Which place is cheaper, Setubal or Kuala Lumpur?
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 Kuala Lumpur or Setubal?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Kuala Lumpur and Setubal. 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, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Kuala Lumpur or Setubal?
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 a fairly affordable city by global standards, 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.
Setubal
Setubal is a busy working port and major commercial fishing center. Setubal is a city that has always had a close connection to the seas, and this is celebrated along the newly rejuvenated waterfront, which encompasses the colorful fishing harbor, the popular urban park and the Troia Peninsula ferry terminal. Within the charming historic center is a maze of narrow alleys, hidden plazas, and family-owned shops, along with Portugal's largest fish market. Setubal is primarily an industrial city, but is situated in a region of immense beauty; to the east is the stunning Serra da Arrabida, to the north is historic Palmela, while to the south are the paradise beaches of the Troia Peninsula. Setubal may not be a conventional holiday destination, but there is a surprising amount to see and do within the city and the surrounding region.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Malaysia, The Best 2-Week Tours in Portugal, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Portugal.
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Kuala Lumpur Prices
Malaysia PricesSetubal Prices
Portugal Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKuala Lumpur $88Setubal $173
The average daily cost (per person) in Kuala Lumpur is $88, while the average daily cost in Setubal is $173. 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 Kuala Lumpur and Setubal in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKuala Lumpur $44Setubal $68
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKuala Lumpur $88Setubal $136
Compare Hotels in Kuala Lumpur and Setubal
Looking for a hotel in Kuala Lumpur or Setubal? 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: Kuala Lumpur Hotel Prices and Setubal Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kuala Lumpur $7.63Setubal $63
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kuala Lumpur
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Kuala Lumpur are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$3.78
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Metro Ride (for Two)$0.81
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Short Taxi Ride$3.78
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Taxi From Airport$23
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Bus from Airport$2.01
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Train & Boat to Pulau Ketam$3.02
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Train to Airport$1.23
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kuala Lumpur
Also for Kuala Lumpur, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Arrival Transfers from KLIA/KLIA2 to Cameron Highland: $285
- KUL Hotel to Penang(One Way Transfer): $278
- ~Chauffeur: Kuala Lumpur to Kuantan Transfer [MPV]: $269
- Marina Island Jetty/ Lumut Jetty Transfer From/To KLIA or Kuala Lumpur: $260
- Chauffeur: KLIA to Singapore Car Transfer: $250
- Private Transfer : Kuala Lumpur to Jetty for Redang Island: $241
- Chauffeur: Kuala Lumpur to Mersing Transfer [Car]: $240
- Arrival Transfer from KLIA/KLIA2 to Johor Bharu: $237
- Private Transfer from Shah Alam city to Malacca Cruise Port: $235
- Kuala Lumpur 2 Nights Stay with City Tour & Airport Transfer: $234
- Kuala Lumpur Hotels to Singapore Hotels One-way Transfer: $230
- Kuala Lumpur Hotels to Singapore Hotels 1-way Transfer: $230
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Setubal
Also for Setubal, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer: Grândola > Lisbon: $282
- Transfer From Évora to Lisbon: $148
- Sesimbra Private Transfer to/from Lisbon: $56
- Serra da Arrabida Natural Park E Bike Tour with Transfers: $189
- Ribeiro do Cavalo Beach Taxi Boat Transfer Round Trip: $24
Is it cheaper to fly into Kuala Lumpur or Setubal?
Prices for flights to both Setubal 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.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayKuala Lumpur $31Setubal $70
Typical Food Prices in Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner at Ding Tai Fung$10
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Roti Bread$0.25
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Food Court Lunch$3.63
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Dinner at Indian Restaurant (for Two)$5.41
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:
- From Batu Caves Night Tour + Indian Set Dinner: $28
- Nightlife Street Food Tour with 6 Tastings: $41
- Authentic Malaysian Street Food Tour With 15+ Tastings Near KLCC: $42
- Kuala Selangor Fireflies & Blue Tears Guided Tour w Dinner (SIC): $50
- Glowing Firefly Tour With Dinner (SIC): $50
- Sambal Street Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $52
- Sambal Streets Kuala Lumpur Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $55
- Laksa Lanes Kuala Lumpur Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $55
- Best Local Food Tour by Night at Kuala Lumpur: $55
- Malaysia Cooking Class With Local (Hands-On!): $60
- Kuala Lumpur Food Tour: $60
- Firefly Tour en-route Batu Caves Include Dinner + Boat-Ride: $65
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Setubal
For Setubal, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Traditional Evora Cooking Class & Wine Pairings in Fatima’s Home: $220
- Lisbon Getaway: Private Arrábida Wine & Food Tour: $237
- Authentic Evora Cooking Class with Wine in Chef Sofia’s Garden: $279
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kuala Lumpur $16Setubal $15
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kuala Lumpur
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Kuala Lumpur's activities, tours, and tickets:
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KL Tower Admission (for Two)$11
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Canopy Walk at FRIM Forest Reserve$1.26
Tours and Activities in Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- "Malacca After Dark: A Nighttime Adventure Through History": $64
- (Base On Per Vehicle Price) Private Kuala Lumpur KL City Tour: $185
- (Private) Genting Tour & Batu Caves With 2 Way Cable Car Ride: $65
- *10 Hrs Kuala Lumpur Flexible Van Tour w' Tour Guide: $96
- *13 Hrs Kuala Lumpur & Melaka Van Tour from Bentong w' Tour Guide: $114
- *13Hrs KL&GentingHighlands Van Tour frm Port Dickson w' TourGuide: $123
- *14 Hrs Melaka Ultimate Van Tour from Port Dickson w' Tour Guide: $84
- *17HrsKualaLumpur&Melaka Van Tour frm Fraser's Hill w' Tour Guide: $143
- 1 Day Kuala Lumpur City Tour (Private) {23 Attractions}: $68
- 1-Day Jungle Thrill in Taman Negara Tour from KL: $128
- 14 Attractions Full-Day Malacca Historical Tour: $67
- 15 Hrs Melaka Exclusive Escorted Van Tour from Kuala Lumpur: $69
Tours and Activities in Setubal
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Setubal.
- Évora Private Food and Wine Walking Tour in the UNESCO Old Town: $189
- Évora Private Walking Tour and Traditional Food Tasting: $183
- Évora Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $4.53
- Évora Walking Tour: Small Group Tour with Chapel of Bones Tickets: $58
- Évora or Montemor-o-Novo: Guided Tour to Escoural Caves: $30
- Évora: Monsaraz Private Walking Tour with Driver and Guide: $266
- Évora: Private walking tour with tickets to main monuments: $103
- Évora: Private walking tour, By Local Guide: $73
- Adventure Circuit + Via Ferrata, Arrábida, Setúbal, near Lisbon: $65
- Arrabida Adventure Circuit: $77
- Arrabida Adventure Coasteering Try Dive or Via Ferrata: $142
- Boat Tour with Lunch in the Heart of Arrábida - Sesimbra: $142
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKuala Lumpur $6.97Setubal $12
Typical Alcohol Prices in Kuala Lumpur
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Kuala Lumpur are as follows:
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Bottle of Wine$11
Sample the Local Flavors in Setubal
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Setubal:
- Workshop - Wine Tasting 101: $70
- Private Half Day Arrabida Tour with Wine Tasting in Sesimbra: $145
- Half Day Wine Tour Around Evora: $154
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kuala Lumpur and Setubal, we can see that Setubal is more expensive. And not only is Kuala Lumpur much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kuala Lumpur is in Asia and Setubal 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 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 Setubal would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Setubal than you might in Kuala Lumpur.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kuala Lumpur Expensive? and Is Setubal Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kuala Lumpur or Setubal?
Kuala Lumpur has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Setubal. When comparing the sizes of Kuala Lumpur and Setubal, 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 Kuala Lumpur or Setubal?
Setubal has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Kuala Lumpur experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Setubal in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kuala Lumpur and Setubal. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kuala Lumpur year-round.
Kuala Lumpur is a little warmer than Setubal in the summer. The daily temperature in Kuala Lumpur averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Setubal fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Setubal this time of the year. In Kuala Lumpur, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kuala Lumpur usually receives less sunshine than Setubal during summer. Kuala Lumpur gets 200 hours of sunny skies, while Setubal receives 352 hours of full sun in the summer.
Kuala Lumpur gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Kuala Lumpur usually receives more rain than Setubal. Kuala Lumpur gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Setubal receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKuala Lumpur 28°C (82°F)Setubal 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Setubal in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Kuala Lumpur as well as Setubal. Kuala Lumpur attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the autumn, Kuala Lumpur is a little warmer than Setubal. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kuala Lumpur in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Setubal averages at about 19°C (66°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Setubal. In the autumn, Kuala Lumpur often gets less sunshine than Setubal. Kuala Lumpur gets 169 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Setubal receives 213 hours of full sun.
Kuala Lumpur receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Kuala Lumpur usually gets more rain in October than Setubal. Kuala Lumpur gets 280 mm (11 in) of rain, while Setubal receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKuala Lumpur 27°C (81°F)Setubal 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Setubal in the Winter?
Both Setubal and Kuala Lumpur are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kuala Lumpur throughout the year.
In January, Kuala Lumpur is generally much warmer than Setubal. Daily temperatures in Kuala Lumpur average around 27°C (81°F), and Setubal fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).
Kuala Lumpur usually receives more sunshine than Setubal during winter. Kuala Lumpur gets 185 hours of sunny skies, while Setubal receives 144 hours of full sun in the winter.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Setubal. It's quite rainy in Kuala Lumpur. In January, Kuala Lumpur usually receives more rain than Setubal. Kuala Lumpur gets 239 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Setubal receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKuala Lumpur 27°C (81°F)Setubal 12°C (53°F)
Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Setubal in the Spring?
Both Setubal and Kuala Lumpur during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Kuala Lumpur because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Kuala Lumpur is much warmer than Setubal in the spring. The daily temperature in Kuala Lumpur averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Setubal fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
In Setubal, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Kuala Lumpur often gets less sunshine than Setubal. Kuala Lumpur gets 199 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Setubal receives 235 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kuala Lumpur. Kuala Lumpur usually gets more rain in April than Setubal. Kuala Lumpur gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Setubal receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKuala Lumpur 28°C (82°F)Setubal 16°C (60°F)
Typical Weather for Setubal and Kuala Lumpur
| Kuala Lumpur | Setubal | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 239 mm (9.4 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 280 mm (11 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 290 mm (11.4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 250 mm (9.8 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 108 mm (4.3 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.