A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sandakan vs. Nagano for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Sandakan or Nagano?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Sandakan or Nagano? 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 Nagano?

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.

Nagano

Nagano city and its surrounding prefecture of Japan is a temple region built around Zenkoji, a 7th century Buddhist temple that overlooks the city. Nagano was also home to the Winter Olympic Games in 1998, with some facilities still existing around town. And then there is the forested mountain Togakushi area to the northwest, which is another draw of Nagano, known for its shrines and status as the home of the Togakure Ninja School.

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 Japan, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Japan.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sandakan and Nagano, we can see that Nagano 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 Nagano would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nagano 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 Nagano Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Sandakan or Nagano?

Sandakan has a larger population, and is about 9% larger than the population of Nagano. When comparing the sizes of Sandakan and Nagano, 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 Nagano?

Nagano 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 Nagano in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Sandakan as well as Nagano. Sandakan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Nagano for the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Sandakan is around the same temperature as Nagano in the summer. The daily temperature in Sandakan averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Nagano fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sandakan this time of the year. In the summer, Sandakan often gets more sunshine than Nagano. Sandakan gets 221 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nagano receives 136 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Nagano. Sandakan receives a lot of rain in the summer. Sandakan usually gets less rain in July than Nagano. Sandakan gets 195 mm (7.7 in) of rain, while Nagano receives 222 mm (8.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sandakan or Nagano in the Autumn?

Both Nagano and Sandakan are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Sandakan throughout the year. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Nagano because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Sandakan is much warmer than Nagano. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sandakan in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Nagano averages at about 16°C (60°F).

Sandakan usually receives more sunshine than Nagano during autumn. Sandakan gets 191 hours of sunny skies, while Nagano receives 167 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Nagano. It's quite rainy in Sandakan. In October, Sandakan usually receives more rain than Nagano. Sandakan gets 253 mm (10 in) of rain, while Nagano receives 227 mm (9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Sandakan or Nagano in the Winter?

Both Nagano 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. Furthermore, the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Nagano this time of year.

It's quite cold in Nagano in the winter. In January, Sandakan is generally much warmer than Nagano. Daily temperatures in Sandakan average around 26°C (80°F), and Nagano fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

In Nagano, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Sandakan often gets less sunshine than Nagano. Sandakan gets 156 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nagano receives 212 hours of full sun.

Nagano gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Sandakan. Sandakan usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Nagano. Sandakan gets 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain, while Nagano receives 446 mm (17.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sandakan or Nagano in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Sandakan and Nagano. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Sandakan year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Nagano for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

Sandakan is much warmer than Nagano in the spring. The daily temperature in Sandakan averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Nagano fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In Sandakan, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sandakan usually receives more sunshine than Nagano during spring. Sandakan gets 247 hours of sunny skies, while Nagano receives 191 hours of full sun in the spring.

Sandakan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Sandakan usually receives more rain than Nagano. Sandakan gets 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Nagano receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Nagano and Sandakan