Which place is cheaper, Kota Kinabalu or Jakarta?
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 Jakarta or Kota Kinabalu?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Jakarta and Kota Kinabalu. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Jakarta or Kota Kinabalu?
Jakarta
As Indonesia's capital and largest city, Jakarta rests on the northwest coast of the island of Java. It is the country's economic, cultural, and political center with plenty of opportunities for sightseeing, nightlife, shopping, and entertainment.
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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Indonesia, The Best Adventure Tours to Indonesia, The Best Luxury Tours to Malaysia, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia.
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Jakarta Prices
Indonesia PricesKota Kinabalu Prices
Malaysia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayJakarta $68Kota Kinabalu $72
The average daily cost (per person) in Jakarta is $68, while the average daily cost in Kota Kinabalu is $72. 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 Jakarta and Kota Kinabalu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personJakarta $30Kota Kinabalu $22
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomJakarta $60Kota Kinabalu $44
Compare Hotels in Jakarta and Kota Kinabalu
Looking for a hotel in Jakarta 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: Jakarta Hotel Prices and Kota Kinabalu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Jakarta $18Kota Kinabalu $27
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Jakarta
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Jakarta are as follows:
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Taxi to Station$0.97
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Jakarta
Also for Jakarta, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer Airport Soekarno Hatta (CGK) to All City Destination: $13
- All-inclusive Private Jakarta Airport Transfer: $15
- Jakarta Airport Transfer Service: $20
- Private Transfer from Soekarno Hatta Airport to Jakarta Hotels: $22
- Private Hotel Transfer Service to Airport Jakarta: $22
- Airport Jakarta, Private Transfer: $26
- Jakarta Airport Transfer for Small/Big Group: $28
- Airport Transfer: $30
- Soekarno Hatta Int. Airport To Bogor city ( Private Transfer ): $30
- Airport Transfer Jakarta ( Private Car ): $30
- Private Airport Transfer: Hotel → Jakarta Airport (CGK): $33
- Private Transfer from Menteng to Jakarta Halim Airport (HLP): $34
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 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 Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu hotels: $25
- Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu hotels: $25
- Private Transfer- Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI to Kota Kinabalu Port: $25
- Kota Kinab. Airport to Kota Kinabalu - Arrival Private Transfer: $24
- Private Airport Transfer in Kota Kinabalu: $20
- Kota Kinabalu（BKI）: Private Transfer to City Center: $14
Is it cheaper to fly into Jakarta or Kota Kinabalu?
Prices for flights to both Kota Kinabalu and Jakarta 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 dayJakarta $26Kota Kinabalu $32
Typical Food Prices in Jakarta
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Jakarta:
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Dinner$2.44
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Dinner$0.67
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Jakarta
For Jakarta, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Fun Food Tour Jakarta: $30
- Mangga Besar Food Tour: $49
- Jakarta Night Tour with Dinner at Café or Food street: $50
- Kota Tua Food Tour: $64
- Melawai Night Street Food Tour: $67
- Halfday Batavia by Night with dinner at Cafe Batavia & souvenir: $120
- Jakarta Private Cooking Class and Experience Tour: $120
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
- North Borneo Sunset Dinner Cruise: $121
- Kota Kinabalu Night Tour with Dinner & Cultural Dance Show: $143
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Jakarta $11Kota Kinabalu $6.82
Tours and Activities in Jakarta
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Jakarta.
- Jakarta City Center: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.20
- Jakarta Tour Guide: $25
- Watercolor & Wellness : A Healing Art Therapy Experience: $27
- Jakarta Culture and History Walking Tour: $33
- Jakarta Private Custom Walking Tour with A Guide: $37
- Jakarta Fun Walkingtour ~ Using Public Transportations: $37
- 3 Hours Jakarta City Tour (Jakarta's Iconic Places): $45
- Jakarta Half Day Visit The Monument with Highlight City Tour: $45
- Jakarta Half Day Shared Guided Tour Visit Monument and Old Town: $47
- Pasar Baru Foodie Tour: $49
- Jakarta Half-Day Highlights Tour: $50
- Afternoon Guided Chinatown Tour in Jakarta: $53
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: $50
- Bongawan: River Safari Cruise, Private or Shared Ticket: $48
- Borneo (Klias) River Cruise & Fireflies Tour: $50
- 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
- From Kota Kinabalu : Kiulu White Water Rafting Tour + meal: $66
- Full Day Bongawan River Cruise with Proboscis Monkey Sightseeing: $57
- Indigenous Weaving Experience: $236
- Island Hopping Tour (2 Island) From Kota Kinabalu: $100
- Kinabalu Park & Poring Hot Spring Tour: $80
- Kinabalu Park & Poring Hot Springs Tour with Desa Dairy Farm: $130
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayJakarta $3.78Kota Kinabalu $7.61
When comparing the travel costs between Jakarta and Kota Kinabalu, we can see that Kota Kinabalu is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Jakarta Expensive? and Is Kota Kinabalu Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Jakarta or Kota Kinabalu?
Jakarta has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Kota Kinabalu. When comparing the sizes of Jakarta 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.
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.