Which place is cheaper, Kota Kinabalu or Amman?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Amman or Kota Kinabalu?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Amman and Kota Kinabalu. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Amman or Kota Kinabalu?
Amman
Amman is the largest city in of the Hashemite Kingdom of the country of Jordan. It is also the capital city of Jordan and has a population of over four million people. Many people use Amman as a base for venturing out into the rest of Jordan and other surrounding countries. There are many things to see and do in Amman.
Kota Kinabalu
Kota Kinabalu, originally Jesselton, is the capital of Sabah, which is on the northern part of the island of Borneo. Kota Kinabalu is located just between the western side of the island and Tambunan Rafflesia Forest Reserve. Most of Kota Kinabalu's historic buildings were destroyed by bombing during World War II, so the city had to be rebuilt. KK, as it's commonly called, is a compact, but booming town today, with its new shopping centers, seaside condominiums, and bustling marketplaces.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Jordan, The Best Budget Tours to Jordan, The Best Luxury Tours to Malaysia, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAmman $110Kota Kinabalu $49
The average daily cost (per person) in Amman is $110, while the average daily cost in Kota Kinabalu is $49. 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 Amman and Kota Kinabalu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAmman $49Kota Kinabalu $18
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAmman $98Kota Kinabalu $36
Compare Hotels in Amman and Kota Kinabalu
Looking for a hotel in Amman or Kota Kinabalu? 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: Amman Hotel Prices and Kota Kinabalu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Amman $24Kota Kinabalu $22
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Amman
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Amman:
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Bus Ride (for Two)$0.71
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RIde to Airport$28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Amman
Also for Amman, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Amman Airport to Amman Hotel : $20
- Queen Alia Airport Transfer : $21
- Airport pickup or drop off transfer from or to Amman city: $23
- Amman Airport private Transfers From/To multi destinations : $24
- From Amman :Private transfer to Airport, Dead Sea and Petra.: $25
- Amman Airport: Private Transfer to Amman Hotels: $27
- Amman Airport Private Arrival Transfer: $27
- Private Transfer from / to Amman Airport to Amman Hotel: $28
- Petra Private Transfer to or from Amman or Airport or Dead Sea or K.H.B: $30
- Private departure transfer from Amman to airport: $30
- Private Transfer From Amman To Different Cities: $33
- Airport Transfer to Any Hotel In Amman: $37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kota Kinabalu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kota Kinabalu:
- Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu Airport (BKI): $28
- Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI to Kota Kinabalu Port: $28
- Private Transfer: Kota Kinabalu International Airport to/from Hotel: $20
- Private Transfer- Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI: $32
- Private Transfer from Kota Kota Kinabalu Hotels to Kinabalu Port: $28
- Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu hotels: $28
- Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu hotels: $32
- Monsopiad Cultural Village Visit with Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu: $31
- Kota Kinabalu to Kota Kinab Airport: Departure Private Transfer: $23
- Kota Kinabalu Hotel to Jetty Round Trip Transfer: $52
- Kota Kinabalu Airport Private Transfer with 1 hour Charter: $12
- Borneo to Kota Kinabalu Airport(BKI) - Departure Private Transfer: $46
Is it cheaper to fly into Amman or Kota Kinabalu?
Prices for flights to both Kota Kinabalu and Amman 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 dayAmman $34Kota Kinabalu $15
Typical Food Prices in Amman
For Amman, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Pastries$4.23
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Tea$5.64
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Amman
For Amman, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Amman:Home resturant lunch and dinner: $37
- Private Day or Night Amman Sightseeing - Optional Cooking or Wine Tasting Tour : $51
- 3 course dinner with a sommelier: $56
- Private Lunch or Dinner at a Local Traditional Restaurant in Amman: $71
- Private Jordan Heritage Restaurant Lunch or Dinner Experience : $109
- 3-Hours Guided Food Tour in Amman: $130
- Private Jordan Heritage Restaurant Lunch or Dinner with Wine Experience : $173
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kota Kinabalu
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kota Kinabalu.
- Private Kinabalu Night Tour with Cultural Show and Dinner: $62
- Kota Kinabalu K2 Fireflies Sunset River Cruise Tour with Dinner: $86
- Half Day Klias Mangrove Wildlife and Fireflies with dinner: $128
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Amman $32Kota Kinabalu $5.67
Tours and Activities in Amman
For Amman, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- the apple bottom jeans experience 3: $1.14
- Discover the hidden gems of Amman's Rainbow street on a self-guided audio tour: $5.00
- JR The Wine Experience: $26
- Amman Safe Tour: Authentic Cuisine, Local Experience & Souv.: $35
- Private Sightseeing City Tour: $40
- Amman : Must-See attractions Private walking tour: $43
- History & Culture Immersion, City Tour Of Amman : $43
- Half Day Private Tour to Iraq al-Amir (Qasr al-‘Abed): $45
- Half Day Private tour to Dead Sea From Amman. : $50
- Half Day Tour: Jerash From Amman.: $52
- Downtown (Amman city) sightseeing 5 hours : $53
- From Private Jerash, Ajloun Castle, and Umm Qais Tour: $53
Tours and Activities in Kota Kinabalu
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kota Kinabalu are as follows:
- Sky-Mirror Photographing and Proboscis Monkey & Fireflies Watching River-Cruise: $46
- Borneo (Klias) River Cruise & Fireflies Tour: $50
- Borneo Combo Adventure: $200
- Cowboy Town & Fireflies River Cruise: $62
- Cultural Night Tour From Kota Kinabalu : $64
- Day Trip Sepilok Orang-utan And City Tour: $149
- Discover Sailing Experience in Tanjung Aru Beach: $75
- From Kota Kinabalu : Kiulu River White Water Rafting Tour: $131
- Full Day Bongawan River Cruise with Proboscis Monkey Sightseeing: $40
- Full Day River Rafting with ATV Adventure in Kiulu : $293
- Full Day Tour in Mantanani: $140
- Indigenous Weaving Experience: $236
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAmman $14Kota Kinabalu $6.34
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Amman and Kota Kinabalu, we can see that Amman is more expensive. And not only is Kota Kinabalu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Amman is in Middle East and Kota Kinabalu is in Asia, 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 Kota Kinabalu would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kota Kinabalu 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 Amman would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Amman than you might in Kota Kinabalu.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Amman Expensive? and Is Kota Kinabalu Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Amman or Kota Kinabalu?
Amman has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Kota Kinabalu. When comparing the sizes of Amman and Kota Kinabalu, 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 Amman or Kota Kinabalu?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Amman or Kota Kinabalu in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Amman as well as Kota Kinabalu. Amman attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kota Kinabalu throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Kota Kinabalu. Amman usually gets less rain in July than Kota Kinabalu. Amman gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Kota Kinabalu receives 255 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kota Kinabalu. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Amman this time of the year. In the summer, Amman often gets more sunshine than Kota Kinabalu. Amman gets 364 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kota Kinabalu receives 205 hours of full sun.
In the summer, Amman is around the same temperature as Kota Kinabalu. Typically, the summer temperatures in Amman in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Kota Kinabalu averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAmman 25°C (77°F)Kota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Amman or Kota Kinabalu in the Autumn?
Both Kota Kinabalu and Amman are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Amman throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Kota Kinabalu because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kota Kinabalu. In October, Amman usually receives less rain than Kota Kinabalu. Amman gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Kota Kinabalu receives 336 mm (13.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Amman. Amman usually receives more sunshine than Kota Kinabalu during autumn. Amman gets 274 hours of sunny skies, while Kota Kinabalu receives 192 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Amman is generally cooler than Kota Kinabalu. Daily temperatures in Amman average around 20°C (68°F), and Kota Kinabalu fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAmman 20°C (68°F)Kota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Amman or Kota Kinabalu in the Winter?
Both Kota Kinabalu and Amman during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Amman because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kota Kinabalu year-round.
Kota Kinabalu gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Amman. Amman usually gets more rain in January than Kota Kinabalu. Amman gets 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Kota Kinabalu receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the winter, Amman often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Kota Kinabalu. Amman gets 184 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kota Kinabalu receives 181 hours of full sun.
Amman is much colder than Kota Kinabalu in the winter. The daily temperature in Amman averages around 8°C (46°F) in January, and Kota Kinabalu fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAmman 8°C (46°F)Kota Kinabalu 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Amman or Kota Kinabalu in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Amman and Kota Kinabalu. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Amman year-round. Kota Kinabalu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Kota Kinabalu receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Amman usually receives less rain than Kota Kinabalu. Amman gets 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Kota Kinabalu receives 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kota Kinabalu this time of the year. In Amman, it's very sunny this time of the year. Amman usually receives more sunshine than Kota Kinabalu during spring. Amman gets 269 hours of sunny skies, while Kota Kinabalu receives 237 hours of full sun in the spring.
In the spring, Amman is much colder than Kota Kinabalu. Typically, the spring temperatures in Amman in April average around 16°C (61°F), and Kota Kinabalu averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAmman 16°C (61°F)Kota Kinabalu 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Kota Kinabalu and Amman
| Amman | Kota Kinabalu | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 8°C (46°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) |
| Feb | 9°C (48°F) | 98 mm (3.9 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Mar | 12°C (54°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (61°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| May | 21°C (70°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (75°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 291 mm (11.5 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 255 mm (10 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 285 mm (11.2 in) |
| Oct | 20°C (68°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 336 mm (13.2 in) |
| Nov | 14°C (57°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 298 mm (11.7 in) |
| Dec | 10°C (50°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 230 mm (9.1 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.