Which place is cheaper, Ghent 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 Ghent?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Ghent? 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 Ghent?
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.
Ghent
Ghent is a large city in the northern part of Belgium (the Flanders region) with a population of about 250,000. This city was one of the most powerful cities in Europe during the Middle Ages, which is portrayed today, mostly through architecture. There is a large university in Ghent with over 60,000 students, and a large portion of the population are young students. However, among the natives and students, there are also many foreigners and artists that you will find walking the streets of the city. Ghent is also Belgium's second largest port city.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Malaysia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Belgium, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Belgium.
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Kota Kinabalu Prices
Malaysia PricesGhent Prices
Belgium Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKota Kinabalu $69Ghent $167
The average daily cost (per person) in Kota Kinabalu is $69, while the average daily cost in Ghent is $167. 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 Ghent in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKota Kinabalu $21Ghent $83
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKota Kinabalu $42Ghent $166
Compare Hotels in Kota Kinabalu and Ghent
Looking for a hotel in Kota Kinabalu or Ghent? 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 Ghent Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kota Kinabalu $26Ghent $22
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kota Kinabalu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kota Kinabalu:
- Kota Kinabalu（BKI）: Private Transfer to City Center: $14
- Private Airport Transfer in Kota Kinabalu: $20
- Kota Kinabalu to Kota Kinab Airport (BKI) Private Transfer: $23
- Private Transfer- Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI: $24
- Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu Airport (BKI): $24
- Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI to Kota Kinabalu Port: $24
- Private Transfer from Kota Kota Kinabalu Hotels to Kinabalu Port: $24
- Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu hotels: $24
- Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Hotels to Kota Kinabalu Port: $24
- Kota Kinabalu Airport (BKI) Private Transfer to Kota Kinabalu: $25
- Private Departure Transfer : Kota Kinabalu International Airport: $27
- Private Transfer: Kota Kinabalu International Airport to/from Hotel: $30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ghent
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ghent:
- Transfer Ghent Luxembourg (1 to 8 places): $248
Is it cheaper to fly into Kota Kinabalu or Ghent?
Prices for flights to both Ghent 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 $30Ghent $69
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kota Kinabalu
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kota Kinabalu.
- Beringgis Mangove Fireflies, Sunset Tour & Dinner: $32
- Sabah Traditional Authentic Cuisine Cooking Class 3 Hours: $45
- Klias River Cruise with Dinner and Fireflies: $55
- Kawa Mangrove Cruise & Fireflies with Dinner: $67
- Kota Kinabalu Klias River Cruise with Dinner and Fireflies Tour: $72
- Traditional Sabah Cooking Class and Taste Local Flavors: $74
- Private Cooking Class with Market Visit: $91
- Ethnic Cooking Class & Upside Down House & 3D Wonders Museum: $92
- North Borneo Sunset Dinner Cruise: $121
- Kota Kinabalu Night Tour with Dinner & Cultural Dance Show: $141
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ghent
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Ghent.
- Walking Food Tour in Ghent: $94
- Walking food tour: Introduction to Ghent through food: $109
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kota Kinabalu $6.54Ghent $10
Tours and Activities in Kota Kinabalu
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kota Kinabalu are as follows:
- Bongawan River Cruise, City Tour & Fireflies: $26
- Sabah Mali-Mali Garden Spa Massage Experience: $27
- Pulau Sapi & Manukan Sabah Shared Activity Adventure: $43
- Sky-Mirror Photographing and Proboscis Monkey & Fireflies Watching River-Cruise: $46
- Mangrove Kayaking Experience in Borneo: $47
- Bongawan: River Safari Cruise, Private or Shared Ticket: $48
- Bongawan River Cruise Proboscis Monkey, SkyMirror, Fireflies: $50
- Sabah: Manukan and Sapi Islands Excursion Ticket: $50
- Borneo (Klias) River Cruise & Fireflies Tour: $50
- Kota Kinabalu City Tour: $54
- Klias Wildlife Safari River Cruise from Kota Kinabalu: $58
- Cowboy Town & Fireflies River Cruise: $62
Tours and Activities in Ghent
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Ghent are as follows:
- Evening Tour of the Dark Side of Gent: $3.47
- Gastronomic Walking Tour of Gent - Tasters included: $3.47
- Historical Walking Tour: Legends of Gent: $3.47
- Ghent Self Guided Walking Tour Rebels, Dragons and Secret: $5.00
- Ghent Scavenger Hunt & Highlights Self Guided Walking Tour: $5.80
- TOP Ghent : Private Guided Tour with your mobile: $5.80
- Ghent Walking Tour with Audioguide on Your Smartphone: $12
- Hidden A Self-Guided Audio Tour Of The Flemish City: $12
- Pub Trail Kortrijk: an adventure full of surprises: $13
- Pub Trail Ostend: an adventure full of surprises: $13
- 40-Minute Historical Boat Tour of City Center: $13
- 40 Minute Medieval Center Guided Boat Tour: $13
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKota Kinabalu $7.30Ghent $21
Sample the Local Flavors in Ghent
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Ghent:
- Brewery Visit in Ostend- Two 33cl Beers Included: $21
- Brewery Visit in Ostend- 3 Beers & Breughel Plate Experience: $41
- NEW Ghent Brewery Visit, Beer Tasting Tour & Chocolate Pairing: $87
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kota Kinabalu and Ghent, we can see that Ghent 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 Ghent is in Europe, 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 Ghent would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ghent 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 Ghent Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kota Kinabalu or Ghent?
Kota Kinabalu has a larger population, and is about 98% larger than the population of Ghent. When comparing the sizes of Kota Kinabalu and Ghent, 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 Ghent?
Ghent 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 Ghent in the Summer?
Both Ghent 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, the summer months attract visitors to Ghent because of the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Kota Kinabalu is much warmer than Ghent. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kota Kinabalu in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Ghent averages at about 17°C (63°F).
It's quite sunny in Ghent. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kota Kinabalu. Kota Kinabalu usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Ghent during summer. Kota Kinabalu gets 205 hours of sunny skies, while Ghent receives 202 hours of full sun in the summer.
It's quite rainy in Kota Kinabalu. In July, Kota Kinabalu usually receives more rain than Ghent. Kota Kinabalu gets 255 mm (10 in) of rain, while Ghent receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Ghent 17°C (63°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Ghent in the Autumn?
Both Ghent 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. Also, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Ghent this time of year.
In October, Kota Kinabalu is generally much warmer than Ghent. Daily temperatures in Kota Kinabalu average around 27°C (81°F), and Ghent fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
In the autumn, Kota Kinabalu often gets more sunshine than Ghent. Kota Kinabalu gets 192 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ghent receives 105 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 Ghent. Kota Kinabalu gets 336 mm (13.2 in) of rain, while Ghent receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Ghent 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Ghent in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kota Kinabalu and Ghent. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kota Kinabalu year-round. Also, many travelers come to Ghent for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Ghent. Kota Kinabalu is much warmer than Ghent in the winter. The daily temperature in Kota Kinabalu averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Ghent fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).
Kota Kinabalu usually receives more sunshine than Ghent during winter. Kota Kinabalu gets 181 hours of sunny skies, while Ghent receives 47 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 Ghent. Kota Kinabalu gets 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Ghent receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKota Kinabalu 26°C (79°F)Ghent 3°C (38°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Ghent in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Kota Kinabalu as well as Ghent. Kota Kinabalu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Ghent in the spring for the natural beauty.
In the spring, Kota Kinabalu is much warmer than Ghent. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kota Kinabalu in April average around 28°C (82°F), and Ghent averages at about 8°C (47°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kota Kinabalu this time of the year. In the spring, Kota Kinabalu often gets more sunshine than Ghent. Kota Kinabalu gets 237 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ghent receives 158 hours of full sun.
Kota Kinabalu receives a lot of rain in the spring. Kota Kinabalu usually gets more rain in April than Ghent. Kota Kinabalu gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Ghent receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKota Kinabalu 28°C (82°F)Ghent 8°C (47°F)
Typical Weather for Ghent and Kota Kinabalu
| Kota Kinabalu | Ghent | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (80°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 291 mm (11.5 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 285 mm (11.2 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 336 mm (13.2 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 298 mm (11.7 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 75 mm (2.9 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 71 mm (2.8 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.