Which place is cheaper, Sendai or Kota Kinabalu?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Kota Kinabalu or Sendai?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Sendai? 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 Sendai?
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.
Sendai
Sendai, Japan is located in the Toohoku region on the main Honshu island. It is often referred to as "Forest City" due to the large amount of green space throughout the city and the tree filled parks and public spaces. Sendai is a very pleasant city to visit; they are in close proximity to both mountains and the sea and have many large universities throughout the city, making it a popular college town.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Malaysia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia, The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKota Kinabalu $49Sendai $105
The average daily cost (per person) in Kota Kinabalu is $49, while the average daily cost in Sendai is $105. 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 Sendai in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKota Kinabalu $18Sendai $59
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKota Kinabalu $36Sendai $118
Compare Hotels in Kota Kinabalu and Sendai
Looking for a hotel in Kota Kinabalu or Sendai? 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 Sendai Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kota Kinabalu $22Sendai $18
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sendai
Also for Sendai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Sendai Airport to/from Sendai City private transfer: $76
Is it cheaper to fly into Kota Kinabalu or Sendai?
Prices for flights to both Sendai 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 dayKota Kinabalu $15Sendai $33
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
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kota Kinabalu $5.67Sendai $18
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
Tours and Activities in Sendai
For Sendai, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Japanese Taiko Drum Experience at Sairi Yashiki : $71
- Sendai, Okama: Private tour from Sendai city to Okama: $251
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayKota Kinabalu $6.34Sendai $11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kota Kinabalu and Sendai, we can see that Sendai 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 Sendai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sendai 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 Sendai Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kota Kinabalu or Sendai?
Sendai has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Kota Kinabalu. When comparing the sizes of Kota Kinabalu and Sendai, 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 Sendai?
Sendai 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 Sendai in the Summer?
Both Sendai 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, many visitors come to Sendai in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Kota Kinabalu is generally a little warmer than Sendai. Daily temperatures in Kota Kinabalu average around 27°C (81°F), and Sendai fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
It's quite sunny in Kota Kinabalu. In the summer, Kota Kinabalu often gets more sunshine than Sendai. Kota Kinabalu gets 205 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sendai receives 124 hours of full sun.
Sendai 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 Sendai. Kota Kinabalu gets 255 mm (10 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Sendai 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Sendai in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Kota Kinabalu and Sendai. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kota Kinabalu year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Sendai for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.
Kota Kinabalu is much warmer than Sendai in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kota Kinabalu averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Sendai fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
Kota Kinabalu usually receives more sunshine than Sendai during autumn. Kota Kinabalu gets 192 hours of sunny skies, while Sendai receives 149 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Sendai receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Kota Kinabalu gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Kota Kinabalu usually receives more rain than Sendai. Kota Kinabalu gets 336 mm (13.2 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 103 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Sendai 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Sendai in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Kota Kinabalu as well as Sendai. Kota Kinabalu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Sendai because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Sendai can be very cold. In the winter, Kota Kinabalu is much warmer than Sendai. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kota Kinabalu in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Sendai averages at about 2°C (35°F).
In the winter, Kota Kinabalu often gets more sunshine than Sendai. Kota Kinabalu gets 181 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sendai receives 149 hours of full sun.
Kota Kinabalu receives a lot of rain in the winter. Kota Kinabalu usually gets more rain in January than Sendai. Kota Kinabalu gets 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKota Kinabalu 26°C (79°F)Sendai 2°C (35°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Sendai in the Spring?
Both Sendai 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, the beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Sendai this time of year.
In April, Kota Kinabalu is generally much warmer than Sendai. Daily temperatures in Kota Kinabalu average around 28°C (82°F), and Sendai fluctuates around 10°C (51°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kota Kinabalu. Kota Kinabalu usually receives more sunshine than Sendai during spring. Kota Kinabalu gets 237 hours of sunny skies, while Sendai receives 188 hours of full sun in the spring.
It's quite rainy in Kota Kinabalu. In April, Kota Kinabalu usually receives more rain than Sendai. Kota Kinabalu gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilKota Kinabalu 28°C (82°F)Sendai 10°C (51°F)
Typical Weather for Sendai and Kota Kinabalu
| Kota Kinabalu | Sendai | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (80°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 291 mm (11.5 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 285 mm (11.2 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 187 mm (7.4 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 336 mm (13.2 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 298 mm (11.7 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 36 mm (1.4 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.