Which place is cheaper, Picton 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 Picton?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Picton? 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 Picton?
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.
Picton
Picton, New Zealand is located in the picturesque Marlborough Region on the South Island. With beachfront access in a central location and near the Marlborough Sounds, Picton is an ideal place for anyone looking for both adventure and relaxation in one of the most naturally beautiful countries in the world.
The weather in Picton is fairly mild, ranging from the low fifties to high sixties, Fahrenheit, throughout the year. Their summer months are December through March, this is when you'll find temperatures in the high sixties. During the winter, June through August, Picton experiences averages of fifty degree Fahrenheit. This means you can visit any time of the year without having to worry about weather inhibiting any of your outdoor activities!
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Malaysia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia, The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand, and The Best Eco Tours in New Zealand.
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Kota Kinabalu Prices
Malaysia PricesPicton Prices
New Zealand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKota Kinabalu $68Picton $101
The average daily cost (per person) in Kota Kinabalu is $68, while the average daily cost in Picton is $101. 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 Picton in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKota Kinabalu $21Picton $37
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKota Kinabalu $42Picton $74
Compare Hotels in Kota Kinabalu and Picton
Looking for a hotel in Kota Kinabalu or Picton? 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 Picton Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kota Kinabalu $25Picton -
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kota Kinabalu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kota Kinabalu:
- Kota Kinabalu Airport (BKI) Private Transfer to Kota Kinabalu: $13
- Kota Kinabalu（BKI）: Private Transfer to City Center: $14
- Private Transfer: Kota Kinabalu International Airport to/from Hotel: $20
- Kota Kinabalu to Kota Kinab Airport: Departure Private Transfer: $24
- Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Hotels to Kota Kinabalu Port: $25
- Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu hotels: $25
- Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI to Kota Kinabalu Port: $25
- Private Transfer- Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI to Kota Kinabalu Port: $25
- Private Transfer- Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI: $25
- Private Arrival Transfer : Kota Kinabalu International Airport: $30
- Stand Up Paddle Boarding with Sunrise/Sunset Tour at Kota Kinabalu with transfer: $32
- Kota Kinabalu Airport (BKI) to Borneo - Arrival Private Transfer: $38
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Picton
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Picton:
- Private Transfer from Blenheim city hotels to Picton Cruise Port: $120
- Private Transfer from Picton Cruise Port to Blenheim City Hotels: $121
- Private Transfer from Blenheim Airport (BHE) to Picton Port: $133
- Private Transfer from Picton Port to Blenheim Airport (BHE): $134
Is it cheaper to fly into Kota Kinabalu or Picton?
Prices for flights to both Picton 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 $30Picton $34
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kota Kinabalu
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kota Kinabalu.
- Sabah Traditional Authentic Cuisine Cooking Class 3 Hours: $29
- Beringgis Mangove Fireflies, Sunset Tour & Dinner: $33
- Klias River Cruise with Dinner and Fireflies: $55
- Kawa Mangrove Cruise & Fireflies with Dinner: $67
- Ethnic Cooking Class & Upside Down House & 3D Wonders Museum: $92
- Taste Of Borneo Cooking Class: $95
- North Borneo Sunset Dinner Cruise: $121
- Kota Kinabalu Night Tour with Dinner & Cultural Dance Show: $138
- Kota Kinabalu Sunset Cruise with Buffet Dinner: $187
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Picton
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Picton.
- CRUISE SHIP DAYS - HOP ON HOP OFF - Wine, Beer, Food Tour: $58
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kota Kinabalu $6.43Picton $109
Tours and Activities in Kota Kinabalu
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kota Kinabalu are as follows:
- Bongawan Proboscis and Fireflies Cruise Tour: $32
- Sail and Catch Boat fishing Tour of the Coast of Kota Kinabalu: $41
- Night Glow Stand Up Paddle Experience in Kota Kinabalu: $44
- Sky-Mirror Photographing and Proboscis Monkey & Fireflies Watching River-Cruise: $46
- Mangrove Kayaking Experience in Borneo: $47
- Bongawan River Cruise Proboscis Monkey, SkyMirror, Fireflies : $49
- Sabah: Manukan and Sapi Islands Excursion Ticket: $50
- Borneo (Klias) River Cruise & Fireflies Tour: $50
- Private Guided E-Foil Experience in Tanjung Aru Beach: $54
- Full Day Bongawan River Cruise with Proboscis Monkey Sightseeing: $55
- Pulau Sapi & Manukan Sabah Shared Activity Adventure: $57
- Klias Wildlife Safari River Cruise from Kota Kinabalu: $58
Tours and Activities in Picton
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Picton are as follows:
- Skip the Line: Dangerous Skies WWII Exhibition - Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre: $15
- Discover Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
- Hinterland Cycling Tour, Havelock: $23
- Skip the Line:WWI & WWII Combo Exhibitions at the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre: $29
- Kalapathar Sunrise, Birdwatching and Village Tour: $35
- Picton Shore Excursion: Queen Charlotte Sounds Cruise: $49
- Picton Shore Excursion Queen Charlotte Sound Cruise: $51
- Kayaking Mangrove Adventure at Havelock: $56
- Queen Charlotte Sound: Lochmara Cruise and Explore Day Trip: $57
- Half-Day Cruise in Marlborough Sounds from Picton: $63
- Marlborough Sounds and Ship Cove Cruise from Picton: $64
- Motuara Island Bird Sanctuary and Ship Cove Cruise from Picton: $66
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKota Kinabalu $7.18Picton $34
Sample the Local Flavors in Picton
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Picton:
- Self-Guided Biking Wine Tour (full day) in the Marlborough Region.: $39
- Self-Guided Wine Tours by Bike with Lorelle & Greg : $41
- Marlborough: Hop-On Hop-Off Wine, Brewery, and Wonders Tour: $75
- Hop on Hop off Wine Tours Marlborough: $77
- Marlborough Afternoon Wine Tour with Tastings: $77
- CRUISE SHIP DAY Marlborough Hop On Hop Off Wine Tours: $77
- Marlborough Half Day Wine Tour From Picton: $92
- Marlborough Wine Tasting Tour.: $95
- Half-Day Wine Tour from Blenheim: $95
- Half-Day Wine Tour from Picton: $95
- Morning Guided with Afternoon Self-Guided Biking Wine Tour: $101
- Taste the Valley Wine Tour in Marlborough with Wine Tasting: $101
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kota Kinabalu and Picton, we can see that Picton 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 Picton 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 Picton would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Picton 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 Picton Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kota Kinabalu or Picton?
Kota Kinabalu has a larger population, and is about 150 times larger than the population of Picton. When comparing the sizes of Kota Kinabalu and Picton, 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 Picton?
Picton 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 Picton in the Summer?
Both Picton 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 summer months attract visitors to Picton because of the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.
Kota Kinabalu is much warmer than Picton in the summer. The daily temperature in Kota Kinabalu averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Picton fluctuates around 18°C (64°F)in January.
It's quite rainy in Kota Kinabalu. In July, Kota Kinabalu usually receives more rain than Pictonin January. Kota Kinabalu gets 255 mm (10 in) of rain, while Picton receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Picton 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Picton in the Autumn?
Both Picton 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, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to Picton this time of year.
In the autumn, Kota Kinabalu is much warmer than Picton. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kota Kinabalu in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Picton averages at about 15°C (58°F)in April.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kota Kinabalu. Kota Kinabalu usually gets more rain in October than Pictonin April. Kota Kinabalu gets 336 mm (13.2 in) of rain, while Picton receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Picton 15°C (58°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Picton in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kota Kinabalu and Picton. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kota Kinabalu year-round. Also, many travelers come to Picton for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Kota Kinabalu is generally much warmer than Pictonin July. Daily temperatures in Kota Kinabalu average around 26°C (79°F), and Picton fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).
Picton receives a lot of rain in the winter. Kota Kinabalu gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Kota Kinabalu usually receives more rain than Pictonin July. Kota Kinabalu gets 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Picton receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyKota Kinabalu 26°C (79°F)Picton 10°C (49°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Picton in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Kota Kinabalu as well as Picton. Kota Kinabalu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Picton in the spring for the beaches and the small town charm.
Kota Kinabalu is much warmer than Picton in the spring. The daily temperature in Kota Kinabalu averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Picton fluctuates around 13°C (55°F)in October.
Kota Kinabalu receives a lot of rain in the spring. Kota Kinabalu usually gets more rain in April than Pictonin October. Kota Kinabalu gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Picton receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberKota Kinabalu 28°C (82°F)Picton 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Picton and Kota Kinabalu
| Kota Kinabalu | Picton | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (80°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 291 mm (11.5 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 98 mm (3.9 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 285 mm (11.2 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 336 mm (13.2 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 298 mm (11.7 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 69 mm (2.7 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.