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

Should you visit Tiberias or Sandakan?

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

Should I visit Tiberias or Sandakan? 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: Tiberias or Sandakan?

Tiberias

Tiberias is a major tourist destination in Israel. It's positioned on the western side of the Sea of Galilee and is a popular spot for Israeli and international tourists alike. The town itself offers great views of the beautiful blue waters and the surrounding green hills. Tiberias is also considered to be one of the Jewish Four Holy Cities. Many people also use Tiberias as a jumping off point to explore the Golan Heights area.

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 3-Day Tours from Jerusalem, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Jerusalem, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Malaysia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Malaysia.


Which place is cheaper, Sandakan or Tiberias?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Tiberias is $87, 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 Tiberias and Sandakan in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Tiberias $55
    Sandakan $20
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Tiberias $110
    Sandakan $40
Compare Hotels in Tiberias and Sandakan

Looking for a hotel in Tiberias 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.

Hotels in Tiberias


Hotels in Sandakan


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: Tiberias Hotel Prices and Sandakan Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Tiberias $4.55
    Sandakan $33

Is it cheaper to fly into Tiberias or Sandakan?

Prices for flights to both Sandakan and Tiberias 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 day
    Tiberias $28
    Sandakan $19
Typical Food Prices in Tiberias

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Tiberias:


  • Lunch for Two
    $5.30
  • Pastry
    $1.86

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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Tiberias $10
    Sandakan $7.19
Typical Entertainment Prices in Tiberias

Here are a few typical costs in Tiberias for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Two Bikes for Day
    $32

Tours and Activities in Tiberias

Here are a few actual costs in Tiberias for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Haifa Shore Excursion: Nazareth and the Galilee - for cruise ship guests only: $115
  • Shabbat Experience in Tzfat with Wine Pairing: $160
  • Safed Wine & Cheese Tour: $250
  • Culinary Day Tour of the Galilee: $287

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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Tiberias $17
    Sandakan $6.59


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tiberias and Sandakan, we can see that Tiberias is more expensive. And not only is Sandakan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Tiberias 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 Tiberias would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tiberias 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 Tiberias Expensive? and Is Sandakan Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Tiberias or Sandakan?

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

Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.

Should I visit Tiberias or Sandakan in the Summer?

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

Sandakan receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Tiberias usually receives less rain than Sandakan. Tiberias gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 195 mm (7.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sandakan this time of the year. In Tiberias, it's very sunny this time of the year. Tiberias usually receives more sunshine than Sandakan during summer. Tiberias gets 364 hours of sunny skies, while Sandakan receives 221 hours of full sun in the summer.

In the summer, Tiberias is around the same temperature as Sandakan. Typically, the summer temperatures in Tiberias in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Sandakan averages at about 27°C (81°F).


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Tiberias 28°C (82°F) 
    Sandakan 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Tiberias or Sandakan in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Tiberias as well as Sandakan. Tiberias 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. Tiberias usually gets less rain in October than Sandakan. Tiberias gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 253 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tiberias this time of the year. In the autumn, Tiberias often gets more sunshine than Sandakan. Tiberias gets 274 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sandakan receives 191 hours of full sun.

In October, Tiberias is generally cooler than Sandakan. Daily temperatures in Tiberias average around 24°C (75°F), and Sandakan fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Tiberias 24°C (75°F) 
    Sandakan 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Tiberias or Sandakan in the Winter?

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

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sandakan. In January, Tiberias usually receives less rain than Sandakan. Tiberias gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Tiberias usually receives more sunshine than Sandakan during winter. Tiberias gets 184 hours of sunny skies, while Sandakan receives 156 hours of full sun in the winter.

Tiberias is much colder than Sandakan in the winter. The daily temperature in Tiberias averages around 14°C (57°F) in January, and Sandakan fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Tiberias 14°C (57°F) 
    Sandakan 26°C (80°F)

Should I visit Tiberias or Sandakan in the Spring?

Both Sandakan and Tiberias during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Tiberias 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. Tiberias usually gets less rain in April than Sandakan. Tiberias gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

In Sandakan, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Tiberias. In the spring, Tiberias often gets more sunshine than Sandakan. Tiberias gets 269 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sandakan receives 247 hours of full sun.

In the spring, Tiberias is cooler than Sandakan. Typically, the spring temperatures in Tiberias in April average around 20°C (68°F), and Sandakan averages at about 28°C (82°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Tiberias 20°C (68°F) 
    Sandakan 28°C (82°F)

Typical Weather for Sandakan and Tiberias

Tiberias Sandakan
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 14°C (57°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 26°C (80°F) 437 mm (17.2 in)
Feb 14°C (57°F) 37 mm (1.5 in) 27°C (80°F) 268 mm (10.6 in)
Mar 16°C (61°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 27°C (81°F) 158 mm (6.2 in)
Apr 20°C (68°F) 26 mm (1 in) 28°C (82°F) 107 mm (4.2 in)
May 23°C (73°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 28°C (83°F) 138 mm (5.4 in)
Jun 27°C (81°F) 0 mm (0 in) 28°C (82°F) 200 mm (7.9 in)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 0 mm (0 in) 27°C (81°F) 195 mm (7.7 in)
Aug 29°C (84°F) 0 mm (0 in) 28°C (82°F) 213 mm (8.4 in)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 7 mm (0.3 in) 27°C (81°F) 237 mm (9.3 in)
Oct 24°C (75°F) 12 mm (0.5 in) 28°C (82°F) 253 mm (10 in)
Nov 20°C (68°F) 22 mm (0.9 in) 27°C (81°F) 344 mm (13.5 in)
Dec 16°C (61°F) 37 mm (1.5 in) 27°C (80°F) 462 mm (18.2 in)