Which place is cheaper, Nassau 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 Nassau?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Nassau? 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 Nassau?
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.
Nassau
There are few vacation destinations more famous than the Bahamian city of Nassau. This capital city is full of laid back locals, relaxed tourists and the iconic pastel pink government houses.
As the largest city in the Bahamas, Nassau can hold plenty of people. Not only are there hundreds of tourists on any given day, the city is also home to 260,000 people – that is 80 percent of the Bahamas' total population.
Founded around 1650, Nassau's location made it a great spot on the trade route. So great, in fact, that it also became a popular destination for pirates – including the infamous Blackbeard.
Pack light because it's going to be pretty steamy in Nassau. The climate is essentially identical to southern Florida. It is warm and humid all year with the occasional cold snap in the winter.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Malaysia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Bahamas, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Bahamas.
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Kota Kinabalu Prices
Malaysia PricesNassau Prices
Bahamas Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKota Kinabalu $70Nassau $227
The average daily cost (per person) in Kota Kinabalu is $70, while the average daily cost in Nassau is $227. 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 Nassau in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKota Kinabalu $21Nassau $109
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKota Kinabalu $42Nassau $218
Compare Hotels in Kota Kinabalu and Nassau
Looking for a hotel in Kota Kinabalu or Nassau? 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 Nassau Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kota Kinabalu $26Nassau $32
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kota Kinabalu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kota Kinabalu:
- Private Airport Transfer: BKI Airport ⇄ Kota Kinabalu City(Hotel): $14
- Kota Kinabalu（BKI）: Private Transfer to City Center: $14
- Private Airport Transfer in Kota Kinabalu: $20
- 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 Departure Transfer : Kota Kinabalu International Airport: $27
- Private Transfer: Kota Kinabalu International Airport to/from Hotel: $30
- Kota Kinabalu Airport (BKI) to Borneo - Arrival Private Transfer: $38
- Borneo to Kota Kinabalu Airport(BKI) - Departure Private Transfer: $38
- Kota Kinab Airport to Kota Kinabalu - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $47
- Kota Kinabalu Hotel to Jetty Round Trip Transfer: $54
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nassau
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Nassau are as follows:
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Water Taxi$8.02
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Taxi to Cable Beach$25
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Taxi from Airport$30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nassau
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Nassau:
- Direct Private Airport Transfer four or more Persons (one way): $20
- Nassau Private Airport & Cruise Port Transfer: $30
- Airport transfer to SLS bahamar,Grand Hyatt,Rosewood, Cable beach: $35
- Nassau Hotel to Lynden Pindling International Airport Transfer: $35
- Private One-Way Transfer from Lynden Airport to Bahamas: $45
- Nassau Airport (NAS) to Nassau port - Arrival Private Transfer: $51
- Nassau Cruise Port to Nassau hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $51
- Nassau cruise port to Nassau Airport (NAS) - Departure Private Transfer: $51
- One Way Private Airport Transfer for 4 People or Less: $65
- Round Trip Private Airport To Hotel Transfer in Nassau: $68
- Group transfer: $68
- Private Roundtrip Sedan Cruiseport Transfer to Airport: $69
Is it cheaper to fly into Kota Kinabalu or Nassau?
Prices for flights to both Nassau 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 $31Nassau $91
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nassau
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Nassau.
- Nassau Sunset Dinner Cruise: $103
- Sunset Dinner Cruise: $119
- Dinner and Dancing: $130
- Flavors of Nassau Food Tour: $135
- All Inclusive Sunset Dinner Cruise in Nassau Bahamas: $138
- Experience Breakfast,Lunch or Dinner in the sky of Nassau Bahamas: $176
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kota Kinabalu $6.62Nassau $37
Tours and Activities in Kota Kinabalu
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kota Kinabalu are as follows:
- Sabah Mali-Mali Garden Spa Massage Experience: $27
- Bongawan River Cruise, City Tour & Fireflies: $28
- Private Tour Kampung Gipsi Sabah Cultural Village Kota Kinabalu: $38
- Kota Kinabalu 3 Hour Coastal Fishing and Island Tour: $38
- 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
- Sabah: Manukan and Sapi Islands Excursion Ticket: $50
- Borneo (Klias) River Cruise & Fireflies Tour: $50
- Bongawan River Cruise Proboscis Monkey, SkyMirror, Fireflies: $54
- Full Day Bongawan River Cruise with Proboscis Monkey Sightseeing: $56
- Cowboy Town & Fireflies River Cruise: $62
Typical Entertainment Prices in Nassau
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Nassau are as follows:
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Jet Ski$50
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4 Hr Kayak Tour$70
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1/2 Day Snorkel Trip$75
Tours and Activities in Nassau
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Nassau are as follows:
- Nassau Junkanoo Rum & Ramparts Self-Guided Audio GPS Walking Tour: $9.99
- Audio Driving Tour Around St. Simons Island: $9.99
- Museum of Junkanoo Guided Tour and Entry Ticket: $11
- Golden Isles Georgia Pop Up Tea Flight Tasting Experience: $25
- Champagne and Diamond Shopping Experience in Downtown, Bahamas: $25
- Junkanoo Costume Workshop and Museum Tour: $35
- Nassau City Highlights Sightseeing Tour: $40
- Jekyll Island Dolphin Tours: $45
- Dis We Culture Tour (At least 6 passengers): $50
- Banana Boat Adventure: $50
- Nassau Bahamas: Jetcar Excursion to Pig Island Tour $450: $50
- Guided Walking Tour with Local Treats: $50
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKota Kinabalu $7.40Nassau $19
Typical Alcohol Prices in Nassau
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Nassau are as follows:
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Cocktail$6.52
Sample the Local Flavors in Nassau
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Nassau:
- Bottle Your Own at John Watling's Distillery: $20
- Rum Tasting Experience at John Watling's Distillery: $80
- Mixology Experience at John Watling's Distillery: $80
- Rum Tasting Experience at John Watling's Distillery: $80
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kota Kinabalu and Nassau, we can see that Nassau 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 Nassau is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Nassau would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nassau 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 Nassau Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kota Kinabalu or Nassau?
Kota Kinabalu has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Nassau. When comparing the sizes of Kota Kinabalu and Nassau, 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 Nassau?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Nassau in the Summer?
Both Nassau and Kota Kinabalu are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kota Kinabalu throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Nassau because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Nassau. It's quite rainy in Kota Kinabalu. In July, Kota Kinabalu usually receives more rain than Nassau. Kota Kinabalu gets 255 mm (10 in) of rain, while Nassau receives 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.
It's quite sunny in Nassau. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kota Kinabalu. Kota Kinabalu usually receives less sunshine than Nassau during summer. Kota Kinabalu gets 205 hours of sunny skies, while Nassau receives 273 hours of full sun in the summer.
In the summer, Kota Kinabalu is around the same temperature as Nassau. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kota Kinabalu in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Nassau averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Nassau 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Nassau in the Autumn?
Both Nassau and Kota Kinabalu during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Kota Kinabalu because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Nassau year-round.
Nassau 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 October than Nassau. Kota Kinabalu gets 336 mm (13.2 in) of rain, while Nassau receives 184 mm (7.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Nassau, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Kota Kinabalu often gets less sunshine than Nassau. Kota Kinabalu gets 192 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nassau receives 223 hours of full sun.
In October, Kota Kinabalu is generally around the same temperature as Nassau. Daily temperatures in Kota Kinabalu average around 27°C (81°F), and Nassau fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Nassau 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Nassau in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kota Kinabalu and Nassau. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kota Kinabalu year-round. Nassau attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Kota Kinabalu gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Kota Kinabalu usually receives more rain than Nassau. Kota Kinabalu gets 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Nassau receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Nassau this time of the year. Kota Kinabalu usually receives less sunshine than Nassau during winter. Kota Kinabalu gets 181 hours of sunny skies, while Nassau receives 220 hours of full sun in the winter.
Kota Kinabalu is a little warmer than Nassau in the winter. The daily temperature in Kota Kinabalu averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Nassau fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKota Kinabalu 26°C (79°F)Nassau 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Nassau in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Kota Kinabalu as well as Nassau. Kota Kinabalu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Nassau throughout the year.
Kota Kinabalu receives a lot of rain in the spring. Kota Kinabalu usually gets more rain in April than Nassau. Kota Kinabalu gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Nassau receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Nassau. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kota Kinabalu this time of the year. In the spring, Kota Kinabalu often gets less sunshine than Nassau. Kota Kinabalu gets 237 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nassau receives 276 hours of full sun.
In the spring, Kota Kinabalu is a little warmer than Nassau. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kota Kinabalu in April average around 28°C (82°F), and Nassau averages at about 23°C (74°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKota Kinabalu 28°C (82°F)Nassau 23°C (74°F)
Typical Weather for Nassau and Kota Kinabalu
| Kota Kinabalu | Nassau | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (80°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 291 mm (11.5 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 285 mm (11.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 336 mm (13.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 184 mm (7.2 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 298 mm (11.7 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 60 mm (2.4 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.