Which place is cheaper, Kota Kinabalu or Chennai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Should I visit Chennai 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.
Formerly known as Madras from its colonial history, Chennai today is one of India's largest cities and capital of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is located on the Bay of Bengal in southeastern India with an extensive stretch of sandy beaches, plenty of dining and shopping, a number of historic temples, monuments, and churches, plus amusement parks and more.
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 Adventure Tours to India, The Best Sightseeing Tours in India, The Best Luxury Tours to Malaysia, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Chennai is $29, 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 Chennai and Kota Kinabalu in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Chennai 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.
Also for Chennai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kota Kinabalu:
Prices for flights to both Kota Kinabalu and Chennai 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.
For Chennai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kota Kinabalu.
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Chennai.
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kota Kinabalu are as follows:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chennai and Kota Kinabalu, we can see that Kota Kinabalu is more expensive. And not only is Chennai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Chennai would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chennai 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 Kota Kinabalu would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kota Kinabalu than you might in Chennai.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Chennai Expensive? and Is Kota Kinabalu Expensive?.
Chennai has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Kota Kinabalu. When comparing the sizes of Chennai 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.