Which place is cheaper, Kota Kinabalu or Dubai?
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 Dubai or Kota Kinabalu?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Dubai and Kota Kinabalu can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Dubai or Kota Kinabalu?
Dubai
Ever wonder what it would be like to see the lifestyles of the rich and famous up close. There's no more upscale destination than Dubai. It's by far and away the spot for shopping, partying, sunbathing, fine dining and the most luxurious of luxury. As the most modern and progressive of the seven emirates in the United Arab Emirates, this area has experienced an unbelievable economic boom and tourism spike. It's a desert city with an amazing infrastructure.
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 3-Day Tours from Dubai, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United Arab Emirates, The Best Luxury Tours to Malaysia, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia.
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Dubai Prices
UAE PricesKota Kinabalu Prices
Malaysia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDubai $289Kota Kinabalu $70
The average daily cost (per person) in Dubai is $289, while the average daily cost in Kota Kinabalu is $70. 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 Dubai and Kota Kinabalu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDubai $170Kota Kinabalu $21
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDubai $340Kota Kinabalu $42
Compare Hotels in Dubai and Kota Kinabalu
Looking for a hotel in Dubai 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: Dubai Hotel Prices and Kota Kinabalu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dubai $13Kota Kinabalu $26
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Dubai
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Dubai:
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Taxi Ride$12
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Airport Taxi$12
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Sea Taxi$0.54
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dubai
Also for Dubai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Dubai Airport Private Transfer ⇄ Dubai|Abu Dhabi|Jumeirah: $10
- Private Dubai Airport Arrival/Departure Transfer to Dubai City: $13
- Departure Transfer from Dubai Hotels to Dubai Airport: $14
- Transfer from Dubai Airport to Dubai City: $14
- Private Dubai Airport Transfer Arrival or Departure: $15
- Dubai To Abu Dhabi Bus Transfer with Scenic View: $16
- Private Dubai Airport Transfer DXB to Dubai City: $17
- Dubai Private Airport Arrival & Departure To Hotel Transfer: $18
- Dubai Airport: Private One-Way Arrival and Departure Transfer: $18
- Dubai Airport (DXB) Private Transfer to Dubai/Jumeirah/Abu Dhabi: $18
- Dubai Airport Private Departure / Arrival Airport Transfer: $19
- Dubai Airport Private Departure and Arrival Airport Transfer: $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kota Kinabalu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kota Kinabalu:
- Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI to Borneo - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $75
- Kota Kinabalu Hotel to Jetty Round Trip Transfer: $54
- Kota Kinab Airport to Kota Kinabalu - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $47
- Borneo to Kota Kinabalu Airport(BKI) - Departure Private Transfer: $38
- Kota Kinabalu Airport (BKI) to Borneo - Arrival Private Transfer: $38
- Private Transfer: Kota Kinabalu International Airport to/from Hotel: $30
- Private Departure Transfer : Kota Kinabalu International Airport: $27
- Private Transfer from Kota Kota Kinabalu Hotels to Kinabalu Port: $25
- Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu Airport (BKI): $25
- Private Transfer- Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI: $25
- Private Airport Transfer in Kota Kinabalu: $20
- Kota Kinabalu（BKI）: Private Transfer to City Center: $14
Is it cheaper to fly into Dubai or Kota Kinabalu?
Prices for flights to both Kota Kinabalu and Dubai 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 dayDubai $96Kota Kinabalu $31
Typical Food Prices in Dubai
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Dubai:
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French bread$0.95
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Sumo salad in Dubai Mall + Juice$10
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Lemon Mint Tea$4.36
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Coffee & Cake$6.54
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Smoothie$5.45
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Shawarma$1.91
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dubai
For Dubai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Dubai Self Drive Desert Safari Experience with BBQ dinner: $10
- Dubai Red Dunes Desert Safari with Dinner, Camel, Shows & Pickup: $11
- VIP Red Dune Safari Dubai,Pick/Drop,Camel Ride, Quad & BBQ Dinner: $15
- Dune Bashing Red Dunes 4x4 Pick & Drop Shows Dinner Camel: $15
- VIP Red Dune Safari with Pick/Drop BBQ Dinner Camelride sandbord: $15
- Romantic Sightseeing Dhow Cruise Dinner: $15
- VIP Red Dune Safari with Pick/Drop BBQ/Dinner Camelride Sandbord: $15
- VIP Red Dune Safari, Pick/Drop, Camel Ride,BBQ Dinner & Quad Bike: $15
- Dhow Cruise with Dinner and Live Entertainment at Dubai Al Seef: $16
- Desert Safari Dubai with BBQ Buffet Dinner: $16
- Dubai Dhow Cruise Dinner in Creek with pickup drop option: $16
- Dinner Dhow Cruise with Live Entertainment Al Seef: $16
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kota Kinabalu
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kota Kinabalu.
- Beringgis Mangove Fireflies, Sunset Tour & Dinner: $33
- Sabah Traditional Authentic Cuisine Cooking Class 3 Hours: $45
- Klias River Cruise with Dinner and Fireflies: $55
- Kawa Mangrove Cruise & Fireflies with Dinner: $67
- Kota Kinabalu Klias River Cruise with Dinner and Fireflies Tour: $72
- Traditional Sabah Cooking Class and Taste Local Flavors: $75
- Ethnic Cooking Class & Upside Down House & 3D Wonders Museum: $92
- Private Cooking Class with Market Visit: $94
- North Borneo Sunset Dinner Cruise: $121
- Kota Kinabalu Night Tour with Dinner & Cultural Dance Show: $142
- Kota Kinabalu Sunset Cruise with Dinner, Live Band & Hotel Pickup: $189
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dubai $19Kota Kinabalu $6.62
Typical Entertainment Prices in Dubai
For Dubai, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Visit to the Dubai Museum$0.82
Tours and Activities in Dubai
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Dubai.
- Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in Dubai: $5.85
- A Self-Guided Tour of Dubai’s Origins in Deira: $5.99
- Burj Khalifa, Dubai Hidden Gems - Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: $6.80
- Dubai Fountain Boardwalk Entry Ticket: $6.81
- Global Village Dubai Ticket with optional transport: $9.00
- The Palm Monorail Ticket Dubai: $9.21
- Maze Mirror Inside Creek Park Entry Ticket: $9.77
- Dubai Butterfly Garden Ticket Deals: $10
- Dubai Butterfly Garden Tickets: $13
- Al Shindagha Museum Ticket: $13
- Al Shindagha Museum Tickets: $13
- Authentic Old Town, Souks, Tastings & Abra Boat Tour: $14
Tours and Activities in Kota Kinabalu
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kota Kinabalu are as follows:
- Bongawan River Cruise Proboscis Monkey, SkyMirror, Fireflies: $54
- Bongawan: River Safari Cruise, Private or Shared Ticket: $48
- Borneo (Klias) River Cruise & Fireflies Tour: $50
- Borneo Combo Adventure: $200
- Cowboy Town & Fireflies River Cruise: $62
- Day Trip to Kinabalu Park and Poring Hot Spring Guided Tour: $70
- Discover Sailing Experience in Tanjung Aru Beach: $88
- Dreamer Island Snorkeling Day Tour: $78
- From Kota Kinabalu : Kiulu White Water Rafting Tour + meal: $66
- Full Day Bongawan River Cruise with Proboscis Monkey Sightseeing: $56
- Indigenous Weaving Experience: $236
- Island Hopping Tour (2 Island) From Kota Kinabalu: $100
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDubai $23Kota Kinabalu $7.40
Typical Alcohol Prices in Dubai
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Dubai:
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A Couple Drinks$25
Sample the Local Flavors in Dubai
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Dubai:
- Pub Crawl Nightlife Tour: $62
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dubai and Kota Kinabalu, we can see that Dubai is more expensive. And not only is Kota Kinabalu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dubai 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 Dubai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dubai 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 Dubai Expensive? and Is Kota Kinabalu Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dubai or Kota Kinabalu?
Dubai has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Kota Kinabalu. When comparing the sizes of Dubai 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 Dubai 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 Dubai or Kota Kinabalu in the Summer?
Both Kota Kinabalu and Dubai during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Dubai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kota Kinabalu year-round.
June to August is the dry season in Dubai. Kota Kinabalu gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Dubai usually gets less rain in July than Kota Kinabalu. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Kota Kinabalu receives 255 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year.
It's very hot in Dubai this time of the year. Dubai is a little warmer than Kota Kinabalu in the summer. The daily temperature in Dubai averages around 35°C (95°F) in July, and Kota Kinabalu fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyDubai 35°C (95°F)Kota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Dubai or Kota Kinabalu in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Dubai and Kota Kinabalu. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dubai year-round. Kota Kinabalu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Kota Kinabalu receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Dubai usually receives less rain than Kota Kinabalu. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Kota Kinabalu receives 336 mm (13.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In the autumn, Dubai is around the same temperature as Kota Kinabalu. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Dubai in October average around 29°C (84°F), and Kota Kinabalu averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberDubai 29°C (84°F)Kota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Dubai or Kota Kinabalu in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Dubai as well as Kota Kinabalu. Dubai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kota Kinabalu throughout the year.
January to March in Dubai is the rainy season. It's quite rainy in Kota Kinabalu. Dubai usually gets less rain in January than Kota Kinabalu. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Kota Kinabalu receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
In January, Dubai is generally cooler than Kota Kinabalu. Daily temperatures in Dubai average around 19°C (66°F), and Kota Kinabalu fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryDubai 19°C (66°F)Kota Kinabalu 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Dubai or Kota Kinabalu in the Spring?
Both Kota Kinabalu and Dubai are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Dubai throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Kota Kinabalu because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The dry season in Dubai is June to August. It rains a lot this time of the year in Kota Kinabalu. In April, Dubai usually receives less rain than Kota Kinabalu. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Kota Kinabalu receives 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Dubai is around the same temperature as Kota Kinabalu in the spring. The daily temperature in Dubai averages around 26°C (79°F) in April, and Kota Kinabalu fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilDubai 26°C (79°F)Kota Kinabalu 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Kota Kinabalu and Dubai
| Dubai | Kota Kinabalu | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 19°C (66°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Mar | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 291 mm (11.5 in) |
| Jul | 35°C (95°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 255 mm (10 in) |
| Aug | 36°C (97°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) |
| Sep | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 285 mm (11.2 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 336 mm (13.2 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 298 mm (11.7 in) |
| Dec | 21°C (70°F) | 20 mm (0.8 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.