Which place is cheaper, Kota Kinabalu or Koh Samui?
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 Samui or Kota Kinabalu?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Koh Samui or Kota Kinabalu? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Koh Samui or Kota Kinabalu?
Koh Samui
The largest island on the east coast of southern Thailand, Ko Samui (or Koh Samui) sees a good number of visitors every year who come for its lush rainforest, beautiful shores, and undersea wildlife. The size of the island is still small enough to allow visitors to circumnavigate it with a taxi or motorbike in a day, while hikers and outdoor enthusiasts can find plenty of inland activities in the hills and jungle.
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 Tours Under $1000 in Thailand, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, The Best Luxury Tours to Malaysia, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia.
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Koh Samui Prices
Thailand PricesKota Kinabalu Prices
Malaysia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKoh Samui $76Kota Kinabalu $70
The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Samui is $76, while the average daily cost in Kota Kinabalu is $70. 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 Samui and Kota Kinabalu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKoh Samui $25Kota Kinabalu $21
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKoh Samui $50Kota Kinabalu $42
Compare Hotels in Koh Samui and Kota Kinabalu
Looking for a hotel in Koh Samui 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 Samui Hotel Prices and Kota Kinabalu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Koh Samui $19Kota Kinabalu $26
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Samui
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Koh Samui:
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Scooter Rental$2.27
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Gas for Scooter$1.21
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Airport Taxi$13
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Taxi- Na Thon Pier to Lamai Beach$13
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Minibus- Airport to Chaweng$3.63
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Koh Samui
Also for Koh Samui, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Airport Transfer in Koh Samui Sedan 1-3 PAX: $14
- Private Transfer : Koh Samui Airport Arrival to Koh Samui Hotel (SHA Plus): $15
- Koh Samui Private Airport Transfer: $16
- Private Koh Samui Airport Transfer with Meet & Greet: $17
- Ko Samui Airport to Ko Samui - Arrival Private Transfer: $18
- Koh Samui Airport to Hotel Transfer – Arrival & Departure: $19
- Private Transfer from Ko Samui island hotels to Ko Samui Port: $19
- Private Transfer from Ko Samui Cruise Port to Ko Samui Hotels: $19
- Private Transfer from Ko Samui hotels to Ko Samui Cruise Port: $19
- Private Transfer from Ko Samui Airport (USM) to Ko Samui Port: $19
- Ferry Transfers between Ko Pha-ngan and Koh Tao: $22
- Private Taxi Transfer from Samui Airport to Koh Samui Main Areas: $23
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: $76
- Kota Kinabalu Hotel to Jetty Round Trip Transfer: $55
- Borneo to Kota Kinabalu Airport(BKI) - Departure Private Transfer: $38
- Private Transfer: Kota Kinabalu International Airport to/from Hotel: $30
- Private Departure Transfer : Kota Kinabalu International Airport: $27
- Kota Kinabalu Airport (BKI) Private Transfer to Kota Kinabalu: $25
- Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu hotels: $25
- Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Hotels to Kota Kinabalu Port: $25
- Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI to Kota Kinabalu Port: $25
- Kota Kinabalu（BKI）: Private Transfer to City Center: $14
- Private Airport Transfer: BKI Airport ⇄ Kota Kinabalu City(Hotel): $14
Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Samui or Kota Kinabalu?
Prices for flights to both Kota Kinabalu and Koh Samui 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 Samui $37Kota Kinabalu $31
Typical Food Prices in Koh Samui
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Koh Samui:
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$6.51
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Koh Samui
For Koh Samui, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Koh Samui Local Market Hin Ta Hin Yai and Beach Dinner: $36
- Samui Suppers Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $59
- Coconut Corners Samui Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $59
- Half Day Pig Island Snorkeling Trip with Sunset Dinner from Samui: $60
- Thai Cooking Class with Local Market Tour in Koh Samui: $70
- Thai Cooking Masterclass by the Sea on Koh Samui: $72
- Red Baron Sunset Dinner Cruise: $77
- Thai Cooking Class from Koh Samui with Local Market: $78
- Sunset Dinner Cruise: $78
- Cooking Class in Koh Samui with Micro Organic Garden: $79
- Thai Cooking Class in Koh Samui with Market Tour: $79
- Thai Cooking Class in Koh Samui: $80
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
- Traditional Sabah Cooking Class and Taste Local Flavors: $76
- North Borneo Sunset Dinner Cruise: $121
- Kota Kinabalu Sunset Cruise with Dinner, Live Band & Hotel Pickup: $191
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Koh Samui $12Kota Kinabalu $6.70
Tours and Activities in Koh Samui
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Koh Samui.
- Coconut Soap Making Demo and Experience Koh Samui Class@13:30 pm.: $2.35
- Kanchanaburi Mallika City Thai Cultural Tour Experience: $7.84
- Koh Samui Paris Follies Cabaret Spectacular Evening Show Ticket: $17
- Sky Bicycle Jungle Adventure Tour from Koh Samui: $17
- Paris Follies Cabaret Evening Entertainment Ticket from Koh Samui: $18
- Create Your Own Crystal Aroma Oil Ritual Experience: $20
- Koh Samui Half Day Island Guided Tour: $23
- Koh Samui Chaweng Beach Nightlife Walking Tour: $24
- Koh Samui Sightseeing Tour Around The Island: $27
- High Speed Karting Fun Adventure at EasyKart from Koh Samui: $28
- Scenic Half Day Island Highlights Tour in Koh Samui: $29
- City Tour Around Koh Samui: $30
Tours and Activities in Kota Kinabalu
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kota Kinabalu are as follows:
- 2 Hour Kota Kinabalu Local Street Food and History Walking Tour: $47
- Bongawan River Cruise Proboscis Monkey, SkyMirror, Fireflies: $55
- Bongawan Rivercruise a Proboscis Monkey and Fireflies: $78
- Bongawan: River Safari Cruise, Private or Shared Ticket: $48
- Borneo (Klias) River Cruise & Fireflies Tour: $50
- Borneo Combo Adventure: $200
- 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: $89
- From Kota Kinabalu : Kiulu White Water Rafting Tour + meal: $66
- Full Day Bongawan River Cruise with Proboscis Monkey Sightseeing: $57
- Full Day Tour in Mantanani: $150
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKoh Samui $5.14Kota Kinabalu $7.48
When comparing the travel costs between Koh Samui and Kota Kinabalu, we can see that Koh Samui 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 Samui Expensive? and Is Kota Kinabalu Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Koh Samui or Kota Kinabalu?
Kota Kinabalu has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Koh Samui. When comparing the sizes of Koh Samui 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 Samui or Kota Kinabalu?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Koh Samui or Kota Kinabalu in the Summer?
Both Kota Kinabalu and Koh Samui during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Samui 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 Samui. Koh Samui usually gets less rain in July than Kota Kinabalu. Koh Samui gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Kota Kinabalu receives 255 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year.
Koh Samui is cooler than Kota Kinabalu in the summer. The daily temperature in Koh Samui averages around 24°C (76°F) in July, and Kota Kinabalu fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKoh Samui 24°C (76°F)Kota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Koh Samui or Kota Kinabalu in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Samui and Kota Kinabalu. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Samui year-round. Kota Kinabalu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
December to February in Koh Samui is the dry season. Also, October to December is the rainy season in Koh Samui. Kota Kinabalu receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Koh Samui gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Koh Samui usually receives less rain than Kota Kinabalu. Koh Samui gets 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain, while Kota Kinabalu receives 336 mm (13.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In the autumn, Koh Samui is cooler than Kota Kinabalu. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Koh Samui in October average around 24°C (75°F), and Kota Kinabalu averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKoh Samui 24°C (75°F)Kota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Koh Samui or Kota Kinabalu in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Koh Samui as well as Kota Kinabalu. Koh Samui attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kota Kinabalu throughout the year.
Also, December to February in Koh Samui is the dry season. It's quite rainy in Kota Kinabalu. Koh Samui usually gets less rain in January than Kota Kinabalu. Koh Samui gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Kota Kinabalu receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
In January, Koh Samui is generally cooler than Kota Kinabalu. Daily temperatures in Koh Samui average around 22°C (72°F), and Kota Kinabalu fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKoh Samui 22°C (72°F)Kota Kinabalu 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Koh Samui or Kota Kinabalu in the Spring?
Both Kota Kinabalu and Koh Samui are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Samui 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 April, Koh Samui usually receives less rain than Kota Kinabalu. Koh Samui gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Kota Kinabalu receives 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Koh Samui is cooler than Kota Kinabalu in the spring. The daily temperature in Koh Samui averages around 24°C (76°F) in April, and Kota Kinabalu fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKoh Samui 24°C (76°F)Kota Kinabalu 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Kota Kinabalu and Koh Samui
| Koh Samui | Kota Kinabalu | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 22°C (72°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) |
| Feb | 22°C (72°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Mar | 23°C (74°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 24°C (76°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| May | 25°C (77°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (77°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 291 mm (11.5 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (76°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 255 mm (10 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (76°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (76°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 285 mm (11.2 in) |
| Oct | 24°C (75°F) | 240 mm (9.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 336 mm (13.2 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (74°F) | 335 mm (13.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 298 mm (11.7 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 134 mm (5.3 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.