Which place is cheaper, Torquay or Sandakan?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sandakan or Torquay?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sandakan or Torquay? 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 Torquay?
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.
Torquay
Located on the eastern end of the Great Ocean Road, Torquay is a seaside town of Victoria famous for its surfing and beaches. Surf town through and through, it is also the headquarters for the Quiksilver and Rip Curl surf gear companies, and home to the Rip Curl Easter Pro, the world's longest running surf contest held on Bells Beach.
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 Australia, and The Best Luxury Tours to Australia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySandakan $58Torquay $86
The average daily cost (per person) in Sandakan is $58, while the average daily cost in Torquay is $86. 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 Torquay in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSandakan $20Torquay $39
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSandakan $40Torquay $78
Compare Hotels in Sandakan and Torquay
Looking for a hotel in Sandakan or Torquay? 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 $33Torquay $39
Is it cheaper to fly into Sandakan or Torquay?
Prices for flights to both Torquay 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 $19Torquay $25
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sandakan $7.19Torquay $11
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 Torquay
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Torquay.
- Milbi Sunset Cruise with Champagne and Prawns: $52
- Fraser Island & Dolphin Sailing Adventure: $73
- Turtle Discovery & Great Sandy Marine Park Adventure: $83
- K'gari (Fraser Island) West Coast Half Day Cruise from Hervey Bay: $93
- Spirit of Hervey Bay Whale Watching Cruise: $93
- Hervey Bay Whale Watching Experience: $94
- Three-Quarter Day Hervey Bay Premium Whale Watching Cruise: $119
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySandakan $6.59Torquay $7.42
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sandakan and Torquay, we can see that Torquay 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 Torquay 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 Torquay would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Torquay 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 Torquay Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sandakan or Torquay?
Sandakan has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Torquay. When comparing the sizes of Sandakan and Torquay, 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 Torquay?
Torquay 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 Torquay in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Sandakan as well as Torquay. Sandakan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to Torquay in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.
Sandakan is around the same temperature as Torquay in the summer. The daily temperature in Sandakan averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Torquay fluctuates around 26°C (78°F)in January.
It's quite rainy in Torquay. Sandakan receives a lot of rain in the summer. Sandakan usually gets more rain in July than Torquayin January. Sandakan gets 195 mm (7.7 in) of rain, while Torquay receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuarySandakan 27°C (81°F)Torquay 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Torquay in the Autumn?
Both Torquay 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, most visitors come to Torquay for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In the autumn, Sandakan is a little warmer than Torquay. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sandakan in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Torquay averages at about 22°C (72°F)in April.
It's quite rainy in Sandakan. In October, Sandakan usually receives more rain than Torquayin April. Sandakan gets 253 mm (10 in) of rain, while Torquay receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilSandakan 28°C (82°F)Torquay 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Torquay in the Winter?
Both Torquay 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. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Torquay because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Sandakan is generally much warmer than Torquayin July. Daily temperatures in Sandakan average around 26°C (80°F), and Torquay fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Sandakan. Sandakan usually gets more rain in January than Torquayin July. Sandakan gets 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain, while Torquay receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulySandakan 26°C (80°F)Torquay 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Torquay in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Sandakan and Torquay. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Sandakan year-round. Also, the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Torquay this time of year.
Sandakan is a little warmer than Torquay in the spring. The daily temperature in Sandakan averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Torquay fluctuates around 21°C (71°F)in October.
Sandakan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Sandakan usually receives more rain than Torquayin October. Sandakan gets 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Torquay receives 75 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberSandakan 28°C (82°F)Torquay 21°C (71°F)
Typical Weather for Torquay and Sandakan
| Sandakan | Torquay | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (80°F) | 437 mm (17.2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (80°F) | 268 mm (10.6 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 195 mm (7.7 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 213 mm (8.4 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 253 mm (10 in) | 21°C (71°F) | 75 mm (2.9 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 344 mm (13.5 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 106 mm (4.2 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 462 mm (18.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 134 mm (5.3 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.