Which place is cheaper, Guilin 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 Guilin?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Guilin? 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 Guilin?
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.
Guilin
Guilin is a city in Southern China situated on the west bank of the Li River with Hunan to the north. Its name means, "Forest of Sweet Osmanthus," owing to the large number of fragrant Sweet Osmanthus trees located in the city. Products like tea, sugar, and wine, can be made from the tree and are found in many shops throughout Guilin. A popular tourist destination, the city is renowned for its scenery of karst topography with unique mountains jutting out of the urban landscape.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Malaysia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, and The Best Historical Tours in China.
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Kota Kinabalu Prices
Malaysia PricesGuilin Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKota Kinabalu $72Guilin $88
The average daily cost (per person) in Kota Kinabalu is $72, while the average daily cost in Guilin 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 Guilin in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKota Kinabalu $22Guilin $37
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKota Kinabalu $44Guilin $74
Compare Hotels in Kota Kinabalu and Guilin
Looking for a hotel in Kota Kinabalu or Guilin? 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 $27Guilin $6.13
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: $38
- Kota Kinabalu Hotel to Jetty Round Trip Transfer: $56
- Kota Kinabalu to Kota Kinab Airport (BKI) Private Transfer: $24
- Kota Kinabalu（BKI）: Private Transfer to City Center: $14
- Private Airport Transfer in Kota Kinabalu: $21
- Private Departure Transfer : Kota Kinabalu International Airport: $28
- Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu hotels: $25
- Private Transfer from Kota Kota Kinabalu Hotels to Kinabalu Port: $25
- Private Transfer- Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI to Kota Kinabalu Port: $25
- Private Transfer- Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI: $25
- Private Transfer: Kota Kinabalu International Airport to/from Hotel: $30
- Stand Up Paddle Boarding with Sunrise/Sunset Tour at Kota Kinabalu with transfer: $32
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Guilin
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Guilin are as follows:
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Taxi$2.94
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guilin
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guilin:
- One Way Transfer Service between Guilin city and airport: $17
- Guilin Transfer Services: Airport,train station & hotel: $18
- Jieyang Chaoshan Airport Private airport transfer Service: $20
- Private Departure Transfer from Hotel to Guilin Train Stations: $21
- Private Arrival Transfer: Guilin International Airport (KWL) to Downtown Hotel: $27
- Private Departure Transfer: Downtown Guilin Hotel to Airport (KWL): $27
- Private Airport Transfer: Guilin Liangjiang International Aiport to Guilin Hotel: $35
- Guilin Railway stations Transfer Service: $37
- Transfer from Guilin Hotels to Yangshuo Town: $37
- Private Transfer from Guilin hotel to Yangshuo hotel: $37
- Guilin liangjiang Airport Chauffeur Service,Guilin Airport Transfer: $40
- Private Guilin Airport Transfer to Yangshuo: $42
Is it cheaper to fly into Kota Kinabalu or Guilin?
Prices for flights to both Guilin 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 $32Guilin $41
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: $33
- Sabah Traditional Authentic Cuisine Cooking Class 3 Hours: $45
- Klias River Cruise with Dinner and Fireflies: $55
- Kota Kinabalu Klias River Cruise with Dinner and Fireflies Tour: $66
- Kawa Mangrove Cruise & Fireflies with Dinner: $67
- Traditional Sabah Cooking Class and Taste Local Flavors: $77
- Ethnic Cooking Class & Upside Down House & 3D Wonders Museum: $92
- Private Cooking Class with Market Visit: $95
- North Borneo Sunset Dinner Cruise: $121
- Kota Kinabalu Night Tour with Dinner & Cultural Dance Show: $146
Typical Food Prices in Guilin
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Guilin:
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Fresh Coconut Drink$1.47
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guilin
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Guilin.
- Wukong Guilin Neighborhood Food Tour: $65
- Countryside Cycling 1-day Tour with Cooking Class: $306
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kota Kinabalu $6.82Guilin $29
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: $27
- Sabah Mali-Mali Garden Spa Massage Experience: $27
- Private Tour Kampung Gipsi Sabah Cultural Village Kota Kinabalu: $38
- Pulau Sapi & Manukan Sabah Shared Activity Adventure: $44
- Sky-Mirror Photographing and Proboscis Monkey & Fireflies Watching River-Cruise: $46
- Night Glow Stand Up Paddle Experience in Kota Kinabalu: $46
- Mangrove Kayaking Experience in Borneo: $47
- Bongawan: River Safari Cruise, Private or Shared Ticket: $48
- Sabah: Manukan and Sapi Islands Excursion Ticket: $50
- Borneo (Klias) River Cruise & Fireflies Tour: $50
- Bongawan River Cruise Proboscis Monkey, SkyMirror, Fireflies: $52
- Full Day Bongawan River Cruise with Proboscis Monkey Sightseeing: $58
Typical Entertainment Prices in Guilin
Here are a few typical costs in Guilin for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Entrance to the Caves$18
Tours and Activities in Guilin
Here are a few actual costs in Guilin for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Guilin English tour guide service: $15
- Guilin Yangshuo & Longji Rice Terrace 4 days tour: $21
- Gulong Gorge Outdoor Adventure Park Ticket: $35
- City Tour with Elephant Hill & Ming Tea Tasting: $46
- Guilin One Day Tour of Longjie Mountain: $46
- Guilin Four lakes night cruise with the English speaking driver from Guilin hotel: $47
- Guilin City Center Walking Group Tour at Night for Three Hours: $50
- Kayaking Adventure with Local Guide(beginner friendly): $51
- Half-Day Self-Guided Yangshuo Xianggong Hill Sunrise Tour: $52
- 1-Day tour of Guilin-LiRiver cruise-Yangshuo Xianggong hill: $58
- Private Full-Day City Tour with Fubo Hill: $60
- 1 day private tour: Longji rice terraces & Huang Luo Yao villages: $69
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKota Kinabalu $7.61Guilin $6.08
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kota Kinabalu and Guilin, we can see that Guilin 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 Guilin would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Guilin 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 Guilin Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kota Kinabalu or Guilin?
Guilin has a larger population, and is about 42% larger than the population of Kota Kinabalu. When comparing the sizes of Kota Kinabalu and Guilin, 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 Guilin?
Guilin 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 Guilin in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kota Kinabalu and Guilin. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kota Kinabalu year-round.
In the summer, Kota Kinabalu is around the same temperature as Guilin. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kota Kinabalu in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Guilin averages at about 30°C (86°F).
Guilin 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 Guilin. Kota Kinabalu gets 255 mm (10 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Guilin 30°C (86°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Guilin in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Kota Kinabalu as well as Guilin. Kota Kinabalu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In October, Kota Kinabalu is generally a little warmer than Guilin. Daily temperatures in Kota Kinabalu average around 27°C (81°F), and Guilin fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
Kota Kinabalu receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Kota Kinabalu usually gets more rain in October than Guilin. Kota Kinabalu gets 336 mm (13.2 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Guilin 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Guilin in the Winter?
Both Guilin 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 Guilin in the winter. The daily temperature in Kota Kinabalu averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Guilin fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).
It's quite rainy in Kota Kinabalu. In January, Kota Kinabalu usually receives more rain than Guilin. Kota Kinabalu gets 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKota Kinabalu 26°C (79°F)Guilin 10°C (49°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Guilin in the Spring?
Both Guilin 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 Guilin. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kota Kinabalu in April average around 28°C (82°F), and Guilin averages at about 20°C (68°F).
Guilin 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 Guilin. Kota Kinabalu gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 263 mm (10.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKota Kinabalu 28°C (82°F)Guilin 20°C (68°F)
Typical Weather for Guilin and Kota Kinabalu
| Kota Kinabalu | Guilin | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (80°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 263 mm (10.3 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 334 mm (13.2 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 291 mm (11.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 320 mm (12.6 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 168 mm (6.6 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 285 mm (11.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 336 mm (13.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 298 mm (11.7 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 47 mm (1.9 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.