Which place is cheaper, London 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 London?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or London? 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 London?
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.
London
The capital of the United Kingdom is a thriving multicultural metropolis. Steeped in iconic landmarks, world-class museums and royal parks, London is energetic, majestic, ambitious and one of the world's greatest cities. London is a cultural and fashion capital, a great place to go out, an amazing place to eat and one of those cities that is constantly changing with new and exciting things sprouting up almost every day. History and tradition greet you at every turn in the UK's capital. London is also a city with an edgy underbelly, delighting in neon pink dive bars, cheeky graffiti and mind-blowing street food. When you need a break from the action, pop into a pub or relax in one of the city's many parks. Blow through the city on a double-decker bus, and take a pinch-me-I'm-in-London walk through the West End. As one of the most visited cities in the world, London is busy, vibrant and very tourist friendly. The only problem with London is that it's very expensive; it can eat away at your budget if you aren't careful. Luckily, there are also tons of free or cheap things to do in London that can fill your time.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Malaysia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia, The Best Coach Bus Tours in United Kingdom, and The Best Adventure Tours to United Kingdom.
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Kota Kinabalu Prices
Malaysia PricesLondon Prices
UK Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKota Kinabalu $70London $292
The average daily cost (per person) in Kota Kinabalu is $70, while the average daily cost in London is $292. 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 London in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKota Kinabalu $21London $169
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKota Kinabalu $42London $338
Compare Hotels in Kota Kinabalu and London
Looking for a hotel in Kota Kinabalu or London? 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 London Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kota Kinabalu $26London $35
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: $75
- Kota Kinabalu Hotel to Jetty Round Trip Transfer: $54
- Kota Kinab Airport to Kota Kinabalu - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $47
- Borneo to Kota Kinabalu Airport(BKI) - Departure Private Transfer: $38
- Kota Kinabalu Airport (BKI) to Borneo - Arrival Private Transfer: $38
- Private Transfer: Kota Kinabalu International Airport to/from Hotel: $30
- Private Departure Transfer : Kota Kinabalu International Airport: $27
- Private Transfer from Kota Kota Kinabalu Hotels to Kinabalu Port: $25
- Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu Airport (BKI): $25
- Private Transfer- Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI: $25
- Private Airport Transfer in Kota Kinabalu: $20
- Kota Kinabalu（BKI）: Private Transfer to City Center: $14
Typical Local Transportation Prices in London
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in London:
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Taxi Ride$20
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Heathrow Express$24
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Luggage Storage$11
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London Map$1.74
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Oyster Card$48
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Train to Gatwick Airport (2)$29
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Oyster Card$36
Hired Cars and Shuttles in London
Also for London, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Bus Transfer between Heathrow Airport & Premier Inn: $9.15
- Bus Transfer Between Heathrow Airport & Radisson RED: $9.15
- Transfer Heathrow Airport to/from Renaissance Hotel: $9.15
- Stansted airport: Bus transfer from/to Cambridge: $12
- Heathrow Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Birmingham: $15
- Gatwick Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Bristol: $16
- Bus Transfer between Heathrow & Luton Airports: $17
- Manchester Airport : Bus transferring to/from London: $17
- Heathrow Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Bristol City Center: $18
- Luton Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Birmingham: $18
- Luton Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Oxford Gloucester Green: $26
- Departure Private Transfer Argostoli to Kephalonia Airport EFL in Business Car: $26
Is it cheaper to fly into Kota Kinabalu or London?
Prices for flights to both London 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 $31London $80
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
- Kota Kinabalu Klias River Cruise with Dinner and Fireflies Tour: $72
- Traditional Sabah Cooking Class and Taste Local Flavors: $75
- Ethnic Cooking Class & Upside Down House & 3D Wonders Museum: $92
- Private Cooking Class with Market Visit: $94
- North Borneo Sunset Dinner Cruise: $121
- Kota Kinabalu Night Tour with Dinner & Cultural Dance Show: $142
- Kota Kinabalu Sunset Cruise with Dinner, Live Band & Hotel Pickup: $189
Typical Food Prices in London
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to London:
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Lunch at Starbucks$18
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Tea$8.09
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Afternoon Tea at Fortnum & Mason$53
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Morning Tea$8.56
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Pastry$6.74
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Sushi Dinner for One$25
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in London
For London, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Hard Rock Cafe London Old Park Lane with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $42
- Hard Rock Cafe Piccadilly Circus with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $43
- London West End Food Tour - Choose Your Own Sweet Treats & Tea: $48
- Ultimate London Cheese Crawl : Guided Food Tour: $48
- London Soho & Covent Garden Full Meal Food Tour by Do Eat Better: $78
- French Cuisine Dinner & Comedy Show Experience, Covent Garden: $87
- London Sweet Treats Food Tour: Covent Garden & West End: $89
- London Borough Market Holiday Food Tour: Sweet Treats & Tea Tour: $89
- Authentic Japanese Cooking Class in North London Home: $93
- The Original Soho and Chinatown Food Tour with Authentic Dishes: $103
- Devour Borough Market & Leadenhall Food Tour with Wine: $106
- Plant Power - Vegan Food Tour: $116
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kota Kinabalu $6.62London $44
Tours and Activities in Kota Kinabalu
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kota Kinabalu are as follows:
- Bongawan River Cruise Proboscis Monkey, SkyMirror, Fireflies: $54
- Bongawan: River Safari Cruise, Private or Shared Ticket: $48
- Borneo (Klias) River Cruise & Fireflies Tour: $50
- Borneo Combo Adventure: $200
- Cowboy Town & Fireflies River Cruise: $62
- Day Trip to Kinabalu Park and Poring Hot Spring Guided Tour: $70
- Discover Sailing Experience in Tanjung Aru Beach: $88
- Dreamer Island Snorkeling Day Tour: $78
- From Kota Kinabalu : Kiulu White Water Rafting Tour + meal: $66
- Full Day Bongawan River Cruise with Proboscis Monkey Sightseeing: $56
- Indigenous Weaving Experience: $236
- Island Hopping Tour (2 Island) From Kota Kinabalu: $100
Typical Entertainment Prices in London
For London, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Two Tickets to a Concert$112
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London Symphony Orchestra$46
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London Pass$63
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Comedy Show$11
Tours and Activities in London
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for London.
- London Scavenger Hunt & Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour: $3.51
- A Camp Self-Guided Tour of London with Paul Baker: $5.00
- Jack the Ripper in Quest Experience: $5.97
- London’s West End at War: Self-Guided WWII Puzzle Adventure: $5.97
- London Walking Tour: Self-Guided City Game: $5.97
- Thomas Cubitt’s Pimlico: A Self-Guided Walking Tour: $5.99
- Tales from the Thames Riverbank: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Central London Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $6.12
- Brutalism in Barbican: An Architectural Audio Tour: $6.99
- Palaces and Protests Self Guided Tour of Kensington and Hyde: $6.99
- Haunted Ghost Hunt Self-Guided Walking Adventure: $7.61
- Jack The Ripper's London Smartphone Guided Walking Tour: $7.75
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKota Kinabalu $7.40London $20
Sample the Local Flavors in London
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in London:
- Greenwich Historic Pub Tour: $20
- London Historic Pub Tour: Fleet Street Taverns, Small Group: $23
- The Original Shoreditch Pub Crawl: $34
- London PUB CRAWL Shots Pints & Good Times: $34
- The Great East London Pub Crawl!: $34
- The Great British Pub Walking Tour: London: $40
- Sipsmith Distillery Tour and Complimentary Tasting: $41
- Beer Babe Bar Crawl in London: $52
- Wine Tasting London Bus Tour: $57
- North London Craft Brewery Tour: $67
- Soho Rock and Roll Pub Tour: $80
- London Soho Rock and Roll Pub Tour with Guide: $80
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kota Kinabalu and London, we can see that London is more expensive. And not only is Kota Kinabalu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kota Kinabalu is in Asia and London is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 London would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in London 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 London Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kota Kinabalu or London?
London has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Kota Kinabalu. When comparing the sizes of Kota Kinabalu and London, 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 London?
London 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 London in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Kota Kinabalu as well as London. Kota Kinabalu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to London for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
Kota Kinabalu is much warmer than London in the summer. The daily temperature in Kota Kinabalu averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and London fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kota Kinabalu this time of the year. In the summer, Kota Kinabalu often gets around the same amount of sunshine as London. Kota Kinabalu gets 205 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while London receives 195 hours of full sun.
Kota Kinabalu receives a lot of rain in the summer. Kota Kinabalu usually gets more rain in July than London. Kota Kinabalu gets 255 mm (10 in) of rain, while London receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)London 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or London in the Autumn?
Both London 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 London in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Kota Kinabalu is much warmer than London. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kota Kinabalu in October average around 27°C (81°F), and London averages at about 12°C (53°F).
Kota Kinabalu usually receives more sunshine than London during autumn. Kota Kinabalu gets 192 hours of sunny skies, while London receives 107 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It's quite rainy in Kota Kinabalu. In October, Kota Kinabalu usually receives more rain than London. Kota Kinabalu gets 336 mm (13.2 in) of rain, while London receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)London 12°C (53°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or London in the Winter?
Both London 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. Also, most visitors come to London for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months.
London can be very cold during winter. In January, Kota Kinabalu is generally much warmer than London. Daily temperatures in Kota Kinabalu average around 26°C (79°F), and London fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).
In the winter, Kota Kinabalu often gets more sunshine than London. Kota Kinabalu gets 181 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while London receives 52 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 London. Kota Kinabalu gets 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while London receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKota Kinabalu 26°C (79°F)London 4°C (40°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or London in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kota Kinabalu and London. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kota Kinabalu year-round. Also, the spring months attract visitors to London because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
Kota Kinabalu is much warmer than London in the spring. The daily temperature in Kota Kinabalu averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and London fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).
In Kota Kinabalu, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kota Kinabalu usually receives more sunshine than London during spring. Kota Kinabalu gets 237 hours of sunny skies, while London receives 147 hours of full sun in the spring.
Kota Kinabalu gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Kota Kinabalu usually receives more rain than London. Kota Kinabalu gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while London receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKota Kinabalu 28°C (82°F)London 9°C (48°F)
Typical Weather for London and Kota Kinabalu
| Kota Kinabalu | London | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (80°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 291 mm (11.5 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 285 mm (11.2 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 336 mm (13.2 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 298 mm (11.7 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 57 mm (2.2 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.