Which place is cheaper, Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park or Kota Kinabalu?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Kota Kinabalu or Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park? 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 Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park?
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.
Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park
Spanning the Japanese prefectures of Yamanashi, Shizuoka, Kanagawa and Tokyo, Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is a natural area with beautiful scenery as well as a number of popular tourist spots. Some of its highlights include Mount Fuji, Fuji Five Lakes, Hakone, the Izu Peninsula, and the Izu Islands, offering a geographic range of natural hot springs, coastlines, mountainous areas, lakes, and more than 1,000 volcanic islands.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Malaysia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia, The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Japan.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKota Kinabalu $49Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park $88
The average daily cost (per person) in Kota Kinabalu is $49, while the average daily cost in Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is $88. 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 Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKota Kinabalu $18Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park $52
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKota Kinabalu $36Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park $104
Compare Hotels in Kota Kinabalu and Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park
Looking for a hotel in Kota Kinabalu or Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park? 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 Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kota Kinabalu $22Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park $26
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kota Kinabalu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kota Kinabalu:
- Kota Kinabalu Hotel to Jetty Round Trip Transfer: $52
- Borneo to Kota Kinabalu Airport(BKI) - Departure Private Transfer: $46
- Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu hotels: $32
- Private Transfer- Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI: $32
- Monsopiad Cultural Village Visit with Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu: $31
- 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
- Kota Kinabalu to Kota Kinab Airport: Departure Private Transfer: $23
- Private Transfer: Kota Kinabalu International Airport to/from Hotel: $20
- Kota Kinabalu Airport Private Transfer with 1 hour Charter: $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park
Also for Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Hakone to Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) - Private Departure Transfer: $155
- Hakone Resorts to Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT) - Departure Transfer: $242
Is it cheaper to fly into Kota Kinabalu or Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park?
Prices for flights to both Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park 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 $15Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park $20
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kota Kinabalu $5.67Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park $11
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 Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park.
- Easygoing Nature Walk in Hakone Tour: $26
- Supreme Sencha: Tea Ceremony & Making Experience in Hakone: $129
- Private Shopping Tour from Hakone hotels to Grandberry Park: $134
- Private Shopping Tour from Hakone to Gotemba Premium Outlets: $134
- Traverse Outer Rim of Hakone Caldera and Enjoy Onsen Hiking Tour: $142
- Hakone 6 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide: $155
- Private Shopping Tour from Hakone to Mitsui Outlet Park Yokohama: $156
- Hakone for Children to Enjoy! Japanese Crafts Experience: $174
- Hakone 8 hour Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide: $181
- Tour around Mount Fuji group from 2 people ¥32,000: $209
- Hakone Onsen Experience, Lake Ashi, Open-Air Museum Tour: $226
- Hakone Full-Day Private Tour : $245
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKota Kinabalu $6.34Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park $8.39
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kota Kinabalu and Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, we can see that Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is more expensive. And not only is Kota Kinabalu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park 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 Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Kota Kinabalu or Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park?
Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park 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 Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Kota Kinabalu as well as Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Kota Kinabalu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park this time of year.
Kota Kinabalu is around the same temperature as Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park in the summer. The daily temperature in Kota Kinabalu averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
It's quite rainy in Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Kota Kinabalu receives a lot of rain in the summer. Kota Kinabalu usually gets more rain in July than Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Kota Kinabalu gets 255 mm (10 in) of rain, while Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park receives 202 mm (8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park in the Autumn?
Both Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park and Kota Kinabalu are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kota Kinabalu throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Kota Kinabalu is much warmer than Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kota Kinabalu in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park averages at about 18°C (64°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. It's quite rainy in Kota Kinabalu. In October, Kota Kinabalu usually receives more rain than Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Kota Kinabalu gets 336 mm (13.2 in) of rain, while Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park receives 154 mm (6.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park in the Winter?
Both Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park and Kota Kinabalu during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Kota Kinabalu because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park in the winter for the museums and the cuisine.
In January, Kota Kinabalu is generally much warmer than Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Daily temperatures in Kota Kinabalu average around 26°C (79°F), and Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park fluctuates around 5°C (42°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kota Kinabalu. Kota Kinabalu usually gets more rain in January than Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Kota Kinabalu gets 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKota Kinabalu 26°C (79°F)Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park 5°C (42°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kota Kinabalu and Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kota Kinabalu year-round. Also, most visitors come to Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park for the natural beauty during these months.
Kota Kinabalu is much warmer than Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park in the spring. The daily temperature in Kota Kinabalu averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).
Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park receives a lot of rain in the spring. Kota Kinabalu gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Kota Kinabalu usually receives less rain than Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Kota Kinabalu gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKota Kinabalu 28°C (82°F)Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park 14°C (57°F)
Typical Weather for Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park and Kota Kinabalu
| Kota Kinabalu | Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (80°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 153 mm (6 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 164 mm (6.4 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 291 mm (11.5 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 202 mm (8 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 222 mm (8.7 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 285 mm (11.2 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 209 mm (8.2 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 336 mm (13.2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 154 mm (6.1 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 298 mm (11.7 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 108 mm (4.2 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 62 mm (2.4 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.