Which place is cheaper, Sapporo or Sandakan?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Sandakan or Sapporo?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sandakan or Sapporo? 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 Sapporo?
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.
Sapporo
Capital of the northern Japanese island Hokkaido, Sapporo is a city surrounded by mountains and known for its beer, skiing, and annual snow festival with stunning ice sculptures. As host to the 1972 Winter Olympics, the city limits are dotted with ski jumps, hills, and popular ski resorts still in use today.
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.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySandakan $58Sapporo $106
The average daily cost (per person) in Sandakan is $58, while the average daily cost in Sapporo is $106. 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 Sapporo in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSandakan $20Sapporo $63
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSandakan $40Sapporo $126
Compare Hotels in Sandakan and Sapporo
Looking for a hotel in Sandakan or Sapporo? 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 Sapporo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sandakan $33Sapporo $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sapporo
Also for Sapporo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shin Chitose Airport to/from Sapporo City: Shared Transfer: $37
- New Chitose Airport ↔ Sapporo, Best Transfer Pick up Service : $66
- Private Transfer from Sapporo hotels to Otaru Cruise Port: $93
- Sapporo City: Private Transfer to/from New Chitose Airport: $119
- [Airport Transfer] Smoothly move between Sapporo and New Chitose Airport with a private car! one way: $135
- Airport Transfer! Hotel in center of Sapporo to New Chitose Airport (CTS): $140
- Private Transfer from Sapporo City Hotels to Muroran Cruise Port: $143
- Horseback-Riding in a Country Side in Sapporo - Private Transfer is Included: $154
- Private Transfer from Sapporo hotels to Muroran Cruise Port: $158
- SkyExpress Private Transfer: Sapporo to Otaru (8 Passengers): $289
- Private Transfer: between Sapporo and Upopoy: $467
Is it cheaper to fly into Sandakan or Sapporo?
Prices for flights to both Sapporo 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 $19Sapporo $30
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 Sapporo
For Sapporo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Private Market Tour, Cooking Class and Lunch with a Local in Sapporo: $82
- Sapporo Bar Hopping Food Tour: $82
- Japanese Cooking Lesson and Meal with a Local Professional in her Lovely Home: $88
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sandakan $7.19Sapporo $16
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 Sapporo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sapporo.
- JR Tower Observatory Admission Ticket: $4.04
- Hand-rolled sushi experience tour at Sapporo Nijo Market: $44
- Sapporo Morning Walking Tour: $46
- Nopporo Forest Mountain Bike Tour from Sapporo, presenting a retro Cycle cap: $50
- Sapporo Afternoon Walking Tour 2h 30mins: $53
- Experience traditional Japanese cuisine, making soba noodles in Sapporo, in a fun and casual way.: $53
- Japanese buckwheat noodle making experience in Sapporo,japan: $57
- Popular No.1! Soba Making Experience and Tempura Plan: $60
- Mondo's most popular plan! Experience making soba noodles and the king of Japanese cuisine, tempura, in Sapporo!: $62
- Mountain Bike Tour from Sapporo Including Hoheikyo Onsen and Lunch: $68
- Personalized Experience with a Local: $69
- in Sapporo! Hand-made soba experience and shabu-shabu experience plan of Yezo deer meat (Gibier meat) from Hokkaido: $69
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one daySandakan $6.59Sapporo $7.98
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sandakan and Sapporo, we can see that Sapporo 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 Sapporo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sapporo 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 Sapporo Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sandakan or Sapporo?
Sapporo has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Sandakan. When comparing the sizes of Sandakan and Sapporo, 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 Sapporo?
Sapporo 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 Sapporo in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Sandakan as well as Sapporo. Sandakan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Sapporo for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Sandakan is a little warmer than Sapporo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sandakan in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Sapporo averages at about 21°C (69°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 Sapporo. Sandakan gets 221 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sapporo receives 179 hours of full sun.
Sandakan receives a lot of rain in the summer. Sandakan usually gets more rain in July than Sapporo. Sandakan gets 195 mm (7.7 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulySandakan 27°C (81°F)Sapporo 21°C (69°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Sapporo in the Autumn?
Both Sapporo 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 Sapporo because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
In October, Sandakan is generally much warmer than Sapporo. Daily temperatures in Sandakan average around 28°C (82°F), and Sapporo fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
Sandakan usually receives more sunshine than Sapporo during autumn. Sandakan gets 191 hours of sunny skies, while Sapporo receives 156 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Sapporo. It's quite rainy in Sandakan. In October, Sandakan usually receives more rain than Sapporo. Sandakan gets 253 mm (10 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSandakan 28°C (82°F)Sapporo 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Sapporo in the Winter?
Both Sapporo 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 Sapporo this time of year.
It's quite cold in Sapporo in the winter. Sandakan is much warmer than Sapporo in the winter. The daily temperature in Sandakan averages around 26°C (80°F) in January, and Sapporo fluctuates around -5°C (24°F).
In the winter, Sandakan often gets more sunshine than Sapporo. Sandakan gets 156 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sapporo receives 99 hours of full sun.
Sapporo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Sandakan. Sandakan usually gets more rain in January than Sapporo. Sandakan gets 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySandakan 26°C (80°F)Sapporo -5°C (24°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Sapporo in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Sandakan and Sapporo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Sandakan year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Sapporo for the activities around the city.
In the spring, Sandakan is much warmer than Sapporo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sandakan in April average around 28°C (82°F), and Sapporo averages at about 7°C (44°F).
In Sandakan, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sandakan usually receives more sunshine than Sapporo during spring. Sandakan gets 247 hours of sunny skies, while Sapporo receives 183 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 Sapporo. Sandakan gets 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilSandakan 28°C (82°F)Sapporo 7°C (44°F)
Typical Weather for Sapporo and Sandakan
| Sandakan | Sapporo | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (80°F) | 437 mm (17.2 in) | -5°C (24°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (80°F) | 268 mm (10.6 in) | -4°C (24°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | -0°C (32°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 195 mm (7.7 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 213 mm (8.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 253 mm (10 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 344 mm (13.5 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 462 mm (18.2 in) | -1°C (30°F) | 100 mm (3.9 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.