Which place is cheaper, Torquay or Kota Kinabalu?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Kota Kinabalu or Torquay?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Torquay? 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 Torquay?
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.
Torquay
Located on the eastern end of the Great Ocean Road, Torquay is a seaside town of Victoria famous for its surfing and beaches. Surf town through and through, it is also the headquarters for the Quiksilver and Rip Curl surf gear companies, and home to the Rip Curl Easter Pro, the world's longest running surf contest held on Bells Beach.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Malaysia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia, The Best Budget Tours to Australia, and The Best Luxury Tours to Australia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKota Kinabalu $49Torquay $86
The average daily cost (per person) in Kota Kinabalu is $49, while the average daily cost in Torquay is $86. 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 Torquay in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKota Kinabalu $18Torquay $39
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKota Kinabalu $36Torquay $78
Compare Hotels in Kota Kinabalu and Torquay
Looking for a hotel in Kota Kinabalu or Torquay? 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 $22Torquay $39
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kota Kinabalu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kota Kinabalu:
- Kota Kinabalu Hotel to Jetty Round Trip Transfer: $52
- Borneo to Kota Kinabalu Airport(BKI) - Departure Private Transfer: $46
- Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu hotels: $32
- Private Transfer- Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI: $32
- Monsopiad Cultural Village Visit with Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu: $31
- 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
- Kota Kinabalu to Kota Kinab Airport: Departure Private Transfer: $23
- Private Transfer: Kota Kinabalu International Airport to/from Hotel: $20
- Kota Kinabalu Airport Private Transfer with 1 hour Charter: $12
Is it cheaper to fly into Kota Kinabalu or Torquay?
Prices for flights to both Torquay 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 $15Torquay $25
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kota Kinabalu $5.67Torquay $11
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 : $293
- Full Day Tour in Mantanani: $140
- Indigenous Weaving Experience: $236
Tours and Activities in Torquay
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Torquay.
- Milbi Sunset Cruise with Champagne and Prawns: $52
- Fraser Island & Dolphin Sailing Adventure: $73
- Turtle Discovery & Great Sandy Marine Park Adventure: $83
- Spirit of Hervey Bay Whale Watching Cruise: $92
- K'gari (Fraser Island) West Coast Half Day Cruise from Hervey Bay: $93
- Hervey Bay Whale Watching Experience: $94
- Three-Quarter Day Hervey Bay Premium Whale Watching Cruise: $119
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKota Kinabalu $6.34Torquay $7.42
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kota Kinabalu and Torquay, we can see that Torquay 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 Torquay 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 Torquay would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Torquay 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 Torquay Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kota Kinabalu or Torquay?
Kota Kinabalu has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Torquay. When comparing the sizes of Kota Kinabalu and Torquay, 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 Torquay?
Torquay 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 Torquay in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Kota Kinabalu as well as Torquay. Kota Kinabalu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Torquay in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Kota Kinabalu is generally around the same temperature as Torquayin January. Daily temperatures in Kota Kinabalu average around 27°C (81°F), and Torquay fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
It's quite rainy in Torquay. Kota Kinabalu receives a lot of rain in the summer. Kota Kinabalu usually gets more rain in July than Torquayin January. Kota Kinabalu gets 255 mm (10 in) of rain, while Torquay receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Torquay 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Torquay in the Autumn?
Both Torquay 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. Also, most visitors come to Torquay for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
Kota Kinabalu is a little warmer than Torquay in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kota Kinabalu averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Torquay fluctuates around 22°C (72°F)in April.
It's quite rainy in Kota Kinabalu. In October, Kota Kinabalu usually receives more rain than Torquayin April. Kota Kinabalu gets 336 mm (13.2 in) of rain, while Torquay receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Torquay 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Torquay in the Winter?
Both Torquay 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. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Torquay because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Kota Kinabalu is much warmer than Torquay. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kota Kinabalu in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Torquay averages at about 15°C (59°F)in July.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kota Kinabalu. Kota Kinabalu usually gets more rain in January than Torquayin July. Kota Kinabalu gets 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Torquay receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyKota Kinabalu 26°C (79°F)Torquay 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Torquay in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kota Kinabalu and Torquay. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kota Kinabalu year-round. Furthermore, the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Torquay this time of year.
In April, Kota Kinabalu is generally a little warmer than Torquayin October. Daily temperatures in Kota Kinabalu average around 28°C (82°F), and Torquay fluctuates around 21°C (71°F).
Kota Kinabalu gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Kota Kinabalu usually receives more rain than Torquayin October. Kota Kinabalu gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Torquay receives 75 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberKota Kinabalu 28°C (82°F)Torquay 21°C (71°F)
Typical Weather for Torquay and Kota Kinabalu
| Kota Kinabalu | Torquay | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (80°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 291 mm (11.5 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 285 mm (11.2 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 336 mm (13.2 in) | 21°C (71°F) | 75 mm (2.9 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 298 mm (11.7 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 106 mm (4.2 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 134 mm (5.3 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.