Which place is cheaper, Sado 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 Sado?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Sado? 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 Sado?
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.
Sado
Sado Island, Japan is located just off the coast of Niigata and is an old gold mining town that has since developed into a quiet summer holiday destination. The island is home to two mountain ranges, O-Sado in the north and Ko-sado in the south, with the popular Kuninaka plain in between the mountain ranges. With the remoteness of the island, it has become a popular destination for tourists to experience old Japan and get away from the busy mainland.
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 Japan, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan.
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Kota Kinabalu Prices
Malaysia PricesSado Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKota Kinabalu $68Sado $82
The average daily cost (per person) in Kota Kinabalu is $68, while the average daily cost in Sado is $82. 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 Sado in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKota Kinabalu $21Sado $31
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKota Kinabalu $42Sado $62
Compare Hotels in Kota Kinabalu and Sado
Looking for a hotel in Kota Kinabalu or Sado? 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 Sado Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kota Kinabalu $25Sado $14
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Kota Kinabalu or Sado?
Prices for flights to both Sado 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 $30Sado $42
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kota Kinabalu $6.43Sado $8.74
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 Sado
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Sado are as follows:
- Sado Island Highlights: 3-Hour Bike Tour: $84
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKota Kinabalu $7.18Sado $69
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kota Kinabalu and Sado, we can see that Sado is more expensive. And not only is Kota Kinabalu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Sado would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sado 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 Sado Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Kota Kinabalu or Sado?
Sado 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 Sado in the Summer?
Both Sado 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 hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Sado this time of year.
In the summer, Kota Kinabalu is a little warmer than Sado. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kota Kinabalu in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Sado averages at about 23°C (74°F).
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 Sado during summer. Kota Kinabalu gets 205 hours of sunny skies, while Sado receives 198 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Sado. It's quite rainy in Kota Kinabalu. In July, Kota Kinabalu usually receives more rain than Sado. Kota Kinabalu gets 255 mm (10 in) of rain, while Sado receives 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Sado 23°C (74°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Sado in the Autumn?
Both Sado 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. Furthermore, many travelers come to Sado for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.
In October, Kota Kinabalu is generally much warmer than Sado. Daily temperatures in Kota Kinabalu average around 27°C (81°F), and Sado fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
In the autumn, Kota Kinabalu often gets more sunshine than Sado. Kota Kinabalu gets 192 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sado receives 155 hours of full sun.
Sado 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 Sado. Kota Kinabalu gets 336 mm (13.2 in) of rain, while Sado receives 127 mm (5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Sado 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Sado in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kota Kinabalu and Sado. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kota Kinabalu year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Sado in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Sado can get quite cold in the winter. Kota Kinabalu is much warmer than Sado in the winter. The daily temperature in Kota Kinabalu averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Sado fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).
Kota Kinabalu usually receives more sunshine than Sado during winter. Kota Kinabalu gets 181 hours of sunny skies, while Sado receives 65 hours of full sun in the winter.
Sado 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 around the same amount of rain as Sado. Kota Kinabalu gets 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Sado receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKota Kinabalu 26°C (79°F)Sado 3°C (37°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Sado in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Kota Kinabalu as well as Sado. Kota Kinabalu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the spring, Kota Kinabalu is much warmer than Sado. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kota Kinabalu in April average around 28°C (82°F), and Sado averages at about 10°C (51°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 Sado. Kota Kinabalu gets 237 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sado receives 194 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Sado. Kota Kinabalu receives a lot of rain in the spring. Kota Kinabalu usually gets more rain in April than Sado. Kota Kinabalu gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Sado receives 102 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKota Kinabalu 28°C (82°F)Sado 10°C (51°F)
Typical Weather for Sado and Kota Kinabalu
| Kota Kinabalu | Sado | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (80°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 102 mm (4 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 102 mm (4 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 291 mm (11.5 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 125 mm (4.9 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 285 mm (11.2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 336 mm (13.2 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 298 mm (11.7 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 159 mm (6.3 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 162 mm (6.4 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.