Which place is cheaper, Kota Kinabalu or Jerusalem?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Jerusalem or Kota Kinabalu?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Jerusalem or Kota Kinabalu, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Jerusalem or Kota Kinabalu?
Jerusalem
Jerusalem is the capital city of Israel, as well as one of the most historically rich cities in the world. It is also the largest city in the country. While Tel Aviv holds many of the responsibilities of a capital city, officially, Jerusalem is still considered the capital. It is important to note that most countries have their embassies in Tel Aviv, not in Jerusalem.
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 Luxury Tours to Israel, The Best Budget Tours to 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 dayJerusalem $107Kota Kinabalu $49
The average daily cost (per person) in Jerusalem is $107, 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 Jerusalem and Kota Kinabalu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personJerusalem $63Kota Kinabalu $18
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomJerusalem $126Kota Kinabalu $36
Compare Hotels in Jerusalem and Kota Kinabalu
Looking for a hotel in Jerusalem 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: Jerusalem Hotel Prices and Kota Kinabalu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Jerusalem $6.64Kota Kinabalu $22
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Jerusalem
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Jerusalem are as follows:
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Local Bus$3.13
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Light Rail Jerusalem$9.68
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Jerusalem
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Jerusalem:
- Private Jerusalem Departure Transfer - Hotel/Accommodation to Tel Aviv Airport: $48
- Private Intercity Transfer - from your Jerusalem hotel to your Tel Aviv hotel: $90
- Private Transfer: From Jerusalem to Tel Aviv: $95
- Jerusalem Private Transfer To Allaenby Bridge: $105
- Jerusalem to Allenby Bridge Private Transfer: $130
- VIP Transfer between Ben Gurion Airport and Jerusalem: $130
- VIP transfer between Ben Gurion Airport and Jerusalem: $130
- Private Airport Transfers to/from Hotel: $144
- Jerusalem to Ben Gurion Airport Private Transfer: $150
- Jerusalem to Allenby Bridge Private Transfer: $150
- Private Transfer from Dead Sea Hotels to Aqaba Airport: $160
- Allenby Bridge to Jerusalem or Tel Aviv Private Transfer: $170
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
- Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu Airport (BKI): $28
- Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI to Kota Kinabalu Port: $28
- Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu hotels: $28
- Private Transfer from Kota Kota Kinabalu Hotels to Kinabalu Port: $28
- Monsopiad Cultural Village Visit with Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu: $31
- Private Transfer- Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI: $32
- 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 Jerusalem or Kota Kinabalu?
Prices for flights to both Kota Kinabalu and Jerusalem 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 dayJerusalem $31Kota Kinabalu $15
Typical Food Prices in Jerusalem
Some typical examples of dining costs in Jerusalem are as follows:
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Orange Juice$2.65
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Watermelon$3.98
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Lunch$12
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Food at Market$15
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Juice$2.65
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Bagels$7.96
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Lunch for 2$14
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Snacks$5.57
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Jerusalem
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Jerusalem.
- Private Lunch or Dinner at a Local Traditional Restaurant from Dead Sea: $96
- Private Madaba Haret Jdoudna Restaurant Lunch or Dinner from Dead Sea: $115
- The Best Food Tour in Jerusalem-Perfect for Viral Travel Content: $117
- Christmas Eve in Israel: Jerusalem Sightseeing Tour with Dinner and Midnight Mass Viewing in Bethlehem: $125
- Experience Shabbat With Dinner In Jerusalem: $170
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.Jerusalem $8.43Kota Kinabalu $5.67
Typical Entertainment Prices in Jerusalem
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Jerusalem are as follows:
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Cooking Classes for 2$33
Tours and Activities in Jerusalem
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Jerusalem are as follows:
- 360 Virtual Tour of Ancient Jerusalem: $6.00
- In The Footsteps of Jesus Day Tour - Dguide Self Guiding App: $7.00
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Skip the Line:1.5Hour AudioTour - Yad Vashem Holocaust Remembrance Center Ticket: $11
- Bethlehem Christian Guided Tour: $20
- Independent graffiti tour in Jerusalem at your own time and pace: $22
- Self-Guided Tour at Machne Yehuda Market with Chef Tali Fridman: $25
- Old City Shabbat Experience and Walking Tour: $28
- Guided Walking Tour of the Old City: $30
- Guided Shabbat Experience in Jerusalem: $30
- Bethlehem Half Day Guided Group Tour : $30
- Old City Highlights Tour: $39
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
- Sunset E-Foil Experience in Tanjung Aru Beach: $47
- 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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayJerusalem $16Kota Kinabalu $6.34
Typical Alcohol Prices in Jerusalem
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Jerusalem are as follows:
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Beer$4.77
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Jerusalem and Kota Kinabalu, we can see that Jerusalem is more expensive. And not only is Kota Kinabalu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Jerusalem 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 Jerusalem would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Jerusalem 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 Jerusalem Expensive? and Is Kota Kinabalu Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Jerusalem or Kota Kinabalu?
Jerusalem has a larger population, and is about 56% larger than the population of Kota Kinabalu. When comparing the sizes of Jerusalem 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 Jerusalem 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 Jerusalem or Kota Kinabalu in the Summer?
Both Kota Kinabalu and Jerusalem are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Jerusalem 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 July, Jerusalem usually receives less rain than Kota Kinabalu. Jerusalem gets 10 mm (0.4 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 Jerusalem. Jerusalem usually receives more sunshine than Kota Kinabalu during summer. Jerusalem gets 364 hours of sunny skies, while Kota Kinabalu receives 205 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Jerusalem is generally cooler than Kota Kinabalu. Daily temperatures in Jerusalem average around 23°C (73°F), and Kota Kinabalu fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyJerusalem 23°C (73°F)Kota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Jerusalem or Kota Kinabalu in the Autumn?
Both Kota Kinabalu and Jerusalem during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Jerusalem 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. Jerusalem usually gets less rain in October than Kota Kinabalu. Jerusalem gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Kota Kinabalu receives 336 mm (13.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
It's quite sunny in Jerusalem. In the autumn, Jerusalem often gets more sunshine than Kota Kinabalu. Jerusalem gets 274 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kota Kinabalu receives 192 hours of full sun.
Jerusalem is cooler than Kota Kinabalu in the autumn. The daily temperature in Jerusalem averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Kota Kinabalu fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberJerusalem 19°C (66°F)Kota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Jerusalem or Kota Kinabalu in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Jerusalem and Kota Kinabalu. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Jerusalem year-round. Kota Kinabalu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Kota Kinabalu receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Jerusalem usually receives less rain than Kota Kinabalu. Jerusalem gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Kota Kinabalu receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
Jerusalem usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Kota Kinabalu during winter. Jerusalem gets 184 hours of sunny skies, while Kota Kinabalu receives 181 hours of full sun in the winter.
In the winter, Jerusalem is much colder than Kota Kinabalu. Typically, the winter temperatures in Jerusalem in January average around 8°C (46°F), and Kota Kinabalu averages at about 26°C (79°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryJerusalem 8°C (46°F)Kota Kinabalu 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Jerusalem or Kota Kinabalu in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Jerusalem as well as Kota Kinabalu. Jerusalem 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. Jerusalem usually gets less rain in April than Kota Kinabalu. Jerusalem gets 20 mm (0.8 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 Jerusalem this time of the year. In the spring, Jerusalem often gets more sunshine than Kota Kinabalu. Jerusalem gets 269 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kota Kinabalu receives 237 hours of full sun.
In April, Jerusalem is generally much colder than Kota Kinabalu. Daily temperatures in Jerusalem average around 16°C (61°F), and Kota Kinabalu fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilJerusalem 16°C (61°F)Kota Kinabalu 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Kota Kinabalu and Jerusalem
| Jerusalem | Kota Kinabalu | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 8°C (46°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) |
| Feb | 9°C (48°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Mar | 12°C (54°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (61°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| May | 19°C (66°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 291 mm (11.5 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 255 mm (10 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 285 mm (11.2 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 336 mm (13.2 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (59°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 298 mm (11.7 in) |
| Dec | 10°C (50°F) | 60 mm (2.4 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.