Which place is cheaper, Ise 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 Ise?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Ise? 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 Ise?
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.
Ise
A coastal city of Japan, Ise is best known for the Ise Shrine, arguably the holiest and most important Shinto site and the reputed home of the Emperor's Sacred Mirror. The shrine dates back to 4 BC and actually consists of two shrines: the inner shrine called Naiku and the outer shrine called Geku.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Malaysia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan, and The Best Cultural Tours in Japan.
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Kota Kinabalu Prices
Malaysia PricesIse Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKota Kinabalu $68Ise $110
The average daily cost (per person) in Kota Kinabalu is $68, while the average daily cost in Ise is $110. 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 Ise in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKota Kinabalu $21Ise $43
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKota Kinabalu $42Ise $86
Compare Hotels in Kota Kinabalu and Ise
Looking for a hotel in Kota Kinabalu or Ise? 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 Ise Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kota Kinabalu $25Ise $45
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kota Kinabalu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kota Kinabalu:
- Kota Kinab Airport to Kota Kinabalu - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $48
- Kota Kinabalu Airport (BKI) Private Transfer to Kota Kinabalu: $13
- Kota Kinabalu Airport (BKI) to Borneo - Arrival Private Transfer: $38
- Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI to Borneo - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $77
- Kota Kinabalu Hotel to Jetty Round Trip Transfer: $53
- Kota Kinabalu to Kota Kinab Airport: Departure Private Transfer: $24
- Kota Kinabalu（BKI）: Private Transfer to City Center: $14
- Private Arrival Transfer : Kota Kinabalu International Airport: $30
- Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Hotels to Kota Kinabalu Port: $25
- Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu hotels: $25
- Private Transfer- Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI to Kota Kinabalu Port: $25
- Private Transfer- Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI: $25
Is it cheaper to fly into Kota Kinabalu or Ise?
Prices for flights to both Ise 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 $30Ise $43
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
- Kawa Mangrove Cruise & Fireflies with Dinner: $67
- Ethnic Cooking Class & Upside Down House & 3D Wonders Museum: $92
- Taste Of Borneo Cooking Class: $95
- North Borneo Sunset Dinner Cruise: $121
- Kota Kinabalu Night Tour with Dinner & Cultural Dance Show: $138
- Kota Kinabalu Sunset Cruise with Buffet Dinner: $187
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kota Kinabalu $6.43Ise $6.04
Tours and Activities in Kota Kinabalu
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kota Kinabalu are as follows:
- Bongawan Proboscis and Fireflies Cruise Tour: $32
- Sail and Catch Boat fishing Tour of the Coast of Kota Kinabalu: $41
- Night Glow Stand Up Paddle Experience in Kota Kinabalu: $44
- 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 : $49
- Sabah: Manukan and Sapi Islands Excursion Ticket: $50
- Borneo (Klias) River Cruise & Fireflies Tour: $50
- Private Guided E-Foil Experience in Tanjung Aru Beach: $54
- Full Day Bongawan River Cruise with Proboscis Monkey Sightseeing: $55
- Pulau Sapi & Manukan Sabah Shared Activity Adventure: $57
Tours and Activities in Ise
Here are a few actual costs in Ise for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Island Adventure Sea Kayak Tour(Ise-Shima): $47
- Express Tour of Japan’s Most Sacred Shrine: $47
- Guided Bar-Hopping Tour with Food and Drinks: $85
- Full-Day Guided Tour of Shrines and Oharaimachi: $138
- Ise Grand Shrine and Okage Yokocho Guided Tour: $149
- Toba Private Customizable Half Day Tour: $215
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKota Kinabalu $7.18Ise $4.68
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kota Kinabalu and Ise, we can see that Ise 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 Ise would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ise 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 Ise Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kota Kinabalu or Ise?
Kota Kinabalu has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Ise. When comparing the sizes of Kota Kinabalu and Ise, 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 Ise?
Ise 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 Ise in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kota Kinabalu and Ise. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kota Kinabalu year-round. Also, most visitors come to Ise for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Kota Kinabalu is generally around the same temperature as Ise. Daily temperatures in Kota Kinabalu average around 27°C (81°F), and Ise fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
In Kota Kinabalu, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kota Kinabalu usually receives more sunshine than Ise during summer. Kota Kinabalu gets 205 hours of sunny skies, while Ise receives 169 hours of full sun in the summer.
Ise 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 Ise. Kota Kinabalu gets 255 mm (10 in) of rain, while Ise receives 219 mm (8.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Ise 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Ise in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Kota Kinabalu as well as Ise. Kota Kinabalu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Ise because of the shopping scene.
Kota Kinabalu is much warmer than Ise in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kota Kinabalu averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Ise fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).
In the autumn, Kota Kinabalu often gets more sunshine than Ise. Kota Kinabalu gets 192 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ise receives 160 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Ise. Kota Kinabalu receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Kota Kinabalu usually gets more rain in October than Ise. Kota Kinabalu gets 336 mm (13.2 in) of rain, while Ise receives 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Ise 17°C (63°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Ise in the Winter?
Both Ise 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. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Ise this time of year.
It's quite cold in Ise in the winter. In the winter, Kota Kinabalu is much warmer than Ise. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kota Kinabalu in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Ise averages at about 5°C (40°F).
Kota Kinabalu usually receives more sunshine than Ise during winter. Kota Kinabalu gets 181 hours of sunny skies, while Ise receives 165 hours of full sun in the winter.
It's quite rainy in Kota Kinabalu. In January, Kota Kinabalu usually receives more rain than Ise. Kota Kinabalu gets 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Ise receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKota Kinabalu 26°C (79°F)Ise 5°C (40°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Ise in the Spring?
Both Ise 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. Furthermore, many travelers come to Ise for the beaches.
In April, Kota Kinabalu is generally much warmer than Ise. Daily temperatures in Kota Kinabalu average around 28°C (82°F), and Ise fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).
It's quite sunny in Kota Kinabalu. In the spring, Kota Kinabalu often gets more sunshine than Ise. Kota Kinabalu gets 237 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ise receives 169 hours of full sun.
Ise 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 Ise. Kota Kinabalu gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Ise receives 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKota Kinabalu 28°C (82°F)Ise 13°C (56°F)
Typical Weather for Ise and Kota Kinabalu
| Kota Kinabalu | Ise | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (80°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 162 mm (6.4 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 291 mm (11.5 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 219 mm (8.6 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 285 mm (11.2 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 238 mm (9.4 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 336 mm (13.2 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 298 mm (11.7 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 40 mm (1.6 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.