A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kota Kinabalu vs. Prague for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Kota Kinabalu or Prague?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Prague? 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 Prague?

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.

Prague

Prague is the capital city of the Czech Republic. It is also the largest city in the country and one of the largest cities in Central Europe. Prague has long enticed travelers for its beautiful architecture, impressive bridges, detailed cathedrals, and fascinating history. Prague is unique in that is remained almost completely undamaged during World War II. The medieval city center still feels like you've stepped back in time. Despite this historic atmosphere, there is still a lot of vibrant energy and you'll find many different live music venues, art galleries, modern restaurants, and unique festivals throughout the year.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Malaysia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia, The Best Budget Tours to Czech Republic, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Czech Republic.


Which place is cheaper, Prague 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.

The average daily cost (per person) in Kota Kinabalu is $69, while the average daily cost in Prague is $144. 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 Prague in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kota Kinabalu $21
    Prague $76
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kota Kinabalu $42
    Prague $152
Compare Hotels in Kota Kinabalu and Prague

Looking for a hotel in Kota Kinabalu or Prague? 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.

Hotels in Kota Kinabalu


Hotels in Prague


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 Prague Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kota Kinabalu $26
    Prague $9.07

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kota Kinabalu

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kota Kinabalu:

  • Kota Kinabalu(BKI): Private Transfer to City Center: $14
  • Private Airport Transfer in Kota Kinabalu: $20
  • Kota Kinabalu to Kota Kinab Airport (BKI) Private Transfer: $23
  • Private Transfer- Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI: $24
  • Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu Airport (BKI): $24
  • Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI to Kota Kinabalu Port: $24
  • Private Transfer from Kota Kota Kinabalu Hotels to Kinabalu Port: $24
  • Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu hotels: $24
  • Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Hotels to Kota Kinabalu Port: $24
  • Kota Kinabalu Airport (BKI) Private Transfer to Kota Kinabalu: $25
  • Private Departure Transfer : Kota Kinabalu International Airport: $27
  • Private Transfer: Kota Kinabalu International Airport to/from Hotel: $30

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Prague

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Prague:

  • Prague Airport Shared Departure Transfer: $20
  • Prague Airport Shared Arrival Transfer: $21
  • Private Transfer from Prague Airport to Prague Hotels: $26
  • Shared Departure Transfer: Prague Hotel to Prague Airport: $27
  • Prague PRG Airport One Way Private Transfer to Prague City Center: $32
  • Luxury Private Transfer from Hotel to Prague Airport: $45
  • Prague Airport Private Departure Transfer: $46
  • Private Transfer from Prague Airport to the City Centre: $46
  • Comfortable Private Prague Airport Transfer: $47
  • Private ARRIVAL Transfer by LIMOUSINE 3+1pax: $49
  • Prague Airport Transfers, City Transfers and Disposal Services: $52
  • Prague City Private Transfer to Vaclav Havel Airport PRG: $52

Is it cheaper to fly into Kota Kinabalu or Prague?

Prices for flights to both Prague 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 day
    Kota Kinabalu $30
    Prague $50

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: $32
  • 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: $74
  • Private Cooking Class with Market Visit: $91
  • Ethnic Cooking Class & Upside Down House & 3D Wonders Museum: $92
  • North Borneo Sunset Dinner Cruise: $121
  • Kota Kinabalu Night Tour with Dinner & Cultural Dance Show: $141

Typical Food Prices in Prague

Some typical examples of dining costs in Prague are as follows:


  • Fruit
    $4.74
  • Lunch for One
    $14
  • Bananas
    $0.67
  • Cookies
    $0.37

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Prague

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Prague.

  • Folklore Dinner with Unlimited Drinks 4course Menu: $66
  • Sightseeing Boat Cruise with Buffet Dinner: $67
  • Prague Boats 3-hour Dinner Cruise: $70
  • Prague 5 Courses Medieval Dinner and Live Performances: $74
  • Folklore evening party with dinner, unlimited drinks and music: $77
  • Alternative bar tour with dinner in the art district: $86
  • Folklore Evening with Music and Dinner: $87
  • Prague Boats 3-hours Crystal Dinner Cruise: $94
  • The Castle Side Food Tour: Hidden Flavors & Scenic Views: $96
  • Savor 10 Course Dinner in Chef’s Kitchen: $103
  • Prague Food Tour with 10 Tastings of Authentic Czech Classics: $107
  • Homemade Czech Dinner in a Cozy Prague Home: $115

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kota Kinabalu $6.54
    Prague $18

Tours and Activities in Kota Kinabalu

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kota Kinabalu are as follows:

  • Bongawan River Cruise, City Tour & Fireflies: $26
  • Sabah Mali-Mali Garden Spa Massage Experience: $27
  • Pulau Sapi & Manukan Sabah Shared Activity Adventure: $43
  • 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
  • Bongawan River Cruise Proboscis Monkey, SkyMirror, Fireflies: $50
  • Sabah: Manukan and Sapi Islands Excursion Ticket: $50
  • Borneo (Klias) River Cruise & Fireflies Tour: $50
  • Kota Kinabalu City Tour: $54
  • Klias Wildlife Safari River Cruise from Kota Kinabalu: $58
  • Cowboy Town & Fireflies River Cruise: $62

Typical Entertainment Prices in Prague

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Prague are as follows:


  • Opera Tickets
    $4.74
  • Two Tickets for Charles Bridge Tower
    $6.64
  • Image Theatre for Two
    $46

Tours and Activities in Prague

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Prague are as follows:

  • Grand City Tour on E-Trike in Prague: $3.46
  • Electric Trike Night Tour in Prague - Live Guided: $3.46
  • Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in Prague: $3.46
  • Walk Tour Prague Castle by Czechoslovak 3€ + Tip, kids free: $3.48
  • Prague on a Day Express Tour with the Best of the City: $3.48
  • Prague’s TOP Sights - Old Town, Jewish Quarter, Charles Bridge (Tip-based tour): $3.48
  • Walking Tour New Town of Prague, WWII & Communism (Tip-based): $3.48
  • Tour of Prague Astronomical Clock and Jewish Quarter: $3.48
  • Ebike tour in Prague - Express Tour: $3.95
  • Medieval Prague - E-Bike / E-Scooter City Tour: $4.64
  • Historic Highlights Walking Tour from Prague: $4.64
  • Prague's Immemorial Water Tunnel: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.20

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kota Kinabalu $7.30
    Prague $12

Typical Alcohol Prices in Prague

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Prague from other travelers:


  • A Bottle of Wine
    $7.54

Sample the Local Flavors in Prague

Also in Prague, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Prague Pub Crawl with Unlimited Drinks & 5 Story Club Entry: $39
  • 2 Hours Wine Tasting in a Historical Cellar in Krizikova: $46
  • Drunken Monkey Pub Crawl with Open Bar & Club Entry: $48
  • 2.5-Hour Prague Wine Tasting Walking Tour: $51
  • Drunken Monkey Prague Boat Party Pub Crawl: Open Bar & Club Entry: $54
  • Wine Tasting and Walking Tour of Prague: $57
  • ️ Segway Fun Tour of Prague to Castle and Strahov Monastery viewpoint & Brewery: $60
  • Prague Historic Pub Tour with Drinks Included: $63
  • Prague Microbrewery Tour and Beer Tasting: $73
  • COUNTRY BIKE TOUR TO UNETICE BREWERY. Bike / e-Bike tour: $75
  • Czech Local Wine Tasting in Grape & Sour: $81
  • Prague Private Brewery Tour: $104


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kota Kinabalu and Prague, we can see that Prague 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 Prague is in Europe, 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 Prague would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Prague 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 Prague Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Kota Kinabalu or Prague?

Prague has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Kota Kinabalu. When comparing the sizes of Kota Kinabalu and Prague, 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 Prague?

Prague 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 Prague in the Summer?

Both Prague 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 Prague because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Kota Kinabalu is generally a little warmer than Prague. Daily temperatures in Kota Kinabalu average around 27°C (81°F), and Prague fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

It's quite sunny in Prague. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kota Kinabalu. Kota Kinabalu usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Prague during summer. Kota Kinabalu gets 205 hours of sunny skies, while Prague receives 216 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Kota Kinabalu. In July, Kota Kinabalu usually receives more rain than Prague. Kota Kinabalu gets 255 mm (10 in) of rain, while Prague receives 70 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Kota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F) 
    Prague 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Prague in the Autumn?

Both Prague 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 city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Prague this time of year.

Kota Kinabalu is much warmer than Prague in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kota Kinabalu averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Prague fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In the autumn, Kota Kinabalu often gets more sunshine than Prague. Kota Kinabalu gets 192 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Prague receives 124 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Kota Kinabalu. Kota Kinabalu usually gets more rain in October than Prague. Kota Kinabalu gets 336 mm (13.2 in) of rain, while Prague receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Kota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F) 
    Prague 11°C (52°F)

Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Prague in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kota Kinabalu and Prague. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kota Kinabalu year-round. Also, many travelers come to Prague for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Prague. In the winter, Kota Kinabalu is much warmer than Prague. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kota Kinabalu in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Prague averages at about 1°C (33°F).

Kota Kinabalu usually receives more sunshine than Prague during winter. Kota Kinabalu gets 181 hours of sunny skies, while Prague receives 49 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 Prague. Kota Kinabalu gets 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Prague receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Kota Kinabalu 26°C (79°F) 
    Prague 1°C (33°F)

Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Prague in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Kota Kinabalu as well as Prague. Kota Kinabalu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Prague in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In April, Kota Kinabalu is generally much warmer than Prague. Daily temperatures in Kota Kinabalu average around 28°C (82°F), and Prague fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kota Kinabalu this time of the year. In the spring, Kota Kinabalu often gets more sunshine than Prague. Kota Kinabalu gets 237 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Prague receives 145 hours of full sun.

Kota Kinabalu receives a lot of rain in the spring. Kota Kinabalu usually gets more rain in April than Prague. Kota Kinabalu gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Prague receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Kota Kinabalu 28°C (82°F) 
    Prague 10°C (49°F)

Typical Weather for Prague and Kota Kinabalu

Kota Kinabalu Prague
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 26°C (79°F) 129 mm (5.1 in) 1°C (33°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
Feb 26°C (80°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 2°C (35°F) 36 mm (1.4 in)
Mar 27°C (81°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 6°C (42°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Apr 28°C (82°F) 112 mm (4.4 in) 10°C (49°F) 51 mm (2 in)
May 28°C (82°F) 226 mm (8.9 in) 14°C (57°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 291 mm (11.5 in) 18°C (64°F) 76 mm (3 in)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 255 mm (10 in) 19°C (66°F) 70 mm (2.7 in)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 260 mm (10.2 in) 19°C (66°F) 78 mm (3.1 in)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 285 mm (11.2 in) 16°C (60°F) 52 mm (2.1 in)
Oct 27°C (81°F) 336 mm (13.2 in) 11°C (52°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
Nov 27°C (81°F) 298 mm (11.7 in) 6°C (43°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
Dec 27°C (80°F) 230 mm (9.1 in) 2°C (36°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)