Which place is cheaper, Canberra or Kota Kinabalu?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Kota Kinabalu or Canberra?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Canberra? 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 Canberra?
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.
Canberra
There is something special about the capital city of Australia. Canberra's not just a wonderful spot for outdoor adventures. It's a city completely designed and built up around the coast of an artificial lake. When architects Walter Burley and Marion Mahony Griffin proposed their plans for Canberra it was met with a lot of criticism. Many people thought it would be a "waste of a good sheep pasture."
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Malaysia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia, The Best Walking Tours in Australia, and The Best Eco Tours in Australia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKota Kinabalu $49Canberra $133
The average daily cost (per person) in Kota Kinabalu is $49, while the average daily cost in Canberra is $133. 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 Canberra in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKota Kinabalu $18Canberra $82
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKota Kinabalu $36Canberra $164
Compare Hotels in Kota Kinabalu and Canberra
Looking for a hotel in Kota Kinabalu or Canberra? 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 Canberra Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kota Kinabalu $22Canberra $24
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Canberra
Also for Canberra, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Canberra to Canberra Int Airport - Departure Private Transfer: $34
- Canberra Int'l Airport to Canberra - Arrival Private Transfer: $34
- Canberra Airport (CBR) to Canberra - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $68
- Private Transfer from Canberra city hotels to Eden Cruise Port: $82
- Private Transfer from Canberra Airport CBR to Eden Cruise Port : $82
- Guided Tour of Floriade Festival with Transfers: $117
Is it cheaper to fly into Kota Kinabalu or Canberra?
Prices for flights to both Canberra 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 $15Canberra $34
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 Canberra
For Canberra, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch$16
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kota Kinabalu $5.67Canberra $17
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
Tours and Activities in Canberra
For Canberra, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Building + Architecture Tour | 10am Daily: $13
- Museum Highlights Tour | 1pm Daily: $13
- First Australians Tour | 3pm Daily: $13
- Australian Institute of Sport: The AIS Tour: $14
- Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour in Canberra: $30
- LGBTQIA+ History Walking Tour: $33
- Guided Tree Ropes Course Experience in Majura Pines: $39
- Women's History Walking Tour with Local Guide: $40
- Spies in the Capital: Women in Espionage Walking Tour: $40
- Best of Wildlife Tour: $88
- Best of Wildlife and Birds Tour: $98
- Beer, Wine, and Spirits Tasting Tour: $111
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKota Kinabalu $6.34Canberra $16
Typical Alcohol Prices in Canberra
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Canberra from other travelers:
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Drinks at a Bar$9.08
Sample the Local Flavors in Canberra
Also in Canberra, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Canberra Brewery and Beer Tour in 3 Hours: $98
- Canberra Brewery Winery and Distillery Tour: $112
- Capital Brewery Full-Day Tour: $121
- CanBEERa Explorer: Capital Brewery Full-Day Tour: $123
- From Winery, Distillery, & Tasting Tour with Lunch: $147
- Canberra Wine Tour: $158
- Full-Day Canberra Brewery, Wineries & Distillery tour /w lunch: $162
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kota Kinabalu and Canberra, we can see that Canberra 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 Canberra 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 Canberra would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Canberra 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 Canberra Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kota Kinabalu or Canberra?
Kota Kinabalu has a larger population, and is about 40% larger than the population of Canberra. When comparing the sizes of Kota Kinabalu and Canberra, 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 Canberra?
Canberra 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 Canberra in the Summer?
Both Canberra 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, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Canberra this time of year.
In July, Kota Kinabalu is generally a little warmer than Canberrain January. Daily temperatures in Kota Kinabalu average around 27°C (81°F), and Canberra fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kota Kinabalu. Kota Kinabalu usually gets more rain in July than Canberrain January. Kota Kinabalu gets 255 mm (10 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Canberra 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Canberra in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Kota Kinabalu and Canberra. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kota Kinabalu year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Canberra for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene.
Kota Kinabalu is much warmer than Canberra in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kota Kinabalu averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Canberra fluctuates around 17°C (63°F)in April.
Canberra 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 Canberrain April. Kota Kinabalu gets 336 mm (13.2 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Canberra 17°C (63°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Canberra in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Kota Kinabalu as well as Canberra. Kota Kinabalu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to Canberra in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Kota Kinabalu is much warmer than Canberra. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kota Kinabalu in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Canberra averages at about 11°C (52°F)in July.
Kota Kinabalu receives a lot of rain in the winter. Kota Kinabalu usually gets more rain in January than Canberrain July. Kota Kinabalu gets 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyKota Kinabalu 26°C (79°F)Canberra 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Canberra in the Spring?
Both Canberra 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, most visitors come to Canberra for the activities around the city during these months.
In April, Kota Kinabalu is generally much warmer than Canberrain October. Daily temperatures in Kota Kinabalu average around 28°C (82°F), and Canberra fluctuates around 15°C (60°F).
It's quite rainy in Kota Kinabalu. In April, Kota Kinabalu usually receives more rain than Canberrain October. Kota Kinabalu gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Canberra receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberKota Kinabalu 28°C (82°F)Canberra 15°C (60°F)
Typical Weather for Canberra and Kota Kinabalu
| Kota Kinabalu | Canberra | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (80°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 291 mm (11.5 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 285 mm (11.2 in) | 14°C (56°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 336 mm (13.2 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 298 mm (11.7 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 79 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.