Which place is cheaper, Hefei or Sandakan?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sandakan or Hefei?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sandakan or Hefei? 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 Hefei?
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.
Hefei
While most would consider the city of Hefei a pass-through destination, there are plenty of things to see in the capital city of China's Anhui province.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Malaysia, The Best Adventure Tours to Malaysia, The Best Adventure Tours to China, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySandakan $58Hefei $62
The average daily cost (per person) in Sandakan is $58, while the average daily cost in Hefei is $62. 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 Hefei in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSandakan $20Hefei $28
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSandakan $40Hefei $56
Compare Hotels in Sandakan and Hefei
Looking for a hotel in Sandakan or Hefei? 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 $33Hefei $17
Is it cheaper to fly into Sandakan or Hefei?
Prices for flights to both Hefei 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 $19Hefei $21
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 $7.19Hefei $19
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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySandakan $6.59Hefei $11
When comparing the travel costs between Sandakan and Hefei, we can see that Hefei 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 Hefei Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sandakan or Hefei?
Hefei has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Sandakan. When comparing the sizes of Sandakan and Hefei, 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 Hefei?
Hefei 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 Hefei in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Sandakan and Hefei. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Sandakan year-round.
Sandakan is around the same temperature as Hefei in the summer. The daily temperature in Sandakan averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Hefei fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
Hefei receives a lot of rain in the summer. Sandakan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Sandakan usually receives more rain than Hefei. Sandakan gets 195 mm (7.7 in) of rain, while Hefei receives 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySandakan 27°C (81°F)Hefei 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Hefei in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Sandakan as well as Hefei. Sandakan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the autumn, Sandakan is much warmer than Hefei. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sandakan in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Hefei averages at about 18°C (64°F).
Sandakan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Sandakan usually gets more rain in October than Hefei. Sandakan gets 253 mm (10 in) of rain, while Hefei receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSandakan 28°C (82°F)Hefei 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Hefei in the Winter?
Both Hefei and Sandakan are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Sandakan throughout the year.
Hefei can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Sandakan is generally much warmer than Hefei. Daily temperatures in Sandakan average around 26°C (80°F), and Hefei fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).
It's quite rainy in Sandakan. In January, Sandakan usually receives more rain than Hefei. Sandakan gets 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain, while Hefei receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySandakan 26°C (80°F)Hefei 3°C (38°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Hefei in the Spring?
Both Hefei 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.
Sandakan is much warmer than Hefei in the spring. The daily temperature in Sandakan averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Hefei fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Sandakan. Sandakan usually gets more rain in April than Hefei. Sandakan gets 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Hefei receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSandakan 28°C (82°F)Hefei 16°C (61°F)
Typical Weather for Hefei and Sandakan
| Sandakan | Hefei | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (80°F) | 437 mm (17.2 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (80°F) | 268 mm (10.6 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 195 mm (7.7 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 213 mm (8.4 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 253 mm (10 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 344 mm (13.5 in) | 11°C (53°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 462 mm (18.2 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 25 mm (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.