Which place is cheaper, Nagasaki or Sandakan?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sandakan or Nagasaki?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sandakan or Nagasaki? 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 Nagasaki?
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.
Nagasaki
Set in a natural harbor on the northwest coast of Japan, Nagasaki is a Japanese city synonymous with a key moment during WWII after suffering an Allied nuclear attack in 1945. While the event is memorialized at the city's Atomic Bomb Museum and Peace Park, the city in no way is defined by the event. Today it exists as a culturally and religiously diverse port town with a certain charm amongst the terraces of surrounding hills.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Malaysia, The Best Adventure Tours to Malaysia, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Japan, and The Best Adventure Tours to Japan.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySandakan $58Nagasaki $90
The average daily cost (per person) in Sandakan is $58, while the average daily cost in Nagasaki is $90. 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 Nagasaki in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSandakan $20Nagasaki $47
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSandakan $40Nagasaki $94
Compare Hotels in Sandakan and Nagasaki
Looking for a hotel in Sandakan or Nagasaki? 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 Nagasaki Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sandakan $33Nagasaki $18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nagasaki
Also for Nagasaki, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Nagasaki Airport (NGS) to Nagasaki Port: $46
- Private Transfer from Nagasaki Port to Nagasaki Airport (NGS): $46
- Private Transfer from Nagasaki Cruise Port to Nagasaki Airport: $51
- Private Transfer - Nagasaki Airport (NGS) to Nagasaki Cruise Port: $51
- Private Transfer from Nagasaki Cruise Port to Nagasaki Hotels: $61
- Private Transfer from Nagasaki Cruise Port to Nagasaki hotels: $68
- Nagasaki Airport (NGS) to Nagasaki - Arrival Private Transfer: $87
- Nagasaki Airport(NGS) to Nagasaki city - Arrival Private Transfer: $96
- Nagasaki to Nagasaki Airport (NGS) - Departure Private Transfer: $96
- Private Transfer from Uragashira Cruise Port to Fukuoka hotels: $143
- Private Transfer from Uragashira Port to Fukuoka Airport (FUK): $143
- Private Transfer from Sasebo Cruise Port to Fukuoka Airport (FUK): $143
Is it cheaper to fly into Sandakan or Nagasaki?
Prices for flights to both Nagasaki 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 $19Nagasaki $28
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 Nagasaki
For Nagasaki, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Sunset Beach Dinner: $50
- Nagasaki Night Out Food Tour: $158
- Private Walking Street Food Tour Of Nagasaki: $161
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sandakan $7.19Nagasaki $23
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
Tours and Activities in Nagasaki
For Nagasaki, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Gunkanjima Digital Museum Attraction Ticket: $12
- Nagasaki Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
- Stunning Nagasaki Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
- Nagasaki Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $55
- Nagasaki Like a Local: Customized Guided Tour: $55
- Nagasaki Shianbashi Tour: $76
- Taste Local Life: Nagasaki's Historical Street Walking Tour: $78
- Nagasaki Downtown Private Tour: $80
- Nagasaki Half-Day Sightseeing Tour with 1-day Tram Ticket: $84
- Japan Nagasaki Huis Ten Bosch Admission Ticket: $88
- Nagasaki Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide: $90
- Hasami Ware Study Tour with Special Guide ~ '400 years history' and 'Modern daily use pottery' ~ : $94
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySandakan $6.59Nagasaki $11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sandakan and Nagasaki, we can see that Nagasaki 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 Nagasaki would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nagasaki 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 Nagasaki Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sandakan or Nagasaki?
Nagasaki has a larger population, and is about 5% larger than the population of Sandakan. When comparing the sizes of Sandakan and Nagasaki, 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 Nagasaki?
Nagasaki 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 Nagasaki in the Summer?
Both Nagasaki and Sandakan during the summer 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 city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Nagasaki this time of year.
In the summer, Sandakan is around the same temperature as Nagasaki. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sandakan in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Nagasaki averages at about 27°C (81°F).
It's quite sunny in Sandakan. In the summer, Sandakan often gets more sunshine than Nagasaki. Sandakan gets 221 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nagasaki receives 197 hours of full sun.
Nagasaki 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 July than Nagasaki. Sandakan gets 195 mm (7.7 in) of rain, while Nagasaki receives 334 mm (13.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySandakan 27°C (81°F)Nagasaki 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Nagasaki in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Sandakan and Nagasaki. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Sandakan year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Nagasaki for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
In October, Sandakan is generally a little warmer than Nagasaki. Daily temperatures in Sandakan average around 28°C (82°F), and Nagasaki fluctuates around 20°C (67°F).
Sandakan usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Nagasaki during autumn. Sandakan gets 191 hours of sunny skies, while Nagasaki receives 189 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Nagasaki receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Sandakan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Sandakan usually receives more rain than Nagasaki. Sandakan gets 253 mm (10 in) of rain, while Nagasaki receives 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSandakan 28°C (82°F)Nagasaki 20°C (67°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Nagasaki in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Sandakan as well as Nagasaki. Sandakan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to Nagasaki in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Sandakan is much warmer than Nagasaki in the winter. The daily temperature in Sandakan averages around 26°C (80°F) in January, and Nagasaki fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).
In the winter, Sandakan often gets more sunshine than Nagasaki. Sandakan gets 156 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nagasaki receives 112 hours of full sun.
Sandakan receives a lot of rain in the winter. Sandakan usually gets more rain in January than Nagasaki. Sandakan gets 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain, while Nagasaki receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySandakan 26°C (80°F)Nagasaki 7°C (44°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Nagasaki in the Spring?
Both Nagasaki and Sandakan are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Sandakan throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Nagasaki for the activities around the city during these months.
In the spring, Sandakan is much warmer than Nagasaki. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sandakan in April average around 28°C (82°F), and Nagasaki averages at about 16°C (60°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sandakan. Sandakan usually receives more sunshine than Nagasaki during spring. Sandakan gets 247 hours of sunny skies, while Nagasaki receives 174 hours of full sun in the spring.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Nagasaki. It's quite rainy in Sandakan. In April, Sandakan usually receives less rain than Nagasaki. Sandakan gets 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Nagasaki receives 175 mm (6.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSandakan 28°C (82°F)Nagasaki 16°C (60°F)
Typical Weather for Nagasaki and Sandakan
| Sandakan | Nagasaki | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (80°F) | 437 mm (17.2 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (80°F) | 268 mm (10.6 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 175 mm (6.9 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 193 mm (7.6 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 195 mm (7.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 334 mm (13.1 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 213 mm (8.4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 187 mm (7.4 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 191 mm (7.5 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 253 mm (10 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 344 mm (13.5 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 462 mm (18.2 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 67 mm (2.6 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.