Which place is cheaper, Khao Yai National Park 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 Khao Yai National Park?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Khao Yai National Park? 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 Khao Yai National Park?
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.
Khao Yai National Park
Adventurous travelers are always in search of new terrain to conquer. At over 2,000 square kilometers, Khao Yai National Park is Thailand's second largest national park, and just full of jungles to trek through. In the southwest of Thailand is a sanctuary of mountains and waterfalls.
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 Thailand, and The Best Eco Tours in Thailand.
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Kota Kinabalu Prices
Malaysia PricesKhao Yai National Park Prices
Thailand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKota Kinabalu $68Khao Yai National Park $85
The average daily cost (per person) in Kota Kinabalu is $68, while the average daily cost in Khao Yai National Park is $85. 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 Khao Yai National Park in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKota Kinabalu $21Khao Yai National Park $41
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKota Kinabalu $42Khao Yai National Park $82
Compare Hotels in Kota Kinabalu and Khao Yai National Park
Looking for a hotel in Kota Kinabalu or Khao Yai National Park? 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 $25Khao Yai National Park $16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kota Kinabalu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kota Kinabalu:
- Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI to Kota Kinabalu Port: $25
- Stand Up Paddle Boarding with Sunrise/Sunset Tour at Kota Kinabalu with transfer: $32
- Private Transfer: Kota Kinabalu International Airport to/from Hotel: $20
- Private Transfer- Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI: $25
- Private Transfer- Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI to Kota Kinabalu Port: $25
- Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu hotels: $25
- Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Hotels to Kota Kinabalu Port: $25
- Private Arrival Transfer : Kota Kinabalu International Airport: $30
- Kota Kinabalu（BKI）: Private Transfer to City Center: $14
- Kota Kinabalu to Kota Kinab Airport: Departure Private Transfer: $24
- Kota Kinabalu Hotel to Jetty Round Trip Transfer: $53
- Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI to Borneo - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $77
Is it cheaper to fly into Kota Kinabalu or Khao Yai National Park?
Prices for flights to both Khao Yai National Park 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 $30Khao Yai National Park $33
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kota Kinabalu $6.43Khao Yai National Park $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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKota Kinabalu $7.18Khao Yai National Park $13
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kota Kinabalu and Khao Yai National Park, we can see that Khao Yai National Park 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 Khao Yai National Park would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Khao Yai National Park 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 Khao Yai National Park Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Kota Kinabalu or Khao Yai National Park?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Khao Yai National Park in the Summer?
Both Khao Yai National Park and Kota Kinabalu during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Kota Kinabalu because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Khao Yai National Park year-round.
Khao Yai National Park 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 July than Khao Yai National Park. Kota Kinabalu gets 255 mm (10 in) of rain, while Khao Yai National Park receives 315 mm (12.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
It's quite sunny in Kota Kinabalu. In the summer, Kota Kinabalu often gets more sunshine than Khao Yai National Park. Kota Kinabalu gets 205 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Khao Yai National Park receives 176 hours of full sun.
In the summer, Kota Kinabalu is around the same temperature as Khao Yai National Park. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kota Kinabalu in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Khao Yai National Park averages at about 28°C (83°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Khao Yai National Park 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Khao Yai National Park in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Kota Kinabalu and Khao Yai National Park. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kota Kinabalu year-round. Khao Yai National Park attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Khao Yai National Park receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Kota Kinabalu gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Kota Kinabalu usually receives more rain than Khao Yai National Park. Kota Kinabalu gets 336 mm (13.2 in) of rain, while Khao Yai National Park receives 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Khao Yai National Park this time of the year. Kota Kinabalu usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Khao Yai National Park during autumn. Kota Kinabalu gets 192 hours of sunny skies, while Khao Yai National Park receives 206 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Kota Kinabalu is generally around the same temperature as Khao Yai National Park. Daily temperatures in Kota Kinabalu average around 27°C (81°F), and Khao Yai National Park fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Khao Yai National Park 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Khao Yai National Park in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Kota Kinabalu as well as Khao Yai National Park. Kota Kinabalu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Khao Yai National Park throughout the year.
Kota Kinabalu receives a lot of rain in the winter. Kota Kinabalu usually gets more rain in January than Khao Yai National Park. Kota Kinabalu gets 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Khao Yai National Park receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Khao Yai National Park. In the winter, Kota Kinabalu often gets less sunshine than Khao Yai National Park. Kota Kinabalu gets 181 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Khao Yai National Park receives 276 hours of full sun.
Kota Kinabalu is around the same temperature as Khao Yai National Park in the winter. The daily temperature in Kota Kinabalu averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Khao Yai National Park fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKota Kinabalu 26°C (79°F)Khao Yai National Park 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Khao Yai National Park in the Spring?
Both Khao Yai National Park and Kota Kinabalu are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kota Kinabalu throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Khao Yai National Park because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Khao Yai National Park. It's quite rainy in Kota Kinabalu. In April, Kota Kinabalu usually receives less rain than Khao Yai National Park. Kota Kinabalu gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Khao Yai National Park receives 128 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
It's quite sunny in Khao Yai National Park. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kota Kinabalu. Kota Kinabalu usually receives less sunshine than Khao Yai National Park during spring. Kota Kinabalu gets 237 hours of sunny skies, while Khao Yai National Park receives 262 hours of full sun in the spring.
In the spring, Kota Kinabalu is around the same temperature as Khao Yai National Park. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kota Kinabalu in April average around 28°C (82°F), and Khao Yai National Park averages at about 30°C (87°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKota Kinabalu 28°C (82°F)Khao Yai National Park 30°C (87°F)
Typical Weather for Khao Yai National Park and Kota Kinabalu
| Kota Kinabalu | Khao Yai National Park | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (80°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 25 mm (1 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 30°C (87°F) | 128 mm (5.1 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 30°C (85°F) | 225 mm (8.8 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 291 mm (11.5 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 277 mm (10.9 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 315 mm (12.4 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 385 mm (15.1 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 285 mm (11.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 360 mm (14.2 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 336 mm (13.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 298 mm (11.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 10 mm (0.4 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.