Which place is cheaper, Kyoto or Sandakan?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Sandakan or Kyoto?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sandakan or Kyoto? 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 Kyoto?
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.
Kyoto
Kyoto is a larger city of Japan, though it is very much set in the old ways. With quiet temples, sublime gardens, colorful shrines, and geisha walking amidst a city surrounded by stunning mountains, Kyoto feels like a world of another time and place. True to ancient Japanese tradition, most aspects of daily life are tied closely with the changing of the seasons.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Malaysia, The Best Adventure Tours to Malaysia, The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySandakan $58Kyoto $96
The average daily cost (per person) in Sandakan is $58, while the average daily cost in Kyoto is $96. 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 Kyoto in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSandakan $20Kyoto $63
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSandakan $40Kyoto $126
Compare Hotels in Sandakan and Kyoto
Looking for a hotel in Sandakan or Kyoto? 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 Kyoto Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sandakan $33Kyoto $7.55
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kyoto
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kyoto:
- Shared Departure Transfer : Kyoto City to Kansai International Airport: $67
- Private departure transfer from Kyoto city to Kansai International airport: $107
- Osaka (Itami) Airport to/from Kyoto City Private Transfer: $136
- Kansai Airport (KIX): Private One-Way Transfer to/from Kyoto: $207
- Osaka (Itami) Airport ITM Private Transfer to/from Kyoto: $212
- Osaka City to/from Kyoto City Private transfer: $221
- Kansai Intl. Airport KIX Private Transfer to/from Kyoto: $222
- Kansai Int Airport to/from Kyoto City Private Transfer: $264
- Kyoto Early Bird Half Day Private Tour with Transfer: $292
- From Private 1-Way Transfer to Kansai Airport: $316
- One-Way Private Transfer to/from Itami Airport: $316
- Customizable Private Tour with Hotel Transfers: $504
Is it cheaper to fly into Sandakan or Kyoto?
Prices for flights to both Kyoto 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 $19Kyoto $24
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kyoto
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kyoto.
- Private Cooking Class Udon in Kyoto Japan: $40
- Japanese Washoku Bento Cooking Class with Lunch: $41
- Nishiki Market Brunch Walking Food Tour: $45
- Japanese Home Cooking Lesson with Local Hosts in Peaceful Kyoto Suburb Otsu: $49
- Kyoto Nishiki Market & Depachika: 2-hours Food Tour with a Local: $59
- Afternoon Japanese Izakaya Cooking Class: $59
- Morning Japanese Bento Cooking Class: $59
- Japanese Cooking Class: $60
- Japanese Udon and Sushi Cooking Class with Tastings: $62
- Wagashi(Japanese sweets) Cooking :Kyoto near Fushimiinari: $63
- Bento Box Cooking Class: $66
- Izakaya Style Cooking Class: $66
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sandakan $7.19Kyoto $13
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
Tours and Activities in Kyoto
Here are a few actual costs in Kyoto for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Arashiyama self guided tour app multilingual audio guide: $2.14
- Kyoto Tower Admission Ticket: $6.13
- Audio Guide Tour of Kinkaku-ji & Ryōan-ji Areas ~ Zen Echoe: $6.32
- Audio Guide Tour Sanjusangen-do & Chishaku-in: $6.32
- Audio Guide Tour through Gion: Kiyomizu-dera and Kodai-ji: $6.32
- Audio Guide Tour: Unveiling Kyoto Station Surroundings: $6.32
- Nijo Castle & Kitano Tenmangu Shrine: Auidio Guide Tour: $6.32
- Arashiyama: Self-Guided Audio Tour through History & Nature: $6.32
- Audio guide tour of the Kyoto Imperial Palace & surroundings: $6.32
- Ninnaji Temple Entry Ticket: $6.95
- Kyoto self-guided tour app with multi-language audioguide: $8.56
- Kyoto Gion Night Walking Tour: $9.47
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one daySandakan $6.59Kyoto $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Kyoto
Also in Kyoto, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Japanese Sake Brewery and Fushimi Inari Sightseeing Tour: $18
- Sake Brewery and Tasting Tour in Fushimi: $80
- Insider Sake Brewery Tour with Sake and Food Pairing: $83
- Rural Brewery Town Walk: Half-Day Private Tour Near Kyoto: $97
- Kyoto Sake Brewery Tour: $153
- Rural Villages & Brewery Town: Private 1-Day Cycling Near Kyoto: $181
- Kyoto Sake Bar and Pub Crawl (Food & Sake Tour): $189
- Kyoto Sake Bar and Pub Crawl (Food & Sake Tour): $195
- Private Guided Local Bar Crawl Experience in Kyoto: $223
- Kyoto Nightlife: Local Bar Crawl Experience: $435
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sandakan and Kyoto, we can see that Kyoto 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 Kyoto would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kyoto 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 Kyoto Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sandakan or Kyoto?
Kyoto has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Sandakan. When comparing the sizes of Sandakan and Kyoto, 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 Kyoto?
Kyoto 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 Kyoto in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Sandakan and Kyoto. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Sandakan year-round. Also, most visitors come to Kyoto for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
Sandakan is around the same temperature as Kyoto in the summer. The daily temperature in Sandakan averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Kyoto fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
In Sandakan, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sandakan usually receives more sunshine than Kyoto during summer. Sandakan gets 221 hours of sunny skies, while Kyoto receives 183 hours of full sun in the summer.
Kyoto 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 Kyoto. Sandakan gets 195 mm (7.7 in) of rain, while Kyoto receives 236 mm (9.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulySandakan 27°C (81°F)Kyoto 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Kyoto in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Sandakan as well as Kyoto. Sandakan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Kyoto because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Sandakan is much warmer than Kyoto. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sandakan in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Kyoto averages at about 18°C (64°F).
In the autumn, Sandakan often gets more sunshine than Kyoto. Sandakan gets 191 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kyoto receives 159 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Kyoto. Sandakan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Sandakan usually gets more rain in October than Kyoto. Sandakan gets 253 mm (10 in) of rain, while Kyoto receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSandakan 28°C (82°F)Kyoto 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Kyoto in the Winter?
Both Kyoto and Sandakan are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Sandakan throughout the year. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Kyoto this time of year.
It's quite cold in Kyoto in the winter. In January, Sandakan is generally much warmer than Kyoto. Daily temperatures in Sandakan average around 26°C (80°F), and Kyoto fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).
Sandakan usually receives more sunshine than Kyoto during winter. Sandakan gets 156 hours of sunny skies, while Kyoto receives 140 hours of full sun in the winter.
It's quite rainy in Sandakan. In January, Sandakan usually receives more rain than Kyoto. Sandakan gets 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain, while Kyoto receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySandakan 26°C (80°F)Kyoto 5°C (40°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Kyoto in the Spring?
Both Kyoto 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. Furthermore, many travelers come to Kyoto for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
Sandakan is much warmer than Kyoto in the spring. The daily temperature in Sandakan averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Kyoto fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).
It's quite sunny in Sandakan. In the spring, Sandakan often gets more sunshine than Kyoto. Sandakan gets 247 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kyoto receives 176 hours of full sun.
Kyoto 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 Kyoto. Sandakan gets 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Kyoto receives 153 mm (6 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilSandakan 28°C (82°F)Kyoto 14°C (58°F)
Typical Weather for Kyoto and Sandakan
| Sandakan | Kyoto | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (80°F) | 437 mm (17.2 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (80°F) | 268 mm (10.6 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 153 mm (6 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 154 mm (6 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 251 mm (9.9 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 195 mm (7.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 213 mm (8.4 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 253 mm (10 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 344 mm (13.5 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 462 mm (18.2 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 40 mm (1.6 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.