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

Should you visit Udaipur or Sandakan?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Udaipur and Sandakan. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Udaipur or Sandakan?

Udaipur

Udaipur, also known as the "Venice of the East," is becoming increasingly popular as an Indian wedding destination as well as with travelers searching for a romantic and picturesque city, rich with history, scenic areas, and palaces.

The "City of Lakes" is located in south of Rajasthan. There are a total of ten lakes in the lake system, which are connected and sustain water for drinking, irrigation and industrial use, which contributes to another reason for Udaipur's booming tourism: alcohol.

Udaipur has ideal climate and available water to support a liquor plant while a number of other Indian states ban the consumption of liquor altogether. Many local tourists, such as those from the neighboring dry state of Gujarat on the west, visit Udaipur specifically for this reason, especially considering that Gujarati alcohol prices are much higher and liquor must be purchased through the black market. It's no wonder why Udaipur is the destination for celebrations and vacation.

Udaipur has tropical weather and three main seasons, which are summer, monsoon, and winter. Winter, which takes place between September to March, is the most pleasant time to visit for sunny and warm days and cool nights.

Udaipur was also made famous in the James Bond film Octopussy. Several local hotels show the film nightly.

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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in India, The Best Adventure Tours to India, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Malaysia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Malaysia.


Which place is cheaper, Sandakan or Udaipur?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Udaipur is $33, 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 Udaipur and Sandakan in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Udaipur $16
    Sandakan $20
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Udaipur $32
    Sandakan $40
Compare Hotels in Udaipur and Sandakan

Looking for a hotel in Udaipur 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 Udaipur


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: Udaipur Hotel Prices and Sandakan Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Udaipur $6.98
    Sandakan $33
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Udaipur

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Udaipur:


  • Tuk Tuk Ride
    $0.48

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Udaipur

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Udaipur:

  • Udaipur Airport : Private Transfer to/from Udaipur Hotels: $6.00
  • Private Transfer From Hotel To Airport: $11
  • Udaipur Airport Pick up Transfer: $12
  • One Way Transfer Service From Udaipur Hotel To Airport: $13
  • One Way Transfer Service From Udaipur Airport To Hotel: $13
  • Private Transfer From Airport to Hotel: $14
  • Private Transfer From Udaipur Airport To Udaipur Hotel: $16
  • Private Transfer From Udaipur Hotel To Udaipur Airport: $17
  • Private Transfer Udaipur Hotels To Maharana Pratap Airport UDR Drop: $18
  • Udaipur Airport to Hotel or Vice Versa Transfer: $24
  • Round Trip Transfers Sajjangarh Monsoon Palace with tickets: $24
  • Udaipur Airport Transfer: $30

Is it cheaper to fly into Udaipur or Sandakan?

Prices for flights to both Sandakan and Udaipur 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
    Udaipur $11
    Sandakan $19

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Udaipur

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Udaipur.

  • Private Traditional Dinner with an Indian Family in Udaipur: $8.99
  • 4-Hour Indian Food Cooking Class with full Meals: $12
  • Enjoyable,homely & mom 's delicious cooking classes: $13
  • Durga Cooking Class: $17
  • mamta cooking class awarded by tripadvisor : $23
  • Guided Street Food Tour with Tastings: $25
  • Culinary Adventure: Make Pizza, Sip Wine At Royal Repast: $39
  • 3 Hours Indian Cooking Session at Local Home (Udaipur): $50
  • Private Rajasthani Cooking Class in an Udaipur Home: $51
  • Jodhpur to Osian camel safari / Dinner At Dhani: $60
  • Jodhpur, Osian camel ride &Dinner At Dhani (country side): $60
  • Evening Cooking Session and Dinner with an Indian Family: $72

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.
    Udaipur $10
    Sandakan $7.19
Typical Entertainment Prices in Udaipur

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


  • Palace Entrance Fee
    $1.20
  • Lake Boat Tour
    $2.39

Tours and Activities in Udaipur

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

  • Private Udaipur Sightseeing Tour by Tuk-Tuk or Car with Driver: $8.00
  • Delwara Handicraft Experience: $9.23
  • Udaipur Half Day City Tour by Tuk Tuk: $9.60
  • Udaipur Walking Tour(2 Hours Guided Walk): $9.84
  • Udaipur Night Walk (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $9.84
  • Jaipur: Immerse yourself in a full day private tour by tuk-tuk: $9.84
  • Experience Indian Food: Learn To Cook with Rekha with full meals: $11
  • Private day tours: $11
  • Local Market Walking Tour: $11
  • Non Touristy Walk, old city & local market walking tour: $11
  • Udaipur Guided sightseeing Tour in Three wheeled Tuk Tuk : $12
  • Udapiur: Night Walking Tour: $13

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
    Udaipur $8.92
    Sandakan $6.59

Sample the Local Flavors in Udaipur

Also in Udaipur, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Pub Crawl Uaipur (3 Hours Guided Nightlife Experience): $20
  • Pub Crawl Udaipur (3 Hours Guided Nightlife Experience): $35
  • 3-Hour Pub Crawl: $39
  • Pub Crawl Udaipur: $39


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Udaipur and Sandakan, we can see that Sandakan is more expensive. And not only is Udaipur much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Udaipur would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Udaipur 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 Sandakan would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sandakan than you might in Udaipur.

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


Which is Bigger, Udaipur or Sandakan?

Udaipur has a larger population, and is about 8% larger than the population of Sandakan. When comparing the sizes of Udaipur 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.