Which place is cheaper, Shanghai or Kota Kinabalu?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Kota Kinabalu or Shanghai?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Shanghai? 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 Shanghai?
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.
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest and most modern city in China. With a population of over 23 million, it is the economic and financial hub of the country. It also continues to be one of the fastest growing cities in China with regular changes to the city's layout and skyline. It is not uncommon for buildings to be torn down, rebuilt and then torn down and rebuilt again. The city also has skyscrapers that rank among the tallest in the world. It has an ever changing downtown and street scape. In Shanghai, the general mantra remains "out with the old, in with the new".
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Malaysia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia, The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKota Kinabalu $49Shanghai $115
The average daily cost (per person) in Kota Kinabalu is $49, while the average daily cost in Shanghai is $115. 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 Shanghai in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKota Kinabalu $18Shanghai $81
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKota Kinabalu $36Shanghai $162
Compare Hotels in Kota Kinabalu and Shanghai
Looking for a hotel in Kota Kinabalu or Shanghai? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kota Kinabalu $22Shanghai $3.87
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kota Kinabalu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kota Kinabalu:
- Kota Kinabalu Airport Private Transfer with 1 hour Charter: $12
- Private Transfer: Kota Kinabalu International Airport to/from Hotel: $20
- Kota Kinabalu to Kota Kinab Airport: Departure Private Transfer: $23
- Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu Airport (BKI): $28
- Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI to Kota Kinabalu Port: $28
- Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu hotels: $28
- Private Transfer from Kota Kota Kinabalu Hotels to Kinabalu Port: $28
- Monsopiad Cultural Village Visit with Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu: $31
- Private Transfer- Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI: $32
- Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu hotels: $32
- Borneo to Kota Kinabalu Airport(BKI) - Departure Private Transfer: $46
- Kota Kinabalu Hotel to Jetty Round Trip Transfer: $52
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Shanghai
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Shanghai:
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Taxi Ride$3.59
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Two Subway Tickets$0.83
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Shanghai
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Shanghai:
- Yiwu Railway Station Private Arrival Transfer to City Area: $18
- Shanghai Hongqiao Airport Private Departure Transfers: $18
- Shanghai Hongqiao Airport Private Arrival Transfers: $18
- Shanghai Pudong Airport Private Departure Transfers: $20
- Shanghai Pudong Airport Private Arrival Transfers: $20
- Shanghai Hongqiao Airport Chauffeur Service, Shanghai Airport Transfer: $25
- Private Transfer from Shanghai Maglev Train Station to City Area : $25
- Private Transfer between Shanghai Pudong New Int’l Expo Centre and City Area : $25
- Private Transfer: Shanghai New International Expo Centre and City Hotels: $26
- Private Departure Transfer to Hongqiao Railway Station from Shanghai City: $26
- Private Transfer between Shanghai NECC and City Area : $28
- Private Transfer: Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station to Hotels: $28
Is it cheaper to fly into Kota Kinabalu or Shanghai?
Prices for flights to both Shanghai 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 $15Shanghai $21
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
- Half Day Klias Mangrove Wildlife and Fireflies with dinner: $128
Typical Food Prices in Shanghai
Some typical examples of dining costs in Shanghai are as follows:
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Dumpling Breakfast$1.38
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Desserts in Jinmao Building Observatory$20
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Ajisen Lunch for Two$7.18
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Cantelope$1.66
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Dumplings and Soup$2.07
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Duck Dinner$4.14
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Pastries$2.90
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Barbeque Dinner$8.83
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Shanghai
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Shanghai.
- Online Cooking Class General Tso's Chicken by Sunflower Li: $20
- Online Cooking Class Fried Rice by Sunflower Li : $20
- 3-Hour Biking and Local Food Tour: $70
- Authentic Local Food Tour in Central Shanghai: $79
- Late night food tour in Shanghai's French Concession: $85
- Late Night Food Tour in the Shanghai's French Concession: $89
- Shanghai's Koreatown Food Tour: $91
- 4-Hour Food Tour in Qibao Water Town from Shanghai by Subway: $95
- 3-Hour Flexible Private Shanghai Night Tour with Local Dinner Option: $100
- Shanghai Hot pot dinner foodie tour with guide and one way private transfer: $113
- Shanghai Night River Cruise VIP Seating with Private Transfer and Dinner Option: $130
- Private Wet Market Visit with Cooking Class in Shanghai: $138
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kota Kinabalu $5.67Shanghai $8.42
Tours and Activities in Kota Kinabalu
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kota Kinabalu are as follows:
- Kota Kinabalu Historical Photo Walking Tour: $37
- Private Half Day Kota Kinabalu City Tour: $38
- Full Day Bongawan River Cruise with Proboscis Monkey Sightseeing: $40
- Sky-Mirror Photographing and Proboscis Monkey & Fireflies Watching River-Cruise: $46
- Sunset E-Foil Experience in Tanjung Aru Beach: $47
- Private Guided E-Foil Experience in Tanjung Aru Beach: $47
- Borneo (Klias) River Cruise & Fireflies Tour: $50
- Kota Kinabalu City Tour: $54
- Mari-Mari Cultural Village Tour Including Lunch: $55
- Klias Wildlife Safari River Cruise from Kota Kinabalu: $58
- Cowboy Town & Fireflies River Cruise: $62
- Cultural Night Tour From Kota Kinabalu : $64
Typical Entertainment Prices in Shanghai
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Shanghai are as follows:
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30 Minute River Cruise for Two$28
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Zoo for Two$14
Tours and Activities in Shanghai
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Shanghai are as follows:
- The History of the French Concession: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
- Hop-on Hop-off Bus Ticket and Optional Attractions: $14
- Shanghai Yu Garden Tour：Harmony & Spirituality in Garden Art: $20
- Shanghai French Concession Walking Tour: $29
- Like a Local Customized Guided Tour: $35
- Shanghai Hotels to Wusongkou Cruise Port:Private with Meet & Great service: $38
- Shanghai Downtown Hotel to Baoshan Cruise Port:Private with Meet & Greet service: $38
- Fudan University Student Guide Tour: $42
- Shanghai Tower Tickets Booking: $43
- 4-Hour Nightlife Adventure & Tasting Bike Tour: $45
- Oriental Pearl Tower Tickets Booking: $47
- Small Group 2.5-Hour Walking Tour - Spots Hiding Behind the Shanghai Bund: $51
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKota Kinabalu $6.34Shanghai $7.35
Sample the Local Flavors in Shanghai
Also in Shanghai, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Shanghai Pub Crawl - Bar-hopping/Night life tour: $20
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kota Kinabalu and Shanghai, we can see that Shanghai 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 Shanghai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Shanghai 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 Shanghai Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kota Kinabalu or Shanghai?
Shanghai has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Kota Kinabalu. When comparing the sizes of Kota Kinabalu and Shanghai, 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 Shanghai?
Shanghai 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 Shanghai in the Summer?
Both Shanghai 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 Shanghai because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Kota Kinabalu is generally around the same temperature as Shanghai. Daily temperatures in Kota Kinabalu average around 27°C (81°F), and Shanghai fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
It's quite sunny in Shanghai. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kota Kinabalu. Kota Kinabalu usually receives less sunshine than Shanghai during summer. Kota Kinabalu gets 205 hours of sunny skies, while Shanghai receives 232 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Shanghai. It's quite rainy in Kota Kinabalu. In July, Kota Kinabalu usually receives more rain than Shanghai. Kota Kinabalu gets 255 mm (10 in) of rain, while Shanghai receives 128 mm (5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Shanghai 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Shanghai in the Autumn?
Both Shanghai 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, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Shanghai this time of year.
Kota Kinabalu is a little warmer than Shanghai in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kota Kinabalu averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Shanghai fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).
In the autumn, Kota Kinabalu often gets more sunshine than Shanghai. Kota Kinabalu gets 192 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Shanghai receives 162 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 Shanghai. Kota Kinabalu gets 336 mm (13.2 in) of rain, while Shanghai receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Shanghai 19°C (65°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Shanghai in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kota Kinabalu and Shanghai. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kota Kinabalu year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Shanghai for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Shanghai. In the winter, Kota Kinabalu is much warmer than Shanghai. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kota Kinabalu in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Shanghai averages at about 4°C (39°F).
Kota Kinabalu usually receives more sunshine than Shanghai during winter. Kota Kinabalu gets 181 hours of sunny skies, while Shanghai receives 135 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 Shanghai. Kota Kinabalu gets 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Shanghai receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKota Kinabalu 26°C (79°F)Shanghai 4°C (39°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Shanghai in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Kota Kinabalu as well as Shanghai. Kota Kinabalu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to Shanghai in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In April, Kota Kinabalu is generally much warmer than Shanghai. Daily temperatures in Kota Kinabalu average around 28°C (82°F), and Shanghai fluctuates around 15°C (58°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 Shanghai. Kota Kinabalu gets 237 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Shanghai receives 153 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Shanghai. Kota Kinabalu receives a lot of rain in the spring. Kota Kinabalu usually gets more rain in April than Shanghai. Kota Kinabalu gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Shanghai 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)Shanghai 15°C (58°F)
Typical Weather for Shanghai and Kota Kinabalu
| Kota Kinabalu | Shanghai | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (80°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 102 mm (4 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 113 mm (4.5 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 291 mm (11.5 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 128 mm (5 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 285 mm (11.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 156 mm (6.1 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 336 mm (13.2 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 298 mm (11.7 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 35 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.