Which place is cheaper, Newcastle or Kota Kinabalu?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Kota Kinabalu or Newcastle?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Newcastle? 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 Newcastle?
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.
Newcastle
Newcastle is 150 kilometers north of Sydney in New South Wales. It is also the second largest city in the state, and serves as a central point to explore the area's beaches, wineries, and beautiful natural landscape. North of the city is Stockton beach, which has many miles of isolated, beautiful beaches, stretching all the way up to Nelson Bay. The wineries are inland to the west and have some of Australia's finest wine which you can taste. If you want to see rainforests, you can head northwest to Barrington Tops National Park, which has great rainforests and freshwater streams. You may even get to see a platypus. The city also has the country's oldest sea port. In the past the city's economy was centered around the steel industry, but today the University of Newcastle is one of the area's most important employers.
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 Australia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Australia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKota Kinabalu $49Newcastle $91
The average daily cost (per person) in Kota Kinabalu is $49, while the average daily cost in Newcastle is $91. 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 Newcastle in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKota Kinabalu $18Newcastle $44
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKota Kinabalu $36Newcastle $88
Compare Hotels in Kota Kinabalu and Newcastle
Looking for a hotel in Kota Kinabalu or Newcastle? 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 Newcastle Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kota Kinabalu $22Newcastle $8.34
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kota Kinabalu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kota Kinabalu:
- Kota Kinabalu Airport Private Transfer with 1 hour Charter: $12
- Private Transfer: Kota Kinabalu International Airport to/from Hotel: $20
- Kota Kinabalu to Kota Kinab Airport: Departure Private Transfer: $23
- One Way Transfer from Kota Kinabal Airport to/from Kota Kinabali: $25
- Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu Airport (BKI): $28
- Private Transfer from Kota Kota Kinabalu Hotels to Kinabalu Port: $28
- Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu hotels: $28
- Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI to Kota Kinabalu Port: $28
- Monsopiad Cultural Village Visit with Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu: $31
- Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu hotels: $32
- Borneo to Kota Kinabalu Airport(BKI) - Departure Private Transfer: $46
- Kota Kinabalu Hotel to Jetty Round Trip Transfer: $52
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Newcastle
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Newcastle:
- Newcastle to Newcastle Airport (NTL) - Departure Private Transfer: $26
- Newcastle Airport (NTL) to Newcastle - Arrival Private Transfer: $26
- Private Transfer from Newcastle Port to Newcastle city hotels: $28
- Private Transfer from Newcastle City Hotels to Newcastle Port: $28
- Private Transfer from Newcastle Airport (NTL) to Newcastle Port: $29
- Private Transfer from Newcastle Port to Newcastle Airport (NTL): $29
- Private Transfer from Newcastle Cruise Port to Sydney City Hotels: $88
- Private Transfer - Newcastle Cruise Port to Sydney Airport (SYD): $88
- Tandem Beach Skydive with Optional Transfers: $248
- Bimbadgen Lunch Tour with Helicopter Transfers: $751
Is it cheaper to fly into Kota Kinabalu or Newcastle?
Prices for flights to both Newcastle 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 $15Newcastle $35
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kota Kinabalu $5.67Newcastle $15
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
- 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
- Sunset Charter Cruise Experience in Kota Kinabalu: $69
Tours and Activities in Newcastle
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Newcastle are as follows:
- Wine & Cheese Tasting Experience in Hunter Valley: $9.91
- Skip the Line: Handmade Cheese, Fruit Paste & Gourmet Bread & Wafers Lunch: $17
- True Crime Guided Walking Tour: $22
- Newcastle Dark Stories True Crime Tour: $23
- Port Stephens: Dolphin Discovery Cruise: $27
- Family Pass: Fighter World Museum Admission Ticket: $30
- Architecture, Street Art & Hidden Secrets Walking Tour of Newcastle: $33
- Audrey Wilkinson Vineyard - Sweet Indulgence Experience: $37
- Newscastle: Australian Tree Ropes Course Adventure: $42
- Lake Macquarie Cruise with Lunch: $46
- Newcastle Whale Watching Cruise: $49
- Port Stephens: Whale Watching Cruise: $50
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKota Kinabalu $6.34Newcastle $10
Sample the Local Flavors in Newcastle
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Newcastle:
- Cael’s Gate Wine Tasting in Broke: $5.32
- Boutique Wine Tasting Experience in Pokolbin: $6.60
- Ivanhoe Wines: Trip Advisor Seated Wine Tasting Masterclass: $9.91
- Tulloch Wines - Wine Tasting paired with Local Handmade Chocolates: $20
- 30-Minute Distillery Guided Tour in Carrington : $23
- Cheese and Wine Tasting Experience in Pokolbin: $26
- Tintilla Estate: Wine Tasting with a Meat and Cheese Platter: $26
- Tulloch Wines Hunter Heroes Wine Tasting with Local Cheese & Charcuterie Board: $33
- Tulloch Wines- Mystery Wine Tasting Experience with Local Cheese and Charcuterie: $33
- Premium Wine Tasting Experience in Pokolbin: $50
- Snapshot Half Day Hunter Valley Wine Tour: $72
- Hunter Valley Wine Tour from the Hunter with Wine Craft Beer Cheese Chocolate: $102
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kota Kinabalu and Newcastle, we can see that Newcastle 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 Newcastle is in Pacific, 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 Newcastle would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Newcastle 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 Newcastle Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kota Kinabalu or Newcastle?
Newcastle has a larger population, and is about 9% larger than the population of Kota Kinabalu. When comparing the sizes of Kota Kinabalu and Newcastle, 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 Newcastle?
Newcastle 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 Newcastle in the Summer?
Both Newcastle 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. Also, the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Newcastle this time of year.
Kota Kinabalu is a little warmer than Newcastle in the summer. The daily temperature in Kota Kinabalu averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Newcastle fluctuates around 22°C (72°F)in January.
It's quite sunny in Newcastle. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kota Kinabalu. Kota Kinabalu usually receives less sunshine than Newcastle during summer. Kota Kinabalu gets 205 hours of sunny skies, while Newcastle receives 232 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Newcastle. It's quite rainy in Kota Kinabalu. In July, Kota Kinabalu usually receives more rain than Newcastlein January. Kota Kinabalu gets 255 mm (10 in) of rain, while Newcastle receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Newcastle 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Newcastle in the Autumn?
Both Newcastle 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. Also, many travelers come to Newcastle for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Kota Kinabalu is a little warmer than Newcastle. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kota Kinabalu in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Newcastle averages at about 19°C (67°F)in April.
In the autumn, Kota Kinabalu often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Newcastlein April. Kota Kinabalu gets 192 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Newcastle receives 199 hours of full sun.
Newcastle 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 Newcastlein April. Kota Kinabalu gets 336 mm (13.2 in) of rain, while Newcastle receives 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Newcastle 19°C (67°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Newcastle in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kota Kinabalu and Newcastle. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kota Kinabalu year-round. Also, many visitors come to Newcastle in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Kota Kinabalu is generally much warmer than Newcastlein July. Daily temperatures in Kota Kinabalu average around 26°C (79°F), and Newcastle fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Newcastle this time of the year. Kota Kinabalu usually receives less sunshine than Newcastle during winter. Kota Kinabalu gets 181 hours of sunny skies, while Newcastle receives 206 hours of full sun in the winter.
Kota Kinabalu gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Kota Kinabalu usually receives more rain than Newcastlein July. Kota Kinabalu gets 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Newcastle receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyKota Kinabalu 26°C (79°F)Newcastle 13°C (55°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Newcastle in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Kota Kinabalu as well as Newcastle. Kota Kinabalu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Newcastle for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.
Kota Kinabalu is much warmer than Newcastle in the spring. The daily temperature in Kota Kinabalu averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Newcastle fluctuates around 18°C (64°F)in October.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Newcastle. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kota Kinabalu this time of the year. In the spring, Kota Kinabalu often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Newcastlein October. Kota Kinabalu gets 237 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Newcastle receives 237 hours of full sun.
Kota Kinabalu receives a lot of rain in the spring. Kota Kinabalu usually gets more rain in April than Newcastlein October. Kota Kinabalu gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Newcastle receives 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberKota Kinabalu 28°C (82°F)Newcastle 18°C (64°F)
Typical Weather for Newcastle and Kota Kinabalu
| Kota Kinabalu | Newcastle | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (80°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 21°C (71°F) | 124 mm (4.9 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 102 mm (4 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 291 mm (11.5 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 285 mm (11.2 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 336 mm (13.2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 298 mm (11.7 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 82 mm (3.2 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.