Which place is cheaper, Yakushima 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 Yakushima?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Yakushima? 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 Yakushima?
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.
Yakushima
Yakushima, Japan is a UNESCO World Heritage island located north of Okinawa and off the south east of of Kyushu. The island is well-known to Japanese tourists but not so much to international ones, making it a bit of a hidden gem to international tourists. This also means that English isn't spoken as much as in larger cities, so make sure to brush up on your Japanese and bring a dictionary.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Malaysia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Japan, and The Best Luxury Tours to Japan.
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Kota Kinabalu Prices
Malaysia PricesYakushima Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKota Kinabalu $68Yakushima $141
The average daily cost (per person) in Kota Kinabalu is $68, while the average daily cost in Yakushima is $141. 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 Yakushima in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKota Kinabalu $21Yakushima $61
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKota Kinabalu $42Yakushima $122
Compare Hotels in Kota Kinabalu and Yakushima
Looking for a hotel in Kota Kinabalu or Yakushima? 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 Yakushima Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kota Kinabalu $25Yakushima $51
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
- Private Transfer- Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI to Kota Kinabalu Port: $25
- Transfer from 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 Yakushima?
Prices for flights to both Yakushima 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 $30Yakushima $50
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 $6.43Yakushima $21
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 Safari Cruise, Private or Shared Ticket: $48
- 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
Tours and Activities in Yakushima
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Yakushima are as follows:
- Private Guided Tour: $336
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKota Kinabalu $7.18Yakushima $6.61
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kota Kinabalu and Yakushima, we can see that Yakushima 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 Yakushima would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Yakushima 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 Yakushima Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Kota Kinabalu or Yakushima?
Yakushima 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 Yakushima in the Summer?
Both Yakushima 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.
In July, Kota Kinabalu is generally around the same temperature as Yakushima. Daily temperatures in Kota Kinabalu average around 27°C (81°F), and Yakushima fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Yakushima. It's quite rainy in Kota Kinabalu. In July, Kota Kinabalu usually receives more rain than Yakushima. Kota Kinabalu gets 255 mm (10 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 189 mm (7.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Yakushima 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Yakushima in the Autumn?
Both Yakushima 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.
Kota Kinabalu is a little warmer than Yakushima in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kota Kinabalu averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Yakushima fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).
Yakushima 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 Yakushima. Kota Kinabalu gets 336 mm (13.2 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Yakushima 22°C (71°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Yakushima in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kota Kinabalu and Yakushima. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kota Kinabalu year-round.
In the winter, Kota Kinabalu is much warmer than Yakushima. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kota Kinabalu in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Yakushima averages at about 11°C (52°F).
Yakushima 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 more rain than Yakushima. Kota Kinabalu gets 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 106 mm (4.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKota Kinabalu 26°C (79°F)Yakushima 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Yakushima in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Kota Kinabalu as well as Yakushima. Kota Kinabalu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Kota Kinabalu is generally much warmer than Yakushima. Daily temperatures in Kota Kinabalu average around 28°C (82°F), and Yakushima fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
It's quite rainy in Yakushima. Kota Kinabalu receives a lot of rain in the spring. Kota Kinabalu usually gets less rain in April than Yakushima. Kota Kinabalu gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 207 mm (8.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKota Kinabalu 28°C (82°F)Yakushima 18°C (64°F)
Typical Weather for Yakushima and Kota Kinabalu
| Kota Kinabalu | Yakushima | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 106 mm (4.2 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (80°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 207 mm (8.1 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 288 mm (11.3 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 291 mm (11.5 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 352 mm (13.9 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 205 mm (8.1 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 285 mm (11.2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 253 mm (10 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 336 mm (13.2 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 298 mm (11.7 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 93 mm (3.7 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.