Which place is cheaper, Kamakura 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 Kamakura?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Kamakura? 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 Kamakura?
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.
Kamakura
An old city center of medieval Japan, Kamakura sits today on the seaside just south of Tokyo. Due to its early beginnings, the city is dotted with Buddhist Zen temples and Shinto shrines. It has become a prominent resort town drawing visitors with its many historic landmarks as well as nearby beaches.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Malaysia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia, The Best Adventure Tours to Japan, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan.
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Kota Kinabalu Prices
Malaysia PricesKamakura Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKota Kinabalu $68Kamakura $123
The average daily cost (per person) in Kota Kinabalu is $68, while the average daily cost in Kamakura is $123. 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 Kamakura in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKota Kinabalu $21Kamakura $78
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKota Kinabalu $42Kamakura $156
Compare Hotels in Kota Kinabalu and Kamakura
Looking for a hotel in Kota Kinabalu or Kamakura? 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 Kamakura Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kota Kinabalu $25Kamakura $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kota Kinabalu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kota Kinabalu:
- Kota Kinabalu Airport (BKI) Private Transfer to Kota Kinabalu: $13
- Kota Kinabalu（BKI）: Private Transfer to City Center: $14
- Private Transfer: Kota Kinabalu International Airport to/from Hotel: $20
- Kota Kinabalu to Kota Kinab Airport: Departure Private Transfer: $24
- 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
- Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI to Kota Kinabalu Port: $25
- Private Transfer- Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI: $25
- Private Arrival Transfer : Kota Kinabalu International Airport: $30
- Stand Up Paddle Boarding with Sunrise/Sunset Tour at Kota Kinabalu with transfer: $32
- Kota Kinabalu Airport (BKI) to Borneo - Arrival Private Transfer: $38
Is it cheaper to fly into Kota Kinabalu or Kamakura?
Prices for flights to both Kamakura 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 $30Kamakura $36
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kamakura
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kamakura.
- Sushi Roll Bento Cooking Class: $59
- Community Dinner with Locals: $81
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kota Kinabalu $6.43Kamakura $5.79
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 Kamakura
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kamakura are as follows:
- Ofuna Kannon Temple and Japanese Sweets Tour: $27
- Authentic Japanese Tea Ceremony Experience in Kamakura: $37
- Walking Tour through the City of Samurai: $44
- Kamakura; First Samurai Capital walking tour: $47
- Tsurugaoka Hachimangu & Komachi Street Tour: $51
- Kamakura (Ofuna) : Ramen Crawl Tour with a Local Guide: $51
- Visit Daibutsu and shopping experience: $52
- Private History and Heritage Tour by Rickshaw: $54
- Night Izakaya Bar Hopping Tour: $57
- Half day Walking tour & Japanese sweets: $57
- Kamakura:Largest Wooden Buddha, Temples, Cultural Experience: $67
- Kamakura and Historic Sites Guided Tour: $68
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKota Kinabalu $7.18Kamakura $14
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kota Kinabalu and Kamakura, we can see that Kamakura 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 Kamakura would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kamakura 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 Kamakura Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kota Kinabalu or Kamakura?
Kota Kinabalu has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Kamakura. When comparing the sizes of Kota Kinabalu and Kamakura, 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 Kamakura?
Kamakura 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 Kamakura in the Summer?
Both Kamakura 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 beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Kamakura this time of year.
In the summer, Kota Kinabalu is around the same temperature as Kamakura. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kota Kinabalu in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Kamakura averages at about 25°C (77°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kota Kinabalu. Kota Kinabalu usually receives more sunshine than Kamakura during summer. Kota Kinabalu gets 205 hours of sunny skies, while Kamakura receives 137 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kamakura. It's quite rainy in Kota Kinabalu. In July, Kota Kinabalu usually receives more rain than Kamakura. Kota Kinabalu gets 255 mm (10 in) of rain, while Kamakura receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Kamakura 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Kamakura in the Autumn?
Both Kamakura 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, many travelers come to Kamakura for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.
In October, Kota Kinabalu is generally much warmer than Kamakura. Daily temperatures in Kota Kinabalu average around 27°C (81°F), and Kamakura fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
In the autumn, Kota Kinabalu often gets more sunshine than Kamakura. Kota Kinabalu gets 192 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kamakura receives 129 hours of full sun.
Kamakura 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 more rain in October than Kamakura. Kota Kinabalu gets 336 mm (13.2 in) of rain, while Kamakura receives 177 mm (7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Kamakura 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Kamakura in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kota Kinabalu and Kamakura. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kota Kinabalu year-round. Also, many visitors come to Kamakura in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Kota Kinabalu is much warmer than Kamakura in the winter. The daily temperature in Kota Kinabalu averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Kamakura fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).
Kota Kinabalu usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Kamakura during winter. Kota Kinabalu gets 181 hours of sunny skies, while Kamakura receives 175 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 Kamakura. Kota Kinabalu gets 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Kamakura receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKota Kinabalu 26°C (79°F)Kamakura 6°C (43°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Kamakura in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Kota Kinabalu as well as Kamakura. Kota Kinabalu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Kamakura for the beaches during these months.
In the spring, Kota Kinabalu is much warmer than Kamakura. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kota Kinabalu in April average around 28°C (82°F), and Kamakura averages at about 14°C (58°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 Kamakura. Kota Kinabalu gets 237 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kamakura receives 161 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Kamakura. Kota Kinabalu receives a lot of rain in the spring. Kota Kinabalu usually gets less rain in April than Kamakura. Kota Kinabalu gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Kamakura receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKota Kinabalu 28°C (82°F)Kamakura 14°C (58°F)
Typical Weather for Kamakura and Kota Kinabalu
| Kota Kinabalu | Kamakura | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (80°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 162 mm (6.4 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 291 mm (11.5 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 218 mm (8.6 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 139 mm (5.5 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 285 mm (11.2 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 180 mm (7.1 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 336 mm (13.2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 177 mm (7 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 298 mm (11.7 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 53 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.