Which place is cheaper, Tianjin 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 Tianjin?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Tianjin? 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 Tianjin?
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.
Tianjin
Tianjin is a large metropolis on the north east coast of China. This ancient city, which dates back to prehistoric times, is one of five National Central Cities of China and is rich in culture and history. Tianjin is most famous for its beautiful walking streets and history of European concession territories.
Tianjin experiences hot and humid summers, with temperatures reaching 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Winters are cool and dry with temperatures around 15° (F). Spring and Autumn tend to be the best times to visit as weather is a little more mild, although Spring has a tendency to be a little rainy.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Malaysia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia, The Best Sightseeing Tours in China, and The Best Cultural Tours in China.
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Kota Kinabalu Prices
Malaysia PricesTianjin Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKota Kinabalu $68Tianjin $92
The average daily cost (per person) in Kota Kinabalu is $68, while the average daily cost in Tianjin is $92. 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 Tianjin in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKota Kinabalu $21Tianjin $35
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKota Kinabalu $42Tianjin $70
Compare Hotels in Kota Kinabalu and Tianjin
Looking for a hotel in Kota Kinabalu or Tianjin? 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 $25Tianjin $37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kota Kinabalu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kota Kinabalu:
- Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI to Borneo - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $77
- Kota Kinabalu Hotel to Jetty Round Trip Transfer: $53
- Kota Kinab Airport to Kota Kinabalu - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $48
- Kota Kinabalu Airport (BKI) to Borneo - Arrival Private Transfer: $38
- Stand Up Paddle Boarding with Sunrise/Sunset Tour at Kota Kinabalu with transfer: $32
- Private Arrival Transfer : Kota Kinabalu International Airport: $30
- 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
- Kota Kinabalu to Kota Kinab Airport: Departure Private Transfer: $24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tianjin
Also for Tianjin, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- [Airport Transfer] Tianjin Airport ⇔ Tianjin City Transfer ☆ High reputation for service <Charter charter>: $13
- Tianjin Binhai Airport(TSN) to Tianjin - Arrival Private Transfer: $24
- Tianjin Binhai International Airport Private Arrival Transfer to City Area : $29
- Tianjin Cruise Port Private Transfer to Binhai Railway Station: $32
- Tianjin Railway Station Private Transfer to Cruise Port: $32
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Tianjin Binhai International Airport (TSN): $39
- Private Arrival Transfer: Tianjin Binhai International Airport (TSN) to Hotel: $39
- Tianjin Airport (TSN) to Tianjin RoundTrip Private Transfer: $48
- Tianjin Cruise Port Transfer To Tianjin Airport one way private transfer: $50
- Private Tianjin Transfer to Xingang International Cruise Port from City Hotels: $60
- Private Arrival Transfer: Tianjin Cruise Port to Train Stations (Tianjin/Tanggu): $63
- Private Transfer from Tianjin Cruise Port to Tianjin City Hotels: $73
Is it cheaper to fly into Kota Kinabalu or Tianjin?
Prices for flights to both Tianjin 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 $30Tianjin $36
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: $33
- Sabah Traditional Authentic Cuisine Cooking Class 3 Hours: $45
- 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 $6.43Tianjin $10
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
- Bongawan River Cruise Proboscis Monkey, SkyMirror, Fireflies : $49
- Bongawan: River Safari Cruise, Private or Shared Ticket: $48
- Borneo (Klias) River Cruise & Fireflies Tour: $50
- Cowboy Town & Fireflies River Cruise: $62
- Day Trip to Kinabalu Park and Poring Hot Spring Guided Tour: $70
- From Kota Kinabalu : Kiulu White Water Rafting Tour + meal: $66
- Full Day Bongawan River Cruise with Proboscis Monkey Sightseeing: $55
- Indigenous Weaving Experience: $236
- Island Hopping Tour (2 Island) From Kota Kinabalu: $100
- Island Hopping Tour From Kota Kinabalu (2 island): $90
- Kinabalu National Park Tour: $135
Tours and Activities in Tianjin
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tianjin.
- Tianjin International Cruise Home Port to Beijing Airport/City Tr: $119
- Guided Day Tour to Tianjin Downtown with Lunch: $148
- Private Tianjin City Night Tour with Haihe River Cruise: $176
- 5-Hour Private Tianjin Shopping Tour from Tianjin Cruise Port: $179
- Tianjin Cruise Port To Beijing Capital Airport With the English Speaking Driver: $187
- Private Tianjin City Highlight Day Tour: $188
- Tianjin Port-up To Beijing City Self-Guide Tour and Drop-off at Beijing Hotel: $192
- 4-Hour Tianjin Shore Excursion to Shijia Mansion with Bullet Train Experience: $210
- Tianjin Shore Excursion: Huangyaguan Great Wall Private Day Tour: $214
- Tianjin Private Walking Tour Guided by a Lady Worked in Europe: $215
- Private Tianjin Shopping Tour: $218
- All-inclusive Day Tour: China House, Five Avenues, Ancient Street & Tianjin Eye: $224
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKota Kinabalu $7.18Tianjin $11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kota Kinabalu and Tianjin, we can see that Tianjin 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 Tianjin would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tianjin 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 Tianjin Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kota Kinabalu or Tianjin?
Tianjin has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Kota Kinabalu. When comparing the sizes of Kota Kinabalu and Tianjin, 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 Tianjin?
Tianjin 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 Tianjin in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Kota Kinabalu as well as Tianjin. Kota Kinabalu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the summer, Kota Kinabalu is around the same temperature as Tianjin. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kota Kinabalu in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Tianjin averages at about 27°C (80°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tianjin. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kota Kinabalu this time of the year. In the summer, Kota Kinabalu often gets less sunshine than Tianjin. Kota Kinabalu gets 205 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tianjin receives 224 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Tianjin. Kota Kinabalu receives a lot of rain in the summer. Kota Kinabalu usually gets more rain in July than Tianjin. Kota Kinabalu gets 255 mm (10 in) of rain, while Tianjin receives 185 mm (7.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Tianjin 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Tianjin in the Autumn?
Both Tianjin and Kota Kinabalu are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kota Kinabalu throughout the year.
In October, Kota Kinabalu is generally much warmer than Tianjin. Daily temperatures in Kota Kinabalu average around 27°C (81°F), and Tianjin fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).
It's quite sunny in Tianjin. Kota Kinabalu usually receives less sunshine than Tianjin during autumn. Kota Kinabalu gets 192 hours of sunny skies, while Tianjin receives 227 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It's quite rainy in Kota Kinabalu. In October, Kota Kinabalu usually receives more rain than Tianjin. Kota Kinabalu gets 336 mm (13.2 in) of rain, while Tianjin receives 21 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Tianjin 15°C (58°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Tianjin in the Winter?
Both Tianjin and Kota Kinabalu during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Kota Kinabalu because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Tianjin can get quite cold in the winter. Kota Kinabalu is much warmer than Tianjin in the winter. The daily temperature in Kota Kinabalu averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Tianjin fluctuates around -3°C (27°F).
In Tianjin, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Kota Kinabalu often gets less sunshine than Tianjin. Kota Kinabalu gets 181 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tianjin receives 201 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kota Kinabalu. Kota Kinabalu usually gets more rain in January than Tianjin. Kota Kinabalu gets 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Tianjin receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKota Kinabalu 26°C (79°F)Tianjin -3°C (27°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Tianjin in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kota Kinabalu and Tianjin. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kota Kinabalu year-round.
In the spring, Kota Kinabalu is much warmer than Tianjin. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kota Kinabalu in April average around 28°C (82°F), and Tianjin averages at about 14°C (58°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tianjin this time of the year. In Kota Kinabalu, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kota Kinabalu usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Tianjin during spring. Kota Kinabalu gets 237 hours of sunny skies, while Tianjin receives 247 hours of full sun in the spring.
Kota Kinabalu gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Kota Kinabalu usually receives more rain than Tianjin. Kota Kinabalu gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Tianjin receives 25 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKota Kinabalu 28°C (82°F)Tianjin 14°C (58°F)
Typical Weather for Tianjin and Kota Kinabalu
| Kota Kinabalu | Tianjin | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | -3°C (27°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (80°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | -1°C (31°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 9 mm (0.3 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 25 mm (1 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 291 mm (11.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 185 mm (7.3 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 155 mm (6.1 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 285 mm (11.2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 336 mm (13.2 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 298 mm (11.7 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) | -1°C (31°F) | 4 mm (0.2 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.