Which place is cheaper, Nikko 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 Nikko?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sandakan or Nikko? 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 Nikko?
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.
Nikko
Nikko is a small Japanese city located in the mountains north of Tokyo. It is well-known for the site of Toshogu, a famed Shinto shrine established in 1617, in memory of Tokugawa Ieyasu who was the founding ruler of the Edo Period. The town is situated just outside of Nikko National Park which offers scenic mountain landscapes, lakes, waterfalls, hot springs, wild monkeys, and hiking trails.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Malaysia, The Best Adventure Tours to Malaysia, The Best 10-Day Tours in Japan, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Japan.
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Sandakan Prices
Malaysia PricesNikko Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySandakan $81Nikko $108
The average daily cost (per person) in Sandakan is $81, while the average daily cost in Nikko is $108. 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 Nikko in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSandakan $23Nikko $48
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSandakan $46Nikko $96
Compare Hotels in Sandakan and Nikko
Looking for a hotel in Sandakan or Nikko? 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 Nikko Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sandakan $37Nikko -
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 Sandakan or Nikko?
Prices for flights to both Nikko 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 $36Nikko $55
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.Sandakan $8.15Nikko $22
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
Tours and Activities in Nikko
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Nikko.
- Senjogahara Nature Guide Tour in Nikko: $31
- Edo Wonderland Nikko Edomura Admission Ticket: $50
- Oku-Nikko 3-hour Cycling Tour (Half-day) – No lunch: $66
- Nikko Early Morning Tour with English-Speaking Guide: $73
- Bike and Hike on Mt Hangetsu with Outdoor Matcha Experience: $83
- World Heritage Nikko Walking Tour Toshogu and Kanmangafuchi: $90
- Visit the Unexplored Regions of Lake Chuzenji-Scenic Trekking and Rafting Tour: $97
- Hidden Canyoning Adventure in Nikko　: $104
- Bask in the beauty of winter Nikko in this unforgettable ice climbing experience: $116
- Oku-Nikko 5-hour Cycling Tour (Full-day) – Lunch included: $124
- Nikko Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide: $152
- Nikko Private Customizable Half Day Tour: $166
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySandakan $7.47Nikko $15
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sandakan and Nikko, we can see that Nikko 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 Nikko would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nikko 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 Nikko Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sandakan or Nikko?
Sandakan has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Nikko. When comparing the sizes of Sandakan and Nikko, 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 Nikko?
Nikko 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 Nikko in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Sandakan as well as Nikko. Sandakan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Nikko for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Sandakan is generally around the same temperature as Nikko. Daily temperatures in Sandakan average around 27°C (81°F), and Nikko fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sandakan this time of the year. In the summer, Sandakan often gets more sunshine than Nikko. Sandakan gets 221 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nikko receives 136 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Nikko. Sandakan receives a lot of rain in the summer. Sandakan usually gets more rain in July than Nikko. Sandakan gets 195 mm (7.7 in) of rain, while Nikko receives 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySandakan 27°C (81°F)Nikko 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Nikko in the Autumn?
Both Nikko and Sandakan are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Sandakan throughout the year. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Nikko because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.
Sandakan is much warmer than Nikko in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sandakan averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Nikko fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
Sandakan usually receives more sunshine than Nikko during autumn. Sandakan gets 191 hours of sunny skies, while Nikko receives 167 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Nikko. It's quite rainy in Sandakan. In October, Sandakan usually receives more rain than Nikko. Sandakan gets 253 mm (10 in) of rain, while Nikko receives 117 mm (4.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSandakan 28°C (82°F)Nikko 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Nikko in the Winter?
Both Nikko and Sandakan during the winter 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 museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Nikko this time of year.
It's quite cold in Nikko in the winter. In the winter, Sandakan is much warmer than Nikko. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sandakan in January average around 26°C (80°F), and Nikko averages at about 3°C (37°F).
In Nikko, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Sandakan often gets less sunshine than Nikko. Sandakan gets 156 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nikko receives 212 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Sandakan. Sandakan usually gets more rain in January than Nikko. Sandakan gets 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain, while Nikko receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySandakan 26°C (80°F)Nikko 3°C (37°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Nikko in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Sandakan and Nikko. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Sandakan year-round. Also, many travelers come to Nikko for the small town charm and the natural beauty.
In April, Sandakan is generally much warmer than Nikko. Daily temperatures in Sandakan average around 28°C (82°F), and Nikko fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
In Sandakan, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sandakan usually receives more sunshine than Nikko during spring. Sandakan gets 247 hours of sunny skies, while Nikko receives 191 hours of full sun in the spring.
Nikko receives a lot of rain in the spring. Sandakan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Sandakan usually receives around the same amount of rain as Nikko. Sandakan gets 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Nikko receives 108 mm (4.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSandakan 28°C (82°F)Nikko 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Nikko and Sandakan
| Sandakan | Nikko | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (80°F) | 437 mm (17.2 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (80°F) | 268 mm (10.6 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 108 mm (4.2 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 139 mm (5.5 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 195 mm (7.7 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 213 mm (8.4 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 195 mm (7.7 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 201 mm (7.9 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 253 mm (10 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 344 mm (13.5 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 462 mm (18.2 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 32 mm (1.2 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.