Which place is cheaper, Nagoya or Kota Kinabalu?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Kota Kinabalu or Nagoya?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Nagoya? 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 Nagoya?
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.
Nagoya
Nagoya is Japan's fourth-largest city after Tokyo, Yokohama, and Osaka, as well as one of the nation's major economic centers, being the home of auto giants like Toyota, Honda, and Mitsubishi Motors. With a history that dates back to samurai and ninja, Nagoya has evolved over the years into a trade center and hub for automobile and aircraft manufacturing. And it's also home to the Legoland resort!
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Malaysia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia, The Best Luxury Tours to Japan, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Japan.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKota Kinabalu $49Nagoya $89
The average daily cost (per person) in Kota Kinabalu is $49, while the average daily cost in Nagoya is $89. 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 Nagoya in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKota Kinabalu $18Nagoya $46
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKota Kinabalu $36Nagoya $92
Compare Hotels in Kota Kinabalu and Nagoya
Looking for a hotel in Kota Kinabalu or Nagoya? 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 Nagoya Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kota Kinabalu $22Nagoya $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kota Kinabalu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kota Kinabalu:
- Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu Airport (BKI): $28
- Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI to Kota Kinabalu Port: $28
- Private Transfer: Kota Kinabalu International Airport to/from Hotel: $20
- Private Transfer from Kota Kota Kinabalu Hotels to Kinabalu Port: $28
- Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu hotels: $28
- Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu hotels: $32
- One Way Transfer from Kota Kinabal Airport to/from Kota Kinabali: $25
- Monsopiad Cultural Village Visit with Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu: $31
- Kota Kinabalu to Kota Kinab Airport: Departure Private Transfer: $23
- Kota Kinabalu Hotel to Jetty Round Trip Transfer: $52
- Kota Kinabalu Airport Private Transfer with 1 hour Charter: $12
- Borneo to Kota Kinabalu Airport(BKI) - Departure Private Transfer: $46
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nagoya
Also for Nagoya, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Nagoya City Hotels to Nagoya Cruise Port: $59
- Private Transfer from Nagoya Cruise Port to Nagoya hotels: $66
- Private Transfer from Nagoya hotels to Nagoya Cruise Port: $66
- Private Transfer - Nagoya Cruise Port to Nagoya Int Airport (NGO): $94
- Private Transfer from Nagoya city hotels to Kanazawa Cruise Port : $131
- Chubu Itn Airport to/from Nagoya City private transfer: $136
- Private Transfer from Nagoya City Hotels to Kanazawa Cruise Port: $144
- Chubu Airport (NGO) to/from Nagoya Private Transfer: $157
- Nagoya airport to/from LEGOLAND Private transfer: $187
- Private One-Way Transfers to/from Suzuka Circuit: $276
- Private Transfer between Chubu Centrair Int'l Airport and Nagoya: $283
- Chubu Airport (NGO) to/from Kyoto Private Transfer: $441
Is it cheaper to fly into Kota Kinabalu or Nagoya?
Prices for flights to both Nagoya 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
-
Food Meals for one dayKota Kinabalu $15Nagoya $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
- Ethnic Cooking Class & Upside Down House & 3D Wonders Museum: $92
- Half Day Klias Mangrove Wildlife and Fireflies with dinner: $144
- Kota Kinabalu Sunset Cruise with Buffet Dinner: $187
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nagoya
For Nagoya, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Grandma’s Traditional Cooking Class: $65
- Nagoya Special Food Tour: $66
- Market Tour and Authentic Nagoya Cuisine Cooking Class With a Local in Her Home: $92
- Specialties of Nagoya Food Tour: $174
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kota Kinabalu $5.67Nagoya $13
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
- Borneo (Klias) River Cruise & Fireflies Tour: $50
- Borneo Combo Adventure: $200
- Cowboy Town & Fireflies River Cruise: $62
- Cultural Night Tour From Kota Kinabalu : $64
- Day Trip Sepilok Orang-utan And City Tour: $149
- Discover Sailing Experience in Tanjung Aru Beach: $75
- From Kota Kinabalu : Kiulu River White Water Rafting Tour: $131
- Full Day Bongawan River Cruise with Proboscis Monkey Sightseeing: $40
- Full Day River Rafting with ATV Adventure in Kiulu : $292
- Indigenous Weaving Experience: $236
- Island Hopping Tour (2 Island) From Kota Kinabalu: $77
Tours and Activities in Nagoya
For Nagoya, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Shirakawa-go from Nagoya One Day Bus ticket Oneway/Roundway: $22
- Shirakawa-go From Nagoya One day Bus Self-guided Tour: $23
- Hida Takayama from Nagoya Bus ticket Oneway/Raundway: $25
- Shirakawa-go from nagoya 1D Bus ticket with Hida Beef Lunch: $49
- Tie-Dye Activity and Traditional Town Walking Tour in NAGOYA: $52
- From Gujo, Hida Takayama, and Shirakawa-go Day Tour: $60
- From Ise Grand Shrine Day Tour: $60
- Private Tea Ceremony Experience in a Shopping Arcade Tea Room: $65
- Private Tour to Famous Places in Nagoya: $71
- Customized Private Tour: $72
- Mitsui Outlet Park, Light-Up Festival, & Onsen Tour: $76
- Hida Takayama & World Heritage Shirakawa-go Day Tour: $81
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayKota Kinabalu $6.34Nagoya $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Nagoya
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Nagoya:
- Pub Crawl in Nagoya: $38
- Restaurant and Bar Crawl in Nagoya Japan: $40
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kota Kinabalu and Nagoya, we can see that Nagoya 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 Nagoya would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nagoya 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 Nagoya Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kota Kinabalu or Nagoya?
Nagoya has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Kota Kinabalu. When comparing the sizes of Kota Kinabalu and Nagoya, 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 Nagoya?
Nagoya 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 Nagoya in the Summer?
Both Nagoya 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. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Nagoya this time of year.
Kota Kinabalu is around the same temperature as Nagoya in the summer. The daily temperature in Kota Kinabalu averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Nagoya fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
It's quite sunny in Kota Kinabalu. In the summer, Kota Kinabalu often gets more sunshine than Nagoya. Kota Kinabalu gets 205 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nagoya receives 170 hours of full sun.
Nagoya 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 more rain in July than Nagoya. Kota Kinabalu gets 255 mm (10 in) of rain, while Nagoya receives 213 mm (8.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Nagoya 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Nagoya in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Kota Kinabalu and Nagoya. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kota Kinabalu year-round. Also, many travelers come to Nagoya for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Kota Kinabalu is much warmer than Nagoya. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kota Kinabalu in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Nagoya averages at about 18°C (64°F).
Kota Kinabalu usually receives more sunshine than Nagoya during autumn. Kota Kinabalu gets 192 hours of sunny skies, while Nagoya receives 176 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Nagoya 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 Nagoya. Kota Kinabalu gets 336 mm (13.2 in) of rain, while Nagoya receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Nagoya 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Nagoya in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Kota Kinabalu as well as Nagoya. Kota Kinabalu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Nagoya in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Nagoya can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Kota Kinabalu is generally much warmer than Nagoya. Daily temperatures in Kota Kinabalu average around 26°C (79°F), and Nagoya fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).
In the winter, Kota Kinabalu often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Nagoya. Kota Kinabalu gets 181 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nagoya receives 180 hours of full sun.
Kota Kinabalu receives a lot of rain in the winter. Kota Kinabalu usually gets more rain in January than Nagoya. Kota Kinabalu gets 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Nagoya receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKota Kinabalu 26°C (79°F)Nagoya 4°C (40°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Nagoya in the Spring?
Both Nagoya 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. Also, most visitors come to Nagoya for the activities around the city during these months.
Kota Kinabalu is much warmer than Nagoya in the spring. The daily temperature in Kota Kinabalu averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Nagoya fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kota Kinabalu. Kota Kinabalu usually receives more sunshine than Nagoya during spring. Kota Kinabalu gets 237 hours of sunny skies, while Nagoya receives 189 hours of full sun in the spring.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Nagoya. It's quite rainy in Kota Kinabalu. In April, Kota Kinabalu usually receives less rain than Nagoya. Kota Kinabalu gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Nagoya receives 152 mm (6 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilKota Kinabalu 28°C (82°F)Nagoya 14°C (58°F)
Typical Weather for Nagoya and Kota Kinabalu
| Kota Kinabalu | Nagoya | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (80°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 157 mm (6.2 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 291 mm (11.5 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 213 mm (8.4 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 213 mm (8.4 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 285 mm (11.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 204 mm (8 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 336 mm (13.2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 298 mm (11.7 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 41 mm (1.6 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.