Which place is cheaper, Yokohama or Sandakan?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sandakan or Yokohama?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sandakan or Yokohama? 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 Yokohama?
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.
Yokohama
Located on the western coast of Tokyo Bay just south of Tokyo, Yokohama is Japan's second largest city and one of the most-visited cities by foreigners. It features one of the largest Chinatown's in the world as well as many parks and architectural landmarks.
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 Tokyo, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySandakan $58Yokohama $124
The average daily cost (per person) in Sandakan is $58, while the average daily cost in Yokohama is $124. 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 Yokohama in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSandakan $20Yokohama $69
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSandakan $40Yokohama $138
Compare Hotels in Sandakan and Yokohama
Looking for a hotel in Sandakan or Yokohama? 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 Yokohama Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sandakan $33Yokohama $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Yokohama
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Yokohama:
- Shared Departure Transfer : Yokohama City to Haneda Airport: $54
- Private Transfer from Yokohama Port to Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND): $59
- Private Transfer from Yokohama Port to Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND): $65
- Private Transfer from Yokohama Cruise Port to Tokyo: $76
- Private Transfer from Yokohama Cruise Port to Tokyo city hotels: $96
- Tokyo: Private One-Way Transfer to/from Yokohama Port: $107
- Private Transfer from Yokohama Cruise Port to Narita Airport NRT: $114
- Private Departure Transfer : Yokohama City to Haneda Airport: $119
- Yokohama Private Transfer: Tokyo, Narita & Haneda Airport: $119
- Haneda Airport to/from Yokohama Private transfer: $119
- Shuttle Van Transfer from Yokohama(Inc.cruise port) to Tokyo: $142
- Haneda Airport: Private One-Way Transfer to/from Yokohama: $148
Is it cheaper to fly into Sandakan or Yokohama?
Prices for flights to both Yokohama 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 $19Yokohama $37
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Yokohama
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Yokohama.
- TAKOYAKI Cooking Class with All-you-can-drink in Tokyo, Roppongi: $46
- Sushi Roll and Side Dish Cooking Experience in Tokyo: $78
- 3-Hour Shared Halal-Friendly Japanese Cooking Class in Tokyo: $85
- Ginza Private Walking and Tokyo Local Food Tour: $104
- Shinjuku Izakaya Food Tour: $108
- Sakuragicho/Noge Walking & Local Food Tour: $114
- Half-day Cooking Class in Yokohama Local Shopping District: $123
- Adventurous Japanese Food Tour: $124
- Experience Izakaya With A Mini Food Tour Of Tokyo: $161
- Night Food Tour Starting Ginza: $162
- Yokohama Private Food Tours with a Local: 100% Personalized : $186
- Tokyo Allstar Food Tour: $245
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sandakan $7.19Yokohama $29
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
Tours and Activities in Yokohama
Here are a few actual costs in Yokohama for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Yokohama Zoo Zoorasia Admission Ticket: $6.29
- Marine Tower Observation Floor Ticket: $7.58
- Tokyo Walking Tour with Licensed Guide Shinjuku: $20
- Family tour with Manhole covers & Vehicles: $22
- Takoyaki making experience ~Japan's popular street food~: $23
- Easy Ramen making experience in Kabukicho, Shinjuku: $26
- Tokyo Tower: Privat tour, day or night with local guide: $27
- Experience Comparing Sake and Delicacies in shinjyuku: $32
- 【Carefully selected】Japanese sake tasting experience: $32
- 3 Hours Private Edo Tokyo Shinjuku Entertainment Tour: $32
- Walking tour focus on 5 Architecture and history: $35
- Small-Group Souvenirs Hunting Tour in Ginza: $36
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySandakan $6.59Yokohama $17
Sample the Local Flavors in Yokohama
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Yokohama:
- Tokyo Pub Crawl: $26
- Tokyo Hidden Izakaya and Sake Small-Group Pub Tour with Local Guide: $163
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sandakan and Yokohama, we can see that Yokohama 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 Yokohama would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Yokohama 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 Yokohama Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sandakan or Yokohama?
Yokohama has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Sandakan. When comparing the sizes of Sandakan and Yokohama, 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 Yokohama?
Yokohama 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 Yokohama in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Sandakan and Yokohama. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Sandakan year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Yokohama in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Sandakan is generally around the same temperature as Yokohama. Daily temperatures in Sandakan average around 27°C (81°F), and Yokohama fluctuates around 25°C (78°F).
In Sandakan, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sandakan usually receives more sunshine than Yokohama during summer. Sandakan gets 221 hours of sunny skies, while Yokohama receives 137 hours of full sun in the summer.
Yokohama 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 Yokohama. Sandakan gets 195 mm (7.7 in) of rain, while Yokohama receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySandakan 27°C (81°F)Yokohama 25°C (78°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Yokohama in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Sandakan as well as Yokohama. Sandakan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Yokohama for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.
Sandakan is much warmer than Yokohama in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sandakan averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Yokohama fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
In the autumn, Sandakan often gets more sunshine than Yokohama. Sandakan gets 191 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Yokohama receives 129 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Yokohama. Sandakan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Sandakan usually gets more rain in October than Yokohama. Sandakan gets 253 mm (10 in) of rain, while Yokohama receives 175 mm (6.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSandakan 28°C (82°F)Yokohama 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Yokohama in the Winter?
Both Yokohama 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 Yokohama because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Sandakan is much warmer than Yokohama. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sandakan in January average around 26°C (80°F), and Yokohama averages at about 6°C (42°F).
Sandakan usually receives less sunshine than Yokohama during winter. Sandakan gets 156 hours of sunny skies, while Yokohama receives 175 hours of full sun in the winter.
It's quite rainy in Sandakan. In January, Sandakan usually receives more rain than Yokohama. Sandakan gets 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain, while Yokohama receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySandakan 26°C (80°F)Yokohama 6°C (42°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Yokohama in the Spring?
Both Yokohama 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 activities around the city are the main draw to Yokohama this time of year.
In April, Sandakan is generally much warmer than Yokohama. Daily temperatures in Sandakan average around 28°C (82°F), and Yokohama fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).
It's quite sunny in Sandakan. In the spring, Sandakan often gets more sunshine than Yokohama. Sandakan gets 247 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Yokohama receives 161 hours of full sun.
Yokohama 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 April than Yokohama. Sandakan gets 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Yokohama receives 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSandakan 28°C (82°F)Yokohama 14°C (58°F)
Typical Weather for Yokohama and Sandakan
| Sandakan | Yokohama | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (80°F) | 437 mm (17.2 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (80°F) | 268 mm (10.6 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 153 mm (6 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 221 mm (8.7 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 195 mm (7.7 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 213 mm (8.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 253 mm (10 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 175 mm (6.9 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 344 mm (13.5 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 462 mm (18.2 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 50 mm (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.