Which place is cheaper, Kota Kinabalu or Koh Lanta?
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 Koh Lanta 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 Koh Lanta 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: Koh Lanta or Kota Kinabalu?
Koh Lanta
Located on the southern coast of Thailand is a place populated by long beaches and diving hotspots. Consisting of several islands, Koh Lanta is a large island with nine beaches along the coast. The beautiful scenery makes this a quiet and relaxing spot for tourists. The crowds on this island tend to be older than the party-seekers on Ko Phi Phi so you'll find more activities like serene walks on the beach or travelers catching a sunset.
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 Eco Tours in Thailand, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Thailand, The Best Luxury Tours to Malaysia, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia.
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Koh Lanta Prices
Thailand PricesKota Kinabalu Prices
Malaysia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKoh Lanta $64Kota Kinabalu $68
The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Lanta is $64, 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 Koh Lanta and Kota Kinabalu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKoh Lanta $28Kota Kinabalu $21
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKoh Lanta $56Kota Kinabalu $42
Compare Hotels in Koh Lanta and Kota Kinabalu
Looking for a hotel in Koh Lanta 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: Koh Lanta Hotel Prices and Kota Kinabalu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Koh Lanta $6.52Kota Kinabalu $25
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Lanta
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Koh Lanta:
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Ferry from Koh Phi Phi to Koh Lanta$19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kota Kinabalu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kota Kinabalu:
- Kota Kinab Airport to Kota Kinabalu - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $48
- Kota Kinabalu Airport (BKI) Private Transfer to Kota Kinabalu: $13
- Kota Kinabalu Airport (BKI) to Borneo - Arrival Private Transfer: $38
- Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI to Borneo - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $77
- Kota Kinabalu Hotel to Jetty Round Trip Transfer: $53
- Kota Kinabalu to Kota Kinab Airport: Departure Private Transfer: $24
- Kota Kinabalu（BKI）: Private Transfer to City Center: $14
- Private Arrival Transfer : Kota Kinabalu International Airport: $30
- Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Hotels to Kota Kinabalu Port: $25
- Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu hotels: $25
- Private Transfer- Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI to Kota Kinabalu Port: $25
- Private Transfer- Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI: $25
Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Lanta or Kota Kinabalu?
Prices for flights to both Kota Kinabalu and Koh Lanta 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 dayKoh Lanta $21Kota Kinabalu $30
Typical Food Prices in Koh Lanta
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Koh Lanta:
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Casual Breakfast$5.02
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Casual Lunch$8.48
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Casual Dinner$14
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Fancy Dinner (for Two)$53
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
- 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.Koh Lanta $35Kota Kinabalu $6.43
Typical Entertainment Prices in Koh Lanta
Here are a few typical costs in Koh Lanta for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Emerald Cave Tour$22
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Yoga Session (1 Hour)$11
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 Safari Cruise, Private or Shared Ticket: $48
- 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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKoh Lanta $4.36Kota Kinabalu $7.18
When comparing the travel costs between Koh Lanta 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 Koh Lanta Expensive? and Is Kota Kinabalu Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Koh Lanta or Kota Kinabalu?
Kota Kinabalu has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of Koh Lanta. When comparing the sizes of Koh Lanta 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 Koh Lanta 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 Koh Lanta or Kota Kinabalu in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Lanta and Kota Kinabalu. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Lanta year-round. Kota Kinabalu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Also, June to September is the rainy season in Koh Lanta. Kota Kinabalu receives a lot of rain in the summer. Koh Lanta gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Koh Lanta usually receives around the same amount of rain as Kota Kinabalu. Koh Lanta gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Kota Kinabalu receives 255 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the summer.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kota Kinabalu this time of the year. In Koh Lanta, it's very sunny this time of the year. Koh Lanta usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Kota Kinabalu during summer. Koh Lanta gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Kota Kinabalu receives 205 hours of full sun in the summer.
In the summer, Koh Lanta is around the same temperature as Kota Kinabalu. Typically, the summer temperatures in Koh Lanta in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Kota Kinabalu averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKoh Lanta 27°C (81°F)Kota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Koh Lanta or Kota Kinabalu in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Koh Lanta as well as Kota Kinabalu. Koh Lanta 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. Koh Lanta receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Koh Lanta usually gets less rain in October than Kota Kinabalu. Koh Lanta gets 281 mm (11.1 in) of rain, while Kota Kinabalu receives 336 mm (13.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the autumn, Koh Lanta often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Kota Kinabalu. Koh Lanta gets 181 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kota Kinabalu receives 192 hours of full sun.
In October, Koh Lanta is generally around the same temperature as Kota Kinabalu. Daily temperatures in Koh Lanta average around 27°C (81°F), and Kota Kinabalu fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKoh Lanta 27°C (81°F)Kota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Koh Lanta or Kota Kinabalu in the Winter?
Both Kota Kinabalu and Koh Lanta are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Lanta 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 Koh Lanta is January to April. It rains a lot this time of the year in Kota Kinabalu. In January, Koh Lanta usually receives less rain than Kota Kinabalu. Koh Lanta gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Kota Kinabalu receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Koh Lanta. Koh Lanta usually receives more sunshine than Kota Kinabalu during winter. Koh Lanta gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Kota Kinabalu receives 181 hours of full sun in the winter.
Koh Lanta is around the same temperature as Kota Kinabalu in the winter. The daily temperature in Koh Lanta averages around 27°C (80°F) in January, and Kota Kinabalu fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKoh Lanta 27°C (80°F)Kota Kinabalu 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Koh Lanta or Kota Kinabalu in the Spring?
Both Kota Kinabalu and Koh Lanta during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Lanta because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kota Kinabalu year-round.
January to April is the dry season in Koh Lanta. June to September is the rainy season in Koh Lanta. Kota Kinabalu gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Lanta. Koh Lanta usually gets more rain in April than Kota Kinabalu. Koh Lanta gets 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Kota Kinabalu receives 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Kota Kinabalu, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Koh Lanta. In the spring, Koh Lanta often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Kota Kinabalu. Koh Lanta gets 249 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kota Kinabalu receives 237 hours of full sun.
In the spring, Koh Lanta is around the same temperature as Kota Kinabalu. Typically, the spring temperatures in Koh Lanta in April average around 29°C (85°F), and Kota Kinabalu averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKoh Lanta 29°C (85°F)Kota Kinabalu 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Kota Kinabalu and Koh Lanta
| Koh Lanta | Kota Kinabalu | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (80°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (85°F) | 124 mm (4.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 244 mm (9.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 224 mm (8.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 291 mm (11.5 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 269 mm (10.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 255 mm (10 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 262 mm (10.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 355 mm (14 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 285 mm (11.2 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 281 mm (11.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 336 mm (13.2 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 204 mm (8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 298 mm (11.7 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 116 mm (4.6 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.