Which place is cheaper, Kota Kinabalu or Hat Yai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Hat Yai or Kota Kinabalu?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Hat Yai and Kota Kinabalu can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Hat Yai or Kota Kinabalu?
Hat Yai
The fourth largest city of Thailand, Hat Yai is a popular tourist destination, especially on weekends and holidays for people in neighboring Malaysia and Singapore. It is best known as a commercial hub and shopping destination, and for its floating market and Buddhist temple.
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 Contiki Tours to Thailand, The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best Luxury Tours to Malaysia, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHat Yai $16Kota Kinabalu $49
The average daily cost (per person) in Hat Yai is $16, 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 Hat Yai and Kota Kinabalu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHat Yai $5.11Kota Kinabalu $18
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHat Yai $10Kota Kinabalu $36
Compare Hotels in Hat Yai and Kota Kinabalu
Looking for a hotel in Hat Yai 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: Hat Yai Hotel Prices and Kota Kinabalu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hat Yai $0.63Kota Kinabalu $22
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hat Yai
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hat Yai:
- Transfer from Hatyai Airport to Koh Lipe: $25
- private van transfer from Hatyai Airport to Pabara Pier: $68
- Private Hatyai Airport Transfer to Pak Bara Pier by Van: $69
- Private Van transfer from Hatyai Airport to Pak Bara Pier: $73
- Private Van transfer from Hatyai City to Pak Bara Pier: $73
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 Hat Yai or Kota Kinabalu?
Prices for flights to both Kota Kinabalu and Hat Yai 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 dayHat Yai $10Kota Kinabalu $15
Typical Food Prices in Hat Yai
Some typical examples of dining costs in Hat Yai are as follows:
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Roti Snack$0.55
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.Hat Yai -Kota Kinabalu $5.67
Tours and Activities in Hat Yai
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Hat Yai are as follows:
- One Way Speedboat and Van Ticket Koh Lipe to Hat Yai Airport: $30
- One Way Van and Speedboat Ticket Hat Yai Airport to Koh Lipe: $30
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 dayHat Yai $2.52Kota Kinabalu $6.34
Typical Alcohol Prices in Hat Yai
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Hat Yai:
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Beer$1.64
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hat Yai and Kota Kinabalu, we can see that Kota Kinabalu is more expensive. And not only is Hat Yai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hat Yai would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hat Yai 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 Hat Yai.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hat Yai Expensive? and Is Kota Kinabalu Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hat Yai or Kota Kinabalu?
Kota Kinabalu has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Hat Yai. When comparing the sizes of Hat Yai 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 Hat Yai 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 Hat Yai or Kota Kinabalu in the Summer?
Both Kota Kinabalu and Hat Yai are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Hat Yai 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 Hat Yai. In July, Hat Yai usually receives less rain than Kota Kinabalu. Hat Yai gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Kota Kinabalu receives 255 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the summer.
It's quite sunny in Kota Kinabalu. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hat Yai. Hat Yai usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Kota Kinabalu during summer. Hat Yai gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Kota Kinabalu receives 205 hours of full sun in the summer.
Hat Yai is around the same temperature as Kota Kinabalu in the summer. The daily temperature in Hat Yai averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and Kota Kinabalu fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHat Yai 29°C (83°F)Kota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Hat Yai or Kota Kinabalu in the Autumn?
Both Kota Kinabalu and Hat Yai during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Hat Yai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kota Kinabalu year-round.
May to December is the rainy season in Hat Yai. Kota Kinabalu gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Hat Yai. Hat Yai usually gets less rain in October than Kota Kinabalu. Hat Yai gets 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain, while Kota Kinabalu receives 336 mm (13.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the autumn, Hat Yai often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Kota Kinabalu. Hat Yai gets 182 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kota Kinabalu receives 192 hours of full sun.
In the autumn, Hat Yai is around the same temperature as Kota Kinabalu. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hat Yai in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Kota Kinabalu averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHat Yai 28°C (82°F)Kota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Hat Yai or Kota Kinabalu in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Hat Yai and Kota Kinabalu. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Hat Yai year-round. Kota Kinabalu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
January to April in Hat Yai is the dry season. Kota Kinabalu receives a lot of rain in the winter. Hat Yai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Hat Yai usually receives less rain than Kota Kinabalu. Hat Yai gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Kota Kinabalu receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
In Hat Yai, it's very sunny this time of the year. Hat Yai usually receives more sunshine than Kota Kinabalu during winter. Hat Yai gets 221 hours of sunny skies, while Kota Kinabalu receives 181 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Hat Yai is generally around the same temperature as Kota Kinabalu. Daily temperatures in Hat Yai average around 28°C (82°F), and Kota Kinabalu fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHat Yai 28°C (82°F)Kota Kinabalu 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Hat Yai or Kota Kinabalu in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Hat Yai as well as Kota Kinabalu. Hat Yai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kota Kinabalu throughout the year.
Also, January to April in Hat Yai is the dry season. May to December in Hat Yai is the rainy season. It's quite rainy in Kota Kinabalu. Hat Yai usually gets less rain in April than Kota Kinabalu. Hat Yai gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Kota Kinabalu receives 112 mm (4.4 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 Hat Yai this time of the year. In the spring, Hat Yai often gets more sunshine than Kota Kinabalu. Hat Yai gets 265 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kota Kinabalu receives 237 hours of full sun.
Hat Yai is around the same temperature as Kota Kinabalu in the spring. The daily temperature in Hat Yai averages around 30°C (85°F) in April, and Kota Kinabalu fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHat Yai 30°C (85°F)Kota Kinabalu 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Kota Kinabalu and Hat Yai
| Hat Yai | Kota Kinabalu | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (83°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (85°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 30°C (85°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| May | 29°C (84°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 291 mm (11.5 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 255 mm (10 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 285 mm (11.2 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 284 mm (11.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 336 mm (13.2 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 588 mm (23.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 298 mm (11.7 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 404 mm (15.9 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.