Which place is cheaper, Koyasan 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 Koyasan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Koyasan? 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 Koyasan?
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.
Koyasan
Mount Koya, Japan is a mountain city located just south of Osaka in the Wakayama prefecture. The area is known as the headquarters of the Shingnon sect of Japanese Buddhism and was first settled in 816. Over time, it has developed into the small town of Koya that is now home to a religious studies university and over 100 temples, many of which offer accommodation.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Malaysia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Japan, and The Best Historical Tours in Japan.
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Kota Kinabalu Prices
Malaysia PricesKoyasan Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKota Kinabalu $68Koyasan $95
The average daily cost (per person) in Kota Kinabalu is $68, while the average daily cost in Koyasan is $95. 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 Koyasan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKota Kinabalu $21Koyasan $41
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKota Kinabalu $42Koyasan $82
Compare Hotels in Kota Kinabalu and Koyasan
Looking for a hotel in Kota Kinabalu or Koyasan? 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 Koyasan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kota Kinabalu $25Koyasan $34
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 Koyasan?
Prices for flights to both Koyasan 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 $30Koyasan $34
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 $6.43Koyasan $14
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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKota Kinabalu $7.18Koyasan $5.07
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kota Kinabalu and Koyasan, we can see that Koyasan 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 Koyasan would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Koyasan 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 Koyasan Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Kota Kinabalu or Koyasan?
Koyasan 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 Koyasan in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kota Kinabalu and Koyasan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kota Kinabalu year-round. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Koyasan because of the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Kota Kinabalu is generally around the same temperature as Koyasan. Daily temperatures in Kota Kinabalu average around 27°C (81°F), and Koyasan fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
In Kota Kinabalu, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kota Kinabalu usually receives more sunshine than Koyasan during summer. Kota Kinabalu gets 205 hours of sunny skies, while Koyasan receives 183 hours of full sun in the summer.
Koyasan 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 Koyasan. Kota Kinabalu gets 255 mm (10 in) of rain, while Koyasan receives 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Koyasan 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Koyasan in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Kota Kinabalu as well as Koyasan. Kota Kinabalu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Koyasan this time of year.
Kota Kinabalu is a little warmer than Koyasan in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kota Kinabalu averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Koyasan fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).
In the autumn, Kota Kinabalu often gets more sunshine than Koyasan. Kota Kinabalu gets 192 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koyasan receives 159 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Koyasan. Kota Kinabalu receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Kota Kinabalu usually gets more rain in October than Koyasan. Kota Kinabalu gets 336 mm (13.2 in) of rain, while Koyasan receives 105 mm (4.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Koyasan 19°C (65°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Koyasan in the Winter?
Both Koyasan 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, many travelers come to Koyasan for the museums and the cuisine.
In the winter, Kota Kinabalu is much warmer than Koyasan. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kota Kinabalu in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Koyasan averages at about 6°C (42°F).
Kota Kinabalu usually receives more sunshine than Koyasan during winter. Kota Kinabalu gets 181 hours of sunny skies, while Koyasan receives 140 hours of full sun in the winter.
It's quite rainy in Kota Kinabalu. In January, Kota Kinabalu usually receives more rain than Koyasan. Kota Kinabalu gets 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Koyasan 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)Koyasan 6°C (42°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Koyasan in the Spring?
Both Koyasan 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. Also, many visitors come to Koyasan in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.
In April, Kota Kinabalu is generally much warmer than Koyasan. Daily temperatures in Kota Kinabalu average around 28°C (82°F), and Koyasan fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
It's quite sunny in Kota Kinabalu. In the spring, Kota Kinabalu often gets more sunshine than Koyasan. Kota Kinabalu gets 237 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koyasan receives 176 hours of full sun.
Koyasan 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 Koyasan. Kota Kinabalu gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Koyasan receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKota Kinabalu 28°C (82°F)Koyasan 15°C (59°F)
Typical Weather for Koyasan and Kota Kinabalu
| Kota Kinabalu | Koyasan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (80°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 57 mm (2.3 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 102 mm (4 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 139 mm (5.5 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 291 mm (11.5 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 208 mm (8.2 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 156 mm (6.1 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 285 mm (11.2 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 162 mm (6.4 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 336 mm (13.2 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 298 mm (11.7 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 35 mm (1.4 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.