Which place is cheaper, Whitsundays or Kuala Lumpur?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Kuala Lumpur or Whitsundays?
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 Whitsundays. 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 Whitsundays?
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.
Whitsundays
Just off the coast of Queensland, Australia is a cluster of 74 different islands. These islands, the Whitsunday Islands, welcome over a half a million visitors every year to see one of the Seven Wonders of the World - the Great Barrier Reef.
As one of the most famous destinations in the world, it's not uncommon to see expensive yachts sailing around among the private ferries. Most of the islands are designated as national parks with access to snorkeling and diving in the coral reefs, or just to lay in the sand on the famous Whitehaven Beach.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Malaysia, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Australia, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Australia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKuala Lumpur $62Whitsundays $132
The average daily cost (per person) in Kuala Lumpur is $62, while the average daily cost in Whitsundays is $132. 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 Whitsundays in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKuala Lumpur $36Whitsundays $69
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKuala Lumpur $72Whitsundays $138
Compare Hotels in Kuala Lumpur and Whitsundays
Looking for a hotel in Kuala Lumpur or Whitsundays? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kuala Lumpur $6.41Whitsundays $55
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$3.14
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Metro Ride (for Two)$0.67
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Short Taxi Ride$3.14
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Taxi From Airport$19
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Bus from Airport$1.68
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Train & Boat to Pulau Ketam$2.52
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kuala Lumpur
Also for Kuala Lumpur, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Legoland Transfer Private (per Vehichle) : $270
- Arrival Transfer from KLIA/KLIA2 to Penang: $270
- *Chauffeur: Kuala Lumpur to Singapore Car Transfer: $268
- Cameron Highlands One Way Transfer: $259
- Chauffeur: Kuala Lumpur to Kuala Besut Transfer [Car]: $251
- KUL Hotel to Johor Bharu(One Way Transfer): $237
- Kuala Lumpur City Hotels to Singapore City Hotels 1-way Transfer: $230
- Chauffeur: Kuala Lumpur to Desaru Transfer [Car]: $226
- Chauffeur: Kuala Lumpur to Mersing Transfer [Car]: $225
- Chauffeur: Kuala Lumpur to Cameron Highlands Transfer [Car]: $220
- Airport Arrival Transfer-VIP Class: $200
- VIP Arrival Transfer : Kuala Lumpur Airport: $196
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Whitsundays
Also for Whitsundays, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Whitsunday Islands: Whitehaven Beach Camping Transfer: $124
Is it cheaper to fly into Kuala Lumpur or Whitsundays?
Prices for flights to both Whitsundays 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 $15Whitsundays $30
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$8.39
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Roti Bread$0.21
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Food Court Lunch$3.02
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Dinner at Indian Restaurant (for Two)$4.51
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:
- ARAS Restaurant at KL Tower Buffet Dinner: $28
- Nightlife Street Food Tour with 6 Tastings: $43
- Street Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $49
- Sambal Streets Kuala Lumpur Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $49
- Kuala Lumpur Malaysian Cultural Night Experience with Buffet Dinner : $53
- From Kuala Selangor Fireflies Tour with Dinner: $53
- Cultural Night Tour with Dinner: $55
- Malaysia Cooking Classes: $60
- Kuala Lumpur by Night and Malaysian Food Tour: $61
- Petaling Street Heritage Food Tour: $62
- Private Food Tour – 10 Tastings with Locals: $63
- Kuala Selangor Fireflies Tour Include Seafood Dinner (Free Boat Ride): $65
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Whitsundays
For Whitsundays, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Hamilton Island: Whitsundays Sunset BBQ Dinner Cruise: $98
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kuala Lumpur $13Whitsundays $25
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)$9.43
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Canopy Walk at FRIM Forest Reserve$1.05
Tours and Activities in Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Adventure Sports & Thrilling White-water Rafting in Kampar River: $241
- Batu Caves And Countryside Tour: $24
- Full Day Kuala Lumpur City Tour with Petronas Twin Tower Tickets: $95
- Full Day Melaka Tour with The Shore Sky Tower 43rd Floor - Unesco Heritage: $188
- Historic And Heritage Melaka Tour: $55
- History, Heritage & Culture Of Malaysia Tour: $62
- Ipoh "The Land Of Grace" + Orang Utan Island +Lunch(Guided Tour): $241
- Kuala Lumpur (Genting Highlands 7.5 hours Private Tour): $65
- Kuala Lumpur Full Day City & Shopping Tour with Lunch (PRIVATE TOUR): $77
- Malacca Instagram Tour: Most Famous Spots (Private & All-Inclusive): $184
- Malaysia: Aquaria KLCC Entry Ticket: $13
- *13 Hrs Kuala Lumpur & Melaka Van Tour from Bentong w' Tour Guide: $108
Tours and Activities in Whitsundays
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Whitsundays.
- Airlie Beach: Private Guided 2-Night Yacht Sailing Cruise: $4,941
- Daydream Island: Great Barrier Reef Adventure Cruise: $195
- From Daydream Is.: Whitsundays & Whitehaven Half-Day Cruise: $91
- Whitsundays Camira Sailing Adventure from Daydream Island: $150
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKuala Lumpur $6.21Whitsundays $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$9.43
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kuala Lumpur and Whitsundays, we can see that Whitsundays 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 Whitsundays 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 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 Whitsundays would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Whitsundays 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 Whitsundays Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Kuala Lumpur or Whitsundays?
Whitsundays 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 Whitsundays in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kuala Lumpur and Whitsundays. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kuala Lumpur year-round.
Kuala Lumpur is around the same temperature as Whitsundays in the summer. The daily temperature in Kuala Lumpur averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Whitsundays fluctuates around 26°C (79°F)in January.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Whitsundays this time of the year. In Kuala Lumpur, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kuala Lumpur usually receives less sunshine than Whitsundays during summer. Kuala Lumpur gets 200 hours of sunny skies, while Whitsundays receives 285 hours of full sun in the summer.
Whitsundays receives a lot of rain in the summer. Kuala Lumpur gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Kuala Lumpur usually receives less rain than Whitsundaysin January. Kuala Lumpur gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 331 mm (13 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryKuala Lumpur 28°C (82°F)Whitsundays 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Whitsundays in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Kuala Lumpur as well as Whitsundays. Kuala Lumpur attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the autumn, Kuala Lumpur is a little warmer than Whitsundays. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kuala Lumpur in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Whitsundays averages at about 23°C (73°F)in April.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Whitsundays. In the autumn, Kuala Lumpur often gets less sunshine than Whitsundaysin April. Kuala Lumpur gets 169 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Whitsundays receives 207 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Whitsundays. Kuala Lumpur receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Kuala Lumpur usually gets more rain in October than Whitsundaysin April. Kuala Lumpur gets 280 mm (11 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilKuala Lumpur 27°C (81°F)Whitsundays 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Whitsundays in the Winter?
Both Whitsundays 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 Whitsundaysin July. Daily temperatures in Kuala Lumpur average around 27°C (81°F), and Whitsundays fluctuates around 16°C (62°F).
It's quite sunny in Whitsundays. Kuala Lumpur usually receives less sunshine than Whitsundays during winter. Kuala Lumpur gets 185 hours of sunny skies, while Whitsundays receives 226 hours of full sun in the winter.
It's quite rainy in Kuala Lumpur. In January, Kuala Lumpur usually receives more rain than Whitsundaysin July. Kuala Lumpur gets 239 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyKuala Lumpur 27°C (81°F)Whitsundays 16°C (62°F)
Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Whitsundays in the Spring?
Both Whitsundays 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 a little warmer than Whitsundays in the spring. The daily temperature in Kuala Lumpur averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Whitsundays fluctuates around 23°C (73°F)in October.
In Whitsundays, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Kuala Lumpur often gets less sunshine than Whitsundaysin October. Kuala Lumpur gets 199 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Whitsundays receives 298 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 Whitsundaysin October. Kuala Lumpur gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberKuala Lumpur 28°C (82°F)Whitsundays 23°C (73°F)
Typical Weather for Whitsundays and Kuala Lumpur
| Kuala Lumpur | Whitsundays | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 239 mm (9.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 331 mm (13 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 377 mm (14.8 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 312 mm (12.3 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 280 mm (11 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 290 mm (11.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 250 mm (9.8 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 191 mm (7.5 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.