Which place is cheaper, Guangzhou or Kota Kinabalu?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Kota Kinabalu or Guangzhou?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Guangzhou? 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 Guangzhou?
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.
Guangzhou
With a population of more than 12 million, Guangzhou is the third largest city in China after Beijing and Shanghai. Though it has a long history, founded in 214 BC, the city has also many modern attractions, a mix of the old and new with temples and parks as well as skyscrapers and shopping centers. Its location on the Pearl River has contributed to this growth, making Guangzhou a major port and commercial hub.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Malaysia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in China, and The Best 2-Week Tours in China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKota Kinabalu $49Guangzhou $89
The average daily cost (per person) in Kota Kinabalu is $49, while the average daily cost in Guangzhou is $89. 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 Guangzhou in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKota Kinabalu $18Guangzhou $57
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKota Kinabalu $36Guangzhou $114
Compare Hotels in Kota Kinabalu and Guangzhou
Looking for a hotel in Kota Kinabalu or Guangzhou? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kota Kinabalu $22Guangzhou $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kota Kinabalu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kota Kinabalu:
- Borneo to Kota Kinabalu Airport(BKI) - Departure Private Transfer: $46
- Kota Kinabalu Airport Private Transfer with 1 hour Charter: $12
- Kota Kinabalu Hotel to Jetty Round Trip Transfer: $52
- Kota Kinabalu to Kota Kinab Airport: Departure Private Transfer: $23
- Monsopiad Cultural Village Visit with Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu: $31
- Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu hotels: $28
- Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu hotels: $32
- Private Transfer from Kota Kota Kinabalu Hotels to Kinabalu Port: $28
- Private Transfer- Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI: $32
- Private Transfer: Kota Kinabalu International Airport to/from Hotel: $20
- Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI to Kota Kinabalu Port: $28
- Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu Airport (BKI): $28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guangzhou
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guangzhou:
- Canton Fair Private Transfer between Guangzhou City Center and Pazhou Complex : $32
- Guangzhou Baiyun Airport (CAN) to Guangzhou City - Arrival Private Transfer: $34
- Guangzhou Airport (CAN) to Guangzhou - Arrival Private Transfer: $34
- Guangzhou to Guangzhou Airport (CAN) - Departure Private Transfer: $34
- Private Transfer: Guangzhou Baiyun Airport to Guangzhou Nan Railway Station: $38
- Private Transfer between Guangzhou Baiyun Mountain and City Area: $44
- Private Baiyun Airport Transfer to Guangzhou Railway or East Railway Station: $49
- Private Transfer from Guangzhou City Center to South Railway Station: $49
- Private Transfer from Guangzhou South Railway Station to Baiyun Airport : $53
- Private Transfer from Guangzhou Int Airport (CAN) to Shekou Port: $68
- Guangzhou Airport (CAN) to Guangzhou Round-Trip Private Transfer: $68
- Pearl River Night Cruise in Guangzhou with Private Transfer: $69
Is it cheaper to fly into Kota Kinabalu or Guangzhou?
Prices for flights to both Guangzhou 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 $15Guangzhou $19
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 Guangzhou
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Guangzhou.
- Guangzhou Evening Food Tour Through Local Neighborhood: $65
- Guangzhou Night View Cruise Tour with Dinner: $90
- Private Guangzhou Night Tour VIP Cruise and Dim-Sum Dinner Option: $146
- 3-Hour Guangzhou Private Cooking Class with Local Market Visit : $165
- Private Guangzhou Night Tour with Canton Tower and Dim-Sum Dinner: $176
- Private Guangzhou Food Tour Michelin Restaurant&Local Food Market: $180
- Private Guangzhou Food Tour Yumcha and Local Food Market Explore: $180
- Guangzhou Private Night Tour: Lychee Bay, Beijing Road, Cruise, Dinner: $204
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kota Kinabalu $5.67Guangzhou $18
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 Guangzhou
Here are a few actual costs in Guangzhou for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Foshan Classic Old Town Tour : $15
- Guangzhou Pearl River Night Cruise Ticket (Redemption Required): $21
- Original Martial Arts Tour : $40
- Discovery more Guangzhou evening foodie tour with locals : $65
- 5-Hour Sai Kwan Walking Tour with Unique Food Tasting: $72
- Guangzhou Self-Guided Tour with Private Car and Driver Service: $75
- Guided Cycle Tour of Guangzhou: $75
- Guangzhou Pearl River Night Cruise Tour: $77
- Small Group Guangzhou Layover Tour: $87
- Guangzhou Foodie Tour: $88
- Guangzhou Walking Tour To Explore The Old Xiguan Area: $89
- Walking Tour of Xiguan Ancient Town: $89
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKota Kinabalu $6.34Guangzhou $14
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kota Kinabalu and Guangzhou, we can see that Guangzhou 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 Guangzhou would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Guangzhou 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 Guangzhou Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kota Kinabalu or Guangzhou?
Guangzhou has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Kota Kinabalu. When comparing the sizes of Kota Kinabalu and Guangzhou, 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 Guangzhou?
Guangzhou 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 Guangzhou in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kota Kinabalu and Guangzhou. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kota Kinabalu year-round.
In the summer, Kota Kinabalu is around the same temperature as Guangzhou. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kota Kinabalu in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Guangzhou averages at about 29°C (84°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Guangzhou this time of the year. In Kota Kinabalu, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kota Kinabalu usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Guangzhou during summer. Kota Kinabalu gets 205 hours of sunny skies, while Guangzhou receives 220 hours of full sun in the summer.
Guangzhou receives a lot of rain in the summer. Kota Kinabalu gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Kota Kinabalu usually receives more rain than Guangzhou. Kota Kinabalu gets 255 mm (10 in) of rain, while Guangzhou receives 228 mm (9 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Guangzhou 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Guangzhou in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Kota Kinabalu as well as Guangzhou. Kota Kinabalu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In October, Kota Kinabalu is generally around the same temperature as Guangzhou. Daily temperatures in Kota Kinabalu average around 27°C (81°F), and Guangzhou fluctuates around 25°C (76°F).
In the autumn, Kota Kinabalu often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Guangzhou. Kota Kinabalu gets 192 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Guangzhou receives 192 hours of full sun.
Kota Kinabalu receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Kota Kinabalu usually gets more rain in October than Guangzhou. Kota Kinabalu gets 336 mm (13.2 in) of rain, while Guangzhou receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Guangzhou 25°C (76°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Guangzhou in the Winter?
Both Guangzhou 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.
Kota Kinabalu is much warmer than Guangzhou in the winter. The daily temperature in Kota Kinabalu averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Guangzhou fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).
Kota Kinabalu usually receives more sunshine than Guangzhou during winter. Kota Kinabalu gets 181 hours of sunny skies, while Guangzhou receives 133 hours of full sun in the winter.
It's quite rainy in Kota Kinabalu. In January, Kota Kinabalu usually receives more rain than Guangzhou. Kota Kinabalu gets 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Guangzhou receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKota Kinabalu 26°C (79°F)Guangzhou 14°C (58°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Guangzhou in the Spring?
Both Guangzhou 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.
In the spring, Kota Kinabalu is a little warmer than Guangzhou. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kota Kinabalu in April average around 28°C (82°F), and Guangzhou averages at about 22°C (72°F).
It's quite sunny in Kota Kinabalu. In the spring, Kota Kinabalu often gets more sunshine than Guangzhou. Kota Kinabalu gets 237 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Guangzhou receives 78 hours of full sun.
Guangzhou 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 less rain in April than Guangzhou. Kota Kinabalu gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Guangzhou receives 182 mm (7.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKota Kinabalu 28°C (82°F)Guangzhou 22°C (72°F)
Typical Weather for Guangzhou and Kota Kinabalu
| Kota Kinabalu | Guangzhou | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (80°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 85 mm (3.4 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 182 mm (7.2 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 284 mm (11.2 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 291 mm (11.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.1 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 228 mm (9 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 221 mm (8.7 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 285 mm (11.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 172 mm (6.8 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 336 mm (13.2 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 298 mm (11.7 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 24 mm (0.9 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.