Which place is cheaper, Yamaguchi or Sandakan?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Sandakan or Yamaguchi?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sandakan or Yamaguchi? 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 Yamaguchi?
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.
Yamaguchi
Yamaguchi, Japan is the capital city of the Yamaguchi Prefecture, located on the Western tip of Honshu, Japan. During medieval times, Yamaguchi City flourished and was essentially the capital of Japan when Kyoto was demolished by the Onin war. After 1551, the city lost this standing, although evidence of its precious prosperity can be found in the architecture and even in the planning of the city.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Malaysia, The Best Adventure Tours to Malaysia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Japan, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Tokyo.
-
Sandakan Prices
Malaysia PricesYamaguchi Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySandakan $81Yamaguchi $100
The average daily cost (per person) in Sandakan is $81, while the average daily cost in Yamaguchi is $100. 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 Yamaguchi in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSandakan $23Yamaguchi $47
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSandakan $46Yamaguchi $94
Compare Hotels in Sandakan and Yamaguchi
Looking for a hotel in Sandakan or Yamaguchi? 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 Yamaguchi Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sandakan $37Yamaguchi $21
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Yamaguchi
Also for Yamaguchi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Yamaguchi Ube Airport To/From Yamaguch City Private Transfer: $399
Is it cheaper to fly into Sandakan or Yamaguchi?
Prices for flights to both Yamaguchi 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 daySandakan $36Yamaguchi $40
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Yamaguchi
For Yamaguchi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Yamaguchi ；Healthy tea drinking ； dinner: $81
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sandakan $8.15Yamaguchi $8.69
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: $112
- Borneo : Orangutan, Proboscis Monkey, and Sun Bear Tour: $338
- Borneo Kinabatangan River Cruise Day Trip: $88
- Borneo Wildlife Tour 2 Days 1 Night At Tanjung Bulat Jungle Camp Kinabatangan: $230
- Borneo Wildlife Tour 3 Days 2 Nights At Tanjung Bulat Jungle Camp Kinabatangan: $260
- Day Trip Sepilok Orang-utan And City Tour (Flight Excluded): $119
- From Sandakan to Kinabatangan River Safari Boat Cruise Day Tour: $163
- From 7 Unmissable Local Stops Private Tour: $75
- Full Day At Sepilok Orangutan, Sun Bear & Sandakan City Tour: $164
- Kinabatangan River Cruise from Sandakan: $90
- Labuk Proboscis, Sepilok, Sun Bear, Sandakan City Tour & Lunch: $147
Tours and Activities in Yamaguchi
For Yamaguchi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Kiku Plan - Wagashi making and tea ceremony experience -: $24
- Fuji Plan - Kimono Experience and City Walk -: $37
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one daySandakan $7.47Yamaguchi $8.21
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sandakan and Yamaguchi, we can see that Yamaguchi 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 Yamaguchi would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Yamaguchi 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 Yamaguchi Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sandakan or Yamaguchi?
Sandakan has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Yamaguchi. When comparing the sizes of Sandakan and Yamaguchi, 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 Yamaguchi?
Yamaguchi 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 Yamaguchi in the Summer?
Both Yamaguchi and Sandakan during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Sandakan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many visitors come to Yamaguchi in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Sandakan is around the same temperature as Yamaguchi. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sandakan in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Yamaguchi averages at about 26°C (79°F).
Yamaguchi gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Sandakan. Sandakan usually gets less rain in July than Yamaguchi. Sandakan gets 195 mm (7.7 in) of rain, while Yamaguchi receives 271 mm (10.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulySandakan 27°C (81°F)Yamaguchi 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Yamaguchi in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Sandakan and Yamaguchi. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Sandakan year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Yamaguchi for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In October, Sandakan is generally a little warmer than Yamaguchi. Daily temperatures in Sandakan average around 28°C (82°F), and Yamaguchi fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).
Sandakan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Sandakan usually receives more rain than Yamaguchi. Sandakan gets 253 mm (10 in) of rain, while Yamaguchi receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSandakan 28°C (82°F)Yamaguchi 19°C (65°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Yamaguchi in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Sandakan as well as Yamaguchi. Sandakan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Yamaguchi because of the museums and the cuisine.
Sandakan is much warmer than Yamaguchi in the winter. The daily temperature in Sandakan averages around 26°C (80°F) in January, and Yamaguchi fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).
Sandakan receives a lot of rain in the winter. Sandakan usually gets more rain in January than Yamaguchi. Sandakan gets 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain, while Yamaguchi receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySandakan 26°C (80°F)Yamaguchi 6°C (42°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Yamaguchi in the Spring?
Both Yamaguchi and Sandakan are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Sandakan throughout the year. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Yamaguchi this time of year.
In the spring, Sandakan is much warmer than Yamaguchi. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sandakan in April average around 28°C (82°F), and Yamaguchi averages at about 14°C (57°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Yamaguchi. It's quite rainy in Sandakan. In April, Sandakan usually receives less rain than Yamaguchi. Sandakan gets 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Yamaguchi receives 162 mm (6.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilSandakan 28°C (82°F)Yamaguchi 14°C (57°F)
Typical Weather for Yamaguchi and Sandakan
| Sandakan | Yamaguchi | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (80°F) | 437 mm (17.2 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (80°F) | 268 mm (10.6 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 108 mm (4.2 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 162 mm (6.4 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 162 mm (6.4 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 195 mm (7.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 271 mm (10.7 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 213 mm (8.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 253 mm (10 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 344 mm (13.5 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 462 mm (18.2 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 59 mm (2.3 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.