Which place is cheaper, Atami 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 Atami?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Atami? 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 Atami?
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.
Atami
Sharing a home with the famous Mount Fuji inside the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, Atami is a Japanese city set on the seaside of the Izu Peninsula. With volcanic hills and natural hot springs, visitors are very much drawn to the unique landscape of the place. There are many hot springs resorts that take advantage of the area's natural features, which have been attracting visitors since the 8th century.
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 Tokyo, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo.
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Kota Kinabalu Prices
Malaysia PricesAtami Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKota Kinabalu $68Atami $108
The average daily cost (per person) in Kota Kinabalu is $68, while the average daily cost in Atami is $108. 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 Atami in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKota Kinabalu $21Atami $44
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKota Kinabalu $42Atami $88
Compare Hotels in Kota Kinabalu and Atami
Looking for a hotel in Kota Kinabalu or Atami? 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 Atami Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kota Kinabalu $25Atami $37
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 Kota Kinabalu or Atami?
Prices for flights to both Atami 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 $30Atami $43
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.Kota Kinabalu $6.43Atami $7.96
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
Tours and Activities in Atami
For Atami, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Experience Tea Ceremony at a Traditional Japanese Inn : $46
- Japanese Traditional Music Experience: $48
- Odawara Ramen Crawl Experience: Visit 2 Iconic Shops: $52
- 2025 1 Day Winter Sumo Official Provincial Tour at Odawara: $104
- Ninja, Samurai, Odawara Castle Experience: $138
- Odawara Castle and Town Guided Discovery Tour: $138
- Odawara to Hakone Scenic Adventure: $172
- Hakone customized private one day tour: $173
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKota Kinabalu $7.18Atami $5.65
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kota Kinabalu and Atami, we can see that Atami 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 Atami would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Atami 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 Atami Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kota Kinabalu or Atami?
Kota Kinabalu has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Atami. When comparing the sizes of Kota Kinabalu and Atami, 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 Atami?
Atami 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 Atami in the Summer?
Both Atami and Kota Kinabalu during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Kota Kinabalu because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Atami for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Kota Kinabalu is generally around the same temperature as Atami. Daily temperatures in Kota Kinabalu average around 27°C (81°F), and Atami fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
It's quite sunny in Kota Kinabalu. In the summer, Kota Kinabalu often gets more sunshine than Atami. Kota Kinabalu gets 205 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Atami receives 140 hours of full sun.
Atami gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Kota Kinabalu. Kota Kinabalu usually gets more rain in July than Atami. Kota Kinabalu gets 255 mm (10 in) of rain, while Atami receives 202 mm (8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Atami 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Atami in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Kota Kinabalu and Atami. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kota Kinabalu year-round. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Atami because of the shopping scene.
Kota Kinabalu is much warmer than Atami in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kota Kinabalu averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Atami fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
Kota Kinabalu usually receives more sunshine than Atami during autumn. Kota Kinabalu gets 192 hours of sunny skies, while Atami receives 130 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Atami receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Kota Kinabalu gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Kota Kinabalu usually receives more rain than Atami. Kota Kinabalu gets 336 mm (13.2 in) of rain, while Atami receives 154 mm (6.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Atami 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Atami in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Kota Kinabalu as well as Atami. Kota Kinabalu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Atami this time of year.
In the winter, Kota Kinabalu is much warmer than Atami. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kota Kinabalu in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Atami averages at about 5°C (42°F).
In the winter, Kota Kinabalu often gets more sunshine than Atami. Kota Kinabalu gets 181 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Atami receives 162 hours of full sun.
Kota Kinabalu receives a lot of rain in the winter. Kota Kinabalu usually gets more rain in January than Atami. Kota Kinabalu gets 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Atami receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKota Kinabalu 26°C (79°F)Atami 5°C (42°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Atami in the Spring?
Both Atami and Kota Kinabalu are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kota Kinabalu throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Atami for the beaches.
In April, Kota Kinabalu is generally much warmer than Atami. Daily temperatures in Kota Kinabalu average around 28°C (82°F), and Atami fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kota Kinabalu. Kota Kinabalu usually receives more sunshine than Atami during spring. Kota Kinabalu gets 237 hours of sunny skies, while Atami receives 161 hours of full sun in the spring.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Atami. It's quite rainy in Kota Kinabalu. In April, Kota Kinabalu usually receives less rain than Atami. Kota Kinabalu gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Atami receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKota Kinabalu 28°C (82°F)Atami 14°C (57°F)
Typical Weather for Atami and Kota Kinabalu
| Kota Kinabalu | Atami | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (80°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 153 mm (6 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 164 mm (6.4 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 291 mm (11.5 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 202 mm (8 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 222 mm (8.7 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 285 mm (11.2 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 209 mm (8.2 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 336 mm (13.2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 154 mm (6.1 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 298 mm (11.7 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 108 mm (4.2 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 62 mm (2.4 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.