Which place is cheaper, Zurich 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 Zurich?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Zurich? 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 Zurich?
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.
Zurich
Zurich has the biggest connection for trains in Switzerland. It also has the country's biggest and busiest airport. Because of its importance as a transportation center, it is likely to be the first place you visit in Switzerland. It is the financial capital of the country (although, contrary to what you may have thought, not the political capital). It has many international companies, and is home to the country's stock exchange.
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 Switzerland, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Switzerland.
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Kota Kinabalu Prices
Malaysia PricesZurich Prices
Switzerland Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKota Kinabalu $70Zurich $354
The average daily cost (per person) in Kota Kinabalu is $70, while the average daily cost in Zurich is $354. 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 Zurich in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKota Kinabalu $21Zurich $192
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKota Kinabalu $42Zurich $384
Compare Hotels in Kota Kinabalu and Zurich
Looking for a hotel in Kota Kinabalu or Zurich? 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 Zurich Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kota Kinabalu $26Zurich $40
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kota Kinabalu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kota Kinabalu:
- Private Airport Transfer: BKI Airport ⇄ Kota Kinabalu City(Hotel): $14
- Kota Kinabalu（BKI）: Private Transfer to City Center: $14
- Private Airport Transfer in Kota Kinabalu: $20
- Private Transfer from Kota Kota Kinabalu Hotels to Kinabalu Port: $25
- Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu Airport (BKI): $25
- Private Transfer- Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI: $25
- Private Departure Transfer : Kota Kinabalu International Airport: $27
- Private Transfer: Kota Kinabalu International Airport to/from Hotel: $30
- Kota Kinabalu Airport (BKI) to Borneo - Arrival Private Transfer: $38
- Borneo to Kota Kinabalu Airport(BKI) - Departure Private Transfer: $38
- Kota Kinab Airport to Kota Kinabalu - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $47
- Kota Kinabalu Hotel to Jetty Round Trip Transfer: $54
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Zurich
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Zurich:
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City Pass (2)$32
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zurich
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zurich:
- Private One-way Airport Transfer from Zurich to Zurich Airport: $70
- Private One-way Airport Transfer from Zurich Airport to Zurich: $70
- Private Zurich Airport Transfers to and from Zurich Hotels: $70
- Transfer from Zurich City Center to Zurich Airport (ZRH): $79
- Transfer from Zurich Airport (ZRH) to Zurich City Center: $82
- Zurich Airport (ZRH) to Titisee-Neustadt Thermal Arrival Transfer: $82
- Private Transfer Zurich Airport ZRH to Zurich by Luxury Sedan: $88
- From Zurich Airport: 1-Way Private Transfer To Zurich Hotel: $88
- Airport Transfer: Zurich to Zurich Airport ZRH by Business Car: $93
- Airport Transfer: Zurich Airport ZRH to Zurich by Business Car: $93
- Airport Transfer: Zurich to Zurich Airport ZRH by Luxury Van: $99
- Private Transfer: Zurich to Zurich Airport ZRH by Luxury Van: $99
Is it cheaper to fly into Kota Kinabalu or Zurich?
Prices for flights to both Zurich 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 $31Zurich $121
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
- Kota Kinabalu Klias River Cruise with Dinner and Fireflies Tour: $72
- Traditional Sabah Cooking Class and Taste Local Flavors: $75
- Ethnic Cooking Class & Upside Down House & 3D Wonders Museum: $92
- Private Cooking Class with Market Visit: $94
- North Borneo Sunset Dinner Cruise: $121
- Kota Kinabalu Night Tour with Dinner & Cultural Dance Show: $142
- Kota Kinabalu Sunset Cruise with Dinner, Live Band & Hotel Pickup: $189
Typical Food Prices in Zurich
Some typical examples of dining costs in Zurich are as follows:
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Breakfast for 2$15
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zurich
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zurich.
- Zurich Food Tour with 10 Local Delicacies, Cheeses & Chocolates: $176
- Taste Zurich – A Full Food Tour of Swiss Flavors by Do Eat Better: $187
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kota Kinabalu $6.62Zurich $40
Tours and Activities in Kota Kinabalu
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kota Kinabalu are as follows:
- Sabah Mali-Mali Garden Spa Massage Experience: $27
- Bongawan River Cruise, City Tour & Fireflies: $28
- Private Tour Kampung Gipsi Sabah Cultural Village Kota Kinabalu: $38
- Kota Kinabalu 3 Hour Coastal Fishing and Island Tour: $38
- 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
- Sabah: Manukan and Sapi Islands Excursion Ticket: $50
- Borneo (Klias) River Cruise & Fireflies Tour: $50
- Bongawan River Cruise Proboscis Monkey, SkyMirror, Fireflies: $54
- Full Day Bongawan River Cruise with Proboscis Monkey Sightseeing: $56
- Cowboy Town & Fireflies River Cruise: $62
Tours and Activities in Zurich
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Zurich are as follows:
- Zurich Scavenger Hunt & Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour: $3.51
- Original Zürich Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $5.67
- Zurich Old Town Self-Guided Walking Tour: $5.87
- Stein am Rhein Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $5.91
- Zurich Audio Guided Walking Tour 1h45 and 20 audio reviews: $6.92
- Zurich Walking Tour with Audioguide on Your Smartphone: $12
- TOP Zurich : Private guided tour with your mobile: $12
- Zurich Historic Old Town Audio Self Guided Tour: $12
- Self-Guided Audio Tour to the Dark Side of Zurich: $13
- Self-Guided Audio City Tour in Zurich: $13
- Historical Zürich: A Self-Guided Audio Tour Through the city of 1,000 Fountains: $15
- Guided Walking Tour: $25
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKota Kinabalu $7.40Zurich $33
Sample the Local Flavors in Zurich
Also in Zurich, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl Zurich: $38
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kota Kinabalu and Zurich, we can see that Zurich 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 Zurich is in Europe, 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 Zurich would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Zurich 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 Zurich Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kota Kinabalu or Zurich?
Kota Kinabalu has a larger population, and is about 34% larger than the population of Zurich. When comparing the sizes of Kota Kinabalu and Zurich, 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 Zurich?
Zurich 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 Zurich in the Summer?
Both Zurich 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 Zurich because of the music scene and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Kota Kinabalu is generally a little warmer than Zurich. Daily temperatures in Kota Kinabalu average around 27°C (81°F), and Zurich fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
It's quite sunny in Zurich. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kota Kinabalu. Kota Kinabalu usually receives less sunshine than Zurich during summer. Kota Kinabalu gets 205 hours of sunny skies, while Zurich receives 241 hours of full sun in the summer.
It's quite rainy in Kota Kinabalu. In July, Kota Kinabalu usually receives more rain than Zurich. Kota Kinabalu gets 255 mm (10 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Zurich 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Zurich in the Autumn?
Both Zurich 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. Also, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Zurich this time of year.
Kota Kinabalu is much warmer than Zurich in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kota Kinabalu averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Zurich fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).
In the autumn, Kota Kinabalu often gets more sunshine than Zurich. Kota Kinabalu gets 192 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zurich receives 120 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 Zurich. Kota Kinabalu gets 336 mm (13.2 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Zurich 13°C (56°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Zurich in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kota Kinabalu and Zurich. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kota Kinabalu year-round. Also, many travelers come to Zurich for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Zurich. In the winter, Kota Kinabalu is much warmer than Zurich. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kota Kinabalu in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Zurich averages at about 3°C (37°F).
Kota Kinabalu usually receives more sunshine than Zurich during winter. Kota Kinabalu gets 181 hours of sunny skies, while Zurich receives 55 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 Zurich. Kota Kinabalu gets 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKota Kinabalu 26°C (79°F)Zurich 3°C (37°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Zurich in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Kota Kinabalu as well as Zurich. Kota Kinabalu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Zurich in the spring for the natural beauty.
In April, Kota Kinabalu is generally much warmer than Zurich. Daily temperatures in Kota Kinabalu average around 28°C (82°F), and Zurich fluctuates around 12°C (53°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 Zurich. Kota Kinabalu gets 237 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zurich receives 150 hours of full sun.
Kota Kinabalu receives a lot of rain in the spring. Kota Kinabalu usually gets more rain in April than Zurich. Kota Kinabalu gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKota Kinabalu 28°C (82°F)Zurich 12°C (53°F)
Typical Weather for Zurich and Kota Kinabalu
| Kota Kinabalu | Zurich | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (80°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 291 mm (11.5 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 285 mm (11.2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 336 mm (13.2 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 298 mm (11.7 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 83 mm (3.3 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.