Which place is cheaper, Kota Kinabalu or Hue?
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 Hue 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 Hue 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: Hue or Kota Kinabalu?
Hue
Hue is a major city in central Vietnam and was historically the imperial capital. The city was the base for the imperial Nguyen Dynasty, which ruled from 1802 to 1945. During the Vietnam War the city faced many challenges. It was conquered by the Viet Cong and held for 24 days. During this time about 3,000 people were slaughtered for their political views, education level, or religious affiliation.
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 Sightseeing Tours in Vietnam, The Best Cultural Tours in Vietnam, The Best Luxury Tours to Malaysia, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia.
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Hue Prices
Vietnam PricesKota Kinabalu Prices
Malaysia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHue $56Kota Kinabalu $68
The average daily cost (per person) in Hue is $56, while the average daily cost in Kota Kinabalu is $68. 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 Hue and Kota Kinabalu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHue $22Kota Kinabalu $21
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHue $44Kota Kinabalu $42
Compare Hotels in Hue and Kota Kinabalu
Looking for a hotel in Hue 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: Hue Hotel Prices and Kota Kinabalu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hue $12Kota Kinabalu $25
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Hue
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Hue:
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Cyclo$0.45
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Short Taxi Ride$0.83
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Taxi Ride to Tombs$13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hue
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hue:
- Hue Airport: Private Transfer to/or from Hue City Center: $4.72
- Phu Bai Airport to Hue City: Private Transfer: $5.90
- Privated Hue Airport Transfer - Airport to Hotels or vice versa: $6.75
- Transfer from Hue airport to Hue city center or vice versa: $6.81
- Transfer between Hue Hotels and Hue Airport: $7.11
- Airport Transfer to/from City Center: $7.68
- Hue city Airport transfer - All Inclusive : $9.60
- Shared Car Transfer from Phu Bai Airport to City Center: $9.84
- Hue Car Rental with Driver for Transfer Trip and Sightseeing: $11
- Private Transfer: Hue City Center - Hue Train Station: $11
- HUI: Transfer Phu Bai airport to Hue city center: $11
- Phu Bai Airport Arrival Or Departure by Private Transfer: $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kota Kinabalu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kota Kinabalu:
- Kota Kinabalu Airport (BKI) Private Transfer to Kota Kinabalu: $13
- Kota Kinabalu（BKI）: Private Transfer to City Center: $14
- Private Transfer: Kota Kinabalu International Airport to/from Hotel: $20
- Kota Kinabalu to Kota Kinab Airport: Departure Private Transfer: $24
- Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Hotels to Kota Kinabalu Port: $25
- Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu hotels: $25
- Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI to Kota Kinabalu Port: $25
- Private Transfer- Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI to Kota Kinabalu Port: $25
- Private Transfer- Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI: $25
- Private Arrival Transfer : Kota Kinabalu International Airport: $30
- Stand Up Paddle Boarding with Sunrise/Sunset Tour at Kota Kinabalu with transfer: $32
- Kota Kinabalu Airport (BKI) to Borneo - Arrival Private Transfer: $38
Is it cheaper to fly into Hue or Kota Kinabalu?
Prices for flights to both Kota Kinabalu and Hue 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 dayHue $25Kota Kinabalu $30
Typical Food Prices in Hue
Some typical examples of dining costs in Hue are as follows:
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River Night Market Dinner (for Two)$7.58
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Two Sugarcane Drinks$0.76
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Quick Lunch (for Two)$2.08
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Sitdown Dinner (for Two)$4.17
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hue
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Hue.
- Hue Food Tour by Walking or Cyclo or Motorbike with Driver: $21
- Walking Street Food tour in Hue: $26
- Hue Walking Street Food Tour: $27
- Hue City: Cyclo, Market Tour & Cooking Class at Madam Thu: $27
- Eat Like a Local with a Local Hue Food Tour : $30
- Home Cooking Class and Dinner with Local Chef in Hue City: $31
- HUE : NIGHT WALKING AND STREET FOOD TOUR: $31
- Hue : Cooking Class with Local Family: $33
- Street Food Tour with a Local Guide: $33
- Cooking Class with Local Family: $33
- Hue : Night Street Food Tour with a Local Guide: $33
- Guided Local Food Tour with Tastings: $33
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kota Kinabalu
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kota Kinabalu.
- Sabah Traditional Authentic Cuisine Cooking Class 3 Hours: $29
- Beringgis Mangove Fireflies, Sunset Tour & Dinner: $33
- Klias River Cruise with Dinner and Fireflies: $55
- Kawa Mangrove Cruise & Fireflies with Dinner: $67
- Ethnic Cooking Class & Upside Down House & 3D Wonders Museum: $92
- Taste Of Borneo Cooking Class: $95
- North Borneo Sunset Dinner Cruise: $121
- Kota Kinabalu Night Tour with Dinner & Cultural Dance Show: $138
- Kota Kinabalu Sunset Cruise with Buffet Dinner: $187
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hue $11Kota Kinabalu $6.43
Typical Entertainment Prices in Hue
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Hue are as follows:
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Boat Ride$7.39
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Bicycle Rental (One Day)$1.06
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Imperial Citadel Entrance$3.03
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Massage at Institute for the Blind$1.52
Tours and Activities in Hue
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Hue are as follows:
- Eat like a local with a local - Walking Tour: $2.00
- Hue Imperial Ancient City Walking Tour: $2.00
- Traditional Singing on Huong River Ticket: $4.03
- Private City Tour By Car - English Speaking Driver: $4.72
- Vietnam Song Lab Digital Art Center Entry Ticket: $7.66
- Hue Imperial City 3 Hour Walking Tour for Budget Travelers: $8.00
- City Tour with Driver - Customized Your Own Itinerary: $8.66
- Experience Paper Flower Making in Hue for a Cause: $10
- Private City Tour by Car with English-Speaking Driver: $10
- Imperial City Walk, Motorbike Tour & Private Car Options: $10
- Hue Royal Tombs Tour Visit 3 Best Tombs & Pagoda: $13
- Royal Tombs Private Tour with 3 Best Tombs & Pagoda: $13
Tours and Activities in Kota Kinabalu
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kota Kinabalu are as follows:
- Bongawan Proboscis and Fireflies Cruise Tour: $32
- Sail and Catch Boat fishing Tour of the Coast of Kota Kinabalu: $41
- Night Glow Stand Up Paddle Experience in Kota Kinabalu: $44
- Sky-Mirror Photographing and Proboscis Monkey & Fireflies Watching River-Cruise: $46
- Mangrove Kayaking Experience in Borneo: $47
- Bongawan River Cruise Proboscis Monkey, SkyMirror, Fireflies : $49
- Sabah: Manukan and Sapi Islands Excursion Ticket: $50
- Borneo (Klias) River Cruise & Fireflies Tour: $50
- Private Guided E-Foil Experience in Tanjung Aru Beach: $54
- Full Day Bongawan River Cruise with Proboscis Monkey Sightseeing: $55
- Pulau Sapi & Manukan Sabah Shared Activity Adventure: $57
- Klias Wildlife Safari River Cruise from Kota Kinabalu: $58
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHue $5.49Kota Kinabalu $7.18
Typical Alcohol Prices in Hue
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Hue:
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Beer$0.95
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hue and Kota Kinabalu, we can see that Kota Kinabalu is more expensive. And not only is Hue much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hue would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hue 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 Hue.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hue Expensive? and Is Kota Kinabalu Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hue or Kota Kinabalu?
Kota Kinabalu has a larger population, and is about 59% larger than the population of Hue. When comparing the sizes of Hue 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 Hue 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 Hue or Kota Kinabalu in the Summer?
Both Kota Kinabalu and Hue are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Hue 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 Hue is March to August. The rainy season in Hue is September to December. It rains a lot this time of the year in Kota Kinabalu. In July, Hue usually receives less rain than Kota Kinabalu. Hue gets 71 mm (2.8 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 Hue. Hue usually receives more sunshine than Kota Kinabalu during summer. Hue gets 242 hours of sunny skies, while Kota Kinabalu receives 205 hours of full sun in the summer.
Hue is around the same temperature as Kota Kinabalu in the summer. The daily temperature in Hue averages around 29°C (85°F) in July, and Kota Kinabalu fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHue 29°C (85°F)Kota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Hue or Kota Kinabalu in the Autumn?
Both Kota Kinabalu and Hue during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Hue because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kota Kinabalu year-round.
September to December is the rainy season in Hue. Kota Kinabalu gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Hue. Hue usually gets more rain in October than Kota Kinabalu. Hue gets 613 mm (24.1 in) of rain, while Kota Kinabalu receives 336 mm (13.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the autumn, Hue often gets less sunshine than Kota Kinabalu. Hue gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kota Kinabalu receives 192 hours of full sun.
In the autumn, Hue is around the same temperature as Kota Kinabalu. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hue in October average around 25°C (78°F), and Kota Kinabalu averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHue 25°C (78°F)Kota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Hue or Kota Kinabalu in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Hue and Kota Kinabalu. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Hue year-round. Kota Kinabalu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
March to August in Hue is the dry season. Kota Kinabalu receives a lot of rain in the winter. Hue gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Hue usually receives less rain than Kota Kinabalu. Hue gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Kota Kinabalu receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
Hue usually receives less sunshine than Kota Kinabalu during winter. Hue gets 136 hours of sunny skies, while Kota Kinabalu receives 181 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Hue is generally cooler than Kota Kinabalu. Daily temperatures in Hue average around 22°C (71°F), and Kota Kinabalu fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHue 22°C (71°F)Kota Kinabalu 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Hue or Kota Kinabalu in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Hue as well as Kota Kinabalu. Hue 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. Hue usually gets less rain in April than Kota Kinabalu. Hue gets 33 mm (1.3 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 Hue this time of the year. In the spring, Hue often gets less sunshine than Kota Kinabalu. Hue gets 210 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kota Kinabalu receives 237 hours of full sun.
Hue is around the same temperature as Kota Kinabalu in the spring. The daily temperature in Hue averages around 26°C (80°F) in April, and Kota Kinabalu fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHue 26°C (80°F)Kota Kinabalu 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Kota Kinabalu and Hue
| Hue | Kota Kinabalu | |||
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| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 22°C (71°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) |
| Feb | 23°C (73°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (80°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (85°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 291 mm (11.5 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 255 mm (10 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (85°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 331 mm (13 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 285 mm (11.2 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (78°F) | 613 mm (24.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 336 mm (13.2 in) |
| Nov | 24°C (76°F) | 376 mm (14.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 298 mm (11.7 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 223 mm (8.8 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.