Which place is cheaper, Christchurch 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 Christchurch?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Christchurch? 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 Christchurch?
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.
Christchurch
Christchurch is the largest city on the South Island of New Zealand, right beside the Canterbury Plains. Most people begin their South Island travels here. The city itself can be fascinating to explore so it is worth allowing yourself several days in town as an introduction to the region.
The River Avon flows through the city center, twisting through the old buildings. Christchurch is referred to in New Zealand as the Garden City and it is easy to see why. It's quite a nice city with trees spread throughout. The economy is centered around international tourism as well as foreign education. There is a high Asian student population here, giving the city a diverse feel.
Christchurch's climate is temperate and the city receives moderate rainfall. In January average high temperatures are around 73 degrees Fahrenheit with averages around 52 degrees Fahrenheit in July. There is a sea breeze during the summer months that keep temperatures pleasant. Temperatures can drop below freezing at night during the winter months. Snow may also fall several times a year.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Malaysia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia, The Best G Adventures Tours to New Zealand, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Auckland.
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Kota Kinabalu Prices
Malaysia PricesChristchurch Prices
New Zealand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKota Kinabalu $68Christchurch $117
The average daily cost (per person) in Kota Kinabalu is $68, while the average daily cost in Christchurch is $117. 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 Christchurch in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKota Kinabalu $21Christchurch $49
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKota Kinabalu $42Christchurch $98
Compare Hotels in Kota Kinabalu and Christchurch
Looking for a hotel in Kota Kinabalu or Christchurch? 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 Christchurch Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kota Kinabalu $25Christchurch $14
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Christchurch
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Christchurch:
- Christchurch Airport to City SUV Transfer: $57
- Private Transfer from Christchurch City to Lyttelton Cruise Port: $87
- Private Transfer from Lyttelton Cruise Port to Christchurch City: $87
- Departure Transfer: Christchurch to Airport CHC by Business Car: $95
- Christchurch Airport Transfers : Airport CHC to Christchurch in Luxury Car: $130
- Christchurch Airport Transfers : Christchurch to Airport CHC in Luxury Car: $130
- Christchurch Airport (CHC): Transfer to Christchurch hotels: $164
- Private Transfer from Christchurch City to Akaroa Cruise Port: $189
Is it cheaper to fly into Kota Kinabalu or Christchurch?
Prices for flights to both Christchurch 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 $30Christchurch $53
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kota Kinabalu $6.43Christchurch $17
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
Tours and Activities in Christchurch
Here are a few actual costs in Christchurch for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Willowbank Wildlife Reserve Day Entry Ticket: $20
- Scenic Chairlift Ride at Christchurch Adventure Park: $21
- Hop-On Hop-Off Tour by Vintage Tram: $23
- Christchurch Gondola Ride Ticket: $25
- Christchurch Mystery Puzzle Tour “Shadow of the Prism”: $29
- International Antarctic Centre General Admission Ticket: $44
- Christchurch Tram City Tour & Punting Combo: $45
- Christchurch Gondola and Tram City Tour Combo: $45
- Gondola Ticket and Punt Ride on the Avon River: $46
- Waka Paddling Experience on the Avon River: $58
- Uniquely Kiwi Landsailing Adventure: $59
- Tram, Punt and Gondola Ride Combo Ticket: $67
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKota Kinabalu $7.18Christchurch $11
Sample the Local Flavors in Christchurch
Also in Christchurch, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Waipara Wine Tour from Christchurch - including Lunch & Tastings: $108
- Lyttelton Shore Excursion - Waipara Wine Tour With Lunch: $114
- From Guided Local Wine Tours in Waipara: $117
- Lyttelton Shore Excursion - City Highlights & Waipara Wine Tour : $135
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kota Kinabalu and Christchurch, we can see that Christchurch 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 Christchurch 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 Christchurch would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Christchurch 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 Christchurch Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kota Kinabalu or Christchurch?
Kota Kinabalu has a larger population, and is about 26% larger than the population of Christchurch. When comparing the sizes of Kota Kinabalu and Christchurch, 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 Christchurch?
Christchurch 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 Christchurch in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kota Kinabalu and Christchurch. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kota Kinabalu year-round. Also, the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Christchurch this time of year.
In July, Kota Kinabalu is generally much warmer than Christchurchin January. Daily temperatures in Kota Kinabalu average around 27°C (81°F), and Christchurch fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Christchurch this time of the year. In Kota Kinabalu, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kota Kinabalu usually receives less sunshine than Christchurch during summer. Kota Kinabalu gets 205 hours of sunny skies, while Christchurch receives 224 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 Christchurchin January. Kota Kinabalu gets 255 mm (10 in) of rain, while Christchurch receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Christchurch 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Christchurch in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Kota Kinabalu as well as Christchurch. Kota Kinabalu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Christchurch for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Kota Kinabalu is much warmer than Christchurch in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kota Kinabalu averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Christchurch fluctuates around 12°C (54°F)in April.
In the autumn, Kota Kinabalu often gets more sunshine than Christchurchin April. Kota Kinabalu gets 192 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Christchurch receives 161 hours of full sun.
Kota Kinabalu receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Kota Kinabalu usually gets more rain in October than Christchurchin April. Kota Kinabalu gets 336 mm (13.2 in) of rain, while Christchurch receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Christchurch 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Christchurch in the Winter?
Both Christchurch 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, many visitors come to Christchurch in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Kota Kinabalu is much warmer than Christchurch. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kota Kinabalu in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Christchurch averages at about 6°C (43°F)in July.
Kota Kinabalu usually receives more sunshine than Christchurch during winter. Kota Kinabalu gets 181 hours of sunny skies, while Christchurch receives 122 hours of full sun in the winter.
It's quite rainy in Kota Kinabalu. In January, Kota Kinabalu usually receives more rain than Christchurchin July. Kota Kinabalu gets 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Christchurch receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyKota Kinabalu 26°C (79°F)Christchurch 6°C (43°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Christchurch in the Spring?
Both Christchurch 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, most visitors come to Christchurch for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.
In April, Kota Kinabalu is generally much warmer than Christchurchin October. Daily temperatures in Kota Kinabalu average around 28°C (82°F), and Christchurch fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
In Christchurch, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Kota Kinabalu. In the spring, Kota Kinabalu often gets more sunshine than Christchurchin October. Kota Kinabalu gets 237 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Christchurch receives 204 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 Christchurchin October. Kota Kinabalu gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Christchurch receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberKota Kinabalu 28°C (82°F)Christchurch 12°C (54°F)
Typical Weather for Christchurch and Kota Kinabalu
| Kota Kinabalu | Christchurch | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (80°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 291 mm (11.5 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 285 mm (11.2 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 336 mm (13.2 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 298 mm (11.7 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 45 mm (1.8 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.