Which place is cheaper, Kobe 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 Kobe?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Kobe? 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 Kobe?
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.
Kobe
Located between the sea and the Rokko mountain range, Kobe is a port city in Japan also considered to be one of the country's most attractive. Though it was devastated by a historic earthquake in 1995, known locally as the Great Hanshin Earthquake, Kobe has fully recovered to its cosmopolitan splendor with plenty for visitors to see and do.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Malaysia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia, The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Japan.
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Kota Kinabalu Prices
Malaysia PricesKobe Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKota Kinabalu $68Kobe $130
The average daily cost (per person) in Kota Kinabalu is $68, while the average daily cost in Kobe is $130. 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 Kobe in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKota Kinabalu $21Kobe $63
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKota Kinabalu $42Kobe $126
Compare Hotels in Kota Kinabalu and Kobe
Looking for a hotel in Kota Kinabalu or Kobe? 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 Kobe Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kota Kinabalu $25Kobe $14
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kobe
Also for Kobe, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer Kobe Airport UKB to Osaka and Kobe City: $58
- Kobe hotels to Kobe Airport (UKB) - Departure Private Transfer: $71
- Kobe Airport (UKB) to Kobe hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $71
- Private Transfer from Kobe Airport (UKB) to Kobe Cruise Port: $71
- Private Transfer from Kobe Cruise Port to Kobe Airport (UKB): $71
- Private Transfer from Kobe Port to Osaka Kansai Airport (KIX): $71
- Kobe to Osaka Kansai Airport (KIX) - Departure Private Transfer: $76
- Private Transfer from Kobe Cruise Port to Kobe Airport (UKB): $91
- Arima Onsen Resorts to Osaka Airport (ITM) Departure Transfer: $111
- Kobe City: Private transfer to/from Itami Airport: $115
- Kobe Airport (UKB) to Kobe hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $141
- Arrival Private Transfers from Kobe Airport UKB to Kobe City in Business Car: $144
Is it cheaper to fly into Kota Kinabalu or Kobe?
Prices for flights to both Kobe 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 $30Kobe $54
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 Kobe
For Kobe, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Okonomiyaki Cooking Class: Create Your Own Savory Pancake: $55
- Kobe Home Cooking Ramen and Gyoza Cooking Class: $61
- Shinkaichi Evening Food Tour with Local Guide: $71
- Shinkaichi Evening Food Tour with Local Guide: $72
- Discover Kobe's Flavors On A Cooking Class: $76
- Kobe Private Food Tour with Local Guide: $95
- Cooking Class with Kobe Beef Sukiyaki and Origami: $101
- Eat Like a Local Private & Personalized Food Tour: $223
- Private tour in Kobe with beef dinner: $487
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kota Kinabalu $6.43Kobe $24
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 Shared Ticket: $48
- 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 Kobe
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Kobe.
- ANCHOR Nightclub Admission Ticket (For Foreign): $6.76
- Port Tower Admission Ticket: $6.76
- ANCHOR Nightclub Admission Ticket (For Foreign): $6.84
- Rokko Forest Sound Museum Admission Ticket: $9.46
- Classic Kobe GPS App Walking Tour Mobile Game: $14
- Kobe Port Tower Entry Ticket: $18
- Private Ring Craft Experience in Kobe: $23
- Make Your Own Personalized Ring in Kobe - UniqueJewelryExperience: $25
- Sorakuen Garden Guided Walking Tour: $43
- Bar Hopping Tour with a Local Guide: $46
- Arima Onsen History Tour: $46
- Kobe City Highlights Guided Tour - Shrine, Port, Tower: $47
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKota Kinabalu $7.18Kobe $8.87
Sample the Local Flavors in Kobe
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Kobe:
- Private Sake Tour and Tasting at a Kobe Brewery: $82
- Sake Brewery and Japanese Life Experience Tour in Kobe: $87
- Sake Brewery Tour with Tasting Sake: $88
- KOBE Sake brewery PRIVATE walking tour with Local guide: $89
- Sake Brewery Tour with Tasting and Kobe Beef Bites: $108
- 5-Hour Nadagogo Sake Brewery Private Guided Experience: $186
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kota Kinabalu and Kobe, we can see that Kobe 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 Kobe would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kobe 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 Kobe Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kota Kinabalu or Kobe?
Kobe has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Kota Kinabalu. When comparing the sizes of Kota Kinabalu and Kobe, 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 Kobe?
Kobe 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 Kobe in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Kota Kinabalu as well as Kobe. Kota Kinabalu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Kobe because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
Kota Kinabalu is around the same temperature as Kobe in the summer. The daily temperature in Kota Kinabalu averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Kobe fluctuates around 27°C (80°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 Kobe. Kota Kinabalu gets 205 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kobe receives 183 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Kobe. Kota Kinabalu receives a lot of rain in the summer. Kota Kinabalu usually gets more rain in July than Kobe. Kota Kinabalu gets 255 mm (10 in) of rain, while Kobe receives 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Kobe 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Kobe in the Autumn?
Both Kobe 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 city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Kobe this time of year.
In the autumn, Kota Kinabalu is a little warmer than Kobe. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kota Kinabalu in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Kobe averages at about 18°C (65°F).
Kota Kinabalu usually receives more sunshine than Kobe during autumn. Kota Kinabalu gets 192 hours of sunny skies, while Kobe receives 159 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kobe. It's quite rainy in Kota Kinabalu. In October, Kota Kinabalu usually receives more rain than Kobe. Kota Kinabalu gets 336 mm (13.2 in) of rain, while Kobe receives 102 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Kobe 18°C (65°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Kobe in the Winter?
Both Kobe 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, many travelers come to Kobe for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Kota Kinabalu is generally much warmer than Kobe. Daily temperatures in Kota Kinabalu average around 26°C (79°F), and Kobe fluctuates around 5°C (42°F).
In the winter, Kota Kinabalu often gets more sunshine than Kobe. Kota Kinabalu gets 181 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kobe receives 140 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 Kobe. Kota Kinabalu gets 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Kobe receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKota Kinabalu 26°C (79°F)Kobe 5°C (42°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Kobe in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kota Kinabalu and Kobe. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kota Kinabalu year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Kobe in the spring for the activities around the city.
Kota Kinabalu is much warmer than Kobe in the spring. The daily temperature in Kota Kinabalu averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Kobe fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).
In Kota Kinabalu, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kota Kinabalu usually receives more sunshine than Kobe during spring. Kota Kinabalu gets 237 hours of sunny skies, while Kobe receives 176 hours of full sun in the spring.
Kobe 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 Kobe. Kota Kinabalu gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Kobe receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKota Kinabalu 28°C (82°F)Kobe 15°C (58°F)
Typical Weather for Kobe and Kota Kinabalu
| Kota Kinabalu | Kobe | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (80°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 291 mm (11.5 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 219 mm (8.6 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 157 mm (6.2 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 285 mm (11.2 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 336 mm (13.2 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 102 mm (4 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 298 mm (11.7 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 65 mm (2.5 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 38 mm (1.5 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.