Which place is cheaper, Busan (Pusan) or Sandakan?
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 Sandakan or Busan (Pusan)?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sandakan or Busan (Pusan)? 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: Sandakan or Busan (Pusan)?
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.
Busan (Pusan)
An important port city in South Korea, Busan is known for its beaches, mountains, and temples. With a thriving harbor, the city's main revenue comes from international shipping, although the area is quite popular with tourists from all over the globe, too. The place is bustling with sailors from around the world as well as tourists who come to enjoy the culture of this modern and dynamic city.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Malaysia, The Best Adventure Tours to Malaysia, The Best Tours for Seniors to South Korea, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Seoul.
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Sandakan Prices
Malaysia PricesBusan (Pusan) Prices
South Korea Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySandakan $81Busan (Pusan) $104
The average daily cost (per person) in Sandakan is $81, while the average daily cost in Busan (Pusan) is $104. 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 Sandakan and Busan (Pusan) in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSandakan $23Busan (Pusan) $39
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSandakan $46Busan (Pusan) $78
Compare Hotels in Sandakan and Busan (Pusan)
Looking for a hotel in Sandakan or Busan (Pusan)? 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: Sandakan Hotel Prices and Busan (Pusan) Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sandakan $37Busan (Pusan) $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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Busan (Pusan)
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Busan (Pusan):
- Private Transfer from Busan Cruise Port to Busan Hotels: $66
- Private Transfer from Busan Gimhae Int Airport(PUS) to Busan Port: $66
- Private Transfer from Busan Port to Busan Gimhae Int Airport(PUS): $66
- Private Transfer from Busan Cruise Port to Busan Int Airport(PUS): $66
- Private Transfer from Busan Int Airport(PUS) to Busan Cruise Port: $66
- Private Transfer Gaimhae Airport to Busan City: $85
- Busan Airport to Busan Hotels Round-Trip Private Transfer: $125
- Busan Gimhae Airport (PUS) to Busan - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $137
Is it cheaper to fly into Sandakan or Busan (Pusan)?
Prices for flights to both Busan (Pusan) and Sandakan 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 daySandakan $36Busan (Pusan) $44
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
Typical Food Prices in Busan (Pusan)
Some typical examples of dining costs in Busan (Pusan) are as follows:
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McDonald's$4.43
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Carp Bread$0.72
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Busan (Pusan)
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Busan (Pusan).
- Busan history and market food tour with local chef: $53
- Busan Tailored Korean cooking class (Vegan OK)with market tour: $95
- Busan seafood tour : Cod Auction and Clam Auction in Winter: $99
- Korean cooking class in Haeundae, Busan : $100
- Busan Local Food Cooking Class with Market Tour: $114
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sandakan $8.15Busan (Pusan) $20
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: $82
- Sukau Rainforest Wildlife and Dawn Cruises Tour in Sandakan: $83
- Sukau Rainforest Wildlife Journey & Dawn Cruises: $87
- Borneo Kinabatangan River Cruise Day Trip: $88
- Sandakan Private City Tour Orangutan Sun Bears and Rainforest: $89
- Kinabatangan River Cruise from Sandakan: $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
Tours and Activities in Busan (Pusan)
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Busan (Pusan) are as follows:
- Busan Dynamic Maze Discount Ticket Foreigner Only: $12
- Museum 1 Exhibition Ticket in Busan (내국인 불가): $12
- Busan CLUBD OASIS Spa and Water Park Ticket: $15
- Busan Yacht Tour with Music: $26
- Japanese Occupation and Korean War Historical Tour in Busan: $29
- Full-Day Tour Unmissable things to do in Busan: $38
- Busan 9 Highlights Tour: $40
- Eden Valley Ski and Snowboard Tour from Busan : $41
- Jinhae Cherry Blossom Day trip from Busan - A Spring Adventure!: $47
- Naejangsan Fall Foliage Tour from Busan with Seoul Drop-off: $47
- Authentic Busan Full-Day City Highlights Tour: $48
- Busan Full-Day City Tour with Gamcheon Village, Sea Temple & more: $49
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySandakan $7.47Busan (Pusan) $12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sandakan and Busan (Pusan), we can see that Busan (Pusan) 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 Busan (Pusan) would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Busan (Pusan) 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 Sandakan Expensive? and Is Busan (Pusan) Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sandakan or Busan (Pusan)?
Busan (Pusan) has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Sandakan. When comparing the sizes of Sandakan and Busan (Pusan), 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 Sandakan or Busan (Pusan)?
Busan (Pusan) has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Sandakan experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Sandakan or Busan (Pusan) in the Summer?
Both Busan (Pusan) and Sandakan are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Sandakan throughout the year.
Sandakan is around the same temperature as Busan (Pusan) in the summer. The daily temperature in Sandakan averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Busan (Pusan) fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sandakan. Sandakan usually receives more sunshine than Busan (Pusan) during summer. Sandakan gets 221 hours of sunny skies, while Busan (Pusan) receives 166 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Busan (Pusan). It's quite rainy in Sandakan. In July, Sandakan usually receives less rain than Busan (Pusan). Sandakan gets 195 mm (7.7 in) of rain, while Busan (Pusan) receives 257 mm (10.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySandakan 27°C (81°F)Busan (Pusan) 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Busan (Pusan) in the Autumn?
Both Busan (Pusan) and Sandakan during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Sandakan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the autumn, Sandakan is much warmer than Busan (Pusan). Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sandakan in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Busan (Pusan) averages at about 18°C (65°F).
In Busan (Pusan), it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Sandakan often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Busan (Pusan). Sandakan gets 191 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Busan (Pusan) receives 202 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Sandakan. Sandakan usually gets more rain in October than Busan (Pusan). Sandakan gets 253 mm (10 in) of rain, while Busan (Pusan) receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSandakan 28°C (82°F)Busan (Pusan) 18°C (65°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Busan (Pusan) in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Sandakan and Busan (Pusan). Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Sandakan year-round.
The weather in Busan (Pusan) can be very cold. In January, Sandakan is generally much warmer than Busan (Pusan). Daily temperatures in Sandakan average around 26°C (80°F), and Busan (Pusan) fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Busan (Pusan) this time of the year. Sandakan usually receives less sunshine than Busan (Pusan) during winter. Sandakan gets 156 hours of sunny skies, while Busan (Pusan) receives 200 hours of full sun in the winter.
Sandakan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Sandakan usually receives more rain than Busan (Pusan). Sandakan gets 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain, while Busan (Pusan) receives 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySandakan 26°C (80°F)Busan (Pusan) 3°C (38°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Busan (Pusan) in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Sandakan as well as Busan (Pusan). Sandakan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Sandakan is much warmer than Busan (Pusan) in the spring. The daily temperature in Sandakan averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Busan (Pusan) fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sandakan this time of the year. In the spring, Sandakan often gets more sunshine than Busan (Pusan). Sandakan gets 247 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Busan (Pusan) receives 196 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Busan (Pusan). Sandakan receives a lot of rain in the spring. Sandakan usually gets less rain in April than Busan (Pusan). Sandakan gets 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Busan (Pusan) receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSandakan 28°C (82°F)Busan (Pusan) 14°C (57°F)
Typical Weather for Busan (Pusan) and Sandakan
| Sandakan | Busan (Pusan) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (80°F) | 437 mm (17.2 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (80°F) | 268 mm (10.6 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 224 mm (8.8 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 195 mm (7.7 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 257 mm (10.1 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 213 mm (8.4 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 204 mm (8 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 187 mm (7.4 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 253 mm (10 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 344 mm (13.5 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 462 mm (18.2 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 24 mm (0.9 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.