Which place is cheaper, Gold Coast 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 Gold Coast?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sandakan or Gold Coast? 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 Gold Coast?
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.
Gold Coast
The Gold Coast is one of Australia's premier destinations. Famous for gorgeous beaches, warm weather, watersports, and plenty of activities for all ages, millions of tourists from Australia as well as everywhere in the world flock to this region every year. With beaches, national parks, theme parks, shopping and dining, nice resorts, boating, fishing, diving, theme parks and more, the Gold Coast offers something for everyone.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Malaysia, The Best Adventure Tours to Malaysia, The Best Honeymoon Tours in Australia, and The Best Photography Tours in Australia.
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Sandakan Prices
Malaysia PricesGold Coast Prices
Australia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySandakan $81Gold Coast $119
The average daily cost (per person) in Sandakan is $81, while the average daily cost in Gold Coast is $119. 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 Gold Coast in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSandakan $23Gold Coast $55
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSandakan $46Gold Coast $110
Compare Hotels in Sandakan and Gold Coast
Looking for a hotel in Sandakan or Gold Coast? 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 $37Gold Coast $23
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 Gold Coast
Also for Gold Coast, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Gold Coast Airport: Shared Transfer to Gold Coast: $21
- Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport: Shared Transfer Sydney CBD: $22
- OOL Airport to City Centre Private Transfer: $42
- Private Transfer Gold Coast Airport OOL to City Centre/Brisbane: $48
- Private Transfer from Gold Coast Airport - Surfers Paradise: $50
- Mt Tamborine Shuttle Service - Gold Coast Return Transfer: $66
- Chill Out at Byron Bay Bus Transfer: $72
- Gold Coast to Byron Bay scenic One Way Transfer: $81
- Departure Private Transfer: Gold Coast to Airport OOL in Business Car: $108
- Gold Coast Airport Transfer: Gold Coast to Airport OOL in Business Car: $108
- Gold Coast Airport Transfer: Airport OOL to Gold Coast in Business Car: $108
- Arrival Transfer: Airport OOL to Gold Coast by Business Car: $113
Is it cheaper to fly into Sandakan or Gold Coast?
Prices for flights to both Gold Coast 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 $36Gold Coast $47
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 Gold Coast
For Gold Coast, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Australian Outback Spectacular Dinner & Show: $79
- Brisbane/Sunset, Dinner, Stars/Premium Telescope: $79
- Gold Coast Buffet Dinner Sightseeing Cruise: $87
- Gold Coast Private Sunset Sailing Charter w/ dinner & drinks: $309
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sandakan $8.15Gold Coast $19
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: $82
- 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 Gold Coast
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Gold Coast.
- Spring Brook National Park Self Guided Driving Tour: $15
- Spring Brook National Park Driving Tour with an APP: $15
- Surfers Paradise: Sightseeing Midday River and Canal Cruise: $15
- Surfers Paradise Sightseeing City Lights Cruise: $21
- Surfers Paradise: Sightseeing Morning River and Canal Cruise: $21
- SkyPoint Observation Deck Ticket: $22
- SkyPoint Observation Deck Ticket: $23
- Surfers Paradise: Cruise, HOTA Gallery Entry, & Dining Pass: $26
- Surfers Paradise: Sightseeing Sunset River Cruise: $29
- Sightseeing Hop-on Hop-off Cruise: $30
- Surfers Paradise: IceBar Entry Ticket and Drink: $32
- Aquaduck City Tour and River Cruise: $38
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySandakan $7.47Gold Coast $5.23
Sample the Local Flavors in Gold Coast
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Gold Coast:
- Granddad Jack's Distillery Gin Tasting & Talk: $43
- Queensland Distillery Tour: $76
- Craft Distillery and Brewery Tour on Gold Coast: $77
- Sirromet Wine Tasting and Blending Workshop for 2: $84
- Wine, Distillery & Rainforest Day Tour: $151
- Private Bespoke Hinterland Heritage Wine Tour: $161
- Tamborine Mountain Wine Tour with 2-Course Lunch: $165
- Full-Day Guided Wine Tour in Mt Tamborine From Gold Coast : $167
- Luxury Wine Tour with Gourmet Lunch & Distillery: $197
- Gold Coast and Craft Brewery VIP Tour from Brisbane: $956
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sandakan and Gold Coast, we can see that Gold Coast 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 Gold Coast 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 Gold Coast would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Gold Coast 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 Gold Coast Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sandakan or Gold Coast?
Gold Coast has a larger population, and is about 35% larger than the population of Sandakan. When comparing the sizes of Sandakan and Gold Coast, 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 Gold Coast?
Gold Coast 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 Gold Coast in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Sandakan as well as Gold Coast. Sandakan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Gold Coast this time of year.
In the summer, Sandakan is around the same temperature as Gold Coast. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sandakan in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Gold Coast averages at about 25°C (77°F)in January.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Gold Coast. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sandakan this time of the year. In the summer, Sandakan often gets less sunshine than Gold Coastin January. Sandakan gets 221 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gold Coast receives 256 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Gold Coast. Sandakan receives a lot of rain in the summer. Sandakan usually gets more rain in July than Gold Coastin January. Sandakan gets 195 mm (7.7 in) of rain, while Gold Coast receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuarySandakan 27°C (81°F)Gold Coast 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Gold Coast in the Autumn?
Both Gold Coast and Sandakan are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Sandakan throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Gold Coast for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene.
In October, Sandakan is generally a little warmer than Gold Coastin April. Daily temperatures in Sandakan average around 28°C (82°F), and Gold Coast fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).
It's quite sunny in Gold Coast. Sandakan usually receives less sunshine than Gold Coast during autumn. Sandakan gets 191 hours of sunny skies, while Gold Coast receives 214 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Gold Coast. It's quite rainy in Sandakan. In October, Sandakan usually receives more rain than Gold Coastin April. Sandakan gets 253 mm (10 in) of rain, while Gold Coast receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilSandakan 28°C (82°F)Gold Coast 22°C (71°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Gold Coast in the Winter?
Both Gold Coast 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. Furthermore, many visitors come to Gold Coast in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Sandakan is much warmer than Gold Coast in the winter. The daily temperature in Sandakan averages around 26°C (80°F) in January, and Gold Coast fluctuates around 15°C (59°F)in July.
In Gold Coast, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Sandakan often gets less sunshine than Gold Coastin July. Sandakan gets 156 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gold Coast receives 226 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Sandakan. Sandakan usually gets more rain in January than Gold Coastin July. Sandakan gets 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain, while Gold Coast receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulySandakan 26°C (80°F)Gold Coast 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Gold Coast in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Sandakan and Gold Coast. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Sandakan year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Gold Coast for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.
In the spring, Sandakan is a little warmer than Gold Coast. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sandakan in April average around 28°C (82°F), and Gold Coast averages at about 21°C (69°F)in October.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Gold Coast 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 Gold Coast during spring. Sandakan gets 247 hours of sunny skies, while Gold Coast receives 259 hours of full sun in the spring.
Gold Coast receives a lot of rain in the spring. Sandakan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Sandakan usually receives around the same amount of rain as Gold Coastin October. Sandakan gets 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Gold Coast receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberSandakan 28°C (82°F)Gold Coast 21°C (69°F)
Typical Weather for Gold Coast and Sandakan
| Sandakan | Gold Coast | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (80°F) | 437 mm (17.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (80°F) | 268 mm (10.6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 157 mm (6.2 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 195 mm (7.7 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 213 mm (8.4 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 253 mm (10 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 103 mm (4 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 344 mm (13.5 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 462 mm (18.2 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 129 mm (5.1 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.