| Sandakan | Dalian | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (80°F) | 437 mm (17.2 in) | -4°C (25°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (80°F) | 268 mm (10.6 in) | -2°C (28°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 4°C (38°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 195 mm (7.7 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 202 mm (8 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 213 mm (8.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 253 mm (10 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 344 mm (13.5 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 462 mm (18.2 in) | -0°C (32°F) | 6 mm (0.2 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.