Which place is cheaper, Hobart or Kota Kinabalu?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Kota Kinabalu or Hobart?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Hobart? 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 Hobart?
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.
Hobart
Hobart is the capital city of the Australian island state of Tasmania. It is small compared to the mainland's larger cities and has a cooler climate with four distinct seasons. Hobart is also the second oldest capital, behind Sydney, with remnants of its past visible in old sandstone warehouses now home to cafes and galleries, as well as a historic district with narrow lanes and colonial-era cottages.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Malaysia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia, The Best Budget Tours to Australia, and The Best Luxury Tours to Australia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKota Kinabalu $49Hobart $134
The average daily cost (per person) in Kota Kinabalu is $49, while the average daily cost in Hobart is $134. 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 Hobart in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKota Kinabalu $18Hobart $76
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKota Kinabalu $36Hobart $152
Compare Hotels in Kota Kinabalu and Hobart
Looking for a hotel in Kota Kinabalu or Hobart? 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 Hobart Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kota Kinabalu $22Hobart $28
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 Hobart
Also for Hobart, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Hobart Airport: Express Bus Transfer to Hobart City: $13
- Grand Cayman Shared Airport Transfer: $22
- Private Transfer from Hobart Airport (HBA) to Hobart Cruise Port: $29
- Private Transfer from Hobart Cruise Port to Hobart city hotels: $29
- Private Transfer from Hobart City Hotels to Hobart Cruise Port: $29
- Hobart to Hobart Int Airport (HBA) - Departure Private Transfer: $44
- Private Transfer from Hobart City Hotels to Arthur Cruise Port : $50
- Private Transfer from Hobart Airport (HBA) to Arthur Cruise Port: $50
- Port Arthur Return Transfer, mimimum 4 passengers : $218
Is it cheaper to fly into Kota Kinabalu or Hobart?
Prices for flights to both Hobart 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 $15Hobart $28
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 $5.67Hobart $23
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 Hobart
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Hobart.
- Hobart Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
- Derwent River Historic Harbour Cruise From Hobart: $18
- Admission Ticket to Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary: $22
- Hobart Urban Guided Walking Tour: $25
- Art and History Trail Walking Tour in Tasmania: $25
- 24-Hour Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Bus Ticket: $26
- Hobart Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour: $26
- Port Arthur Shuttle and Tasman Sights Tour: $29
- 48 Hour Hobart City Hop-On Hop-Off Tour: $33
- 3-Hour City Sightseeing Tour by Tram: $36
- Historic Lunch Cruise: $36
- Mt Wellington Ultimate Experience Tour from Hobart: $40
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKota Kinabalu $6.34Hobart $15
Sample the Local Flavors in Hobart
Also in Hobart, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Tasmanian Premium Wine Tour with Tasmanian Cheese Platter: $135
- Signature Wine Tour - Hobart and SE Tasmania: $144
- 7- 8 Hour StelaVino Guided Wine Tours From Hobart, Tasmania: $182
- From Drink Tasmania Whisky Distillery Tour: $195
- Tasmanian Whisky Distillery Tour: $197
- Whisky Distillery Tours and Tastings - Hobart/SE Tasmania: $229
- Tasmanian Tipples: Hobart Distillery Discovery Tours: $229
- 6 Hour Distillery Guided Tours in Tasmania with Lunch and Tasting: $231
- Whisky Distillery Tours and Tastings in Hobart and SE Tasmania: $231
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kota Kinabalu and Hobart, we can see that Hobart 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 Hobart 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 Hobart would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hobart 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 Hobart Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kota Kinabalu or Hobart?
Kota Kinabalu has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Hobart. When comparing the sizes of Kota Kinabalu and Hobart, 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 Hobart?
Hobart 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 Hobart in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Kota Kinabalu as well as Hobart. Kota Kinabalu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Hobart for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Kota Kinabalu is generally much warmer than Hobartin January. Daily temperatures in Kota Kinabalu average around 27°C (81°F), and Hobart fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hobart. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kota Kinabalu this time of the year. In the summer, Kota Kinabalu often gets less sunshine than Hobartin January. Kota Kinabalu gets 205 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hobart receives 259 hours of full sun.
Kota Kinabalu receives a lot of rain in the summer. Kota Kinabalu usually gets more rain in July than Hobartin January. Kota Kinabalu gets 255 mm (10 in) of rain, while Hobart receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Hobart 17°C (63°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Hobart in the Autumn?
Both Hobart 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, the autumn months attract visitors to Hobart because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene.
Kota Kinabalu is much warmer than Hobart in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kota Kinabalu averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Hobart fluctuates around 14°C (57°F)in April.
Kota Kinabalu usually receives more sunshine than Hobart during autumn. Kota Kinabalu gets 192 hours of sunny skies, while Hobart receives 178 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It's quite rainy in Kota Kinabalu. In October, Kota Kinabalu usually receives more rain than Hobartin April. Kota Kinabalu gets 336 mm (13.2 in) of rain, while Hobart receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Hobart 14°C (57°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Hobart in the Winter?
Both Hobart 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. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Hobart this time of year.
In the winter, Kota Kinabalu is much warmer than Hobart. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kota Kinabalu in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Hobart averages at about 9°C (47°F)in July.
In the winter, Kota Kinabalu often gets more sunshine than Hobartin July. Kota Kinabalu gets 181 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hobart receives 152 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kota Kinabalu. Kota Kinabalu usually gets more rain in January than Hobartin July. Kota Kinabalu gets 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Hobart receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyKota Kinabalu 26°C (79°F)Hobart 9°C (47°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Hobart in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kota Kinabalu and Hobart. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kota Kinabalu year-round.
In April, Kota Kinabalu is generally much warmer than Hobartin October. Daily temperatures in Kota Kinabalu average around 28°C (82°F), and Hobart fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hobart this time of the year. In Kota Kinabalu, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kota Kinabalu usually receives more sunshine than Hobart during spring. Kota Kinabalu gets 237 hours of sunny skies, while Hobart receives 209 hours of full sun in the spring.
Kota Kinabalu gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Kota Kinabalu usually receives more rain than Hobartin October. Kota Kinabalu gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Hobart receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberKota Kinabalu 28°C (82°F)Hobart 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Hobart and Kota Kinabalu
| Kota Kinabalu | Hobart | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (80°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 291 mm (11.5 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 285 mm (11.2 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 336 mm (13.2 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 298 mm (11.7 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 54 mm (2.1 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.