Which place is cheaper, Kanazawa 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 Kanazawa?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Kanazawa? 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 Kanazawa?
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.
Kanazawa
An important city of the Edo-period, Kanazawa is a well preserved city from a time when samurai, merchants, geisha, and lords made up the core of its culture. Though it is often overlooked by foreigners, the city is a gem of Japanese tourism with a number of preserved historic districts, temples, regional handicrafts, art museums, and some of the best food to be had in Japan.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Malaysia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Japan, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Japan.
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Kota Kinabalu Prices
Malaysia PricesKanazawa Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKota Kinabalu $68Kanazawa $131
The average daily cost (per person) in Kota Kinabalu is $68, while the average daily cost in Kanazawa is $131. 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 Kanazawa in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKota Kinabalu $21Kanazawa $66
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKota Kinabalu $42Kanazawa $132
Compare Hotels in Kota Kinabalu and Kanazawa
Looking for a hotel in Kota Kinabalu or Kanazawa? 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 Kanazawa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kota Kinabalu $25Kanazawa $9.66
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kota Kinabalu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kota Kinabalu:
- Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI to Borneo - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $77
- Kota Kinabalu Hotel to Jetty Round Trip Transfer: $53
- Kota Kinab Airport to Kota Kinabalu - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $48
- Kota Kinabalu Airport (BKI) to Borneo - Arrival Private Transfer: $38
- Stand Up Paddle Boarding with Sunrise/Sunset Tour at Kota Kinabalu with transfer: $32
- 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
- Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI to Kota 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
- Kota Kinabalu to Kota Kinab Airport: Departure Private Transfer: $24
Is it cheaper to fly into Kota Kinabalu or Kanazawa?
Prices for flights to both Kanazawa 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 $30Kanazawa $58
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kota Kinabalu
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kota Kinabalu.
- Sabah Traditional Authentic Cuisine Cooking Class 3 Hours: $29
- Beringgis Mangove Fireflies, Sunset Tour & Dinner: $33
- 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 Kanazawa
For Kanazawa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Authentic Japanese Cooking and Sushi-Making Lesson: $101
- traditional Japanese & sushi cooking classes: $103
- Fishing Experience with Gyotaku and Cooking: $422
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kota Kinabalu $6.43Kanazawa $10
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
- Bongawan River Cruise Proboscis Monkey, SkyMirror, Fireflies : $49
- Bongawan: River Safari Cruise, Private or Optional Ticket: $143
- Borneo (Klias) River Cruise & Fireflies Tour: $50
- Cowboy Town & Fireflies River Cruise: $62
- Day Trip to Kinabalu Park and Poring Hot Spring Guided Tour: $70
- From Kota Kinabalu : Kiulu White Water Rafting Tour + meal: $66
- Full Day Bongawan River Cruise with Proboscis Monkey Sightseeing: $55
- Indigenous Weaving Experience: $236
- Island Hopping Tour (2 Island) From Kota Kinabalu: $100
- Island Hopping Tour From Kota Kinabalu (2 island): $90
- Kinabalu National Park Tour: $135
Tours and Activities in Kanazawa
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Kanazawa.
- Rental Kimono Selfie Photo Experience: $21
- Ring making experience　 Completed in about 1 hour! : $23
- Private Ring Craft Experience in Kanazawa: $23
- Selfie Photo Experience with Rental Kimono - Moon: $23
- Selfie Photo Experience with Rental Kimono - Color: $27
- Tea Ceremony Experience at Kenrokuen: $30
- Kanazawa:Traditional Experience -kimono rent at wargo: $33
- Kenrokuen Tea Ceremony Experience: $37
- 2-Hour Private Tour of Omicho Market with Tastings: $54
- Private Custom Tour with Local Guide: $54
- Private Walking Tour with a Local: $55
- Market Tastings and Castle Town Adventure in Kanazawa: $55
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKota Kinabalu $7.18Kanazawa $13
Sample the Local Flavors in Kanazawa
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Kanazawa:
- Kanazawa Historic Brewery: Fermentation Tour, Tasting, Lunch: $81
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kota Kinabalu and Kanazawa, we can see that Kanazawa 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 Kanazawa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kanazawa 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 Kanazawa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kota Kinabalu or Kanazawa?
Kanazawa has a larger population, and is about 0% larger than the population of Kota Kinabalu. When comparing the sizes of Kota Kinabalu and Kanazawa, 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 Kanazawa?
Kanazawa 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 Kanazawa in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Kota Kinabalu as well as Kanazawa. Kota Kinabalu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Kanazawa for the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Kota Kinabalu is around the same temperature as Kanazawa. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kota Kinabalu in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Kanazawa averages at about 26°C (78°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kota Kinabalu this time of the year. In the summer, Kota Kinabalu often gets more sunshine than Kanazawa. Kota Kinabalu gets 205 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kanazawa receives 180 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Kanazawa. Kota Kinabalu receives a lot of rain in the summer. Kota Kinabalu usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Kanazawa. Kota Kinabalu gets 255 mm (10 in) of rain, while Kanazawa receives 251 mm (9.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Kanazawa 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Kanazawa in the Autumn?
Both Kanazawa 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, many visitors come to Kanazawa in the autumn for the shopping scene.
In October, Kota Kinabalu is generally much warmer than Kanazawa. Daily temperatures in Kota Kinabalu average around 27°C (81°F), and Kanazawa fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).
Kota Kinabalu usually receives more sunshine than Kanazawa during autumn. Kota Kinabalu gets 192 hours of sunny skies, while Kanazawa receives 155 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kanazawa. It's quite rainy in Kota Kinabalu. In October, Kota Kinabalu usually receives more rain than Kanazawa. Kota Kinabalu gets 336 mm (13.2 in) of rain, while Kanazawa receives 203 mm (8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Kanazawa 17°C (62°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Kanazawa in the Winter?
Both Kanazawa 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, most visitors come to Kanazawa for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Kanazawa can be very cold during winter. Kota Kinabalu is much warmer than Kanazawa in the winter. The daily temperature in Kota Kinabalu averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Kanazawa fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).
In the winter, Kota Kinabalu often gets more sunshine than Kanazawa. Kota Kinabalu gets 181 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kanazawa receives 67 hours of full sun.
Kanazawa 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 January than Kanazawa. Kota Kinabalu gets 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Kanazawa receives 294 mm (11.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKota Kinabalu 26°C (79°F)Kanazawa 3°C (38°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Kanazawa in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kota Kinabalu and Kanazawa. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kota Kinabalu year-round.
In the spring, Kota Kinabalu is much warmer than Kanazawa. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kota Kinabalu in April average around 28°C (82°F), and Kanazawa averages at about 12°C (54°F).
In Kota Kinabalu, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kota Kinabalu usually receives more sunshine than Kanazawa during spring. Kota Kinabalu gets 237 hours of sunny skies, while Kanazawa receives 183 hours of full sun in the spring.
Kanazawa receives a lot of rain in the spring. Kota Kinabalu gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Kota Kinabalu usually receives less rain than Kanazawa. Kota Kinabalu gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Kanazawa receives 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKota Kinabalu 28°C (82°F)Kanazawa 12°C (54°F)
Typical Weather for Kanazawa and Kota Kinabalu
| Kota Kinabalu | Kanazawa | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 294 mm (11.6 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (80°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 192 mm (7.6 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 156 mm (6.1 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 291 mm (11.5 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 202 mm (8 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 251 mm (9.9 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 285 mm (11.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 248 mm (9.8 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 336 mm (13.2 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 203 mm (8 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 298 mm (11.7 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 266 mm (10.5 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 306 mm (12 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.