Which place is cheaper, Auckland or Kota Kinabalu?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Kota Kinabalu or Auckland?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Auckland? 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 Auckland?
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.
Auckland
Auckland is located on the North Island of New Zealand on an isthmus between the Northland Peninsula and the other parts of the North Island. Auckland is not only a city but also a region. In 2010 New Zealand combined what had previously been four separate cities into one region. These cities include the southern city of Manukau, the western city of Waitakere, the North Shore in the north, and Auckland City. The City of Auckland is the largest city in Polynesia and is very diverse with many expatriates from elsewhere in Polynesia. This diversity becomes most apparent in Auckland's many festivals and sporting events.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Malaysia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in New Zealand, and The Best 10-Day Tours in New Zealand.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKota Kinabalu $49Auckland $139
The average daily cost (per person) in Kota Kinabalu is $49, while the average daily cost in Auckland is $139. 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 Auckland in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKota Kinabalu $18Auckland $88
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKota Kinabalu $36Auckland $176
Compare Hotels in Kota Kinabalu and Auckland
Looking for a hotel in Kota Kinabalu or Auckland? 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 Auckland Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kota Kinabalu $22Auckland $16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kota Kinabalu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kota Kinabalu:
- Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu Airport (BKI): $28
- Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI to Kota Kinabalu Port: $28
- Private Transfer: Kota Kinabalu International Airport to/from Hotel: $20
- Private Transfer- Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI: $32
- Private Transfer from Kota Kota Kinabalu Hotels to Kinabalu Port: $28
- Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu hotels: $28
- Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu hotels: $32
- Monsopiad Cultural Village Visit with Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu: $31
- Kota Kinabalu to Kota Kinab Airport: Departure Private Transfer: $23
- Kota Kinabalu Hotel to Jetty Round Trip Transfer: $52
- Kota Kinabalu Airport Private Transfer with 1 hour Charter: $12
- Borneo to Kota Kinabalu Airport(BKI) - Departure Private Transfer: $46
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Auckland
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Auckland:
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Bus from Airport$9.51
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Airport Shuttle$15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Auckland
Also for Auckland, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private 1-Way Transfer to/from Airport: $27
- Auckland:City Hotel Transfers to/from Cruise Ship in Minivan: $27
- Private Transfer from Auckland City to Auckland Cruise Port: $39
- Cheap airport transfer: $53
- Auckland:Private 1 way Airport transfer to/from CBD Minivan: $53
- Private Transfer from Auckland Airport (AKL) to Auckland Port: $55
- Private Transfer from Auckland Port to Auckland Airport (AKL): $55
- Auckland Airport Private Transfers in a Luxury Minibus: $57
- Auckland Airport (AKL) to North Shore - Arrival Private Transfer: $60
- Auckland Airport: One-Way Private Transfer to Auckland: $68
- Auckland Airport Taxi: Private Transfer One Direction: $71
- Private Transfer From Auckland CBD Hotels To Cruise Ship: $72
Is it cheaper to fly into Kota Kinabalu or Auckland?
Prices for flights to both Auckland 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 $15Auckland $27
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
- Half Day Klias Mangrove Wildlife and Fireflies with dinner: $128
Typical Food Prices in Auckland
For Auckland, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Breakfast$4.75
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Auckland
For Auckland, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Auckland Harbour 3-Course Dinner Cruise with Welcome Drink: $89
- Auckland Harbour Sailboat Cruise Including Three Course Dinner: $90
- Flavours of the City Walking Food Tour: $104
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kota Kinabalu $5.67Auckland $27
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
- Borneo (Klias) River Cruise & Fireflies Tour: $50
- Borneo Combo Adventure: $200
- Cowboy Town & Fireflies River Cruise: $62
- Cultural Night Tour From Kota Kinabalu : $64
- Day Trip Sepilok Orang-utan And City Tour: $149
- Discover Sailing Experience in Tanjung Aru Beach: $75
- From Kota Kinabalu : Kiulu River White Water Rafting Tour: $131
- Full Day Bongawan River Cruise with Proboscis Monkey Sightseeing: $40
- Full Day River Rafting with ATV Adventure in Kiulu : $293
- Full Day Tour in Mantanani: $140
- Indigenous Weaving Experience: $236
Typical Entertainment Prices in Auckland
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Auckland's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Auckland Sky Tour (for 2)$33
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Waiheke Island Tour (for 2)$120
Tours and Activities in Auckland
For Auckland, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Explore Auckland's Sailing Spirit: In-App Audio Tour: $5.32
- Auckland Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
- Maritime Museum Entry Ticket: $14
- Tree Heart Park Adventure Clue Trail Family Package: $15
- Auckland War Memorial Museum Entry Ticket: $17
- Skip the Line: Auckland Museum General Admission Entry Ticket: $17
- Vibrosaun Therapy Experience: $18
- Auckland Sky Tower General Admission Ticket : $24
- Sky Tower General Admission Ticket: $24
- Hologate Virtual Reality Gaming Experience: $29
- The Lagoon Lights Family Experience at Tree Heart Park: $30
- Hop-On Hop-Off Explorer Bus Ticket: $33
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKota Kinabalu $6.34Auckland $13
Sample the Local Flavors in Auckland
Also in Auckland, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Waiheke Island: Scenic Wine Tour Tasting Wines on Waiheke: $92
- Muriwai Scenic Wine Tour from Auckland: $106
- Waiheke Island: The Essence of Waiheke Wine Tour: $131
- Waiheke Island Gourmet Food and Wine Tour with Platter Lunch: $148
- Waiheke Island: Tour with Wine Tastings and Restaurant Lunch: $148
- From Waiheke Island Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch: $151
- From Small Group Kumeu Wine Tour with Lunch: $169
- Small-Group Kumeu Wine Country Tour Includes Wine Tastings & Lunch: $172
- Piha Waitakere Rainforest Wine Tour from Auckland: $178
- Auckland Coastal Experience - Small Group City & Beach Tour Incl. Wine Tasting: $196
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kota Kinabalu and Auckland, we can see that Auckland 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 Auckland is in Pacific, 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 Auckland would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Auckland 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 Auckland Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kota Kinabalu or Auckland?
Kota Kinabalu has a larger population, and is about 9% larger than the population of Auckland. When comparing the sizes of Kota Kinabalu and Auckland, 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 Auckland?
Auckland 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 Auckland in the Summer?
Both Auckland 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. Furthermore, many travelers come to Auckland for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Kota Kinabalu is generally a little warmer than Aucklandin January. Daily temperatures in Kota Kinabalu average around 27°C (81°F), and Auckland fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
In Auckland, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Kota Kinabalu. In the summer, Kota Kinabalu often gets less sunshine than Aucklandin January. Kota Kinabalu gets 205 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Auckland receives 240 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kota Kinabalu. Kota Kinabalu usually gets more rain in July than Aucklandin January. Kota Kinabalu gets 255 mm (10 in) of rain, while Auckland receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Auckland 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Auckland in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Kota Kinabalu and Auckland. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kota Kinabalu year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Auckland in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene.
Kota Kinabalu is much warmer than Auckland in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kota Kinabalu averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Auckland fluctuates around 16°C (61°F)in April.
Kota Kinabalu usually receives more sunshine than Auckland during autumn. Kota Kinabalu gets 192 hours of sunny skies, while Auckland receives 162 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Kota Kinabalu gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Kota Kinabalu usually receives more rain than Aucklandin April. Kota Kinabalu gets 336 mm (13.2 in) of rain, while Auckland receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Auckland 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Auckland in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Kota Kinabalu as well as Auckland. Kota Kinabalu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Auckland for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
In the winter, Kota Kinabalu is much warmer than Auckland. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kota Kinabalu in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Auckland averages at about 11°C (52°F)in July.
In the winter, Kota Kinabalu often gets more sunshine than Aucklandin July. Kota Kinabalu gets 181 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Auckland receives 141 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Auckland. Kota Kinabalu receives a lot of rain in the winter. Kota Kinabalu usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Aucklandin July. Kota Kinabalu gets 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Auckland receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyKota Kinabalu 26°C (79°F)Auckland 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Auckland in the Spring?
Both Auckland 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, the spring months attract visitors to Auckland because of the beaches and the activities around the city.
In April, Kota Kinabalu is generally much warmer than Aucklandin October. Daily temperatures in Kota Kinabalu average around 28°C (82°F), and Auckland fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kota Kinabalu. Kota Kinabalu usually receives more sunshine than Auckland during spring. Kota Kinabalu gets 237 hours of sunny skies, while Auckland receives 192 hours of full sun in the spring.
It's quite rainy in Kota Kinabalu. In April, Kota Kinabalu usually receives more rain than Aucklandin October. Kota Kinabalu gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Auckland receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberKota Kinabalu 28°C (82°F)Auckland 14°C (58°F)
Typical Weather for Auckland and Kota Kinabalu
| Kota Kinabalu | Auckland | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (80°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 291 mm (11.5 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 11°C (53°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 285 mm (11.2 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 336 mm (13.2 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 298 mm (11.7 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 83 mm (3.3 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.