Which place is cheaper, Sandakan or Vang Vieng?
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 Vang Vieng or Sandakan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Vang Vieng 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: Vang Vieng or Sandakan?
Vang Vieng
Vang Vieng is a town in the Vientiane province of Laos that sits along the banks of the Nam Song River. With its beautifully carved karst topography cliffs towering over the winding river, the area has become very tourist-oriented for those seeking to explore the outdoor wonders. People from all over come to engage in the unique landscape-mountain biking, trekking, kayaking, caving, swimming, and rock climbing, amongst others.
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 Adventure Tours to Laos, The Best Budget Tours to Laos, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Malaysia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Malaysia.
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Vang Vieng Prices
Laos PricesSandakan Prices
Malaysia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVang Vieng $19Sandakan $81
The average daily cost (per person) in Vang Vieng is $19, while the average daily cost in Sandakan is $81. 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 Vang Vieng and Sandakan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVang Vieng $4.25Sandakan $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVang Vieng $8.50Sandakan $46
Compare Hotels in Vang Vieng and Sandakan
Looking for a hotel in Vang Vieng 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: Vang Vieng Hotel Prices and Sandakan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Vang Vieng $3.11Sandakan $37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vang Vieng
Also for Vang Vieng, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shared transfer from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang city: $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sandakan
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sandakan:
- Private 1Way Transfer to/from Sandakan Airport, City or Sepilok: $38
Is it cheaper to fly into Vang Vieng or Sandakan?
Prices for flights to both Sandakan and Vang Vieng 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 dayVang Vieng $11Sandakan $36
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 : Fireflies and Mangrove Cruise with Dinner: $193
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Vang Vieng $4.76Sandakan $8.15
Tours and Activities in Vang Vieng
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Vang Vieng.
- Nam Song River Kayak Tour: $18
- Tham Nangfar and Tham Nam Day Tour with Kayaking: $24
- Get Your Laos–China Train Ticket Fast – No Waiting, No Worries: $30
- Blue Lagoon and Countryside Bike Tour with Lunch: $38
- Vangrong Full Day Tour: $45
- Vang Vieng Shared Tour with Kayaking in Nam Song River: $48
- Vang Vieng Bike Tour: $49
- One Day Guided Tour: Kayaking, Zipline & Tubing In The Cave from Vang Vieng : $50
- Kayaking&Zipline&Cave Tubing&cave tour: $51
- Vangrong One Day Shared Tour: $52
- Vang Vieng Tour B - Nam Xay Viewpoint Hike & Blue Lagoon 1 Tour: $55
- Laos: Jungle Zipline and Caving Tour: $58
Tours and Activities in Sandakan
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Sandakan are as follows:
- 2D1N Sandakan Private Tour with Kinabatangan River Cruise: $290
- Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre & Sepilok Orang Utan Rehab Centre Tour: $112
- Borneo : Orangutan, Proboscis Monkey, and Sun Bear Tour: $338
- Borneo Kinabatangan River Cruise Day Trip: $88
- Borneo Wildlife Tour 2 Days 1 Night At Tanjung Bulat Jungle Camp Kinabatangan: $230
- Borneo Wildlife Tour 3 Days 2 Nights At Tanjung Bulat Jungle Camp Kinabatangan: $260
- Day Trip Sepilok Orang-utan And City Tour (Flight Excluded): $119
- From Sandakan to Kinabatangan River Safari Boat Cruise Day Tour: $163
- From 7 Unmissable Local Stops Private Tour: $75
- Full Day At Sepilok Orangutan, Sun Bear & Sandakan City Tour: $164
- Kinabatangan River Cruise from Sandakan: $90
- Labuk Proboscis, Sepilok, Sun Bear, Sandakan City Tour & Lunch: $147
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVang Vieng $1.11Sandakan $7.47
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vang Vieng and Sandakan, we can see that Sandakan is more expensive. And not only is Vang Vieng much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Vang Vieng would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Vang Vieng 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 Vang Vieng.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Vang Vieng Expensive? and Is Sandakan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Vang Vieng or Sandakan?
Sandakan has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Vang Vieng. When comparing the sizes of Vang Vieng 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 Vang Vieng 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 Vang Vieng or Sandakan in the Summer?
Both Sandakan and Vang Vieng during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Vang Vieng 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. Vang Vieng usually gets less rain in July than Sandakan. Vang Vieng gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 195 mm (7.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Sandakan, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Vang Vieng often gets less sunshine than Sandakan. Vang Vieng gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sandakan receives 221 hours of full sun.
In July, Vang Vieng is generally cooler than Sandakan. Daily temperatures in Vang Vieng average around 22°C (72°F), and Sandakan fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVang Vieng 22°C (72°F)Sandakan 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Sandakan in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Vang Vieng and Sandakan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vang Vieng year-round. Sandakan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Sandakan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Vang Vieng usually receives less rain than Sandakan. Vang Vieng gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 253 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In Vang Vieng, it's very sunny this time of the year. Vang Vieng usually receives more sunshine than Sandakan during autumn. Vang Vieng gets 222 hours of sunny skies, while Sandakan receives 191 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Vang Vieng is cooler than Sandakan in the autumn. The daily temperature in Vang Vieng averages around 23°C (73°F) in October, and Sandakan fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVang Vieng 23°C (73°F)Sandakan 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Sandakan in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Vang Vieng as well as Sandakan. Vang Vieng 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. Vang Vieng usually gets less rain in January than Sandakan. Vang Vieng gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vang Vieng this time of the year. In the winter, Vang Vieng often gets more sunshine than Sandakan. Vang Vieng gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sandakan receives 156 hours of full sun.
In the winter, Vang Vieng is around the same temperature as Sandakan. Typically, the winter temperatures in Vang Vieng in January average around 24°C (75°F), and Sandakan averages at about 26°C (80°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVang Vieng 24°C (75°F)Sandakan 26°C (80°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Sandakan in the Spring?
Both Sandakan and Vang Vieng are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vang Vieng 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. It's quite rainy in Vang Vieng. In April, Vang Vieng usually receives more rain than Sandakan. Vang Vieng gets 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
It's quite sunny in Sandakan. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vang Vieng. Vang Vieng usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Sandakan during spring. Vang Vieng gets 230 hours of sunny skies, while Sandakan receives 247 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Vang Vieng is generally cooler than Sandakan. Daily temperatures in Vang Vieng average around 23°C (73°F), and Sandakan fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilVang Vieng 23°C (73°F)Sandakan 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Sandakan and Vang Vieng
| Vang Vieng | Sandakan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 437 mm (17.2 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 268 mm (10.6 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) |
| Apr | 23°C (73°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| May | 23°C (73°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) |
| Jul | 22°C (72°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 195 mm (7.7 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 213 mm (8.4 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (73°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 253 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 344 mm (13.5 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 462 mm (18.2 in) |
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.