Which place is cheaper, Guangzhou 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 Guangzhou?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sandakan or Guangzhou? 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 Guangzhou?
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.
Guangzhou
With a population of more than 12 million, Guangzhou is the third largest city in China after Beijing and Shanghai. Though it has a long history, founded in 214 BC, the city has also many modern attractions, a mix of the old and new with temples and parks as well as skyscrapers and shopping centers. Its location on the Pearl River has contributed to this growth, making Guangzhou a major port and commercial hub.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Malaysia, The Best Adventure Tours to Malaysia, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in China, and The Best 2-Week Tours in China.
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Sandakan Prices
Malaysia PricesGuangzhou Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySandakan $81Guangzhou $104
The average daily cost (per person) in Sandakan is $81, while the average daily cost in Guangzhou is $104. 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 Guangzhou in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSandakan $23Guangzhou $58
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSandakan $46Guangzhou $116
Compare Hotels in Sandakan and Guangzhou
Looking for a hotel in Sandakan or Guangzhou? 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 $37Guangzhou $14
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 Guangzhou
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guangzhou:
- Guangzhou Airport: Private Transfer to/from Guangzhou: $24
- Guangzhou private airport transfer: $27
- [Airport transfer] Guangzhou Airport - Guangzhou city transfer service with a good reputation! <Private charter: $27
- Guangzhou : Private One-Way Transfers to/from Baiyun Airport(CAN): $30
- Guangzhou Airport & Train Station Private Transfer English Driver: $32
- Canton Fair Private Transfer between Guangzhou City Center and Pazhou Complex : $32
- Private Transfer: Guangzhou hotel to Guangzhou Baiyun Airport: $33
- Private Transfer: Guangzhou Baiyun Airport to Guangzhou hotel: $33
- Guangzhou Baiyun Airport (CAN) to Guangzhou City - Arrival Private Transfer: $37
- Guangzhou to Guangzhou Airport (CAN) - Departure Private Transfer: $37
- Guangzhou Chimelong International Circus Private Transfer Service: $38
- Guangzhou Private Intercity Transfer Shenzhen, Dongguan and More: $39
Is it cheaper to fly into Sandakan or Guangzhou?
Prices for flights to both Guangzhou 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 $36Guangzhou $34
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 Guangzhou
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Guangzhou.
- Old Town Guided Food Tour with Tastings: $79
- Food Tour - Eat Like Local + Rice Roll Workshop: $96
- Private Guangzhou Night Tour VIP Cruise and Dim-Sum Dinner Option: $146
- Guangzhou walking tour with dimsum dinner&Zhujiang river cruise: $160
- Private Guangzhou Night Tour with Canton Tower and Dim-Sum Dinner: $176
- Pearl River Night Cruise and Karaoke Tour with Buffet Dinner in Guangzhou: $179
- Private Guangzhou Food Tour Michelin Restaurant&Local Food Market: $180
- Morning Tea, Cantonese Opera, and Food Tour: $183
- Cantonese Dim Sum Dinner with Pearl River Night Cruise in Guangzhou: $199
- Guangzhou Pearl River Night Cruise and Din Tai Feng Dinner: $199
- Guangzhou Private Night Tour: Lychee Bay, Beijing Road, Cruise, Dinner: $204
- Private Cooking Canton Cuisine Cooking Class in Guangzhou : $266
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sandakan $8.15Guangzhou $18
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: $60
- Private Sandakan City Must See 6 Highlights Tour with Guide & Car: $63
- From 7 Unmissable Local Stops Private Tour: $75
- Sukau Rainforest Wildlife and Dawn Cruises Tour in Sandakan: $83
- Borneo Kinabatangan River Cruise Day Trip: $88
- Sandakan Private City Tour Orangutan Sun Bears and Rainforest: $89
- Kinabatangan River Cruise from Sandakan: $90
- Sukau Rainforest Wildlife Journey & Dawn Cruises: $90
- Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre & Sepilok Orang Utan Rehab Centre Tour: $112
- Day Trip Sepilok Orang-utan And City Tour (Flight Excluded): $119
- Private Full Day Sepilok Orang Utan, Bornean Sun Bear and Rainforest Discovery Center Tour: $125
- Labuk Proboscis, Sepilok, Sun Bear, Sandakan City Tour & Lunch: $147
Tours and Activities in Guangzhou
Here are a few actual costs in Guangzhou for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Guangzhou：New Cultural Landmark Ticket -Explore Tang Style: $2.56
- 2,000-Year-Old Wonder-Nanyue King’s Tomb Ticket: $3.18
- Reputable Private Guangzhou Tour Guide Service by Xaq: $5.00
- Cantonese Heritage Tour with Key Cultural Stops: $6.72
- Discover Private Tour of Culture, Food & Pearl River: $6.99
- Foshan Classic Old Town Tour : $15
- Private Guangzhou Tour with Comfortable Transportation: $16
- Lychee Bay River Cruise: $24
- Grandview Museum of Nature Science Ticket: $25
- Pick Up Service and Tour for Canton Culture and Food: $26
- Roundtrip Cruise Night View from Canton Tower: $30
- Chen Clan Academy In-Depth 2-Hour Guided Tour: $31
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySandakan $7.47Guangzhou $14
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sandakan and Guangzhou, we can see that Guangzhou 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 Guangzhou would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Guangzhou 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 Guangzhou Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sandakan or Guangzhou?
Guangzhou has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Sandakan. When comparing the sizes of Sandakan and Guangzhou, 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 Guangzhou?
Guangzhou 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 Guangzhou in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Sandakan and Guangzhou. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Sandakan year-round.
In July, Sandakan is generally around the same temperature as Guangzhou. Daily temperatures in Sandakan average around 27°C (81°F), and Guangzhou fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Guangzhou 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 Guangzhou during summer. Sandakan gets 221 hours of sunny skies, while Guangzhou receives 220 hours of full sun in the summer.
Guangzhou receives a lot of rain in the summer. Sandakan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Sandakan usually receives less rain than Guangzhou. Sandakan gets 195 mm (7.7 in) of rain, while Guangzhou receives 228 mm (9 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySandakan 27°C (81°F)Guangzhou 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Guangzhou in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Sandakan as well as Guangzhou. Sandakan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Sandakan is a little warmer than Guangzhou in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sandakan averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Guangzhou fluctuates around 25°C (76°F).
In the autumn, Sandakan often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Guangzhou. Sandakan gets 191 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Guangzhou receives 192 hours of full sun.
Sandakan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Sandakan usually gets more rain in October than Guangzhou. Sandakan gets 253 mm (10 in) of rain, while Guangzhou receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSandakan 28°C (82°F)Guangzhou 25°C (76°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Guangzhou in the Winter?
Both Guangzhou and Sandakan are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Sandakan throughout the year.
In the winter, Sandakan is much warmer than Guangzhou. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sandakan in January average around 26°C (80°F), and Guangzhou averages at about 14°C (58°F).
Sandakan usually receives more sunshine than Guangzhou during winter. Sandakan gets 156 hours of sunny skies, while Guangzhou receives 133 hours of full sun in the winter.
It's quite rainy in Sandakan. In January, Sandakan usually receives more rain than Guangzhou. Sandakan gets 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain, while Guangzhou receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySandakan 26°C (80°F)Guangzhou 14°C (58°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Guangzhou in the Spring?
Both Guangzhou 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.
In April, Sandakan is generally a little warmer than Guangzhou. Daily temperatures in Sandakan average around 28°C (82°F), and Guangzhou fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
It's quite sunny in Sandakan. In the spring, Sandakan often gets more sunshine than Guangzhou. Sandakan gets 247 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Guangzhou receives 78 hours of full sun.
Guangzhou gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Sandakan. Sandakan usually gets less rain in April than Guangzhou. Sandakan gets 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Guangzhou receives 182 mm (7.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSandakan 28°C (82°F)Guangzhou 22°C (72°F)
Typical Weather for Guangzhou and Sandakan
| Sandakan | Guangzhou | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (80°F) | 437 mm (17.2 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (80°F) | 268 mm (10.6 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 85 mm (3.4 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 182 mm (7.2 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 284 mm (11.2 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.1 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 195 mm (7.7 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 228 mm (9 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 213 mm (8.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 221 mm (8.7 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 172 mm (6.8 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 253 mm (10 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 344 mm (13.5 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 462 mm (18.2 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 24 mm (0.9 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.