Which place is cheaper, Rockhampton or Kota Kinabalu?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Kota Kinabalu or Rockhampton?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Rockhampton? 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 Rockhampton?
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.
Rockhampton
Rockhampton is a city in Queensland, Australia with a population of around 75,000. It dates back to 1855 and historically the economy was driven by gold, mining, and agriculture. Today it feels more bustling than you would expect in an "outback town." There's traffic, suburban sprawl, and continuing growth and development. The city sits on the Fitzroy River about 45 kilometers from the river's mouth.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Malaysia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Australia, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Australia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKota Kinabalu $49Rockhampton $170
The average daily cost (per person) in Kota Kinabalu is $49, while the average daily cost in Rockhampton is $170. 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 Rockhampton in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKota Kinabalu $18Rockhampton $101
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKota Kinabalu $36Rockhampton $202
Compare Hotels in Kota Kinabalu and Rockhampton
Looking for a hotel in Kota Kinabalu or Rockhampton? 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 Rockhampton Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kota Kinabalu $22Rockhampton $19
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Kota Kinabalu or Rockhampton?
Prices for flights to both Rockhampton 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 $15Rockhampton $49
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 $5.67Rockhampton $40
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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKota Kinabalu $6.34Rockhampton $13
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kota Kinabalu and Rockhampton, we can see that Rockhampton 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 Rockhampton 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 Rockhampton would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Rockhampton 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 Rockhampton Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kota Kinabalu or Rockhampton?
Kota Kinabalu has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Rockhampton. When comparing the sizes of Kota Kinabalu and Rockhampton, 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 Rockhampton?
Rockhampton 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 Rockhampton in the Summer?
Both Rockhampton 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. Furthermore, the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Rockhampton this time of year.
Kota Kinabalu is around the same temperature as Rockhampton in the summer. The daily temperature in Kota Kinabalu averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Rockhampton fluctuates around 27°C (81°F)in January.
Rockhampton 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 Rockhamptonin January. Kota Kinabalu gets 255 mm (10 in) of rain, while Rockhampton receives 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Rockhampton 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Rockhampton in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Kota Kinabalu and Rockhampton. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kota Kinabalu year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Rockhampton for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere.
In the autumn, Kota Kinabalu is a little warmer than Rockhampton. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kota Kinabalu in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Rockhampton averages at about 23°C (74°F)in April.
Kota Kinabalu gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Kota Kinabalu usually receives more rain than Rockhamptonin April. Kota Kinabalu gets 336 mm (13.2 in) of rain, while Rockhampton receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Rockhampton 23°C (74°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Rockhampton in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Kota Kinabalu as well as Rockhampton. Kota Kinabalu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to Rockhampton in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Kota Kinabalu is generally much warmer than Rockhamptonin July. Daily temperatures in Kota Kinabalu average around 26°C (79°F), and Rockhampton fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
Kota Kinabalu receives a lot of rain in the winter. Kota Kinabalu usually gets more rain in January than Rockhamptonin July. Kota Kinabalu gets 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Rockhampton receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyKota Kinabalu 26°C (79°F)Rockhampton 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Rockhampton in the Spring?
Both Rockhampton 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 Rockhampton for the beaches and the small town charm during these months.
Kota Kinabalu is a little warmer than Rockhampton in the spring. The daily temperature in Kota Kinabalu averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Rockhampton fluctuates around 23°C (74°F)in October.
It's quite rainy in Kota Kinabalu. In April, Kota Kinabalu usually receives more rain than Rockhamptonin October. Kota Kinabalu gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Rockhampton receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberKota Kinabalu 28°C (82°F)Rockhampton 23°C (74°F)
Typical Weather for Rockhampton and Kota Kinabalu
| Kota Kinabalu | Rockhampton | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 124 mm (4.9 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (80°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 109 mm (4.3 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 291 mm (11.5 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 285 mm (11.2 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 336 mm (13.2 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 298 mm (11.7 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 125 mm (4.9 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.