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

Should you visit Sukhothai or Sandakan?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Sukhothai and Sandakan can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Sukhothai or Sandakan?

Sukhothai

If you are the kind of wandering traveler looking to find calm and inner peace, you will want to add Sukhothai to your list. Also known as "the dawn of happiness," this area is best known for the ruins of the ancient city of Sukhothai – the capital of Thailand during the 13th century. As the first capital of Siam, the area's temples and monuments are restored and ready for visitors from around the world.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Thailand, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Thailand, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Malaysia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Malaysia.

When comparing the travel costs between Sukhothai and Sandakan, we can see that Sukhothai is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Sukhothai Expensive? and Is Sandakan Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Sukhothai or Sandakan?

Sandakan has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Sukhothai. When comparing the sizes of Sukhothai and Sandakan, 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 Sukhothai or Sandakan?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.

Should I visit Sukhothai or Sandakan in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Sukhothai as well as Sandakan. Sukhothai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Sandakan throughout the year.

It's quite rainy in Sandakan. Sukhothai receives a lot of rain in the summer. Sukhothai usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Sandakan. Sukhothai gets 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 195 mm (7.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sandakan. In the summer, Sukhothai often gets less sunshine than Sandakan. Sukhothai gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sandakan receives 221 hours of full sun.

In the summer, Sukhothai is around the same temperature as Sandakan. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sukhothai in July average around 29°C (84°F), and Sandakan averages at about 27°C (81°F).

Should I visit Sukhothai or Sandakan in the Autumn?

Both Sandakan and Sukhothai are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Sukhothai throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Sandakan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

The dry season in Sukhothai is October to April. The rainy season in Sukhothai is May to October. It rains a lot this time of the year in Sandakan. It's quite rainy in Sukhothai. In October, Sukhothai usually receives less rain than Sandakan. Sukhothai gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 253 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sukhothai. Sukhothai usually receives more sunshine than Sandakan during autumn. Sukhothai gets 229 hours of sunny skies, while Sandakan receives 191 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Sukhothai is generally around the same temperature as Sandakan. Daily temperatures in Sukhothai average around 28°C (83°F), and Sandakan fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

Should I visit Sukhothai or Sandakan in the Winter?

Both Sandakan and Sukhothai during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Sukhothai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Sandakan year-round.

Sandakan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Sukhothai usually gets less rain in January than Sandakan. Sukhothai gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

It's quite sunny in Sukhothai. In the winter, Sukhothai often gets more sunshine than Sandakan. Sukhothai gets 266 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sandakan receives 156 hours of full sun.

Sukhothai is around the same temperature as Sandakan in the winter. The daily temperature in Sukhothai averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Sandakan fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).

Should I visit Sukhothai or Sandakan in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Sukhothai and Sandakan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Sukhothai year-round. Sandakan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

October to April in Sukhothai is the dry season. Also, May to October is the rainy season in Sukhothai. Sandakan receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Sukhothai usually receives less rain than Sandakan. Sukhothai gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sandakan this time of the year. In Sukhothai, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sukhothai usually receives more sunshine than Sandakan during spring. Sukhothai gets 279 hours of sunny skies, while Sandakan receives 247 hours of full sun in the spring.

The heat can be very extreme in Sukhothai. In the spring, Sukhothai is a little warmer than Sandakan. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sukhothai in April average around 32°C (89°F), and Sandakan averages at about 28°C (82°F).

Typical Weather for Sandakan and Sukhothai