Should you visit Kuala Lumpur or Hong Kong?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the prices of travel for Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong. We’ll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget. So, let's dig into it.
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur, often referred to as KL, is the cosmopolitan capital of Malaysia. It is also the largest city in the country, having grown out of a small Chinese mining village. Today Kuala Lumpur is a microcosm of the country of Malaysia. The population is split between the Malay, Chinese, and Indian cultures which you can see reflected in the city's neighborhoods, cuisine, and entertainment. It's also an incredibly affordable city, even if you're looking for the comforts of a five star hotel or a luxury restaurant. Prices are almost always a fraction of what you would pay in Europe or the United States.
Hong Kong
In Hong Kong you will find a predominantly Cantonese population that has long been influenced by British occupation. Most residents speak English and you can see the obvious effects of years of capitalism. Shopping malls are everywhere and most are thriving. Along the waterfront every night the buildings light up in a dramatic and festive light show that highlights such businesses as Sony and Canon, which are fixtures in the city. The city is a major financial hub, and is very international in nature. The city itself is very densely packed and there are narrow high rises that look vulnerable due to their height. There are two main areas to the city, Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. Hong Kong Island is the location of the original British settlement. Today it is where you will find the highest skyscrapers, the most modern buildings, and the most popular shopping areas. Kowloon is located on a peninsula that is to the north of Hong Kong Island. The tip of the peninsula is a popular destination for backpackers as it has many of the city's hostels. This area is referred to as Tsim Sha Tsui. There are also a few high end hotels in the area. It is possible to head outside of the city so that you can escape into some rural regions where you can take a break from the crowds.
Which city is cheaper, Hong Kong or Kuala Lumpur?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Kuala Lumpur is $52, while the average daily cost in Hong Kong is $128. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong in more detail.
Accommodation
For a normal double-occupancy room in Kuala Lumpur, $62 is the average cost for a hotel room. Also in Kuala Lumpur, the typical price for a place to stay for one person is $31, such as in a hostel.
The prices for places to stay in Hong Kong can vary by date, location, and type. Generally, the average cost for accommodation per person is $60, while a typical double-occupancy hotel room for two people will cost around $120.
Food
The average traveler spends about $11 per day in Kuala Lumpur for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
In Hong Kong travelers spend around $26 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
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Food
Meals for one day
Kuala Lumpur $11
Hong Kong $26
Typical Food prices in Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Bachelor's Pizza Co. at EPiC Food Hall:
$1.75
-
US PIZZA in Malaysia:
$3.70
-
US PIZZA in Malaysia:
$3.70
-
US PIZZA in Malaysia:
$3.70
-
Pizza Mansion in Klang Valley:
$19
-
Amazing Local Food Tour in Kuala Lumpur:
$29
-
Cooking Class With Garden Tours in Penang:
$38
-
Discover the Best Local Food Tour by Night in Kuala Lumpur:
$39
-
Local Evening Food Tour in Kuala Lumpur:
$40
-
Malaysian Ramadhan Buffet Dinner Cultural Show - nearby KLCC:
$40
-
Bayu Balau Beach Resort 2D1N Stay at Standard Room with Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner:
$41
-
Kota Kinabalu City Night Tour with Seafood Dinner:
$43
Typical Food prices in Hong Kong
For Hong Kong, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hong Kong
For Hong Kong, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
-
Exclusive: Noah's Ark Hotel & Resort Seaside Staycation with Buddies Builder Workshop + Dinner at Harvest Restaurant and Seaview Breakfast:
$16
-
Noah's Ark Tickets in Hong Kong (Optional Afternoon Tea, Beverage Voucher, or Dinner):
$16
-
Foodcation@Lamma Island (Private Food Tour):
$28
-
Ms Lo Soup Family - Soup Mix Cooking Pack (Delivery Charge Inclusive):
$36
-
The Butchers Club Ultimate Burger Cooking Pack Grab & Go:
$42
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E-Ticket: Symphony of Lights Dinner Cruise and Free Transfer:
$64
-
Fever Food Steak Home Cooking Pack (Delivery Charge Inclusive):
$81
-
2-Hour Dinner & Shows on Victoria Harbour Night Cruise:
$81
-
Klook Exclusive: Fresh go Seafood Home Cooking Pack (Delivery Charge Inclusive):
$87
-
Kowloon Mong Kok Food Tour:
$89
-
Hong Kong Island North Point Food Tour:
$89
-
Central and Sheung Wan Food Tour:
$95
Local Transportation
To get around in Kuala Lumpur, the average visitor spends $5.44 per day, per person. This includes the costs of taxi rides and private drivers as well as public transportation, which tends to be much more affordable.
Public transportation tends to be much less expensive in Hong Kong than paying for a taxi or private car service, as is expected. Typically, people spend $7.01 on transportation in Hong Kong on average per day.
Typical Local Transportation prices in Kuala Lumpur
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Kuala Lumpur are as follows:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kuala Lumpur
Also for Kuala Lumpur, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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i-City Shah Alam Theme Park Adventure with Return Transfer:
$60
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[Exclusive Sale] Private Langkawi International Airport Transfers (LGK) for Langkawi:
$12
-
[6% Flash Sales] Private City Transfers for Ipoh and Surrounding Cities:
$134
-
[23% Flash Sales] Private Transfers between Desaru and Kuala Lumpur :
$194
-
VIP Departure Transfer : Kuala Lumpur Airport:
$196
-
Upside Down House Gallery and Busquarium Tickets with Transfers in Langkawi:
$11
-
Tanjung Rhu Mangrove Tour with Lunch and Transfers in Langkawi:
$24
-
Sunway Lagoon Theme Park Ticket With Return Transfer:
$144
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Sunway Lagoon One-Day Admission Tickets Including Transfer:
$91
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Sunway Lagoon Admission Ticket with Return Transfer from Kuala Lumpur:
$68
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Sunset Mangrove Cruise Experience with Transfers and Meal in Langkawi:
$35
-
Sungai Lebam River Cruise Tour with Transfer within Desaru:
$36
Typical Local Transportation prices in Hong Kong
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Hong Kong:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hong Kong
Also for Hong Kong, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Transfers anywhere in Hong Kong:
$141
-
Transfer in Private Minivan from Hong Kong City to Airport:
$77
-
Tesla Airport Transfer - Hong Kong International Airport:
$90
-
Shared Shuttle Bus Transfers between Hong Kong International Airport and Hong Kong Island & Kowloon:
$17
-
Shared MPV Transfers Between Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) and Shenzhen:
$15
-
Shared Coach Transfers from HKG Airport to Hong Kong Hotels:
$8.75
-
Shared Coach Transfers between Huadu and Hong Kong by Eternal East Bus:
$13
-
Shared Coach Transfers between Hong Kong and Zhongshan:
$8.75
-
Shared Coach Transfers between Hong Kong and Shenzhen Bay Port (Trans-Island):
$6.45
-
Shared Coach Transfers between Hong Kong and Shenzhen Airport (Trans-Island):
$12
-
Shared Coach Transfers between Hong Kong and Panyu by Eternal East Bus:
$11
-
Shared Coach Transfers between Hong Kong and Foshan by Eternal East Bus:
$13
Is it cheaper to fly into Kuala Lumpur or Hong Kong?
Prices for flights to both Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur 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.
Entertainment
In Kuala Lumpur, the costs for things to do, activities, admission tickets, and other sightseeing expenses are on average $12 per person, per day.
Sightseeing expenses in Hong Kong, including the cost of admission tickets for day tours, museums, and attractions, usually cost an average of $76 per day, per person.
Typical Entertainment prices in Kuala Lumpur
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Kuala Lumpur's activities, tours, and tickets:
Tours and Activities in Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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Adventure Waterpark Desaru Coast Ticket in Johor:
$12
-
Binsuluk River Cruise Tour:
$40
-
Dinawan Island Experience from Kota Kinabalu:
$46
-
Heritage Staycation at Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion with Breakfast & Guided House Tour:
$100
-
Historical Klang & Orchard City of Selangor Walking Tour:
$64
-
Ice Skating Experience with Blue Ice Skating Rink in Johor:
$4.85
-
Langkawi Private Guided Mangrove River Cruise Tour:
$116
-
Little India & Mah Meri Cultural Village Tour:
$126
-
Private Island Adventure at Paradise 101 in Langkawi:
$49
-
Putrajaya Islamic Walking Tour from Kuala Lumpur:
$64
-
Sepanggar Island Diving Experience:
$67
-
The Sheep Sanctuary Admission Ticket at Cameron Highland:
$1.95
Typical Entertainment prices in Hong Kong
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Hong Kong's activities, tours, and tickets:
Tours and Activities in Hong Kong
For Hong Kong, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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Helicopter Tour with Afternoon Tea at Peninsula Hotel in Hong Kong (Skip the queue):
$1,736
-
Regal Riverside Hotel OM Spa Experience in Shatin:
$91
-
1-Hour Guided Boat Tour Through Aberdeen Harbour in Hong Kong:
$70
-
18 Challenge Karting Experience in Hong Kong:
$4.89
-
2-Night / 3-Night Hong Kong Seacation by Dream Cruises - Genting Dream:
$217
-
3-in-1: Peak Tram, Madame Tussauds & Sky Terrace E-Tickets:
$53
-
4-Hour Private Hong Kong Layover Tour:
$237
-
5-Hour Hiking Tour in The Green to Lion Rock in Hong Kong:
$90
-
5-Hour Private Customized Walking Tour in Hong Kong:
$268
-
6 hours worth seeing scenery in Hong Kong Island Private Tour by limo:
$395
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6-Hour Private Hong Kong Layover Tour:
$294
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6-Hours Worth-Seeing Scenery in Kowloon Peninsula Private Tour By Limo:
$124
Alcohol
Typically, people visiting Kuala Lumpur spend on average $5.66 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
Typically, people visiting Hong Kong spend on average $17 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
Typical Alcohol prices in Kuala Lumpur
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Kuala Lumpur are as follows:
Sample the Local Flavors in Hong Kong
Also in Hong Kong, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
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Amber Coffee Brewery in Central:
$8.10
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong, we can see that Hong Kong is more expensive. And not only is Kuala Lumpur much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kuala Lumpur would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kuala Lumpur 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 Hong Kong would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hong Kong than you might in Kuala Lumpur.
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