A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sandakan vs. Wuhu for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Sandakan or Wuhu?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Sandakan or Wuhu? 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 Wuhu?

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.

Wuhu

The city of Wuhu is located in the southeast of the Anhui province of China. It lies on the south bank of the Yangtze River, and about 74 miles from the capital city of Hefei. It is made of floodplains, terraces and low hills, and its plentiful water supply makes it the perfect spot for fish and rice production.

The area has a subtropical climate with a humid monsoon season. When planning your trip, remember that the rainy season is from spring to early winter with the heaviest rainfall from mid-June to early July. So the best trips will be in autumn when it is nice and cool, and the chrysanthemums are in bloom.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Malaysia, The Best Adventure Tours to Malaysia, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Lhasa, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Shanghai.


Which place is cheaper, Wuhu or Sandakan?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Sandakan is $58, while the average daily cost in Wuhu 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 Wuhu in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sandakan $20
    Wuhu $30
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sandakan $40
    Wuhu $60
Compare Hotels in Sandakan and Wuhu

Looking for a hotel in Sandakan or Wuhu? 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.

Hotels in Sandakan


Hotels in Wuhu


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Sandakan $33
    Wuhu $26

Is it cheaper to fly into Sandakan or Wuhu?

Prices for flights to both Wuhu 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 day
    Sandakan $19
    Wuhu $39

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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Sandakan $7.19
    Wuhu $18

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

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Sandakan $6.59
    Wuhu $8.08


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sandakan and Wuhu, we can see that Wuhu 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 Wuhu would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Wuhu 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 Wuhu Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Sandakan or Wuhu?

Wuhu has a larger population, and is about 29% larger than the population of Sandakan. When comparing the sizes of Sandakan and Wuhu, 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 Wuhu?

Wuhu 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 Wuhu in the Summer?

Both Wuhu and Sandakan are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Sandakan throughout the year.

In the summer, Sandakan is around the same temperature as Wuhu. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sandakan in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Wuhu averages at about 28°C (83°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Wuhu. It's quite rainy in Sandakan. In July, Sandakan usually receives more rain than Wuhu. Sandakan gets 195 mm (7.7 in) of rain, while Wuhu receives 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Sandakan 27°C (81°F) 
    Wuhu 28°C (83°F)

Should I visit Sandakan or Wuhu in the Autumn?

Both Wuhu 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.

In October, Sandakan is generally much warmer than Wuhu. Daily temperatures in Sandakan average around 28°C (82°F), and Wuhu fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sandakan. Sandakan usually gets more rain in October than Wuhu. Sandakan gets 253 mm (10 in) of rain, while Wuhu receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Sandakan 28°C (82°F) 
    Wuhu 17°C (63°F)

Should I visit Sandakan or Wuhu in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Sandakan and Wuhu. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Sandakan year-round.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Wuhu. Sandakan is much warmer than Wuhu in the winter. The daily temperature in Sandakan averages around 26°C (80°F) in January, and Wuhu fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

Sandakan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Sandakan usually receives more rain than Wuhu. Sandakan gets 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain, while Wuhu receives 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Sandakan 26°C (80°F) 
    Wuhu 3°C (37°F)

Should I visit Sandakan or Wuhu in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Sandakan as well as Wuhu. Sandakan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the spring, Sandakan is much warmer than Wuhu. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sandakan in April average around 28°C (82°F), and Wuhu averages at about 15°C (60°F).

It's quite rainy in Wuhu. Sandakan receives a lot of rain in the spring. Sandakan usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Wuhu. Sandakan gets 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Wuhu receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Sandakan 28°C (82°F) 
    Wuhu 15°C (60°F)

Typical Weather for Wuhu and Sandakan

Sandakan Wuhu
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 26°C (80°F) 437 mm (17.2 in) 3°C (37°F) 27 mm (1.1 in)
Feb 27°C (80°F) 268 mm (10.6 in) 4°C (40°F) 52 mm (2 in)
Mar 27°C (81°F) 158 mm (6.2 in) 9°C (48°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
Apr 28°C (82°F) 107 mm (4.2 in) 15°C (60°F) 101 mm (4 in)
May 28°C (83°F) 138 mm (5.4 in) 21°C (69°F) 88 mm (3.5 in)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 200 mm (7.9 in) 25°C (77°F) 114 mm (4.5 in)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 195 mm (7.7 in) 28°C (83°F) 174 mm (6.9 in)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 213 mm (8.4 in) 28°C (83°F) 158 mm (6.2 in)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 237 mm (9.3 in) 23°C (74°F) 105 mm (4.1 in)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 253 mm (10 in) 17°C (63°F) 44 mm (1.7 in)
Nov 27°C (81°F) 344 mm (13.5 in) 11°C (52°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Dec 27°C (80°F) 462 mm (18.2 in) 5°C (41°F) 25 mm (1 in)