Is Sandakan expensive to visit?
Sandakan is a frequently visited and budget-friendly place to visit. With a daily average travel cost of $76, it's somewhat less expensive than most other destinations in the world. When compared to the rest of Asia, it is a moderately priced destination. It ranks in the top 50% of cities in Asia for its travel costs. Its travel costs are comparable with places such as Surabaya and Malang.

Sandakan, Malaysia
How expensive is Sandakan?
On average, visitors spend about $76 per day when visiting Sandakan (U.S. Dollars). Two travelers together would spend an average of $153 per day. Prices vary dramatically by travel style and length of trip, but if you stay at moderately priced hotels, eat at affordable restaurants, and use public transportation when possible, you can expect to stay close to this budget. See more travel costs for Sandakan here.
How expensive is a weekend trip (three days) to Sandakan?
A weekend trip to Sandakan costs about $229 per person on average, based on the previous expenses of other travelers. This includes accommodation, sightseeting activities, transportation, food, and nightlife. For two people, a weekend trip costs $459.
How expensive is a one week (7-day) trip to Sandakan?
Based on the travel expenses of others, a one week trip to Sandakan costs around $535 on average, per person. This includes food, sightseeing, local transportation, accommodation, and nightlife. For two people, a one week trip costs $1,070.
Is it expensive to backpack in Sandakan?
Sandakan is a fairly popular backpacker destination with more than 3 hostels around town. Dorm beds in hostels cost around $8 per night on average. There's a wide range in prices though, with the cheapest beds costing about $8 and the most expensive dorm beds costing around $9. (See hostel prices in Sandakan here.)
Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Sandakan.
- $9 for a dorm bed at Paganakan Dii Tropical Retreat
- $8 for a dorm bed at Tanini Sepilok
Are hotels expensive in Sandakan?
Considering our analysis of hotel prices in Sandakan, it becomes apparent that they are fairly even and moderately priced in comparison to hotels in other cities. On average, you can expect to spend around $31 per night for a hotel room. The city is home to approximately [5_STAR_COUNT] five-star hotels, presenting an average rate of [5_STAR_PRICE] per night. For a balanced choice catering to both comfort and cost-effectiveness, three-star hotels provide an average rate of $27 per night, while two-star hotels offer an even more budget-friendly alternative at $35 per night.
Hotels by star rating in Sandakan
Rating | Number of Hotels | Average Hotel Price |
---|---|---|
4 stars | 1 | $52 |
3 stars | 14 | $27 |
2 stars | 12 | $35 |
1 star | 3 | $11 |
How expensive are sightseeing activities in Sandakan?
Activities and things to do in Sandakan can vary in price depending on the type of activity, length, and location. Below are a number of popular activities to give you an idea of what to expect when visiting. Generally, previous travelers have spent $8 per day on sightseeing activities and things to do when visiting, which is less than the country's average of $28.
- Sepilok Orang Utan, Sun Bear & Sandakan Nature City Tour + Lunch: $267
- 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
- Sepilok Orang Utan & Bornean Sun Bear Centre with Sandakan City Tour with Lunch: $191
- Private Tour: Half Day Sandakan City Tour Including Local Lunch: $60
- Labuk Proboscis, Sepilok, Sun Bear, Sandakan City Tour & Lunch: $147
- 2D1N Sandakan Private Tour with Kinabatangan River Cruise: $290
- Private Full Day Sepilok Orang Utan, Bornean Sun Bear and Rainforest Discovery Center Tour: $125
Is food expensive in Sandakan?
Food in Sandakan can vary in price depending on the restaurant and food options available. Generally, other travelers have spent $34 on food per person per day, which is more than the country's average of $32. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible.
- Mangrove Cruise with Fireflies Tour Including Dinner from Sandakan: $64
- Sandakan : Fireflies and Mangrove Cruise with Dinner: $184
Is transportation expensive in Sandakan?
The prices of local transportation in Sandakan can vary by the type of transit used. Other travelers have spent an average of $35 on local transportation per person per day, which is more than the country's average of $13. To save money, take public transit whenever possible, as it will almost always be cheaper than a taxi or private driver.
More for Sandakan
If you're planning a trip to Sandakan, Malaysia, check out these other informative travel guides.
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.