Which place is cheaper, Kota Kinabalu or Cebu?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Cebu or Kota Kinabalu?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Cebu or Kota Kinabalu? 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: Cebu or Kota Kinabalu?
Cebu
Cebu Island is an important island in the Visayas region of the Philippines, characterized by its main port at Cebu City as well as many natural features. The most-visited areas include islands of Mactan, Bantayan, Badian, Malapascua and Camotes, all which have resorts and hotels. Scuba diving and snorkeling are common activities along the shoreline, while hiking the mountainous spine of the island is popular inland.
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 10-Day Tours in Philippines, The Best 2-Week Tours in Philippines, The Best Luxury Tours to Malaysia, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCebu $65Kota Kinabalu $49
The average daily cost (per person) in Cebu is $65, 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 Cebu and Kota Kinabalu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCebu $25Kota Kinabalu $18
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCebu $50Kota Kinabalu $36
Compare Hotels in Cebu and Kota Kinabalu
Looking for a hotel in Cebu 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: Cebu Hotel Prices and Kota Kinabalu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cebu $26Kota Kinabalu $22
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cebu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cebu:
- Mactan Airport - Cebu City Sepoart (Transfer): $20
- Cebu Seaport - Mactan Hotel (Any Hotel) - One Way Transfer: $22
- Seamless Transfer from MactanCebu Airport to Your City Hotel: $23
- Private One-Way Airport Transfer: $25
- Hotel Private Transfer Airport to Cebu, Mandaue, LapuLapu: $25
- Mactan Cebu Airport Transfer to City Hotels: $35
- Cebu Departure Transfer from Mandaue city to Mactan Cebu Airport (CEB): $40
- Cebu Private Transfer from Mactan Cebu Airport (CEB) to Mandaue city: $40
- Cebu Departure Transfer from Lapu-Lapu city to Mactan Cebu Airport (CEB): $40
- Cebu Private Transfer from Mactan Cebu Airport (CEB) to Lapu-Lapu city: $40
- Cebu Private Transfer from Mactan Cebu International Airport (CEB) to Cebu city: $40
- Private Canyoneering in Kawasan falls + meals + Cebu transfer opt: $53
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kota Kinabalu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kota Kinabalu:
- Kota Kinabalu Airport Private Transfer with 1 hour Charter: $12
- Private Transfer: Kota Kinabalu International Airport to/from Hotel: $20
- Kota Kinabalu to Kota Kinab Airport: Departure Private Transfer: $23
- One Way Transfer from Kota Kinabal Airport to/from Kota Kinabali: $25
- Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu Airport (BKI): $28
- Private Transfer from Kota Kota Kinabalu Hotels to Kinabalu Port: $28
- Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu hotels: $28
- Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI to Kota Kinabalu Port: $28
- Monsopiad Cultural Village Visit with Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu: $31
- Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu hotels: $32
- Borneo to Kota Kinabalu Airport(BKI) - Departure Private Transfer: $46
- Kota Kinabalu Hotel to Jetty Round Trip Transfer: $52
Is it cheaper to fly into Cebu or Kota Kinabalu?
Prices for flights to both Kota Kinabalu and Cebu 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 dayCebu $21Kota Kinabalu $15
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cebu
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cebu.
- Cebu City: Historical Street and Food Tour: $67
- Cebu City Historical Street and Food Tour: $69
- Panoramic View of Cebu and Dinner with Night View: $89
- Traditional Filipino Bamboo Cooking Class: $108
- Private Panoramic Tour with Dinner: $131
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
- Ethnic Cooking Class & Upside Down House & 3D Wonders Museum: $92
- Half Day Klias Mangrove Wildlife and Fireflies with dinner: $144
- Kota Kinabalu Sunset Cruise with Buffet Dinner: $187
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cebu $17Kota Kinabalu $5.67
Tours and Activities in Cebu
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Cebu are as follows:
- Moalboal Sardines Run Private Tour: $20
- Cebu City Tour: Temple of Leah and many more: $36
- 3-Hour Small Group Cebu City Tour: $38
- Cebu City: Cebu Heritage & Uphill Tour on Two Wheels: $40
- Cebu City Tour (Joiners Tour): $41
- Guided Heritage City Tour: $44
- Highlands Guided Tour w/ Hotel Pickup: $45
- Cebu Highlands Tour(Cebu Taoist, Temple of Leah and Sirao Garden): $46
- Land Tour | Bantayan Island - Sightseeing - Guided Tour: $46
- Cebu Half Day City Tour (Private Tour): $52
- Canyoneering Experience in Kawasan Falls with Lunch: $55
- Cebu City with Sirao Garden Half Day Tour: $57
Tours and Activities in Kota Kinabalu
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kota Kinabalu are as follows:
- Kota Kinabalu Historical Photo Walking Tour: $37
- Private Half Day Kota Kinabalu City Tour: $38
- Full Day Bongawan River Cruise with Proboscis Monkey Sightseeing: $40
- Sky-Mirror Photographing and Proboscis Monkey & Fireflies Watching River-Cruise: $46
- Private Guided E-Foil Experience in Tanjung Aru Beach: $47
- Borneo (Klias) River Cruise & Fireflies Tour: $50
- Kota Kinabalu City Tour: $54
- Mari-Mari Cultural Village Tour Including Lunch: $55
- Klias Wildlife Safari River Cruise from Kota Kinabalu: $58
- Cowboy Town & Fireflies River Cruise: $62
- Cultural Night Tour From Kota Kinabalu : $64
- Sunset Charter Cruise Experience in Kota Kinabalu: $69
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCebu $14Kota Kinabalu $6.34
Sample the Local Flavors in Cebu
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cebu:
- Cebu City Light's Pub Crawl: $99
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cebu and Kota Kinabalu, we can see that Cebu is more expensive. And not only is Kota Kinabalu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Cebu would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cebu 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 Cebu Expensive? and Is Kota Kinabalu Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cebu or Kota Kinabalu?
Cebu has a larger population, and is about 75% larger than the population of Kota Kinabalu. When comparing the sizes of Cebu 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 Cebu or Kota Kinabalu?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Cebu or Kota Kinabalu in the Summer?
Both Kota Kinabalu and Cebu are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cebu 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. It's quite rainy in Cebu. In July, Cebu usually receives less rain than Kota Kinabalu. Cebu gets 160 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while Kota Kinabalu receives 255 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the summer.
In July, Cebu is generally around the same temperature as Kota Kinabalu. Daily temperatures in Cebu average around 28°C (82°F), and Kota Kinabalu fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyCebu 28°C (82°F)Kota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Cebu or Kota Kinabalu in the Autumn?
Both Kota Kinabalu and Cebu during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Cebu 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 Cebu. Cebu usually gets less rain in October than Kota Kinabalu. Cebu gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Kota Kinabalu receives 336 mm (13.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
Cebu is around the same temperature as Kota Kinabalu in the autumn. The daily temperature in Cebu averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Kota Kinabalu fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberCebu 28°C (82°F)Kota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Cebu or Kota Kinabalu in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Cebu and Kota Kinabalu. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cebu year-round. Kota Kinabalu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Kota Kinabalu receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Cebu usually receives less rain than Kota Kinabalu. Cebu gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Kota Kinabalu receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
In the winter, Cebu is around the same temperature as Kota Kinabalu. Typically, the winter temperatures in Cebu in January average around 27°C (81°F), and Kota Kinabalu averages at about 26°C (79°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryCebu 27°C (81°F)Kota Kinabalu 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Cebu or Kota Kinabalu in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Cebu as well as Kota Kinabalu. Cebu 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. Cebu usually gets less rain in April than Kota Kinabalu. Cebu gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Kota Kinabalu receives 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
In April, Cebu is generally around the same temperature as Kota Kinabalu. Daily temperatures in Cebu average around 29°C (84°F), and Kota Kinabalu fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilCebu 29°C (84°F)Kota Kinabalu 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Kota Kinabalu and Cebu
| Cebu | Kota Kinabalu | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| May | 30°C (86°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (84°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 291 mm (11.5 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 255 mm (10 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 285 mm (11.2 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 336 mm (13.2 in) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 298 mm (11.7 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 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.