Which place is cheaper, Sandakan or Chiang Mai?
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 Chiang Mai 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 Chiang Mai 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: Chiang Mai or Sandakan?
Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is both the cultural center of northern Thailand and a launching point for trips into the rural areas, small towns, and lush jungles of the country's northern regions. Known for great food, historic temples, arts and crafts, and a lively night market, Chiang Mai is a very popular destination for travelers. In some areas, tourists and ex-pats dominate, but it's quite easy to get away from the tourist scene and into the real culture of Thailand, as Chiang Mai (and the surrounding countryside) is quite large.
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 G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Malaysia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Malaysia.
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Chiang Mai Prices
Thailand PricesSandakan Prices
Malaysia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChiang Mai $61Sandakan $81
The average daily cost (per person) in Chiang Mai is $61, 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 Chiang Mai and Sandakan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChiang Mai $30Sandakan $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChiang Mai $60Sandakan $46
Compare Hotels in Chiang Mai and Sandakan
Looking for a hotel in Chiang Mai 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: Chiang Mai Hotel Prices and Sandakan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Chiang Mai $4.18Sandakan $37
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Chiang Mai
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Chiang Mai are as follows:
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Tuk Tuk Ride$1.26
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Moped Rental$5.65
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chiang Mai
Also for Chiang Mai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Chiang Mai Airport Private Transfer – Hotel or Airport: $7.96
- Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) Private Transfer: $8.00
- Private Airport Transfer in Chiang Mai to/from Chiangmai Town: $10
- Chiang Mai Airport Departure – Private Transfer from Hotel to Airport: $14
- Chiang Mai Airport Arrival – Private Transfer from Airport to Hotel: $14
- Chiang Mai International Airport Arrival Shared Transfer: $15
- Chiang Mai International Airport Departure Shared Transfer: $15
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service Chiang Mai HTL-APT(CNX): $15
- Chiang Mai Private Car :Airport To Hotel transfer (one way) : $15
- Private Airport Transfer in Chiang Mai to/from Mae Rim Hotel: $17
- Private Arrival Transfer : Chiang Mai International Airport (SHA Plus): $17
- Private Arrival Transfer - Chiang Mai Airport to Chiang Mai City Hotel(SHA Plus): $18
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 Chiang Mai or Sandakan?
Prices for flights to both Sandakan and Chiang Mai 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 dayChiang Mai $21Sandakan $36
Typical Food Prices in Chiang Mai
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Chiang Mai:
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Sit Down Dinner (for One)$6.12
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Roti Snack (Bread)$0.75
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Casual Breakfast$1.26
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$6.28
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Mangoes$0.94
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Coffee$1.57
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chiang Mai
For Chiang Mai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cooking Evening Class Chiang Mai Visit Organic Garden and Market: $10
- Cooking Morning Class Chiang Mai Visit Organic Garden and Market : $10
- Chiang Mai Khantoke Dinner and Cultural Show Experience: $22
- Traditional Khantoke Dinner and Show from Chiang Mai: $22
- Chiang Mai Khantoke Dinner and Cultural Show Experience: $22
- Half-day Thai Cooking Class from scratch by an Expert Chef: $27
- Morning Thai cooking class : $29
- Evening Thai cooking class : $29
- Half-Day Thai Cooking Class at Organic Farm in Chiang Mai: $29
- The Rice Barn Thai Cooking Farm Chiangmai : $29
- Cooking class in organic garden and local market tour ThaiCottage: $29
- Traditional Khantoke Dinner & Cultural Show Tour in Chiang Mai: $31
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.Chiang Mai $14Sandakan $8.15
Typical Entertainment Prices in Chiang Mai
For Chiang Mai, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Thai Cooking Class$41
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Doi Suthep Entrance Ticket$1.88
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Kratong Lessons$3.14
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Pedicure$4.71
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Chiang Mai Museum (for Two)$5.65
Tours and Activities in Chiang Mai
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Chiang Mai.
- Doi Suthep Temple Tour by Local Red Car 3 Hour Adventure: $13
- Doi Suthep Temple Tour by Local Red Car – 3 Hours Experience: $13
- Old Town History and Culture Walking Tour at Chiang Mai: $15
- Art in Paradise: Chiang Mai 3D Art Museum Experience: $16
- Chiang Mai Old City & Temples Guided Walking Tour - 3 Hrs: $16
- Skip the Line: Chiang Mai Art in Paradise Admission Ticket: $16
- Chiang Mai Farm Life & Khao Soy Tasting on a Half-Day Boat Tour: $17
- Chiangmai Temple And City Walking Tour with ex monk Part 1: $18
- Bua Thong Waterfalls Adventure Experience : $18
- Chiang Mai Old City & Temples 3 hour Twilight Walking Tour : $18
- Muay Thai Ticket Thapae Boxing Stadium Chiang Mai Live Fight: $19
- Chiang Mai Temples Visit Walking Tour with Ex-Monk Guide Part 2: $19
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 dayChiang Mai $7.78Sandakan $7.47
Typical Alcohol Prices in Chiang Mai
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Chiang Mai are as follows:
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Wine$3.14
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chiang Mai and Sandakan, we can see that Sandakan is more expensive. And not only is Chiang Mai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Chiang Mai would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chiang Mai 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 Chiang Mai.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Chiang Mai Expensive? and Is Sandakan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Chiang Mai or Sandakan?
Chiang Mai has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Sandakan. When comparing the sizes of Chiang Mai 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 Chiang Mai 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 Chiang Mai or Sandakan in the Summer?
Both Sandakan and Chiang Mai during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Chiang Mai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Sandakan year-round.
June to September is the rainy season in Chiang Mai. Sandakan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai usually gets less rain in July than Sandakan. Chiang Mai gets 161 mm (6.3 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, Chiang Mai often gets less sunshine than Sandakan. Chiang Mai gets 146 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sandakan receives 221 hours of full sun.
In the summer, Chiang Mai is around the same temperature as Sandakan. Typically, the summer temperatures in Chiang Mai in July average around 30°C (86°F), and Sandakan averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyChiang Mai 30°C (86°F)Sandakan 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Chiang Mai or Sandakan in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Chiang Mai and Sandakan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Chiang Mai year-round. Sandakan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
November to February in Chiang Mai is the dry season. Sandakan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Chiang Mai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Chiang Mai usually receives less rain than Sandakan. Chiang Mai gets 122 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 253 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In Chiang Mai, it's very sunny this time of the year. Chiang Mai usually receives more sunshine than Sandakan during autumn. Chiang Mai gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Sandakan receives 191 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Chiang Mai is generally around the same temperature as Sandakan. Daily temperatures in Chiang Mai average around 29°C (83°F), and Sandakan fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberChiang Mai 29°C (83°F)Sandakan 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Chiang Mai or Sandakan in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Chiang Mai as well as Sandakan. Chiang Mai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Sandakan throughout the year.
Also, November to February in Chiang Mai is the dry season. It's quite rainy in Sandakan. Chiang Mai usually gets less rain in January than Sandakan. Chiang Mai gets 7 mm (0.3 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 Chiang Mai this time of the year. In the winter, Chiang Mai often gets more sunshine than Sandakan. Chiang Mai gets 283 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sandakan receives 156 hours of full sun.
Chiang Mai is cooler than Sandakan in the winter. The daily temperature in Chiang Mai averages around 23°C (74°F) in January, and Sandakan fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryChiang Mai 23°C (74°F)Sandakan 26°C (80°F)
Should I visit Chiang Mai or Sandakan in the Spring?
Both Sandakan and Chiang Mai are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Chiang Mai throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Sandakan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The rainy season in Chiang Mai is June to September. It rains a lot this time of the year in Sandakan. In April, Chiang Mai usually receives less rain than Sandakan. Chiang Mai gets 50 mm (2 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 Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai usually receives more sunshine than Sandakan during spring. Chiang Mai gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Sandakan receives 247 hours of full sun in the spring.
The heat can be very extreme in Chiang Mai. In the spring, Chiang Mai is a little warmer than Sandakan. Typically, the spring temperatures in Chiang Mai in April average around 31°C (88°F), and Sandakan averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilChiang Mai 31°C (88°F)Sandakan 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Sandakan and Chiang Mai
| Chiang Mai | Sandakan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (74°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 437 mm (17.2 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (78°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 268 mm (10.6 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (83°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) |
| Apr | 31°C (88°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| May | 31°C (87°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 195 mm (7.7 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (85°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 213 mm (8.4 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (85°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (83°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 253 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 344 mm (13.5 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (75°F) | 20 mm (0.8 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.