Which place is cheaper, Shenzhen 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 Shenzhen?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sandakan or Shenzhen? 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 Shenzhen?
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.
Shenzhen
Located in the Guangdong Province of southeastern China, Shenzhen is a metropolis that connects Hong Kong to China's mainland. It is one of China's most populous cities, inhabited by vast array of people from other Chinese regions. It is perhaps best known for it shopping, collection of amusement parks, green parks, museums and galleries, and a few historic sites. It is on UNESCO's Creative Cities list.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Malaysia, The Best Adventure Tours to Malaysia, The Best Sightseeing Tours in China, and The Best Cultural Tours in China.
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Sandakan Prices
Malaysia PricesShenzhen Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySandakan $81Shenzhen $140
The average daily cost (per person) in Sandakan is $81, while the average daily cost in Shenzhen is $140. 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 Shenzhen in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSandakan $23Shenzhen $91
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSandakan $46Shenzhen $182
Compare Hotels in Sandakan and Shenzhen
Looking for a hotel in Sandakan or Shenzhen? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sandakan $37Shenzhen $15
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 Shenzhen
Also for Shenzhen, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shenzhen Airport (SZX): Private Transfer to/from Shenzhen: $17
- Private Transfers to/from Bao'an Airport(SZX): $20
- shenzhen airport private transfer: $31
- [Airport Transfer] Shenzhen Airport 送 迎 Shenzhen City Transfer High reputation for service! : $32
- A One-Way Disneyland Pick-Up Transfer to Hong Kong Hotel: $33
- Private Transfer in Shenzhen with English Service: $35
- A One-Way Hotel Pick-Up Transfer to Hong Kong Disneyland: $36
- Shenzhen Private Transfer and Ongoing Travel Assistance: $39
- Private Departure Transfer from Hong Kong to Hong Kong Airport: $45
- Hong Kong Airport (HKG) to Hong Kong - Arrival Private Transfer: $45
- Private Transfer - Hong Kong Airport (HKG) to Kai Tak Cruise Port: $47
- Private Transfer - Kai Tak Cruise Port to Hong Kong Airport (HKG): $47
Is it cheaper to fly into Sandakan or Shenzhen?
Prices for flights to both Shenzhen 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 $36Shenzhen $35
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 Shenzhen
For Shenzhen, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Hong Kong Street Food Tour with Locals - Dim Sum, Wonton & more: $53
- Shekou Food Tour with 4 Tastings: $79
- Wet market tour & cooking class with local mum: $98
- Explore Hong Kong: Mid-Autumn Festival Food Tour: $103
- Discover Hong Kong’s Hidden Eats on a Tin Hau Food Tour: $109
- Small-Group Hong Kong Island Food Tour: $116
- Traditional Chinese Pun Choi cooking class in Hong Kong: $146
- Private Food Tour in Hong Kong: $148
- Hong Kong Street Food Tour with Local Guide: $149
- The 10 Tastings of Hong Kong With Locals: Private Street Food Tour : $176
- Hong Kong Private & Personalized Food Tour with a Local: $177
- Asian Favorites Cooking Class in Hong Kong (4-Course Meal): $184
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sandakan $8.15Shenzhen $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 Shenzhen
For Shenzhen, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Introduction to Hong Kong: Central Tip Based Walking Tour: $2.64
- Day in the life of a Hong Konger: Kowloon Tip Based Walking Tour: $2.64
- Between Two Systems: Hong Kong's Living History Tip Based Tour: $2.64
- Hong kong City Tour w/ Entry Fees & Lunch (2024) | 150+ booked: $2.64
- Hong Kong Observation Wheel Ticket: $5.45
- Hong Kong Airport Express Ticket: $10
- Hong Kong Peak Tram and Sky Terrace 428 Tickets (Optional): $13
- Monopoly Dreams Hong Kong Entry Ticket: $13
- Double-decker Sightseeing Bus 24-hour E PASSTicket: $15
- Hong Kong Airport Express E-Ticket : $15
- Hong Kong Airport Express Train Tickets(Avoid Heavy Traffic): $15
- The Victoria Peak Tram Ticket | Hong Kong: $15
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySandakan $7.47Shenzhen $19
Sample the Local Flavors in Shenzhen
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Shenzhen:
- Hong Kong Pub Crawl at Lan Kwai Fong (LKF): $46
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sandakan and Shenzhen, we can see that Shenzhen 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 Shenzhen would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Shenzhen 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 Shenzhen Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sandakan or Shenzhen?
Shenzhen has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Sandakan. When comparing the sizes of Sandakan and Shenzhen, 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 Shenzhen?
Shenzhen 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 Shenzhen in the Summer?
Both Shenzhen 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.
In the summer, Sandakan is around the same temperature as Shenzhen. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sandakan in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Shenzhen averages at about 30°C (85°F).
In Shenzhen, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Sandakan. In the summer, Sandakan often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Shenzhen. Sandakan gets 221 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Shenzhen receives 231 hours of full sun.
Shenzhen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Sandakan. Sandakan usually gets less rain in July than Shenzhen. Sandakan gets 195 mm (7.7 in) of rain, while Shenzhen receives 323 mm (12.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySandakan 27°C (81°F)Shenzhen 30°C (85°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Shenzhen in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Sandakan and Shenzhen. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Sandakan year-round.
In October, Sandakan is generally around the same temperature as Shenzhen. Daily temperatures in Sandakan average around 28°C (82°F), and Shenzhen fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
Sandakan usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Shenzhen during autumn. Sandakan gets 191 hours of sunny skies, while Shenzhen receives 190 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Shenzhen 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 Shenzhen. Sandakan gets 253 mm (10 in) of rain, while Shenzhen receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSandakan 28°C (82°F)Shenzhen 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Shenzhen in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Sandakan as well as Shenzhen. Sandakan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Sandakan is much warmer than Shenzhen in the winter. The daily temperature in Sandakan averages around 26°C (80°F) in January, and Shenzhen fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
In the winter, Sandakan often gets more sunshine than Shenzhen. Sandakan gets 156 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Shenzhen receives 140 hours of full sun.
Sandakan receives a lot of rain in the winter. Sandakan usually gets more rain in January than Shenzhen. Sandakan gets 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain, while Shenzhen receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySandakan 26°C (80°F)Shenzhen 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Shenzhen in the Spring?
Both Shenzhen and Sandakan are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Sandakan throughout the year.
In the spring, Sandakan is a little warmer than Shenzhen. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sandakan in April average around 28°C (82°F), and Shenzhen averages at about 23°C (73°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sandakan. Sandakan usually receives more sunshine than Shenzhen during spring. Sandakan gets 247 hours of sunny skies, while Shenzhen receives 95 hours of full sun in the spring.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Shenzhen. It's quite rainy in Sandakan. In April, Sandakan usually receives less rain than Shenzhen. Sandakan gets 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Shenzhen receives 154 mm (6.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSandakan 28°C (82°F)Shenzhen 23°C (73°F)
Typical Weather for Shenzhen and Sandakan
| Sandakan | Shenzhen | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (80°F) | 437 mm (17.2 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (80°F) | 268 mm (10.6 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 154 mm (6.1 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 325 mm (12.8 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 382 mm (15 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 195 mm (7.7 in) | 30°C (85°F) | 323 mm (12.7 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 213 mm (8.4 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 393 mm (15.5 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 300 mm (11.8 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 253 mm (10 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 344 mm (13.5 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 462 mm (18.2 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 27 mm (1.1 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.