Which place is cheaper, Koh Phi Phi or Sandakan?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sandakan or Koh Phi Phi?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sandakan or Koh Phi Phi? 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 Koh Phi Phi?
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.
Koh Phi Phi
The islands of Koh Phi Phi, off the coast of southwestern Thailand, are very popular with travelers because of their unrivaled tropical scenery, clear blue waters, relaxing atmosphere, and undersea attractions. However, in the last decade, Koh Phi Phi has seen a huge surge in tourism, adding to the crowds and pollution of the main (and only populated) island, known as Koh Phi Phi Don.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Malaysia, The Best Adventure Tours to Malaysia, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Thailand, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Thailand.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySandakan $58Koh Phi Phi $72
The average daily cost (per person) in Sandakan is $58, while the average daily cost in Koh Phi Phi is $72. 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 Koh Phi Phi in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSandakan $20Koh Phi Phi $40
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSandakan $40Koh Phi Phi $80
Compare Hotels in Sandakan and Koh Phi Phi
Looking for a hotel in Sandakan or Koh Phi Phi? 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 and Koh Phi Phi Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sandakan $33Koh Phi Phi $6.89
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Phi Phi
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Koh Phi Phi:
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Ferry to Maya Beach (for 2)$15
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Longboat Taxi$2.73
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Koh Phi Phi
Also for Koh Phi Phi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Koh Phi Phi to Phuket VIP Speed Boat Transfer: $22
- Speedboat Transfer Phi Phi Tonsai to Phuket with Dropoff Service: $25
- Superfast Transfer from Koh Phi Phi to Krabi by Arisa Speed Boat: $28
- One-Way Departure Transfer from Phi Phi Island (Speedboat) to Phuket Airport : $52
Is it cheaper to fly into Sandakan or Koh Phi Phi?
Prices for flights to both Koh Phi Phi 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 $19Koh Phi Phi $11
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 Koh Phi Phi
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Koh Phi Phi:
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Crepe$1.64
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Sit Down Lunch$9.27
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Casual Lunch$5.73
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Coconut Donut$0.27
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Lunch at Mexican Restaurant (for 2)$11
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Sit Down Dinner$14
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sandakan $7.19Koh Phi Phi $45
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: $105
- Borneo Kinabatangan River Cruise Day Trip: $78
- 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
- Kinabatangan River Cruise from Sandakan: $90
- Labuk Proboscis, Sepilok, Sun Bear, Sandakan City Tour & Lunch: $138
- Private Full Day Sepilok Orang Utan, Bornean Sun Bear and Rainforest Discovery Center Tour: $125
- Private Tour: Half Day Sandakan City Tour Including Local Lunch: $51
- Sepilok Orang Utan & Bornean Sun Bear Centre with Sandakan City Tour with Lunch: $191
Typical Entertainment Prices in Koh Phi Phi
For Koh Phi Phi, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Kayak Rental$8.18
Tours and Activities in Koh Phi Phi
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Koh Phi Phi.
- Ferry from Phi Phi Islands to Phuket with Dropoff Service by Royal Jet Cruiser: $13
- Phuket Trick Eye 3D Museum Admission Ticket: $14
- Phi Phi Island To Phuket By Phi Phi Cruiser: $17
- Koh Phi Phi to Phuket by Phi Phi Cruiser: $17
- Phi Phi Island Half Day Tour From Phi Phi by Longtail Boat: $18
- Snorkeling Phi Phi Islands Tour From Phi Phi by Longtail Boat: $20
- Phi Phi Islands Sunset Tour From Phi Phi by Longtail Boat: $21
- Phi Phi 7 Islands Full-Day Tour From Phi Phi by Longtail Boat: $27
- Wonderful Phi Phi Islands Highlights Tour: $50
- PHI PHI ISLAND - Sunrise Trip From Phi Phi Don By Phi Phi Local Tour: $53
- Snorkeling Phi Phi Islands Tour From Phi Phi by Speedboat: $57
- Half Day & Sunset Phi Phi Island Tour From Phi Phi by Speedboat: $57
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySandakan $6.59Koh Phi Phi $5.66
Typical Alcohol Prices in Koh Phi Phi
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Koh Phi Phi from other travelers:
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Mojito Bucket$14
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Banana Daiquiri$5.46
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sandakan and Koh Phi Phi, we can see that Koh Phi Phi 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 Koh Phi Phi would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Koh Phi Phi 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 Koh Phi Phi Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sandakan or Koh Phi Phi?
Sandakan has a larger population, and is about 390 times larger than the population of Koh Phi Phi. When comparing the sizes of Sandakan and Koh Phi Phi, 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 Koh Phi Phi?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Sandakan or Koh Phi Phi in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Sandakan as well as Koh Phi Phi. Sandakan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Phi Phi throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Koh Phi Phi. Sandakan receives a lot of rain in the summer. Sandakan usually gets less rain in July than Koh Phi Phi. Sandakan gets 195 mm (7.7 in) of rain, while Koh Phi Phi receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Koh Phi Phi. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sandakan this time of the year. In the summer, Sandakan often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Koh Phi Phi. Sandakan gets 221 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koh Phi Phi receives 206 hours of full sun.
Sandakan is around the same temperature as Koh Phi Phi in the summer. The daily temperature in Sandakan averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Koh Phi Phi fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySandakan 27°C (81°F)Koh Phi Phi 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Koh Phi Phi in the Autumn?
Both Koh Phi Phi and Sandakan are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Sandakan throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Phi Phi because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The dry season in Koh Phi Phi is December to March. The rainy season in Koh Phi Phi is May to November. It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Phi Phi. It's quite rainy in Sandakan. In October, Sandakan usually receives less rain than Koh Phi Phi. Sandakan gets 253 mm (10 in) of rain, while Koh Phi Phi receives 304 mm (12 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Sandakan usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Koh Phi Phi during autumn. Sandakan gets 191 hours of sunny skies, while Koh Phi Phi receives 181 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In the autumn, Sandakan is around the same temperature as Koh Phi Phi. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sandakan in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Koh Phi Phi averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSandakan 28°C (82°F)Koh Phi Phi 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Koh Phi Phi in the Winter?
Both Koh Phi Phi 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Phi Phi year-round.
December to March is the dry season in Koh Phi Phi. It rains a lot this time of the year in Sandakan. Sandakan usually gets more rain in January than Koh Phi Phi. Sandakan gets 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain, while Koh Phi Phi receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Koh Phi Phi, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Sandakan often gets less sunshine than Koh Phi Phi. Sandakan gets 156 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koh Phi Phi receives 287 hours of full sun.
In January, Sandakan is generally around the same temperature as Koh Phi Phi. Daily temperatures in Sandakan average around 26°C (80°F), and Koh Phi Phi fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySandakan 26°C (80°F)Koh Phi Phi 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Koh Phi Phi in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Sandakan and Koh Phi Phi. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Sandakan year-round. Koh Phi Phi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Also, May to November is the rainy season in Koh Phi Phi. Koh Phi Phi receives a lot of rain in the spring. Sandakan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Sandakan usually receives less rain than Koh Phi Phi. Sandakan gets 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Koh Phi Phi receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Koh Phi Phi 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 Koh Phi Phi during spring. Sandakan gets 247 hours of sunny skies, while Koh Phi Phi receives 249 hours of full sun in the spring.
Sandakan is around the same temperature as Koh Phi Phi in the spring. The daily temperature in Sandakan averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Koh Phi Phi fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSandakan 28°C (82°F)Koh Phi Phi 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for Koh Phi Phi and Sandakan
| Sandakan | Koh Phi Phi | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (80°F) | 437 mm (17.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (80°F) | 268 mm (10.6 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 318 mm (12.5 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 279 mm (11 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 195 mm (7.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 213 mm (8.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 262 mm (10.3 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 399 mm (15.7 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 253 mm (10 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 304 mm (12 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 344 mm (13.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 462 mm (18.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 62 mm (2.4 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.