Which place is cheaper, Kota Kinabalu or Koh Samet?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Koh Samet or Kota Kinabalu?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Koh Samet 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: Koh Samet or Kota Kinabalu?
Koh Samet
The country of Thailand is full of some of the world's most stunning beauty and peaceful settings. So it begs the question, where the Thai people go to get away from it all? They go to Ko Samet on the eastern gulf coast. Located just outside of Bangkok, Ko Samet provides visitors an easily accessible and desirable weekend getaway spot. With white beaches and coral of every other color, this island has steadily developed over the last few years without an intense construction increase like many other Thai beaches. Once thought to be the home of pirates, this island provides plenty to wonder about including, are there hidden treasures under that gorgeous white sand?
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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Thailand, The Best 2-Week Tours in Thailand, The Best Luxury Tours to Malaysia, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKoh Samet $96Kota Kinabalu $49
The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Samet is $96, 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 Koh Samet and Kota Kinabalu in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKoh Samet $32Kota Kinabalu $18
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKoh Samet $64Kota Kinabalu $36
Compare Hotels in Koh Samet and Kota Kinabalu
Looking for a hotel in Koh Samet 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 Samet Hotel Prices and Kota Kinabalu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Koh Samet $68Kota Kinabalu $22
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 Koh Samet or Kota Kinabalu?
Prices for flights to both Kota Kinabalu and Koh Samet 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
-
Food Meals for one dayKoh Samet $27Kota Kinabalu $15
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
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Koh Samet $8.96Kota Kinabalu $5.67
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
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayKoh Samet $4.68Kota Kinabalu $6.34
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Samet and Kota Kinabalu, we can see that Koh Samet is more expensive. And not only is Kota Kinabalu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Koh Samet would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Koh Samet 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 Koh Samet Expensive? and Is Kota Kinabalu Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Koh Samet 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 Samet or Kota Kinabalu in the Summer?
Both Kota Kinabalu and Koh Samet are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Samet 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 Koh Samet. In July, Koh Samet usually receives less rain than Kota Kinabalu. Koh Samet gets 174 mm (6.9 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. Koh Samet usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Kota Kinabalu during summer. Koh Samet gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Kota Kinabalu receives 205 hours of full sun in the summer.
In the summer, Koh Samet is around the same temperature as Kota Kinabalu. Typically, the summer temperatures in Koh Samet in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Kota Kinabalu averages at about 27°C (81°F).
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyKoh Samet 28°C (82°F)Kota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Koh Samet or Kota Kinabalu in the Autumn?
Both Kota Kinabalu and Koh Samet during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Samet 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. It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Samet. Koh Samet usually gets less rain in October than Kota Kinabalu. Koh Samet gets 276 mm (10.9 in) of rain, while Kota Kinabalu receives 336 mm (13.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the autumn, Koh Samet often gets less sunshine than Kota Kinabalu. Koh Samet gets 167 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kota Kinabalu receives 192 hours of full sun.
In October, Koh Samet is generally around the same temperature as Kota Kinabalu. Daily temperatures in Koh Samet average around 27°C (81°F), and Kota Kinabalu fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKoh Samet 27°C (81°F)Kota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Koh Samet or Kota Kinabalu in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Samet and Kota Kinabalu. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Samet 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, Koh Samet usually receives less rain than Kota Kinabalu. Koh Samet gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Kota Kinabalu receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
In Koh Samet, it's very sunny this time of the year. Koh Samet usually receives more sunshine than Kota Kinabalu during winter. Koh Samet gets 255 hours of sunny skies, while Kota Kinabalu receives 181 hours of full sun in the winter.
Koh Samet is around the same temperature as Kota Kinabalu in the winter. The daily temperature in Koh Samet averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Kota Kinabalu fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKoh Samet 25°C (77°F)Kota Kinabalu 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Koh Samet or Kota Kinabalu in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Koh Samet as well as Kota Kinabalu. Koh Samet 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 Samet usually gets less rain in April than Kota Kinabalu. Koh Samet gets 74 mm (2.9 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 Koh Samet this time of the year. In the spring, Koh Samet often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Kota Kinabalu. Koh Samet gets 239 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kota Kinabalu receives 237 hours of full sun.
In the spring, Koh Samet is around the same temperature as Kota Kinabalu. Typically, the spring temperatures in Koh Samet in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Kota Kinabalu averages at about 28°C (82°F).
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilKoh Samet 29°C (84°F)Kota Kinabalu 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Kota Kinabalu and Koh Samet
| Koh Samet | Kota Kinabalu | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (80°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 291 mm (11.5 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 255 mm (10 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 285 mm (11.2 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 336 mm (13.2 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 380 mm (15 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 298 mm (11.7 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 118 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.