Which place is cheaper, Kota Kinabalu or Koh Tarutao?
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 Tarutao 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 Koh Tarutao 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: Koh Tarutao or Kota Kinabalu?
Koh Tarutao
While much of Thailand has been built up into a tourist destination of hotels and resorts, there are spots that are still untouched and covered in the beauty of this part of the world. The unspoiled regions of the Ko Tarutao Marine National Park is 51 islands of rainforest ready for visitors. Established in 1974, the park is the second oldest in the country, and was the setting for the 2002 season of the reality television show Survivor. The park includes stunning coral reefs, pristine white beaches and wildlife of all shapes and sizes. Trek through and keep your eyes out for mouse deer, wild pigs, sea otters, tree pythons, sea eagles, hornbills, reef egrets and so much more.
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 Sightseeing Tours in Thailand, The Best Cultural Tours in Thailand, The Best Luxury Tours to Malaysia, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia.
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Koh Tarutao Prices
Thailand PricesKota Kinabalu Prices
Malaysia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKoh Tarutao $137Kota Kinabalu $68
The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Tarutao is $137, 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 Tarutao and Kota Kinabalu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKoh Tarutao $57Kota Kinabalu $21
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKoh Tarutao $114Kota Kinabalu $42
Compare Hotels in Koh Tarutao and Kota Kinabalu
Looking for a hotel in Koh Tarutao 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: Kota Kinabalu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Koh Tarutao $39Kota Kinabalu $25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kota Kinabalu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kota Kinabalu:
- Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI to Kota Kinabalu Port: $25
- Stand Up Paddle Boarding with Sunrise/Sunset Tour at Kota Kinabalu with transfer: $32
- Private Transfer: Kota Kinabalu International Airport to/from Hotel: $20
- Private Transfer- Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI: $25
- Private Transfer- Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI to Kota Kinabalu Port: $25
- Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu hotels: $25
- Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Hotels to Kota Kinabalu Port: $25
- Private Arrival Transfer : Kota Kinabalu International Airport: $30
- Kota Kinabalu（BKI）: Private Transfer to City Center: $14
- Kota Kinabalu to Kota Kinab Airport: Departure Private Transfer: $24
- Kota Kinabalu Hotel to Jetty Round Trip Transfer: $53
- Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI to Borneo - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $77
Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Tarutao or Kota Kinabalu?
Prices for flights to both Kota Kinabalu and Koh Tarutao 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 Tarutao $56Kota Kinabalu $30
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 Tarutao $17Kota Kinabalu $6.43
Tours and Activities in Kota Kinabalu
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kota Kinabalu are as follows:
- Sky-Mirror Photographing and Proboscis Monkey & Fireflies Watching River-Cruise: $46
- Bongawan River Cruise Proboscis Monkey, SkyMirror, Fireflies : $49
- 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
- From Kota Kinabalu : Kiulu White Water Rafting Tour + meal: $66
- Full Day Bongawan River Cruise with Proboscis Monkey Sightseeing: $55
- Indigenous Weaving Experience: $236
- Island Hopping Tour (2 Island) From Kota Kinabalu: $100
- Island Hopping Tour From Kota Kinabalu (2 island): $90
- Kinabalu National Park Tour: $135
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKoh Tarutao $8.08Kota Kinabalu $7.18
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Tarutao and Kota Kinabalu, we can see that Koh Tarutao 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 Tarutao would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Koh Tarutao 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 Tarutao Expensive? and Is Kota Kinabalu Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Koh Tarutao 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 Tarutao or Kota Kinabalu in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Koh Tarutao as well as Kota Kinabalu. Koh Tarutao 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 Tarutao receives a lot of rain in the summer. Koh Tarutao usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Kota Kinabalu. Koh Tarutao gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Kota Kinabalu receives 255 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year.
Koh Tarutao is around the same temperature as Kota Kinabalu in the summer. The daily temperature in Koh Tarutao averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Kota Kinabalu fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKoh Tarutao 27°C (81°F)Kota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Koh Tarutao or Kota Kinabalu in the Autumn?
Both Kota Kinabalu and Koh Tarutao are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Tarutao 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 Tarutao is November to April. The rainy season in Koh Tarutao is May and October. It rains a lot this time of the year in Kota Kinabalu. It's quite rainy in Koh Tarutao. In October, Koh Tarutao usually receives less rain than Kota Kinabalu. Koh Tarutao gets 281 mm (11.1 in) of rain, while Kota Kinabalu receives 336 mm (13.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In the autumn, Koh Tarutao is around the same temperature as Kota Kinabalu. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Koh Tarutao in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Kota Kinabalu averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKoh Tarutao 27°C (81°F)Kota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Koh Tarutao or Kota Kinabalu in the Winter?
Both Kota Kinabalu and Koh Tarutao during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Tarutao 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. Koh Tarutao usually gets less rain in January than Kota Kinabalu. Koh Tarutao gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Kota Kinabalu receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
In January, Koh Tarutao is generally around the same temperature as Kota Kinabalu. Daily temperatures in Koh Tarutao average around 27°C (80°F), and Kota Kinabalu fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKoh Tarutao 27°C (80°F)Kota Kinabalu 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Koh Tarutao or Kota Kinabalu in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Tarutao and Kota Kinabalu. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Tarutao year-round. Kota Kinabalu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
November to April in Koh Tarutao is the dry season. Also, May and October is the rainy season in Koh Tarutao. Kota Kinabalu receives a lot of rain in the spring. Koh Tarutao gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Koh Tarutao usually receives more rain than Kota Kinabalu. Koh Tarutao gets 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Kota Kinabalu receives 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Koh Tarutao is around the same temperature as Kota Kinabalu in the spring. The daily temperature in Koh Tarutao averages around 29°C (85°F) in April, and Kota Kinabalu fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKoh Tarutao 29°C (85°F)Kota Kinabalu 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Kota Kinabalu and Koh Tarutao
| Koh Tarutao | Kota Kinabalu | |||
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| 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.