Which place is cheaper, Guilin or Sandakan?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Sandakan or Guilin?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sandakan or Guilin? 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 Guilin?
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.
Guilin
Guilin is a city in Southern China situated on the west bank of the Li River with Hunan to the north. Its name means, "Forest of Sweet Osmanthus," owing to the large number of fragrant Sweet Osmanthus trees located in the city. Products like tea, sugar, and wine, can be made from the tree and are found in many shops throughout Guilin. A popular tourist destination, the city is renowned for its scenery of karst topography with unique mountains jutting out of the urban landscape.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Malaysia, The Best Adventure Tours to Malaysia, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, and The Best Historical Tours in China.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySandakan $58Guilin $67
The average daily cost (per person) in Sandakan is $58, while the average daily cost in Guilin is $67. 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 Guilin in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSandakan $20Guilin $34
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSandakan $40Guilin $68
Compare Hotels in Sandakan and Guilin
Looking for a hotel in Sandakan or Guilin? 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
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sandakan $33Guilin $5.76
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Guilin
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Guilin are as follows:
-
Taxi$2.76
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guilin
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guilin:
- Private Arrival Transfer: Guilin Train Stations to Downtown Hotel: $17
- Private Departure Transfer from Hotel to Guilin Train Stations: $17
- Private Arrival Transfer: Guilin International Airport (KWL) to Downtown Hotel: $25
- Private Departure Transfer: Downtown Guilin Hotel to Airport (KWL): $25
- Private Airport Transfer:Guilin Hotel to Guilin Liangjiang International Airport: $35
- Private Airport Transfer: Guilin Liangjiang International Aiport to Guilin Hotel: $35
- Guilin Railway stations Transfer Service: $37
- Private Transfer from Guilin hotel to Yangshuo hotel: $37
- Private Guilin Airport Transfer to Yangshuo: $42
- Private Arrival Transfer: Guilin Train Stations to Yangshuo: $49
- Haikou Meilan International Airport Chauffeur Service, Haikou Airport Transfer: $50
- Guilin liangjiang Airport Chauffeur Service,Guilin Airport Transfer: $57
Is it cheaper to fly into Sandakan or Guilin?
Prices for flights to both Guilin 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
-
Food Meals for one daySandakan $19Guilin $22
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 Guilin
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Guilin:
-
Fresh Coconut Drink$1.38
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guilin
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Guilin.
- Half day Yangshuo Cooking lesson Small Group Tour: $62
- Full-Day Li-River with the 4 Star Luxury Boat VIP Room and Yangshuo Cooking Tour: $286
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sandakan $7.19Guilin $28
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 Guilin
Here are a few typical costs in Guilin for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
-
Entrance to the Caves$17
Tours and Activities in Guilin
Here are a few actual costs in Guilin for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Guilin Yangshuo & Longji Rice Terrace 4 days tour: $21
- 1-DAY Private Longji Rice Terraces and Minority Villages Tour: $45
- Guilin Four lakes night cruise with the English speaking driver from Guilin hotel: $47
- Guilin City Center Walking Group Tour at Night for Three Hours: $50
- Half-Day Self-Guided Yangshuo Xianggong Hill Sunrise Tour: $52
- Private Full-Day City Tour with Fubo Hill: $59
- Full-Day Guilin Essence and Lifestyle Walking Tour: $69
- Private Bike Tour: Yangshuo Countryside: $72
- Kayaking Adventure with Local Guide: $72
- Yangshuo Old Town and Li River Cruise from Guilin: $72
- One Day Private Longshen Rice Terraces Tour Including Lunch: $73
- Half/Full day Yangshuo Cuiping hill Sunset Private Tour: $73
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one daySandakan $6.59Guilin $5.72
When comparing the travel costs between Sandakan and Guilin, we can see that Guilin is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Sandakan Expensive? and Is Guilin Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sandakan or Guilin?
Guilin has a larger population, and is about 66% larger than the population of Sandakan. When comparing the sizes of Sandakan and Guilin, 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 Guilin?
Guilin 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 Guilin in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Sandakan and Guilin. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Sandakan year-round.
In July, Sandakan is generally around the same temperature as Guilin. Daily temperatures in Sandakan average around 27°C (81°F), and Guilin fluctuates around 30°C (86°F).
Guilin receives a lot of rain in the summer. Sandakan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Sandakan usually receives around the same amount of rain as Guilin. Sandakan gets 195 mm (7.7 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulySandakan 27°C (81°F)Guilin 30°C (86°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Guilin in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Sandakan as well as Guilin. Sandakan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Sandakan is a little warmer than Guilin in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sandakan averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Guilin fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
Sandakan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Sandakan usually gets more rain in October than Guilin. Sandakan gets 253 mm (10 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSandakan 28°C (82°F)Guilin 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Guilin in the Winter?
Both Guilin 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 Guilin. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sandakan in January average around 26°C (80°F), and Guilin averages at about 10°C (49°F).
It's quite rainy in Sandakan. In January, Sandakan usually receives more rain than Guilin. Sandakan gets 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySandakan 26°C (80°F)Guilin 10°C (49°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Guilin in the Spring?
Both Guilin 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 Guilin. Daily temperatures in Sandakan average around 28°C (82°F), and Guilin fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
Guilin 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 Guilin. Sandakan gets 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 263 mm (10.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilSandakan 28°C (82°F)Guilin 20°C (68°F)
Typical Weather for Guilin and Sandakan
| Sandakan | Guilin | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (80°F) | 437 mm (17.2 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (80°F) | 268 mm (10.6 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 263 mm (10.3 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 334 mm (13.2 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 320 mm (12.6 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 195 mm (7.7 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 213 mm (8.4 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 168 mm (6.6 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 253 mm (10 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 344 mm (13.5 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 462 mm (18.2 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 47 mm (1.9 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.