Which place is cheaper, Sandakan or Tel Aviv?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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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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Tel Aviv Prices
Israel PricesSandakan Prices
Malaysia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTel Aviv $195Sandakan $83
The average daily cost (per person) in Tel Aviv is $195, while the average daily cost in Sandakan is $83. 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 $105Sandakan $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTel Aviv $210Sandakan $46
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 $11Sandakan $38
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$1.93
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Taxi to Airport$49
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tel Aviv
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tel Aviv:
- Private Arrival Transfer: From Ben Gurion Airport to Tel Aviv City Center: $48
- Tel Aviv Airport (TLV) to Tel Aviv - Arrival Private Transfer: $52
- Tel Aviv to Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) Private Departure Transfers: $55
- Tel Aviv Airport (TLV) to Tel Aviv Hotels - Private Transfer: $55
- Herzliya to Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport Private Departure Transfer: $56
- Private Transfer from Ben Gurion Airport to Tel Aviv, Bat Yam, Rishon LeZion: $85
- Tel Aviv Airport (TLV) to Jerusalem Hotels - Private Transfer: $90
- Tel Aviv Airport TLV to Jerusalem city - Arrival Private Transfer: $94
- Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) to Tel Aviv - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $106
- Private Transfer: From Tel Aviv to Jerusalem: $107
- Tel Aviv to Tel Aviv Airport (TLV) - Departure Private Transfer: $110
- Tel Aviv Airport (TLV) to Tel Aviv Hotels - Private Transfer: $112
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sandakan
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sandakan:
- Private 1 Way Transfer from Sandakan to Semporna or Tawau: $241
- Private 1-Way Transfer Sandakan to/from Kinabatangan River: $124
- Private 1Way Transfer to/from Sandakan Airport, City or Sepilok: $39
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 $59Sandakan $37
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$27
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Dinner for 2 at Vatroshka$159
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Lunch at Segev Sarona$42
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Aroma Iced Coffee$4.57
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Lunch at the airport$39
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tel Aviv
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Tel Aviv.
- Private Jaffa Flea Market Hapishpeshim Food Tour: $60
- Christmas Eve Tour Jerusalem and Bethlehem Dinner from Tel Aviv: $180
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 Mangrove Fireflies Dinners Tastings and Cruise: $70
- Sandakan : Fireflies and Mangrove Cruise with Dinner: $193
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tel Aviv $28Sandakan $8.39
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$96
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Etzel museum$4.90
Tours and Activities in Tel Aviv
Here are a few actual costs in Tel Aviv for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Jaffa Gatekeeper’s Secret: Exploration Game and Tour: $7.98
- A Self-Guided Walking Tour of Israel’s Neve Tzedek: $8.99
- The Story of Gan HaHashmal: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
- The White City: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of the History of the Bauhaus Style: $9.99
- 30-minute Sightseeing Cruise of Tel Aviv and Jaffa Skyline: $29
- Tel Aviv Street Art Tour (Graffiti): $35
- Jaffa Walking Tour: Old Jaffa, Jaffa Port, the Flea Market & More: $35
- Highlights of Central Tel Aviv Walking Tour: $50
- Running Tour - Old and New Jaffa Highlights Tour 5K: $53
- Tel Aviv's Old Neighborhoods walking Tour: $55
- Tel Aviv; Jaffa Old City, Port & Shuk Hapishpishim Walking Tour: $60
- Exclusive Private Tour in The Israel Diamond Exchange: $60
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: $60
- 6 Must-see Local Spots Private Tour with Lunch: $64
- From 7 Unmissable Local Stops Private Tour: $75
- Kinabatangan River Cruise from Sandakan: $90
- Sukau Rainforest Wildlife Journey & Dawn Cruises: $90
- Sandakan Private City Tour, Orangutan, Sun Bears and Rainforest: $96
- Borneo Kinabatangan River Cruise Day Trip: $105
- Local Stories, City, Spice, Cruise, Fireflies Tour: $106
- Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre & Sepilok Orang Utan Rehab Centre Tour: $112
- Day Trip Sepilok Orang-utan And City Tour (Flight Excluded): $119
- Full Day Sepilok Orangutan and Rainforest Discovery Centre Tour: $120
- Sukau Big 5 Sunset Cruise Day Tour from Sandakan (Small Group): $120
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTel Aviv $26Sandakan $7.69
Sample the Local Flavors in Tel Aviv
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Tel Aviv:
- Guided Pub Crawl Night Tour at Tel Aviv: $29
- Tel Aviv Pub Crawl: $30
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.