Which place is cheaper, Canberra 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 Canberra?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sandakan or Canberra? 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 Canberra?
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.
Canberra
There is something special about the capital city of Australia. Canberra's not just a wonderful spot for outdoor adventures. It's a city completely designed and built up around the coast of an artificial lake. When architects Walter Burley and Marion Mahony Griffin proposed their plans for Canberra it was met with a lot of criticism. Many people thought it would be a "waste of a good sheep pasture."
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Malaysia, The Best Adventure Tours to Malaysia, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Melbourne, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Australia.
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Sandakan Prices
Malaysia PricesCanberra Prices
Australia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySandakan $81Canberra $159
The average daily cost (per person) in Sandakan is $81, while the average daily cost in Canberra is $159. 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 Canberra in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSandakan $23Canberra $83
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSandakan $46Canberra $166
Compare Hotels in Sandakan and Canberra
Looking for a hotel in Sandakan or Canberra? 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 Canberra Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sandakan $37Canberra $24
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 Canberra
Also for Canberra, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Canberra to Canberra Airport (CBR) - Departure Private Transfer: $67
- Canberra Int'l Airport (CBR) to Canberra Arrival Private Transfer: $67
- Guided Tour of Floriade Festival with Transfers: $125
- Canberra Airport (CBR) to Canberra - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $134
Is it cheaper to fly into Sandakan or Canberra?
Prices for flights to both Canberra 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 $36Canberra $60
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 Canberra
For Canberra, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch$16
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sandakan $8.15Canberra $17
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: $82
- 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
Tours and Activities in Canberra
For Canberra, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- National Portrait Gallery Guided Tour: $9.89
- Museum Highlights Tour | 1pm Daily: $13
- Building + Architecture Tour | 10am Daily: $13
- First Australians Tour | 3pm Daily: $13
- Australian Institute of Sport: The AIS Tour: $14
- Personalised Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing in Canberra, with John: $40
- Ultimate Museum Experience | Tour + Dine + Shop (10am daily): $42
- Ultimate Museum Experience | Dine + Tour + Shop (1pm daily): $42
- Spies in the Capital: Women in Espionage Walking Tour: $43
- The Women Behind Inspiring Tour with Local Guide: $43
- Guided Tree Ropes Course Experience in Majura Pines: $46
- Canberra Glassblowing Experience: Make Your Own Bird: $79
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySandakan $7.47Canberra $16
Typical Alcohol Prices in Canberra
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Canberra from other travelers:
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Drinks at a Bar$9.16
Sample the Local Flavors in Canberra
Also in Canberra, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Canberra Bar Crawl Can I Get a Drink Canberra: $15
- Wine Tour From Canberra to Murrumbateman - Hop on Hop Off: $60
- 2 People - Indulgence Wine Tasting with Matched Elements Canberra: $87
- Canberra Brewery Winery and Distillery Tour: $114
- Canberra Wine Tour: $161
- Full-Day Canberra Brewery, Wineries & Distillery tour /w lunch: $174
- 2 People - Premium Wine Tasting Experience and 2-Course Lunch: $181
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sandakan and Canberra, we can see that Canberra is more expensive. And not only is Sandakan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Sandakan is in Asia and Canberra is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Canberra would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Canberra 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 Canberra Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sandakan or Canberra?
Sandakan has a larger population, and is about 20% larger than the population of Canberra. When comparing the sizes of Sandakan and Canberra, 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 Canberra?
Canberra 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 Canberra in the Summer?
Both Canberra and Sandakan during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Sandakan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Canberra this time of year.
Sandakan is a little warmer than Canberra in the summer. The daily temperature in Sandakan averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Canberra fluctuates around 20°C (68°F)in January.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Sandakan. Sandakan usually gets more rain in July than Canberrain January. Sandakan gets 195 mm (7.7 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuarySandakan 27°C (81°F)Canberra 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Canberra in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Sandakan and Canberra. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Sandakan year-round. Also, many travelers come to Canberra for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Sandakan is much warmer than Canberra. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sandakan in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Canberra averages at about 17°C (63°F)in April.
Canberra receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Sandakan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Sandakan usually receives more rain than Canberrain April. Sandakan gets 253 mm (10 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilSandakan 28°C (82°F)Canberra 17°C (63°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Canberra in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Sandakan as well as Canberra. Sandakan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Canberra in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Sandakan is generally much warmer than Canberrain July. Daily temperatures in Sandakan average around 26°C (80°F), and Canberra fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
Sandakan receives a lot of rain in the winter. Sandakan usually gets more rain in January than Canberrain July. Sandakan gets 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulySandakan 26°C (80°F)Canberra 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Canberra in the Spring?
Both Canberra and Sandakan are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Sandakan throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Canberra for the activities around the city during these months.
Sandakan is much warmer than Canberra in the spring. The daily temperature in Sandakan averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Canberra fluctuates around 15°C (60°F)in October.
It's quite rainy in Sandakan. In April, Sandakan usually receives more rain than Canberrain October. Sandakan gets 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberSandakan 28°C (82°F)Canberra 15°C (60°F)
Typical Weather for Canberra and Sandakan
| Sandakan | Canberra | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (80°F) | 437 mm (17.2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (80°F) | 268 mm (10.6 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 195 mm (7.7 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 213 mm (8.4 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) | 14°C (56°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 253 mm (10 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 344 mm (13.5 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 462 mm (18.2 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 79 mm (3.1 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.