Which place is cheaper, Coffs Harbour or Kota Kinabalu?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Kota Kinabalu or Coffs Harbour?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Coffs Harbour? 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 Coffs Harbour?
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.
Coffs Harbour
Coffs Harbour is in New South Wales between Brisbane and Sydney. Historically, Coffs Harbour has been a popular vacation destination among families, particularly Australian families. Most visitors today are families that are carrying on a longstanding tradition and bringing their children to the holiday destination of their childhood. You'll also find backpackers who spend up to a week here, dividing the trip between Sydney and Brisbane. The area has a well established tourist infrastructure that is not as trendy as that in Byron Bay, but it remains a wonderful community to visit if you're not looking for the party atmosphere.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Malaysia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia, The Best Adventure Tours to Australia, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Australia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKota Kinabalu $49Coffs Harbour $135
The average daily cost (per person) in Kota Kinabalu is $49, while the average daily cost in Coffs Harbour is $135. 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 Coffs Harbour in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKota Kinabalu $18Coffs Harbour $63
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKota Kinabalu $36Coffs Harbour $126
Compare Hotels in Kota Kinabalu and Coffs Harbour
Looking for a hotel in Kota Kinabalu or Coffs Harbour? 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 Coffs Harbour Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kota Kinabalu $22Coffs Harbour $22
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 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
- One Way Transfer from Kota Kinabal Airport to/from Kota Kinabali: $25
- 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
Is it cheaper to fly into Kota Kinabalu or Coffs Harbour?
Prices for flights to both Coffs Harbour 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 $15Coffs Harbour $51
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
- Ethnic Cooking Class & Upside Down House & 3D Wonders Museum: $92
- Half Day Klias Mangrove Wildlife and Fireflies with dinner: $144
- Kota Kinabalu Sunset Cruise with Buffet Dinner: $187
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kota Kinabalu $5.67Coffs Harbour $41
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 : $292
- Indigenous Weaving Experience: $236
- Island Hopping Tour (2 Island) From Kota Kinabalu: $77
Typical Entertainment Prices in Coffs Harbour
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Coffs Harbour's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Surfing Museum (for 2)$7.14
Tours and Activities in Coffs Harbour
For Coffs Harbour, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Daytime Kayak Eco Tour of New South Wales: $40
- Sunset Kayak Eco Tour with Marine Scientist: $40
- Coffs Harbour Whale Watch Experience: $63
- Sunset Experience: $77
- Rainforest & Waterfall Experience: $126
- Coastal Adventure: $126
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKota Kinabalu $6.34Coffs Harbour $8.34
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kota Kinabalu and Coffs Harbour, we can see that Coffs Harbour 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 Coffs Harbour 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 Coffs Harbour would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Coffs Harbour 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 Coffs Harbour Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kota Kinabalu or Coffs Harbour?
Kota Kinabalu has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Coffs Harbour. When comparing the sizes of Kota Kinabalu and Coffs Harbour, 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 Coffs Harbour?
Coffs Harbour 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 Coffs Harbour in the Summer?
Both Coffs Harbour 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, most visitors come to Coffs Harbour for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Kota Kinabalu is a little warmer than Coffs Harbour. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kota Kinabalu in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Coffs Harbour averages at about 23°C (74°F)in January.
In Coffs Harbour, 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 Coffs Harbourin January. Kota Kinabalu gets 205 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Coffs Harbour receives 237 hours of full sun.
Coffs Harbour 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 Coffs Harbourin January. Kota Kinabalu gets 255 mm (10 in) of rain, while Coffs Harbour receives 187 mm (7.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Coffs Harbour 23°C (74°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Coffs Harbour in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Kota Kinabalu and Coffs Harbour. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kota Kinabalu year-round. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Coffs Harbour because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Kota Kinabalu is generally a little warmer than Coffs Harbourin April. Daily temperatures in Kota Kinabalu average around 27°C (81°F), and Coffs Harbour fluctuates around 20°C (67°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Coffs Harbour this time of the year. Kota Kinabalu usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Coffs Harbour during autumn. Kota Kinabalu gets 192 hours of sunny skies, while Coffs Harbour receives 203 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Coffs Harbour 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 Coffs Harbourin April. Kota Kinabalu gets 336 mm (13.2 in) of rain, while Coffs Harbour receives 215 mm (8.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Coffs Harbour 20°C (67°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Coffs Harbour in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Kota Kinabalu as well as Coffs Harbour. Kota Kinabalu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Coffs Harbour this time of year.
Kota Kinabalu is much warmer than Coffs Harbour in the winter. The daily temperature in Kota Kinabalu averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Coffs Harbour fluctuates around 13°C (55°F)in July.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Coffs Harbour. In the winter, Kota Kinabalu often gets less sunshine than Coffs Harbourin July. Kota Kinabalu gets 181 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Coffs Harbour receives 219 hours of full sun.
Kota Kinabalu receives a lot of rain in the winter. Kota Kinabalu usually gets more rain in January than Coffs Harbourin July. Kota Kinabalu gets 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Coffs Harbour receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyKota Kinabalu 26°C (79°F)Coffs Harbour 13°C (55°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Coffs Harbour in the Spring?
Both Coffs Harbour 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 Coffs Harbour for the beaches and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Kota Kinabalu is a little warmer than Coffs Harbour. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kota Kinabalu in April average around 28°C (82°F), and Coffs Harbour averages at about 19°C (66°F)in October.
It's quite sunny in Coffs Harbour. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kota Kinabalu. Kota Kinabalu usually receives less sunshine than Coffs Harbour during spring. Kota Kinabalu gets 237 hours of sunny skies, while Coffs Harbour receives 257 hours of full sun in the spring.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Coffs Harbour. It's quite rainy in Kota Kinabalu. In April, Kota Kinabalu usually receives more rain than Coffs Harbourin October. Kota Kinabalu gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Coffs Harbour receives 103 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberKota Kinabalu 28°C (82°F)Coffs Harbour 19°C (66°F)
Typical Weather for Coffs Harbour and Kota Kinabalu
| Kota Kinabalu | Coffs Harbour | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 187 mm (7.4 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (80°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 195 mm (7.7 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 241 mm (9.5 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 215 mm (8.5 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 177 mm (7 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 291 mm (11.5 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 125 mm (4.9 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 285 mm (11.2 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 336 mm (13.2 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 298 mm (11.7 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 136 mm (5.4 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 143 mm (5.6 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.