Which place is cheaper, Kota Kinabalu or Pai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Pai or Kota Kinabalu?
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 Pai and Kota Kinabalu. 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: Pai or Kota Kinabalu?
Pai
As the lush green mountains adorn the blue horizon amidst its creamy clouds, Pai, in northern Thailand, works as one of the many hubs for some of the world's most exciting cultural adventures and natural wonders. Within this small town just north of the Mae Hong Son Province, near the Myanmar border, Pai lays on the Pai River and holds a population of no more than 2,500. Despite its geographical insignificance, this town attracts a wide array of tourists. From breathtaking waterfalls to relaxing hot springs, you will find yourself astonished at how much this little city holds within its borders.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket, The Best Luxury Tours to Malaysia, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPai $64Kota Kinabalu $49
The average daily cost (per person) in Pai is $64, while the average daily cost in Kota Kinabalu is $49. 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 Pai and Kota Kinabalu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPai $14Kota Kinabalu $18
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPai $28Kota Kinabalu $36
Compare Hotels in Pai and Kota Kinabalu
Looking for a hotel in Pai or Kota Kinabalu? 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: Pai Hotel Prices and Kota Kinabalu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pai $37Kota Kinabalu $22
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pai
Also for Pai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Pa Pae Meditation: Private Car transfer to/from Chiang Mai: $70
- Chiang Mai Private Car transfer to or from Pai(Mae Hong Son): $107
- Chiang Mai Hotel Transfer: to/from Pai Hotel: $132
- Chiang Mai City to/from Pai Hotel: Private Transfer: $132
- Chiang Mai Hotel Transfer: to/from Pai Hotel: $149
- Transfer and Tour to Pai / Chiang Mai: $149
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kota Kinabalu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kota Kinabalu:
- Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu Airport (BKI): $28
- Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI to Kota Kinabalu Port: $28
- Private Transfer: Kota Kinabalu International Airport to/from Hotel: $20
- Private Transfer- Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI: $32
- Private Transfer from Kota Kota Kinabalu Hotels to Kinabalu Port: $28
- Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu hotels: $28
- Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu hotels: $32
- Monsopiad Cultural Village Visit with Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu: $31
- Kota Kinabalu to Kota Kinab Airport: Departure Private Transfer: $23
- Kota Kinabalu Hotel to Jetty Round Trip Transfer: $52
- Kota Kinabalu Airport Private Transfer with 1 hour Charter: $12
- Borneo to Kota Kinabalu Airport(BKI) - Departure Private Transfer: $46
Is it cheaper to fly into Pai or Kota Kinabalu?
Prices for flights to both Kota Kinabalu and Pai 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 dayPai $21Kota Kinabalu $15
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kota Kinabalu
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kota Kinabalu.
- Private Kinabalu Night Tour with Cultural Show and Dinner: $62
- Kota Kinabalu K2 Fireflies Sunset River Cruise Tour with Dinner: $86
- Half Day Klias Mangrove Wildlife and Fireflies with dinner: $128
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pai $40Kota Kinabalu $5.67
Tours and Activities in Pai
For Pai, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Jungle Tipsy Tubing Experience with Shots: $6.76
Tours and Activities in Kota Kinabalu
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kota Kinabalu are as follows:
- Sky-Mirror Photographing and Proboscis Monkey & Fireflies Watching River-Cruise: $46
- Borneo (Klias) River Cruise & Fireflies Tour: $50
- Borneo Combo Adventure: $200
- Cowboy Town & Fireflies River Cruise: $62
- Cultural Night Tour From Kota Kinabalu : $64
- Day Trip Sepilok Orang-utan And City Tour: $149
- Discover Sailing Experience in Tanjung Aru Beach: $75
- From Kota Kinabalu : Kiulu River White Water Rafting Tour: $131
- Full Day Bongawan River Cruise with Proboscis Monkey Sightseeing: $40
- Full Day River Rafting with ATV Adventure in Kiulu : $293
- Full Day Tour in Mantanani: $140
- Indigenous Weaving Experience: $236
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPai $13Kota Kinabalu $6.34
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pai and Kota Kinabalu, we can see that Pai 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 Pai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Pai 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 Pai Expensive? and Is Kota Kinabalu Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Pai or Kota Kinabalu?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Pai or Kota Kinabalu in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Pai as well as Kota Kinabalu. Pai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kota Kinabalu throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Kota Kinabalu. Pai receives a lot of rain in the summer. Pai usually gets less rain in July than Kota Kinabalu. Pai gets 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Kota Kinabalu receives 255 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kota Kinabalu. In the summer, Pai often gets less sunshine than Kota Kinabalu. Pai gets 146 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kota Kinabalu receives 205 hours of full sun.
In July, Pai is generally around the same temperature as Kota Kinabalu. Daily temperatures in Pai average around 29°C (85°F), and Kota Kinabalu fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPai 29°C (85°F)Kota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Pai or Kota Kinabalu in the Autumn?
Both Kota Kinabalu and Pai are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Pai throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Kota Kinabalu because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kota Kinabalu. It's quite rainy in Pai. In October, Pai usually receives less rain than Kota Kinabalu. Pai gets 115 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Kota Kinabalu receives 336 mm (13.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pai. Pai usually receives more sunshine than Kota Kinabalu during autumn. Pai gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Kota Kinabalu receives 192 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Pai is around the same temperature as Kota Kinabalu in the autumn. The daily temperature in Pai averages around 29°C (84°F) in October, and Kota Kinabalu fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPai 29°C (84°F)Kota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Pai or Kota Kinabalu in the Winter?
Both Kota Kinabalu and Pai during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Pai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kota Kinabalu year-round.
Kota Kinabalu gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Pai usually gets less rain in January than Kota Kinabalu. Pai gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Kota Kinabalu receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
It's quite sunny in Pai. In the winter, Pai often gets more sunshine than Kota Kinabalu. Pai gets 283 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kota Kinabalu receives 181 hours of full sun.
In the winter, Pai is cooler than Kota Kinabalu. Typically, the winter temperatures in Pai in January average around 24°C (74°F), and Kota Kinabalu averages at about 26°C (79°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPai 24°C (74°F)Kota Kinabalu 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Pai or Kota Kinabalu in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Pai and Kota Kinabalu. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Pai year-round. Kota Kinabalu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Kota Kinabalu receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Pai usually receives less rain than Kota Kinabalu. Pai gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Kota Kinabalu receives 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kota Kinabalu this time of the year. In Pai, it's very sunny this time of the year. Pai usually receives more sunshine than Kota Kinabalu during spring. Pai gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Kota Kinabalu receives 237 hours of full sun in the spring.
Pai can become quite hot in the spring. In April, Pai is generally a little warmer than Kota Kinabalu. Daily temperatures in Pai average around 32°C (89°F), and Kota Kinabalu fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPai 32°C (89°F)Kota Kinabalu 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Kota Kinabalu and Pai
| Pai | Kota Kinabalu | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (74°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (83°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 32°C (89°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 291 mm (11.5 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 255 mm (10 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 256 mm (10.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (85°F) | 207 mm (8.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 285 mm (11.2 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 336 mm (13.2 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 298 mm (11.7 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (76°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 230 mm (9.1 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.