Which place is cheaper, Sydney or Sandakan?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sandakan or Sydney?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sandakan or Sydney? 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 Sydney?
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.
Sydney
Sydney, known as the harbour city, is the most famous and frequently visited city in Australia. It is at the economical and cultural heart of the country, and is one of the most beautiful and livable cities in the world. It's situated on the water with stunning views of the famous harbour throughout the city. It's most famous landmarks include the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It is also very close wonderful beaches, parks, and nature.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Malaysia, The Best Adventure Tours to Malaysia, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Australia, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Australia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySandakan $58Sydney $273
The average daily cost (per person) in Sandakan is $58, while the average daily cost in Sydney is $273. 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 Sydney in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSandakan $20Sydney $102
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSandakan $40Sydney $204
Compare Hotels in Sandakan and Sydney
Looking for a hotel in Sandakan or Sydney? 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 Sydney Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sandakan $33Sydney $15
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Sydney
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Sydney:
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Taxi Ride$13
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Taxi to Airport$16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sydney
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sydney:
- Transfer Between Airport & Hotels or Cruise Terminal: $13
- Shuttle Transfer from Sydney City Hotel or Cruise Port to Sydney Airport: $22
- Shuttle Transfer from Cruise Ship Terminal at Circular Quay to Sydney Airport: $22
- Shuttle Transfer from Sydney Airport to Cruise Ship Terminal at Circular Quay: $22
- Sydney Airport to White Bay Port transfer: $27
- Sydney Port Private Arrival Transfer: Cruise Port to City: $28
- Private Departure Transfer: Sydney Airport: $33
- Airport Shuttle Transfer to and from CBD Hotels: $36
- Private Arrival Transfer: Sydney Airport to Hotel or Cruise Port: $38
- Sydney to Sydney Airport (SYD) - Departure Private Transfer: $39
- Sydney International Airport to/from Sydney One Way Transfer: $47
- NRL Grand Final Transfer to ANZ Stadium: $52
Is it cheaper to fly into Sandakan or Sydney?
Prices for flights to both Sydney 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 $19Sydney $44
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 Sydney
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Sydney:
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Tea$2.60
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Lunch Special$9.73
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Food/Drink Coogie Beach$9.73
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Meat Pies$3.24
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sydney
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Sydney.
- Vivid Lights Festival Pizza Cruise Tour in Vivid Sydney: $16
- VIVID Dinner Cruise with Complimentary Drink on Arrival: $36
- Vivid Sydney Harbor Cruise with Buffet Dinner: $46
- Admission to Vivid Dinner Cruise in Sydney : $46
- Sydney's Little Italy Food Tour: $50
- Sydney Street Art & Food Tour: $53
- Christmas in July Dinner Cruise on Sydney Harbour: $56
- Harbor Sunset Cruise with Dinner: $58
- Sydney Harbour: Tall Ship Vivid Dinner Cruise: $58
- Twilight Dinner Cruise on Coral Trekker: $59
- Small Group Refugee Chef Dinner Banquet at Bohemian Cafe: $63
- Kids Cooking Classes: $63
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sandakan $7.19Sydney $31
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 Sydney
Here are a few typical costs in Sydney for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Theatre Show$29
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Sydney Tower Visit (for 2)$30
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Blue Mountain Tour/Featherdale Park (for 2)$124
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Powerhouse Museum$9.76
Tours and Activities in Sydney
Here are a few actual costs in Sydney for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Walking Tour: $2.14
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- Spirits of Sydney - Self Guided Ghost Tour of the Rocks Area: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Australia: Tourist eSIM Data Plan: $11
- Self-Guided Walking Tour with Audio Guide: $14
- Secret Laneways Scavenger Hunt Adventure Game: $16
- Unlock The Rocks Scavenger Hunt Adventure Game: $16
- Australian National Maritime Museum: All-Inclusive Ticket: $16
- Botanic Garden Self-Guided Adventure Hunt for Kids: $16
- Allianz Stadium Guided Walking Tour: $17
- Broken Bay Pearl & Oyster Farm Tours: $17
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySandakan $6.59Sydney $15
Typical Alcohol Prices in Sydney
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Sydney:
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Wine$10
Sample the Local Flavors in Sydney
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Sydney:
- Haunted Pub Tour with Local Guide: $20
- Night Out Pub Crawl with Local Guide: $29
- Private Wine Tour and Tasting: $56
- Urban Winery Wine Tasting Tour with Cheese Platter: $56
- Beach and Brew - Hike and Brewery (Men and Women): $73
- Balmain Pub Walking Tour: $76
- Luxury Hunter Valley Wildlife & Wine Tasting Tour from Sydney: $83
- Sydney Beer and Brewery Tour: $102
- Brewery, Winery, and Distillery Tasting Tour: $111
- Northern Beaches Brewery Tour and Tasting: $121
- From Hunter Valley Wine Tour with Cheese Tasting: $143
- From Hunter Valley Multi-Brewery Tour with Lunch: $147
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sandakan and Sydney, we can see that Sydney is more expensive. And not only is Sandakan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Sandakan is in Asia and Sydney is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Sydney would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sydney 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 Sydney Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sandakan or Sydney?
Sydney has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Sandakan. When comparing the sizes of Sandakan and Sydney, 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 Sydney?
Sydney 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 Sydney in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Sandakan and Sydney. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Sandakan year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Sydney in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Sandakan is a little warmer than Sydney. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sandakan in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Sydney averages at about 23°C (73°F)in January.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sydney this time of the year. In Sandakan, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sandakan usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Sydney during summer. Sandakan gets 221 hours of sunny skies, while Sydney receives 236 hours of full sun in the summer.
Sydney receives a lot of rain in the summer. Sandakan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Sandakan usually receives more rain than Sydneyin January. Sandakan gets 195 mm (7.7 in) of rain, while Sydney receives 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuarySandakan 27°C (81°F)Sydney 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Sydney in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Sandakan as well as Sydney. Sandakan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Sydney for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In October, Sandakan is generally a little warmer than Sydneyin April. Daily temperatures in Sandakan average around 28°C (82°F), and Sydney fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).
In the autumn, Sandakan often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Sydneyin April. Sandakan gets 191 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sydney receives 195 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Sydney. Sandakan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Sandakan usually gets more rain in October than Sydneyin April. Sandakan gets 253 mm (10 in) of rain, while Sydney receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilSandakan 28°C (82°F)Sydney 19°C (65°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Sydney in the Winter?
Both Sydney and Sandakan are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Sandakan throughout the year. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Sydney because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Sandakan is much warmer than Sydney in the winter. The daily temperature in Sandakan averages around 26°C (80°F) in January, and Sydney fluctuates around 12°C (53°F)in July.
It's quite sunny in Sydney. Sandakan usually receives less sunshine than Sydney during winter. Sandakan gets 156 hours of sunny skies, while Sydney receives 208 hours of full sun in the winter.
It's quite rainy in Sandakan. In January, Sandakan usually receives more rain than Sydneyin July. Sandakan gets 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain, while Sydney receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulySandakan 26°C (80°F)Sydney 12°C (53°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Sydney in the Spring?
Both Sydney and Sandakan during the spring 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 beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Sydney this time of year.
In the spring, Sandakan is much warmer than Sydney. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sandakan in April average around 28°C (82°F), and Sydney averages at about 18°C (64°F)in October.
In Sydney, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Sandakan. In the spring, Sandakan often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Sydneyin October. Sandakan gets 247 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sydney receives 240 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Sandakan. Sandakan usually gets more rain in April than Sydneyin October. Sandakan gets 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Sydney receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberSandakan 28°C (82°F)Sydney 18°C (64°F)
Typical Weather for Sydney and Sandakan
| Sandakan | Sydney | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (80°F) | 437 mm (17.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (80°F) | 268 mm (10.6 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 128 mm (5 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 195 mm (7.7 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 213 mm (8.4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 253 mm (10 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 344 mm (13.5 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 462 mm (18.2 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 81 mm (3.2 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.