Which place is cheaper, Nagoya or Sandakan?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sandakan or Nagoya?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sandakan or Nagoya? 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 Nagoya?
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.
Nagoya
Nagoya is Japan's fourth-largest city after Tokyo, Yokohama, and Osaka, as well as one of the nation's major economic centers, being the home of auto giants like Toyota, Honda, and Mitsubishi Motors. With a history that dates back to samurai and ninja, Nagoya has evolved over the years into a trade center and hub for automobile and aircraft manufacturing. And it's also home to the Legoland resort!
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Malaysia, The Best Adventure Tours to Malaysia, The Best Luxury Tours to Japan, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Japan.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySandakan $58Nagoya $89
The average daily cost (per person) in Sandakan is $58, while the average daily cost in Nagoya is $89. 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 Nagoya in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSandakan $20Nagoya $46
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSandakan $40Nagoya $92
Compare Hotels in Sandakan and Nagoya
Looking for a hotel in Sandakan or Nagoya? 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 Nagoya Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sandakan $33Nagoya $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nagoya
Also for Nagoya, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Nagoya City Hotels to Nagoya Cruise Port: $59
- Private Transfer from Nagoya Cruise Port to Nagoya hotels: $66
- Private Transfer from Nagoya hotels to Nagoya Cruise Port: $66
- Private Transfer - Nagoya Cruise Port to Nagoya Int Airport (NGO): $94
- Private Transfer from Nagoya city hotels to Kanazawa Cruise Port : $131
- Chubu Itn Airport to/from Nagoya City private transfer: $136
- Private Transfer from Nagoya City Hotels to Kanazawa Cruise Port: $144
- Chubu Airport (NGO) to/from Nagoya Private Transfer: $157
- Nagoya airport to/from LEGOLAND Private transfer: $187
- Private One-Way Transfers to/from Suzuka Circuit: $276
- Private Transfer between Chubu Centrair Int'l Airport and Nagoya: $283
- Chubu Airport (NGO) to/from Kyoto Private Transfer: $441
Is it cheaper to fly into Sandakan or Nagoya?
Prices for flights to both Nagoya 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 $19Nagoya $27
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 Nagoya
For Nagoya, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Grandma’s Traditional Cooking Class: $65
- Nagoya Special Food Tour: $66
- Market Tour and Authentic Nagoya Cuisine Cooking Class With a Local in Her Home: $92
- Specialties of Nagoya Food Tour: $174
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sandakan $7.19Nagoya $13
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 Nagoya
For Nagoya, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Shirakawa-go from Nagoya One Day Bus ticket Oneway/Roundway: $22
- Shirakawa-go From Nagoya One day Bus Self-guided Tour: $23
- Hida Takayama from Nagoya Bus ticket Oneway/Raundway: $25
- Shirakawa-go from nagoya 1D Bus ticket with Hida Beef Lunch: $49
- Tie-Dye Activity and Traditional Town Walking Tour in NAGOYA: $52
- From Gujo, Hida Takayama, and Shirakawa-go Day Tour: $60
- From Ise Grand Shrine Day Tour: $60
- Private Tea Ceremony Experience in a Shopping Arcade Tea Room: $65
- Private Tour to Famous Places in Nagoya: $71
- Customized Private Tour: $72
- Mitsui Outlet Park, Light-Up Festival, & Onsen Tour: $76
- Hida Takayama & World Heritage Shirakawa-go Day Tour: $81
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySandakan $6.59Nagoya $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Nagoya
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Nagoya:
- Pub Crawl in Nagoya: $38
- Restaurant and Bar Crawl in Nagoya Japan: $40
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sandakan and Nagoya, we can see that Nagoya 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 Nagoya would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nagoya 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 Nagoya Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sandakan or Nagoya?
Nagoya has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Sandakan. When comparing the sizes of Sandakan and Nagoya, 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 Nagoya?
Nagoya 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 Nagoya in the Summer?
Both Nagoya 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 Nagoya this time of year.
In the summer, Sandakan is around the same temperature as Nagoya. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sandakan in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Nagoya averages at about 27°C (80°F).
It's quite sunny in Sandakan. In the summer, Sandakan often gets more sunshine than Nagoya. Sandakan gets 221 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nagoya receives 170 hours of full sun.
Nagoya 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 Nagoya. Sandakan gets 195 mm (7.7 in) of rain, while Nagoya receives 213 mm (8.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySandakan 27°C (81°F)Nagoya 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Nagoya in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Sandakan and Nagoya. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Sandakan year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Nagoya for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
In October, Sandakan is generally much warmer than Nagoya. Daily temperatures in Sandakan average around 28°C (82°F), and Nagoya fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
Sandakan usually receives more sunshine than Nagoya during autumn. Sandakan gets 191 hours of sunny skies, while Nagoya receives 176 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Nagoya 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 Nagoya. Sandakan gets 253 mm (10 in) of rain, while Nagoya receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSandakan 28°C (82°F)Nagoya 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Nagoya in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Sandakan as well as Nagoya. Sandakan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to Nagoya in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Nagoya can get quite cold in the winter. Sandakan is much warmer than Nagoya in the winter. The daily temperature in Sandakan averages around 26°C (80°F) in January, and Nagoya fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).
In the winter, Sandakan often gets less sunshine than Nagoya. Sandakan gets 156 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nagoya receives 180 hours of full sun.
Sandakan receives a lot of rain in the winter. Sandakan usually gets more rain in January than Nagoya. Sandakan gets 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain, while Nagoya receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySandakan 26°C (80°F)Nagoya 4°C (40°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Nagoya in the Spring?
Both Nagoya 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 Nagoya for the activities around the city during these months.
In the spring, Sandakan is much warmer than Nagoya. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sandakan in April average around 28°C (82°F), and Nagoya averages at about 14°C (58°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sandakan. Sandakan usually receives more sunshine than Nagoya during spring. Sandakan gets 247 hours of sunny skies, while Nagoya receives 189 hours of full sun in the spring.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Nagoya. It's quite rainy in Sandakan. In April, Sandakan usually receives less rain than Nagoya. Sandakan gets 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Nagoya receives 152 mm (6 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSandakan 28°C (82°F)Nagoya 14°C (58°F)
Typical Weather for Nagoya and Sandakan
| Sandakan | Nagoya | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (80°F) | 437 mm (17.2 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (80°F) | 268 mm (10.6 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 65 mm (2.6 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) | 152 mm (6 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 157 mm (6.2 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 213 mm (8.4 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 195 mm (7.7 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 213 mm (8.4 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 213 mm (8.4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 204 mm (8 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 253 mm (10 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 344 mm (13.5 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 462 mm (18.2 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 41 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.