Which place is cheaper, Shanghai or Sandakan?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sandakan or Shanghai?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sandakan or Shanghai? 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 Shanghai?
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.
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest and most modern city in China. With a population of over 23 million, it is the economic and financial hub of the country. It also continues to be one of the fastest growing cities in China with regular changes to the city's layout and skyline. It is not uncommon for buildings to be torn down, rebuilt and then torn down and rebuilt again. The city also has skyscrapers that rank among the tallest in the world. It has an ever changing downtown and street scape. In Shanghai, the general mantra remains "out with the old, in with the new".
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Malaysia, The Best Adventure Tours to Malaysia, The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySandakan $58Shanghai $115
The average daily cost (per person) in Sandakan is $58, while the average daily cost in Shanghai is $115. 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 Shanghai in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSandakan $20Shanghai $81
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSandakan $40Shanghai $162
Compare Hotels in Sandakan and Shanghai
Looking for a hotel in Sandakan or Shanghai? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sandakan $33Shanghai $3.87
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Shanghai
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Shanghai:
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Taxi Ride$3.59
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Two Subway Tickets$0.83
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Shanghai
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Shanghai:
- Yiwu Railway Station Private Arrival Transfer to City Area: $18
- Shanghai Hongqiao Airport Private Departure Transfers: $18
- Shanghai Hongqiao Airport Private Arrival Transfers: $18
- Shanghai Pudong Airport Private Departure Transfers: $20
- Shanghai Pudong Airport Private Arrival Transfers: $20
- Shanghai Hongqiao Airport Chauffeur Service, Shanghai Airport Transfer: $25
- Private Transfer from Shanghai Maglev Train Station to City Area : $25
- Private Transfer between Shanghai Pudong New Int’l Expo Centre and City Area : $25
- Private Transfer: Shanghai New International Expo Centre and City Hotels: $26
- Private Departure Transfer to Hongqiao Railway Station from Shanghai City: $26
- Private Transfer between Shanghai NECC and City Area : $28
- Private Transfer: Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station to Hotels: $28
Is it cheaper to fly into Sandakan or Shanghai?
Prices for flights to both Shanghai 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 $19Shanghai $21
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
Typical Food Prices in Shanghai
Some typical examples of dining costs in Shanghai are as follows:
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Dumpling Breakfast$1.38
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Desserts in Jinmao Building Observatory$20
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Ajisen Lunch for Two$7.18
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Cantelope$1.66
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Dumplings and Soup$2.07
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Duck Dinner$4.14
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Pastries$2.90
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Barbeque Dinner$8.83
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Shanghai
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Shanghai.
- Online Cooking Class General Tso's Chicken by Sunflower Li: $20
- Online Cooking Class Fried Rice by Sunflower Li : $20
- 3-Hour Biking and Local Food Tour: $70
- Authentic Local Food Tour in Central Shanghai: $79
- Late night food tour in Shanghai's French Concession: $85
- Late Night Food Tour in the Shanghai's French Concession: $89
- Shanghai's Koreatown Food Tour: $91
- 4-Hour Food Tour in Qibao Water Town from Shanghai by Subway: $95
- 3-Hour Flexible Private Shanghai Night Tour with Local Dinner Option: $100
- Shanghai Hot pot dinner foodie tour with guide and one way private transfer: $113
- Shanghai Night River Cruise VIP Seating with Private Transfer and Dinner Option: $130
- Private Wet Market Visit with Cooking Class in Shanghai: $138
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sandakan $7.19Shanghai $8.42
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Shanghai
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Shanghai are as follows:
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30 Minute River Cruise for Two$28
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Zoo for Two$14
Tours and Activities in Shanghai
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Shanghai are as follows:
- The History of the French Concession: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
- Hop-on Hop-off Bus Ticket and Optional Attractions: $14
- Shanghai Yu Garden Tour：Harmony & Spirituality in Garden Art: $20
- Shanghai French Concession Walking Tour: $29
- Like a Local Customized Guided Tour: $35
- Shanghai Hotels to Wusongkou Cruise Port:Private with Meet & Great service: $38
- Shanghai Downtown Hotel to Baoshan Cruise Port:Private with Meet & Greet service: $38
- Fudan University Student Guide Tour: $42
- Shanghai Tower Tickets Booking: $43
- 4-Hour Nightlife Adventure & Tasting Bike Tour: $45
- Oriental Pearl Tower Tickets Booking: $47
- Small Group 2.5-Hour Walking Tour - Spots Hiding Behind the Shanghai Bund: $51
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySandakan $6.59Shanghai $7.35
Sample the Local Flavors in Shanghai
Also in Shanghai, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Shanghai Pub Crawl - Bar-hopping/Night life tour: $20
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sandakan and Shanghai, we can see that Shanghai 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 Shanghai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Shanghai 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 Shanghai Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sandakan or Shanghai?
Shanghai has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Sandakan. When comparing the sizes of Sandakan and Shanghai, 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 Shanghai?
Shanghai 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 Shanghai in the Summer?
Both Shanghai and Sandakan are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Sandakan throughout the year. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Shanghai because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
Sandakan is around the same temperature as Shanghai in the summer. The daily temperature in Sandakan averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Shanghai fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
It's quite sunny in Shanghai. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sandakan. Sandakan usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Shanghai during summer. Sandakan gets 221 hours of sunny skies, while Shanghai receives 232 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Shanghai. It's quite rainy in Sandakan. In July, Sandakan usually receives more rain than Shanghai. Sandakan gets 195 mm (7.7 in) of rain, while Shanghai receives 128 mm (5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySandakan 27°C (81°F)Shanghai 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Shanghai in the Autumn?
Both Shanghai and Sandakan during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Sandakan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Shanghai this time of year.
In the autumn, Sandakan is a little warmer than Shanghai. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sandakan in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Shanghai averages at about 19°C (65°F).
In the autumn, Sandakan often gets more sunshine than Shanghai. Sandakan gets 191 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Shanghai receives 162 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Sandakan. Sandakan usually gets more rain in October than Shanghai. Sandakan gets 253 mm (10 in) of rain, while Shanghai receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSandakan 28°C (82°F)Shanghai 19°C (65°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Shanghai in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Sandakan and Shanghai. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Sandakan year-round. Also, many travelers come to Shanghai for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Shanghai. In January, Sandakan is generally much warmer than Shanghai. Daily temperatures in Sandakan average around 26°C (80°F), and Shanghai fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).
Sandakan usually receives more sunshine than Shanghai during winter. Sandakan gets 156 hours of sunny skies, while Shanghai receives 135 hours of full sun in the winter.
Sandakan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Sandakan usually receives more rain than Shanghai. Sandakan gets 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain, while Shanghai receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySandakan 26°C (80°F)Shanghai 4°C (39°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Shanghai in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Sandakan as well as Shanghai. Sandakan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Shanghai in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
Sandakan is much warmer than Shanghai in the spring. The daily temperature in Sandakan averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Shanghai fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sandakan this time of the year. In the spring, Sandakan often gets more sunshine than Shanghai. Sandakan gets 247 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Shanghai receives 153 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Shanghai. Sandakan receives a lot of rain in the spring. Sandakan usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Shanghai. Sandakan gets 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Shanghai receives 102 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSandakan 28°C (82°F)Shanghai 15°C (58°F)
Typical Weather for Shanghai and Sandakan
| Sandakan | Shanghai | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (80°F) | 437 mm (17.2 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (80°F) | 268 mm (10.6 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 102 mm (4 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 113 mm (4.5 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 195 mm (7.7 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 128 mm (5 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 213 mm (8.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 156 mm (6.1 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 253 mm (10 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 344 mm (13.5 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 462 mm (18.2 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 35 mm (1.4 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.