Which place is cheaper, Sandakan or Tel Aviv?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Tel Aviv or Sandakan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Tel Aviv or Sandakan, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Tel Aviv or Sandakan?
Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv is the second largest city in Israel and is situated on the Mediterranean coast 60 kilometers north of Jerusalem. It's a rapidly growing city and is one of the most modern and cosmopolitan cities in Israel. The official name is Tel Aviv-Yafo because the city has grown to include the ancient port city of Yafo. If you're looking for an embassy, you are likely to find it in Tel Aviv, despite Jerusalem being the official capital of Israel.
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 Luxury Tours to Israel, The Best Budget Tours to Israel, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Malaysia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Malaysia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTel Aviv $138Sandakan $58
The average daily cost (per person) in Tel Aviv is $138, while the average daily cost in Sandakan is $58. 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 Tel Aviv and Sandakan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTel Aviv $85Sandakan $20
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTel Aviv $170Sandakan $40
Compare Hotels in Tel Aviv and Sandakan
Looking for a hotel in Tel Aviv or Sandakan? 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: Tel Aviv Hotel Prices and Sandakan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tel Aviv $8.66Sandakan $33
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Tel Aviv
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Tel Aviv are as follows:
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Local Bus to Central Bus Station$1.56
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Taxi to Airport$40
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tel Aviv
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tel Aviv:
- Tel Aviv Airport (TLV) to Tel Aviv Hotels - Private Transfer: $34
- Private Tel Aviv Departure Transfer from your Hotel /Accommodation to Airport: $35
- Tel Aviv Airport (TLV) to Jerusalem Hotels - Private Transfer: $47
- Private Arrival Transfer: From Ben Gurion Airport to Tel Aviv City Center: $48
- Transfer between Ben Gurion Airport and Tel Aviv: $52
- Herzliya to Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport Private Departure Transfer: $56
- Tel Aviv Airport (TLV) to Jerusalem Hotels - Private Transfer: $68
- Private Transfer from Tel Aviv City Hotels to Ashdod Cruise Port: $73
- Tel Aviv Airport TLV to Jerusalem city - Arrival Private Transfer: $78
- VIP Transfer between Ben Gurion Airport and Tel Aviv: $78
- VIP transfer between Ben Gurion Airport and Tel Aviv: $78
- Private Intercity Transfer - from your Tel Aviv Hotel to your Jerusalem Hotel: $80
Is it cheaper to fly into Tel Aviv or Sandakan?
Prices for flights to both Sandakan and Tel Aviv 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 dayTel Aviv $27Sandakan $19
Typical Food Prices in Tel Aviv
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Tel Aviv:
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Dinner for Two$22
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Dinner for 2 at Vatroshka$129
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Lunch at Segev Sarona$34
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Aroma Iced Coffee$3.71
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Lunch at the airport$31
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tel Aviv
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Tel Aviv.
- Tel Aviv Food Tour of the Carmel Market: $49
- Carmel Market Food Tour: $49
- Tel Aviv Food Tour: The Magic of Carmel Market: $49
- Private Jaffa Flea Market Hapishpeshim Food Tour: $60
- 3 hours Levinsky Market Food Tour : $104
- The 10 Tastings of Tel Aviv With Locals: Private Food Tour : $230
- Private Food Tour to Carmel Market : $266
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.Tel Aviv $23Sandakan $7.19
Typical Entertainment Prices in Tel Aviv
Here are a few typical costs in Tel Aviv for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Masada tour from Tel Aviv$78
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Etzel museum$3.98
Tours and Activities in Tel Aviv
Here are a few actual costs in Tel Aviv for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- The Story of Gan HaHashmal: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
- The Trail of Independence: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Tel Aviv: $9.99
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Self-guided Graffiti tour in Tel Aviv in your own time and your own pace: $24
- All the Best of Tel Aviv Walking Tour: $28
- Sightseeing Cruise of Tel Aviv and Jaffa Skyline: $29
- Tel Aviv Jaffo Skyline Sightseeing Cruise of Coast Line: $29
- Historic walking tour of Tel Aviv - Secrets of Sarona - Self-Guided Tour: $30
- Jaffa Walking Tour: Old Jaffa, Jaffa Port & the Flea Market: $35
- Tel Aviv Street Art Tour (Graffiti): $35
- Tel Aviv Street Art Tour: $39
- Jaffa and Neve Tzedek Neighborhoods Walking Tour: $39
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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTel Aviv $22Sandakan $6.59
Sample the Local Flavors in Tel Aviv
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Tel Aviv:
- Pub Crawl and Nightlife Tour with Shots: $21
- Pub Crawl with Clubs, dance bars and free shots: $21
- Guided Pub Crawl Night Tour at Tel Aviv: $24
- Pub Crawl with 4 Stops and Free Shots: $30
- Tel Aviv Craft Beers Pub Crawl: $42
- Wine Tour North of Israel from Tel Aviv: $959
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tel Aviv and Sandakan, we can see that Tel Aviv is more expensive. And not only is Sandakan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Tel Aviv is in Middle East and Sandakan is in Asia, 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 Tel Aviv would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tel Aviv 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 Tel Aviv Expensive? and Is Sandakan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tel Aviv or Sandakan?
Sandakan has a larger population, and is about 4% larger than the population of Tel Aviv. When comparing the sizes of Tel Aviv 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.
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.