Which place is cheaper, Singapore or Sandakan?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Sandakan or Singapore?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sandakan or Singapore? 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 Singapore?
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.
Singapore
Singapore is a city-state that was originally founded in 1819 as a British trading colony. Today it is a very international country that is incredibly modern and cosmopolitan. There is a strong financial industry in this country, and a correspondingly strong work ethic. It is one of the most prosperous cities in the world, and has one of the world's busiest ports.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Malaysia, The Best Adventure Tours to Malaysia, The Best Budget Tours to Singapore, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Singapore.
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Sandakan Prices
Malaysia PricesSingapore Prices
Singapore Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySandakan $81Singapore $179
The average daily cost (per person) in Sandakan is $81, while the average daily cost in Singapore is $179. 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 Singapore in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSandakan $23Singapore $101
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSandakan $46Singapore $202
Compare Hotels in Sandakan and Singapore
Looking for a hotel in Sandakan or Singapore? 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 $37Singapore $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sandakan
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sandakan:
- Private 1Way Transfer to/from Sandakan Airport, City or Sepilok: $38
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Singapore
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Singapore:
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Taxi to Airport$25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Singapore
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Singapore:
- Attractions Shared Transfers from Hotel: $12
- Changi Airport (SIN) Private One-Way Transfer: $23
- Changi Airport (SIN) Private Transfer to Singapore/Johor Bahru: $24
- Private Transfer: Singapore to Sentosa Island: $26
- Private Airport Transfer in Singapore: $29
- Changi Airport to/from Hotel Private Transfer: $30
- Singapore Changi Airport: Singapore Private Airport Transfer: $30
- Marina Bay Cruise Centre or SCC to Changi Airport Transfer: $30
- City Experience + Roundtrip Transfers: $31
- Private Attraction Transfers for Singapore: $31
- Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) to Singapore - Arrival Private Transfer: $32
- Singapore Airport: Shared Arrival or Departure Car Transfer : $33
Is it cheaper to fly into Sandakan or Singapore?
Prices for flights to both Singapore 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 $36Singapore $50
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
- Sandakan : Fireflies and Mangrove Cruise with Dinner: $193
Typical Food Prices in Singapore
Some typical examples of dining costs in Singapore are as follows:
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Breakfast$4.75
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Sugarcane Juice$1.56
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Singapore
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Singapore.
- Chinatown Food Tour with 6 Tastings: $49
- Secrets of Singapore Kick Scooter Tour with Dinner: $54
- Secrets of Singapore Kick Scooter Tour with Dinner: $55
- Singapore Food Tours - Chinatown Complex Hawker: $58
- Authentic Singapore Street Food Tour: $60
- Plant-Based Food Tour with Local Guide: $61
- Small Group: Michelin and Local Hawker Food Tour: $68
- Hawker Center Street Food Tour with Guide: $69
- Guided Street Food Tour at Night: $70
- Local Hawker Food Tour with Tastings: $70
- Hawker Culture Food Tour and Sightseeing: $75
- Eat and Snap in Chinatown Walking Food Tour: $76
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sandakan $8.15Singapore $34
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: $60
- Private Sandakan City Must See 6 Highlights Tour with Guide & Car: $63
- From 7 Unmissable Local Stops Private Tour: $82
- Sukau Rainforest Wildlife and Dawn Cruises Tour in Sandakan: $83
- Sukau Rainforest Wildlife Journey & Dawn Cruises: $87
- Borneo Kinabatangan River Cruise Day Trip: $88
- Sandakan Private City Tour Orangutan Sun Bears and Rainforest: $89
- Kinabatangan River Cruise from Sandakan: $90
- Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre & Sepilok Orang Utan Rehab Centre Tour: $112
- Day Trip Sepilok Orang-utan And City Tour (Flight Excluded): $119
- Private Full Day Sepilok Orang Utan, Bornean Sun Bear and Rainforest Discovery Center Tour: $125
- Labuk Proboscis, Sepilok, Sun Bear, Sandakan City Tour & Lunch: $147
Tours and Activities in Singapore
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Singapore are as follows:
- Artoholic A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.00
- Follow the Money: A self-guided audio tour of Singapore's Financial District: $5.00
- Peranakan Museum Admission Ticket: $6.54
- The Civic District with Singapore Boy Hossan Leong: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- Science Center E-Ticket: $7.47
- Gardens by the Bay Bundle Entry Ticket: $7.78
- Indian Heritage Centre Entrance Ticket: $7.78
- Outdoor Audio Tour at Gardens by the Bay: $8.27
- BikingSG Best of Take in the sights on a relaxed audio cycling tour: $8.31
- Singapore Walking Tour with Audioguide on Your Smartphone: $8.40
- National Orchid Garden Entry Tickets: $8.40
- Indian Heritage Centre Admission Ticket: $8.51
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySandakan $7.47Singapore $28
Sample the Local Flavors in Singapore
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Singapore:
- Party Singapore Bespoke Pub Crawl: $30
- Singapore Pub Crawl: $36
- Singapore Pub Crawl - Party like a Local: $39
- Brass Lion Gin Distillery Tour Ticket: $41
- LeVeL33 Rooftop Brewery Tour & Craft Beer Tasting: $77
- LeVeL33 Craft-Brewery Restaurant & Lounge Package: $193
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sandakan and Singapore, we can see that Singapore 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 Singapore would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Singapore 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 Singapore Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sandakan or Singapore?
Singapore has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Sandakan. When comparing the sizes of Sandakan and Singapore, 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.
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.