Which place is cheaper, Kota Kinabalu or Eilat?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Eilat or Kota Kinabalu?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Eilat 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: Eilat or Kota Kinabalu?
Eilat
Eilat serves as the gateway to Israel from Egypt. It's located at the southern tip of the country and sits on the Red Sea with views of the Gulf of Aqaba. It's location in the Negev Desert along the beautiful coast make it appealing to both domestic and international vacationers.
Eilat is a resort town with many dive shops and snorkeling opportunities. The population of about 50,000 can easily be overshadowed by vacationers. With no shortage of sun, entertainment, bars, and partying, you will find both Israeli and international tourists looking for an oasis of fun and relaxation.
Although the area's coral reefs were being damaged by overuse, the removal of contraversial fish cages in 2008 has led to a slow recovery and an improvement in the quality of diving and snorkeling in the area. There are also less crowds than you will find in Sharm el-Sheikh or Dahab, Egypt.
Eilat has a hot desert climate. The summers are hot and dry and the winters are warm and dry. Temperatures in the winter can range from 52 to 73 degrees Fahrenheit and summer temperatures are usually between 79 and 104 degrees Fahrenheit.
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 Israel, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Israel, The Best Luxury Tours to Malaysia, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayEilat $140Kota Kinabalu $49
The average daily cost (per person) in Eilat is $140, 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 Eilat and Kota Kinabalu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personEilat $93Kota Kinabalu $18
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomEilat $186Kota Kinabalu $36
Compare Hotels in Eilat and Kota Kinabalu
Looking for a hotel in Eilat 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: Eilat Hotel Prices and Kota Kinabalu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Eilat $13Kota Kinabalu $22
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Eilat
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Eilat:
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Local Bus$3.71
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Eilat
Also for Eilat, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer From Ramon airport Eilat to Eilat Hotels or Arava Border : $70
- From Jerusalem: One-Way Shuttle Transfer to Eilat: $90
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 Eilat or Kota Kinabalu?
Prices for flights to both Kota Kinabalu and Eilat 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 dayEilat $35Kota Kinabalu $15
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.Eilat $16Kota Kinabalu $5.67
Tours and Activities in Eilat
For Eilat, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Glass Bottom Boat Cruise in Eilat: $30
- Jeep tour adventure Eilat mountains: $55
- From Timna Park Guided Jeep Tour: $63
- Red canyon jeep tour in Eilat: $70
- Timna park Jeep tour adventure: $70
- Park Timna: Small Group Photo Tour: $130
- Red Canyon: Small Group Photo Tour: $130
- Timna Park Tour from Eilat: $150
- Petra 1-Day Tour from Eilat + FREE Traditional Lunch: $199
- Full-Day Tour of Petra from Eilat: $199
- 1 Day Tour to Petra From Eilat: $217
- Day Tour to Petra from Eilat: $219
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 dayEilat $27Kota Kinabalu $6.34
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Eilat and Kota Kinabalu, we can see that Eilat is more expensive. And not only is Kota Kinabalu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Eilat 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 Eilat would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Eilat 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 Eilat Expensive? and Is Kota Kinabalu Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Eilat or Kota Kinabalu?
Kota Kinabalu has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Eilat. When comparing the sizes of Eilat 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 Eilat 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 Eilat or Kota Kinabalu in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Eilat as well as Kota Kinabalu. Eilat 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. Eilat usually gets less rain in July than Kota Kinabalu. Eilat gets 0 mm (0 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 Eilat this time of the year. In the summer, Eilat often gets more sunshine than Kota Kinabalu. Eilat gets 384 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kota Kinabalu receives 205 hours of full sun.
It's very hot in Eilat this time of the year. Eilat is a little warmer than Kota Kinabalu in the summer. The daily temperature in Eilat averages around 33°C (91°F) in July, and Kota Kinabalu fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyEilat 33°C (91°F)Kota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Eilat or Kota Kinabalu in the Autumn?
Both Kota Kinabalu and Eilat are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Eilat 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, Eilat usually receives less rain than Kota Kinabalu. Eilat gets 1 mm (0 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 Eilat. Eilat usually receives more sunshine than Kota Kinabalu during autumn. Eilat gets 295 hours of sunny skies, while Kota Kinabalu receives 192 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In the autumn, Eilat is around the same temperature as Kota Kinabalu. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Eilat in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Kota Kinabalu averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberEilat 26°C (79°F)Kota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Eilat or Kota Kinabalu in the Winter?
Both Kota Kinabalu and Eilat during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Eilat 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. Eilat usually gets less rain in January than Kota Kinabalu. Eilat gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Kota Kinabalu receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
It's quite sunny in Eilat. In the winter, Eilat often gets more sunshine than Kota Kinabalu. Eilat gets 234 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kota Kinabalu receives 181 hours of full sun.
In January, Eilat is generally much colder than Kota Kinabalu. Daily temperatures in Eilat average around 14°C (57°F), and Kota Kinabalu fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryEilat 14°C (57°F)Kota Kinabalu 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Eilat or Kota Kinabalu in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Eilat and Kota Kinabalu. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Eilat 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, Eilat usually receives less rain than Kota Kinabalu. Eilat gets 0 mm (0 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 Eilat, it's very sunny this time of the year. Eilat usually receives more sunshine than Kota Kinabalu during spring. Eilat gets 282 hours of sunny skies, while Kota Kinabalu receives 237 hours of full sun in the spring.
Eilat is cooler than Kota Kinabalu in the spring. The daily temperature in Eilat averages around 24°C (75°F) in April, and Kota Kinabalu fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilEilat 24°C (75°F)Kota Kinabalu 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Kota Kinabalu and Eilat
| Eilat | Kota Kinabalu | |||
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| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 14°C (57°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) |
| Feb | 16°C (61°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Mar | 19°C (66°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 24°C (75°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 31°C (88°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 291 mm (11.5 in) |
| Jul | 33°C (91°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 255 mm (10 in) |
| Aug | 33°C (91°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) |
| Sep | 31°C (88°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 285 mm (11.2 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 336 mm (13.2 in) |
| Nov | 20°C (68°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 298 mm (11.7 in) |
| Dec | 15°C (59°F) | 6 mm (0.2 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.