Which place is cheaper, Amsterdam or Kota Kinabalu?
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 Kota Kinabalu or Amsterdam?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Amsterdam? 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: Kota Kinabalu or Amsterdam?
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.
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the capital and most popular tourist destination in the Netherlands. Amsterdam is most famous for its canals that cross and weave around the city, but it also has a rich history, interesting culture, and liberal vibe that appeal to all types of travelers. The historical architecture, scenic bridges, and energetic cycling culture help this metropolitan area maintain its small town vibe, despite being the largest city in the country as well as the financial center.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Malaysia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia, The Best 10-Day Tours from Amsterdam, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Amsterdam.
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Kota Kinabalu Prices
Malaysia PricesAmsterdam Prices
Netherlands Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKota Kinabalu $68Amsterdam $248
The average daily cost (per person) in Kota Kinabalu is $68, while the average daily cost in Amsterdam is $248. 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 Kota Kinabalu and Amsterdam in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKota Kinabalu $21Amsterdam $120
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKota Kinabalu $42Amsterdam $240
Compare Hotels in Kota Kinabalu and Amsterdam
Looking for a hotel in Kota Kinabalu or Amsterdam? 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 and Amsterdam Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kota Kinabalu $25Amsterdam $23
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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Amsterdam
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Amsterdam:
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Ride on Tram$3.75
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Renting a Bike$18
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One Hour Canal Cruise$12
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Single Day Transit Pass$3.05
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Transit Pass to Amsterdam Airport$3.99
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Amsterdam
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Amsterdam:
- Train Transfer Amsterdam from/to Leiden: $15
- Private Amsterdam Schiphol Airport Transfer Service: $40
- Transfer: Amsterdam City Center to Airport Schiphol (AMS): $41
- From Keukenhof Gardens Ticket and Transfer: $41
- Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS) Departure transfer from Amsterdam City: $42
- Private Amsterdam Local Transfer to/from any Location: $49
- Amsterdam Airport & Non-Airport Private Transfer to City Center: $58
- Keukenhof Gardens with Windmill Cruise & Transfer from Amsterdam: $66
- Amsterdam City to Schiphol Airport Transfer: $73
- Amsterdam Private Local Transfer: $76
- Private Transfer from Amsterdam Hotels to Amsterdam Cruise Port : $77
- Amsterdam Cruise Port to Amsterdam hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $77
Is it cheaper to fly into Kota Kinabalu or Amsterdam?
Prices for flights to both Amsterdam and Kota Kinabalu 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 dayKota Kinabalu $30Amsterdam $94
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kota Kinabalu
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kota Kinabalu.
- Sabah Traditional Authentic Cuisine Cooking Class 3 Hours: $29
- Beringgis Mangove Fireflies, Sunset Tour & Dinner: $33
- 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
Typical Food Prices in Amsterdam
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Amsterdam:
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Afternoon Tea$7.04
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Amsterdam
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Amsterdam.
- Amsterdam Self-Guided Food Tour in De Pijp Neighbourhood : $11
- Stroopwafel & Secrets: Amsterdam Street Food Tour de Pijp : $42
- Bike Rental and Dinner or Lunch: $52
- Amsterdam Nightlife Ticket & VIP Dinner at Hard Rock Café: $61
- 3-course Dinner in the Dark Amsterdam: $63
- 3-course dinner party at a secret pop-up restaurant: $72
- Bens Local Food Tour - 8 Tastings: $78
- Amsterdam Music Tour with Dinner: $86
- Small-Group Guided Sunset Canoe Tour in Waterland with Dinner: $94
- Dutch Food Tour with local guide: $94
- Amsterdam-West Food Tour with local guide: $102
- Dinner Canal Cruise 4-Courses Including Drinks: $107
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kota Kinabalu $6.43Amsterdam $44
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 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
- Klias Wildlife Safari River Cruise from Kota Kinabalu: $58
Typical Entertainment Prices in Amsterdam
Here are a few typical costs in Amsterdam for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Two tickets to the Houseboat Museum$7.04
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Entry for two to the Anne Frank House$20
Tours and Activities in Amsterdam
Here are a few actual costs in Amsterdam for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- The Anne Frank Tour Amsterdam: $3.59
- The Classic Walking Tour of Amsterdam | 2 Hours with a Local: $3.59
- Bill's Bike Tour - Rent a Flower Bike in Amsterdam: $5.00
- Amsterdam Tour through its most famous Icons: $6.01
- Amsterdam Center Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self Guided Tour: $6.45
- Amsterdam (Museum Quarter) Scavenger Hunt and Self-Guided Tour: $6.45
- Red Light District Amsterdam Tour with Audioguide: $8.40
- Amsterdam Interactive City Tour: $8.42
- WW2 Jewish & Anne Frank Amsterdam Smartphone Guided Walking Tour: $9.75
- Amsterdam's Red Light District: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
- Old A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
- Volendam Marken Express Boat Cruise: $12
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKota Kinabalu $7.18Amsterdam $28
Sample the Local Flavors in Amsterdam
Also in Amsterdam, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Original Amsterdam Pub Crawl: $29
- City Centre Bar Crawl and Nightlife Experience: $30
- Amsterdam Craft Beer Brewery Tour by Bus with Tastings : $78
- New Year's Eve Pub Crawl With Optional Club Entrance: $84
- Dutch Wine Tasting Experience: $141
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kota Kinabalu and Amsterdam, we can see that Amsterdam is more expensive. And not only is Kota Kinabalu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kota Kinabalu is in Asia and Amsterdam is in Europe, 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 Amsterdam would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Amsterdam 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 Kota Kinabalu Expensive? and Is Amsterdam Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kota Kinabalu or Amsterdam?
Amsterdam has a larger population, and is about 62% larger than the population of Kota Kinabalu. When comparing the sizes of Kota Kinabalu and Amsterdam, 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 Kota Kinabalu or Amsterdam?
Amsterdam has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Kota Kinabalu experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Amsterdam in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kota Kinabalu and Amsterdam. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kota Kinabalu year-round. Also, many visitors come to Amsterdam in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Kota Kinabalu is generally much warmer than Amsterdam. Daily temperatures in Kota Kinabalu average around 27°C (81°F), and Amsterdam fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Amsterdam this time of the year. In Kota Kinabalu, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kota Kinabalu usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Amsterdam during summer. Kota Kinabalu gets 205 hours of sunny skies, while Amsterdam receives 204 hours of full sun in the summer.
Kota Kinabalu gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Kota Kinabalu usually receives more rain than Amsterdam. Kota Kinabalu gets 255 mm (10 in) of rain, while Amsterdam receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Amsterdam 17°C (62°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Amsterdam in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Kota Kinabalu as well as Amsterdam. Kota Kinabalu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Amsterdam for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
Kota Kinabalu is much warmer than Amsterdam in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kota Kinabalu averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Amsterdam fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
In the autumn, Kota Kinabalu often gets more sunshine than Amsterdam. Kota Kinabalu gets 192 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Amsterdam receives 99 hours of full sun.
Kota Kinabalu receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Kota Kinabalu usually gets more rain in October than Amsterdam. Kota Kinabalu gets 336 mm (13.2 in) of rain, while Amsterdam receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Amsterdam 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Amsterdam in the Winter?
Both Amsterdam and Kota Kinabalu are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kota Kinabalu throughout the year. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Amsterdam because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Amsterdam can be very cold. In the winter, Kota Kinabalu is much warmer than Amsterdam. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kota Kinabalu in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Amsterdam averages at about 2°C (36°F).
Kota Kinabalu usually receives more sunshine than Amsterdam during winter. Kota Kinabalu gets 181 hours of sunny skies, while Amsterdam receives 46 hours of full sun in the winter.
It's quite rainy in Kota Kinabalu. In January, Kota Kinabalu usually receives more rain than Amsterdam. Kota Kinabalu gets 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Amsterdam receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKota Kinabalu 26°C (79°F)Amsterdam 2°C (36°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Amsterdam in the Spring?
Both Amsterdam and Kota Kinabalu during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Kota Kinabalu because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Amsterdam this time of year.
In April, Kota Kinabalu is generally much warmer than Amsterdam. Daily temperatures in Kota Kinabalu average around 28°C (82°F), and Amsterdam fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).
It's quite sunny in Kota Kinabalu. In the spring, Kota Kinabalu often gets more sunshine than Amsterdam. Kota Kinabalu gets 237 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Amsterdam receives 166 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kota Kinabalu. Kota Kinabalu usually gets more rain in April than Amsterdam. Kota Kinabalu gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Amsterdam receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKota Kinabalu 28°C (82°F)Amsterdam 8°C (46°F)
Typical Weather for Amsterdam and Kota Kinabalu
| Kota Kinabalu | Amsterdam | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (80°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 291 mm (11.5 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 285 mm (11.2 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 336 mm (13.2 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 298 mm (11.7 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 80 mm (3.1 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.