Which place is cheaper, Newcastle or Sandakan?
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 Sandakan or Newcastle?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sandakan or Newcastle? 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 Newcastle?
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.
Newcastle
Newcastle is 150 kilometers north of Sydney in New South Wales. It is also the second largest city in the state, and serves as a central point to explore the area's beaches, wineries, and beautiful natural landscape. North of the city is Stockton beach, which has many miles of isolated, beautiful beaches, stretching all the way up to Nelson Bay. The wineries are inland to the west and have some of Australia's finest wine which you can taste. If you want to see rainforests, you can head northwest to Barrington Tops National Park, which has great rainforests and freshwater streams. You may even get to see a platypus. The city also has the country's oldest sea port. In the past the city's economy was centered around the steel industry, but today the University of Newcastle is one of the area's most important employers.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Malaysia, The Best Adventure Tours to Malaysia, The Best 4-Week (1-Month) Tours in Australia, and The Best Budget Tours to Australia.
-
Sandakan Prices
Malaysia PricesNewcastle Prices
Australia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySandakan $81Newcastle $117
The average daily cost (per person) in Sandakan is $81, while the average daily cost in Newcastle is $117. 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 Newcastle in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSandakan $23Newcastle $45
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSandakan $46Newcastle $90
Compare Hotels in Sandakan and Newcastle
Looking for a hotel in Sandakan or Newcastle? 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 Newcastle Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sandakan $37Newcastle $8.41
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 Newcastle
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Newcastle:
- Newcastle to Newcastle Airport (NTL) - Departure Private Transfer: $74
- Newcastle Airport (NTL) to Newcastle - Arrival Private Transfer: $74
- Private Transfer from Newcastle City Hotels to Newcastle Port: $80
- Private Transfer from Newcastle Port to Newcastle Airport (NTL): $82
- Newcastle Airport to Newcastle - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $148
Is it cheaper to fly into Sandakan or Newcastle?
Prices for flights to both Newcastle 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
-
Food Meals for one daySandakan $36Newcastle $61
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Newcastle
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Newcastle.
- Harbour Dinner Cruise with Live Music: $69
- Earp Distilling Co: Date Night with Blending Class & Dinner: $73
- Cooking Classes at the Yellow Door Kitchen: $96
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sandakan $8.15Newcastle $15
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
Tours and Activities in Newcastle
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Newcastle are as follows:
- Wine & Cheese Tasting Experience in Hunter Valley: $14
- Mead and Honey Tasting Experience: $19
- True Crime Guided Walking Tour: $22
- Newcastle Dark Stories True Crime Tour: $23
- Wine, Cheese & Chocolate Tasting Experience in Hunter Valley: $23
- Port Stephens: Dolphin Discovery Cruise: $28
- Audrey Wilkinson Vineyard - Sweet Indulgence Experience: $40
- Shared Newcastle Harbor Cruise: $43
- Tree Ropes Course Adventure: $46
- Lake Macquarie Cruise with Lunch: $46
- Newcastle Harbour Luncheon Cruise: $47
- Port Stephens: Whale Watching Cruise: $53
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one daySandakan $7.47Newcastle $10
Sample the Local Flavors in Newcastle
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Newcastle:
- Cael’s Gate Wine Tasting in Hunter Valley: $6.66
- Ivanhoe Wines: Trip Advisor Seated Wine Tasting : $10
- Boutique Wine Tasting Experience in Pokolbin: $11
- Newcastle Bar Crawl Experience: $15
- Tulloch Wines - Wine Tasting paired with Local Handmade Chocolates: $23
- Cheese and Wine Tasting Experience in Pokolbin: $26
- Wonnarua Sparkling Wine Tasting: $30
- Ivanhoe Wines: Trip Advisor Premium Wine Tasting: $30
- Tintilla Estate: Wine Tasting with a Meat and Cheese Platter: $33
- Tulloch Wines- Mystery Wine Tasting Experience with Local Cheese and Charcuterie: $35
- Tulloch Wines Hunter Heroes Wine Tasting with Local Cheese & Charcuterie Board: $35
- Premium Wine Tasting Experience in Pokolbin: $50
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sandakan and Newcastle, we can see that Newcastle 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 Newcastle 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 Newcastle would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Newcastle 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 Newcastle Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sandakan or Newcastle?
Newcastle has a larger population, and is about 27% larger than the population of Sandakan. When comparing the sizes of Sandakan and Newcastle, 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 Newcastle?
Newcastle 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 Newcastle in the Summer?
Both Newcastle and Sandakan are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Sandakan throughout the year. Also, the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Newcastle this time of year.
In the summer, Sandakan is a little warmer than Newcastle. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sandakan in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Newcastle averages at about 22°C (72°F)in January.
It's quite sunny in Newcastle. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sandakan. Sandakan usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Newcastle during summer. Sandakan gets 221 hours of sunny skies, while Newcastle receives 232 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Newcastle. It's quite rainy in Sandakan. In July, Sandakan usually receives more rain than Newcastlein January. Sandakan gets 195 mm (7.7 in) of rain, while Newcastle receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuarySandakan 27°C (81°F)Newcastle 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Newcastle in the Autumn?
Both Newcastle 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. Furthermore, many travelers come to Newcastle for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene.
In October, Sandakan is generally a little warmer than Newcastlein April. Daily temperatures in Sandakan average around 28°C (82°F), and Newcastle fluctuates around 19°C (67°F).
In the autumn, Sandakan often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Newcastlein April. Sandakan gets 191 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Newcastle receives 199 hours of full sun.
Newcastle gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Sandakan. Sandakan usually gets more rain in October than Newcastlein April. Sandakan gets 253 mm (10 in) of rain, while Newcastle receives 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilSandakan 28°C (82°F)Newcastle 19°C (67°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Newcastle in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Sandakan and Newcastle. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Sandakan year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Newcastle in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Sandakan is much warmer than Newcastle in the winter. The daily temperature in Sandakan averages around 26°C (80°F) in January, and Newcastle fluctuates around 13°C (55°F)in July.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Newcastle this time of the year. Sandakan usually receives less sunshine than Newcastle during winter. Sandakan gets 156 hours of sunny skies, while Newcastle receives 206 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 Newcastlein July. Sandakan gets 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain, while Newcastle receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures January and JulySandakan 26°C (80°F)Newcastle 13°C (55°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Newcastle in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Sandakan as well as Newcastle. Sandakan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Newcastle for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.
In the spring, Sandakan is much warmer than Newcastle. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sandakan in April average around 28°C (82°F), and Newcastle averages at about 18°C (64°F)in October.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Newcastle. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sandakan this time of the year. In the spring, Sandakan often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Newcastlein October. Sandakan gets 247 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Newcastle receives 237 hours of full sun.
Sandakan receives a lot of rain in the spring. Sandakan usually gets more rain in April than Newcastlein October. Sandakan gets 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Newcastle receives 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberSandakan 28°C (82°F)Newcastle 18°C (64°F)
Typical Weather for Newcastle and Sandakan
| Sandakan | Newcastle | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (80°F) | 437 mm (17.2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (80°F) | 268 mm (10.6 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 21°C (71°F) | 124 mm (4.9 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 102 mm (4 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 195 mm (7.7 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 213 mm (8.4 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 253 mm (10 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 344 mm (13.5 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 462 mm (18.2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 82 mm (3.2 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.