Which place is cheaper, Darwin or Kota Kinabalu?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Kota Kinabalu or Darwin?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Darwin? 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 Darwin?
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.
Darwin
Darwin is a tropical city set against the Timor Sea in north central Australia. It is also the capital city of the Northern Territory. Despite being a relatively small city, Darwin is very diverse with residents from all over the world. The city itself has a very relaxed vibe with plenty to do. Visitors can enjoy everything from traditionally Asian style markets to culturally diverse events such as concerts, festivals or art shows.
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 $49Darwin $111
The average daily cost (per person) in Kota Kinabalu is $49, while the average daily cost in Darwin is $111. 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 Darwin in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKota Kinabalu $18Darwin $62
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKota Kinabalu $36Darwin $124
Compare Hotels in Kota Kinabalu and Darwin
Looking for a hotel in Kota Kinabalu or Darwin? 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 Darwin Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kota Kinabalu $22Darwin $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kota Kinabalu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kota Kinabalu:
- Kota Kinabalu Airport Private Transfer with 1 hour Charter: $12
- Private Transfer: Kota Kinabalu International Airport to/from Hotel: $20
- Kota Kinabalu to Kota Kinab Airport: Departure Private Transfer: $23
- Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu Airport (BKI): $28
- Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI to Kota Kinabalu Port: $28
- Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu hotels: $28
- Private Transfer from Kota Kota Kinabalu Hotels to Kinabalu Port: $28
- Monsopiad Cultural Village Visit with Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu: $31
- Private Transfer- Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI: $32
- Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu hotels: $32
- Borneo to Kota Kinabalu Airport(BKI) - Departure Private Transfer: $46
- Kota Kinabalu Hotel to Jetty Round Trip Transfer: $52
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Darwin
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Darwin:
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Shuttle to Train Station$9.73
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Darwin
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Darwin:
- Private Transfer from Darwin City Hotels to Darwin Cruise Port: $59
- Private Transfer from Darwin Cruise Port to Darwin Airport (DRW): $59
- Private Transfer from Darwin Airport (DRW) to Darwin Cruise Port: $59
- Darwin to Darwin Int Airport (DRW) - Departure Private Transfer: $71
- Crocodile Jumping Boat Cruise with Transfer from Darwin: $92
- Darwin Int Airport (DRW) to Darwin - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $142
Is it cheaper to fly into Kota Kinabalu or Darwin?
Prices for flights to both Darwin 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 $15Darwin $37
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Darwin
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Darwin.
- Sunset Harbour Cruise with Fish and Chips Dinner: $71
- Darwin Harbor Sunset Cruise with Buffet Dinner: $85
- Charles Darwin Dinner Cruise: $90
- Darwin Sunset Dinner Cruise on Cape Adieu: $96
- Sunset 3-Hour Cruise from Darwin with Dinner and Sparkling Wine: $112
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kota Kinabalu $5.67Darwin $15
Tours and Activities in Kota Kinabalu
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kota Kinabalu are as follows:
- Kota Kinabalu Historical Photo Walking Tour: $37
- Private Half Day Kota Kinabalu City Tour: $38
- Full Day Bongawan River Cruise with Proboscis Monkey Sightseeing: $40
- Sky-Mirror Photographing and Proboscis Monkey & Fireflies Watching River-Cruise: $46
- Sunset E-Foil Experience in Tanjung Aru Beach: $47
- Private Guided E-Foil Experience in Tanjung Aru Beach: $47
- Borneo (Klias) River Cruise & Fireflies Tour: $50
- Kota Kinabalu City Tour: $54
- Mari-Mari Cultural Village Tour Including Lunch: $55
- Klias Wildlife Safari River Cruise from Kota Kinabalu: $58
- Cowboy Town & Fireflies River Cruise: $62
- Cultural Night Tour From Kota Kinabalu : $64
Tours and Activities in Darwin
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Darwin are as follows:
- Darwin Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
- Crocosaurus Cove General Admission Ticket: $26
- 1 Hour Adelaide River Queen Jumping Crocodile Cruise: $26
- 1 Hour Jumping Crocodile Cruise on the Adelaide River: $30
- Big Bus Open-Top Hop-on Hop-off Tour: $31
- Darwin Shore Excursion: Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour: $31
- Darwin Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour: $31
- Darwin Harbour Bombing of Darwin Cruise: $39
- Jumping Crocodile Cruise At Crocodylus Park : $40
- 1-Hour Bombing of Darwin Cruise: $42
- Discover Darwin Harbour: Darwin Harbour Afternoon Cruise: $42
- Corroboree Billabong Wetland Cruises - 1.5 hour Morning cruise: $50
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKota Kinabalu $6.34Darwin $13
Typical Alcohol Prices in Darwin
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Darwin from other travelers:
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Evening at a Bar$16
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Glass of Wine$4.54
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kota Kinabalu and Darwin, we can see that Darwin 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 Darwin 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 Darwin would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Darwin 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 Darwin Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kota Kinabalu or Darwin?
Kota Kinabalu has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Darwin. When comparing the sizes of Kota Kinabalu and Darwin, 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 Darwin?
Darwin 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 Darwin in the Summer?
Both Darwin and Kota Kinabalu are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kota Kinabalu throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Darwin in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Kota Kinabalu is generally around the same temperature as Darwinin January. Daily temperatures in Kota Kinabalu average around 27°C (81°F), and Darwin fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kota Kinabalu. Kota Kinabalu usually receives more sunshine than Darwin during summer. Kota Kinabalu gets 205 hours of sunny skies, while Darwin receives 173 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Darwin. It's quite rainy in Kota Kinabalu. In July, Kota Kinabalu usually receives less rain than Darwinin January. Kota Kinabalu gets 255 mm (10 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Darwin 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Darwin in the Autumn?
Both Darwin and Kota Kinabalu during the autumn 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 Darwin for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.
Kota Kinabalu is around the same temperature as Darwin in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kota Kinabalu averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Darwin fluctuates around 29°C (84°F)in April.
In Darwin, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Kota Kinabalu often gets less sunshine than Darwinin April. Kota Kinabalu gets 192 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Darwin receives 267 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kota Kinabalu. Kota Kinabalu usually gets more rain in October than Darwinin April. Kota Kinabalu gets 336 mm (13.2 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Darwin 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Darwin in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kota Kinabalu and Darwin. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kota Kinabalu year-round. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Darwin because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Kota Kinabalu is around the same temperature as Darwin. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kota Kinabalu in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Darwin averages at about 25°C (77°F)in July.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Darwin this time of the year. Kota Kinabalu usually receives less sunshine than Darwin during winter. Kota Kinabalu gets 181 hours of sunny skies, while Darwin receives 312 hours of full sun in the winter.
Kota Kinabalu gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Kota Kinabalu usually receives more rain than Darwinin July. Kota Kinabalu gets 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyKota Kinabalu 26°C (79°F)Darwin 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Darwin in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Kota Kinabalu as well as Darwin. Kota Kinabalu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the beaches are the main draw to Darwin this time of year.
In April, Kota Kinabalu is generally around the same temperature as Darwinin October. Daily temperatures in Kota Kinabalu average around 28°C (82°F), and Darwin fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Darwin. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kota Kinabalu this time of the year. In the spring, Kota Kinabalu often gets less sunshine than Darwinin October. Kota Kinabalu gets 237 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Darwin receives 291 hours of full sun.
Kota Kinabalu receives a lot of rain in the spring. Kota Kinabalu usually gets more rain in April than Darwinin October. Kota Kinabalu gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberKota Kinabalu 28°C (82°F)Darwin 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for Darwin and Kota Kinabalu
| Kota Kinabalu | Darwin | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 437 mm (17.2 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (80°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 343 mm (13.5 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 342 mm (13.5 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 291 mm (11.5 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 285 mm (11.2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 336 mm (13.2 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 298 mm (11.7 in) | 30°C (85°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 234 mm (9.2 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.