Which place is cheaper, Sandakan or Manila?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Manila or Sandakan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Manila and Sandakan can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Manila or Sandakan?
Manila
A sprawling metropolis that is home to more than 12 million people, Manila is one huge, misunderstood concrete jungle, full of diverse cultures, traffic, pollution, restaurants, shopping malls, noise and nightlife. If you're looking to soak in culture and feel the vibe of a place rather than seeking a city that specifically caters to tourists, Manila is the place to be. Capital of the Philippines, Manila is also the center for education, business, and transportation.
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 2-Week Tours in Philippines, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Philippines, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Malaysia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Malaysia.
-
Manila Prices
Philippines PricesSandakan Prices
Malaysia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayManila $106Sandakan $81
The average daily cost (per person) in Manila is $106, 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 Manila and Sandakan in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personManila $54Sandakan $23
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomManila $108Sandakan $46
Compare Hotels in Manila and Sandakan
Looking for a hotel in Manila 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: Manila Hotel Prices and Sandakan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Manila $14Sandakan $37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Manila
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Manila:
- MNL Airport to City Centre Private Transfer: $13
- Manila Airport Chauffeur service Manila Airport private Transfer : $20
- Private One-way Transfer From Manila To Manila Airport: $24
- Manila Int Airport (MNL) to Manila - Arrival Private Transfer: $26
- Private Transfer from Manila Airport (MNL) to Manila Cruise Port: $29
- Private Transfer from Manila Cruise Port to Manila Airport (MNL): $29
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Manila HTL-APT (MNL): $30
- Manila Ninoy Aquino Airport (MNL) Private Transfer to Manila City: $30
- Manila International Airport Private Transfer To & From City: $30
- Manila Airport Transfer: $38
- Manila Private Airport Transfer: Comfortable & Affordable: $38
- Manila Airports Quality Safe and Reliable Airport Transfer: $40
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 Manila or Sandakan?
Prices for flights to both Sandakan and Manila 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 dayManila $31Sandakan $36
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Manila
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Manila.
- Ugbo Manila Street Food Tour with Tuktuk Ride: $60
- ⭐ Manila Street Food Tour in the Downtown, Eat and Drink⭐: $62
- Manila Food Tour: Explore World's Oldest Chinatown: $65
- Manila Food Tour: Introduction to Philippine Street Food: $65
- Guided Food Tour of Binondo with Tastings: $65
- Street Food tour & Local Jeepney, Tuktuk Ride: $66
- Binondo Chinatown Food Tour with Free Food Samples: $70
- Manila Chinatown Food Tour with Local Guide: $71
- Authentic Manila Chinatown Food Tour Exploration : $75
- Intramuros and Chinatown Food Tour with Food Samples: $80
- Cultural Dance Show with Dinner in Manila: $120
- Day Tour in Manilas History and Savor a Cultural Dinner: $175
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
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Manila $19Sandakan $8.15
Tours and Activities in Manila
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Manila are as follows:
- Skip the Line: Hike Eat Swim at Mount Purro Nature Reserve Ticket: $22
- A Night in Old Intramuros Walking Tour: $23
- Fort Santiago Guided Tour: $25
- Explore the Urban Art of Mural and Street Art Tour: $25
- Viva Old Intramuros Walking Tour: $27
- The Dessert Museum Entry Ticket: $27
- Historical Bamboo Bike Tour in Intramuros: $30
- Old Manila Intramuros Area Walking Tour: $30
- Manila night cruise, night life, foodie tour and 3d theather: $32
- Guided Sunset Bamboo Bike Tour in Intramuros: $34
- Intramuros Night Bamboo Bike Tour: $34
- Experience Intramuros with Bamboo Bicycle - Ecotours: $37
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: $60
- Private Sandakan City Must See 6 Highlights Tour with Guide & Car: $63
- From 7 Unmissable Local Stops Private Tour: $75
- Sukau Rainforest Wildlife and Dawn Cruises Tour in Sandakan: $83
- Borneo Kinabatangan River Cruise Day Trip: $88
- Sandakan Private City Tour Orangutan Sun Bears and Rainforest: $89
- Kinabatangan River Cruise from Sandakan: $90
- Sukau Rainforest Wildlife Journey & Dawn Cruises: $90
- Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre & Sepilok Orang Utan Rehab Centre Tour: $112
- Day Trip Sepilok Orang-utan And City Tour (Flight Excluded): $119
- Private Full Day Sepilok Orang Utan, Bornean Sun Bear and Rainforest Discovery Center Tour: $125
- Labuk Proboscis, Sepilok, Sun Bear, Sandakan City Tour & Lunch: $147
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayManila $9.90Sandakan $7.47
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Manila and Sandakan, we can see that Manila is more expensive. And not only is Sandakan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Manila would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Manila 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 Manila Expensive? and Is Sandakan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Manila or Sandakan?
Manila has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Sandakan. When comparing the sizes of Manila 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 Manila 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 Manila or Sandakan in the Summer?
Both Sandakan and Manila are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Manila 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 Manila. In July, Manila usually receives more rain than Sandakan. Manila gets 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 195 mm (7.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
In July, Manila is generally around the same temperature as Sandakan. Daily temperatures in Manila average around 27°C (80°F), and Sandakan fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyManila 27°C (80°F)Sandakan 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Manila or Sandakan in the Autumn?
Both Sandakan and Manila during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Manila 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. It rains a lot this time of the year in Manila. Manila usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Sandakan. Manila gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 253 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year.
Manila is around the same temperature as Sandakan in the autumn. The daily temperature in Manila averages around 26°C (79°F) in October, and Sandakan fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberManila 26°C (79°F)Sandakan 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Manila or Sandakan in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Manila and Sandakan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Manila year-round. Sandakan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Sandakan receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Manila usually receives less rain than Sandakan. Manila gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
In the winter, Manila is around the same temperature as Sandakan. Typically, the winter temperatures in Manila in January average around 24°C (76°F), and Sandakan averages at about 26°C (80°F).
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryManila 24°C (76°F)Sandakan 26°C (80°F)
Should I visit Manila or Sandakan in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Manila as well as Sandakan. Manila 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. Manila usually gets less rain in April than Sandakan. Manila gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Sandakan receives 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
In April, Manila is generally around the same temperature as Sandakan. Daily temperatures in Manila average around 29°C (84°F), and Sandakan fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilManila 29°C (84°F)Sandakan 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Sandakan and Manila
| Manila | Sandakan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 437 mm (17.2 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 268 mm (10.6 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (80°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 303 mm (11.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (80°F) | 408 mm (16.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 195 mm (7.7 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (80°F) | 452 mm (17.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 213 mm (8.4 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (80°F) | 357 mm (14.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 253 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 344 mm (13.5 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 50 mm (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.