Which place is cheaper, Matsue or Kota Kinabalu?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Kota Kinabalu or Matsue?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Matsue? 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 Matsue?
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.
Matsue
Matsue, Japan is located on the scenic shores of Lake Shinji in the Shimane Prefecture. Matsue is the capital city of the prefecture and is known as the water city due to being located between Lake Shinji, Lake Nakaumi, and the Sea of Japan. This historically rich city is famous for being a laid back samurai village with stunning sunsets and traditional confectioneries.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Malaysia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia, The Best Contiki Tours to Japan, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Japan.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKota Kinabalu $49Matsue $65
The average daily cost (per person) in Kota Kinabalu is $49, while the average daily cost in Matsue is $65. 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 Matsue in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKota Kinabalu $18Matsue $26
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKota Kinabalu $36Matsue $52
Compare Hotels in Kota Kinabalu and Matsue
Looking for a hotel in Kota Kinabalu or Matsue? 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 Matsue Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kota Kinabalu $22Matsue $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kota Kinabalu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kota Kinabalu:
- Borneo to Kota Kinabalu Airport(BKI) - Departure Private Transfer: $46
- Kota Kinabalu Airport Private Transfer with 1 hour Charter: $12
- Kota Kinabalu Hotel to Jetty Round Trip Transfer: $52
- Kota Kinabalu to Kota Kinab Airport: Departure Private Transfer: $23
- Monsopiad Cultural Village Visit with Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu: $31
- Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu hotels: $28
- Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu hotels: $32
- Private Transfer from Kota Kota Kinabalu Hotels to Kinabalu Port: $28
- Private Transfer- Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI: $32
- Private Transfer: Kota Kinabalu International Airport to/from Hotel: $20
- Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI to Kota Kinabalu Port: $28
- Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu Airport (BKI): $28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Matsue
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Matsue:
- Private Transfer from Sakaiminato Cruise Port to Osaka city : $131
- Private Transfer from Sakaiminato Port to Osaka Int Airport KIX: $200
Is it cheaper to fly into Kota Kinabalu or Matsue?
Prices for flights to both Matsue 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 $15Matsue $27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kota Kinabalu
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kota Kinabalu.
- Private Kinabalu Night Tour with Cultural Show and Dinner: $62
- Kota Kinabalu K2 Fireflies Sunset River Cruise Tour with Dinner: $86
- Half Day Klias Mangrove Wildlife and Fireflies with dinner: $128
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kota Kinabalu $5.67Matsue $8.81
Tours and Activities in Kota Kinabalu
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kota Kinabalu are as follows:
- Kota Kinabalu Historical Photo Walking Tour: $37
- Private Half Day Kota Kinabalu City Tour: $38
- Full Day Bongawan River Cruise with Proboscis Monkey Sightseeing: $40
- Sky-Mirror Photographing and Proboscis Monkey & Fireflies Watching River-Cruise: $46
- Sunset E-Foil Experience in Tanjung Aru Beach: $47
- Private Guided E-Foil Experience in Tanjung Aru Beach: $47
- Borneo (Klias) River Cruise & Fireflies Tour: $50
- Kota Kinabalu City Tour: $54
- Mari-Mari Cultural Village Tour Including Lunch: $55
- Klias Wildlife Safari River Cruise from Kota Kinabalu: $58
- Cowboy Town & Fireflies River Cruise: $62
- Cultural Night Tour From Kota Kinabalu : $64
Tours and Activities in Matsue
Here are a few actual costs in Matsue for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Tour around Matsue Horikawa: $11
- Private Kimono Elegant Experience in the Castle Town of Matsue: $36
- An E-Bike cycling tour of Matsue that will add to your enjoyment of the city: $98
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKota Kinabalu $6.34Matsue $6.85
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kota Kinabalu and Matsue, we can see that Matsue 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 Matsue would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Matsue 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 Matsue Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kota Kinabalu or Matsue?
Kota Kinabalu has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Matsue. When comparing the sizes of Kota Kinabalu and Matsue, 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 Matsue?
Matsue 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 Matsue in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kota Kinabalu and Matsue. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kota Kinabalu year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Matsue for the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Kota Kinabalu is generally around the same temperature as Matsue. Daily temperatures in Kota Kinabalu average around 27°C (81°F), and Matsue fluctuates around 25°C (78°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Matsue this time of the year. In Kota Kinabalu, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kota Kinabalu usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Matsue during summer. Kota Kinabalu gets 205 hours of sunny skies, while Matsue receives 201 hours of full sun in the summer.
Matsue 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 around the same amount of rain as Matsue. Kota Kinabalu gets 255 mm (10 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 268 mm (10.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Matsue 25°C (78°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Matsue in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Kota Kinabalu as well as Matsue. Kota Kinabalu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Matsue because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.
Kota Kinabalu is much warmer than Matsue in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kota Kinabalu averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Matsue fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).
In the autumn, Kota Kinabalu often gets more sunshine than Matsue. Kota Kinabalu gets 192 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Matsue receives 173 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Matsue. Kota Kinabalu receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Kota Kinabalu usually gets more rain in October than Matsue. Kota Kinabalu gets 336 mm (13.2 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Matsue 17°C (62°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Matsue in the Winter?
Both Matsue 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, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Matsue this time of year.
It's quite cold in Matsue in the winter. In the winter, Kota Kinabalu is much warmer than Matsue. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kota Kinabalu in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Matsue averages at about 4°C (39°F).
Kota Kinabalu usually receives more sunshine than Matsue during winter. Kota Kinabalu gets 181 hours of sunny skies, while Matsue receives 84 hours of full sun in the winter.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Matsue. It's quite rainy in Kota Kinabalu. In January, Kota Kinabalu usually receives less rain than Matsue. Kota Kinabalu gets 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKota Kinabalu 26°C (79°F)Matsue 4°C (39°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Matsue in the Spring?
Both Matsue 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 travelers come to Matsue for the natural beauty.
In April, Kota Kinabalu is generally much warmer than Matsue. Daily temperatures in Kota Kinabalu average around 28°C (82°F), and Matsue fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
It's quite sunny in Kota Kinabalu. In the spring, Kota Kinabalu often gets more sunshine than Matsue. Kota Kinabalu gets 237 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Matsue receives 194 hours of full sun.
Matsue 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 Matsue. Kota Kinabalu gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKota Kinabalu 28°C (82°F)Matsue 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Matsue and Kota Kinabalu
| Kota Kinabalu | Matsue | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (80°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 124 mm (4.9 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 291 mm (11.5 in) | 21°C (71°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 268 mm (10.6 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 285 mm (11.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 216 mm (8.5 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 336 mm (13.2 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 298 mm (11.7 in) | 11°C (53°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 138 mm (5.4 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.