Which place is cheaper, Kota Kinabalu or Pattaya?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Pattaya or Kota Kinabalu?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Pattaya and Kota Kinabalu can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Pattaya or Kota Kinabalu?
Pattaya
Go where the locals go. If that is your vacation motto, you will want to take a look at the popular weekend getaway of Pattaya, Thailand. This seaside resort on the Eastern Gulf Coast of Thailand is just outside of Bangkok, and full of resorts, beer bars and beaches.
Hosting more than five million visitors a year, Pattaya is easily accessed from the capital and the airport. Keep in mind, the sex tourism industry is still a large money earner for this city, but efforts by local authorities have created resorts and attractions for families and vacationers from all around the world.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bangkok, The Best One-Week (7-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 dayPattaya $66Kota Kinabalu $49
The average daily cost (per person) in Pattaya is $66, 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 Pattaya and Kota Kinabalu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPattaya $24Kota Kinabalu $18
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPattaya $48Kota Kinabalu $36
Compare Hotels in Pattaya and Kota Kinabalu
Looking for a hotel in Pattaya 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: Pattaya Hotel Prices and Kota Kinabalu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pattaya $12Kota Kinabalu $22
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pattaya
Also for Pattaya, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Return hotel transfers to Gems Gallery Pattaya (Jewelry) : $2.12
- Bus transfer between Pattaya and Bangkok: $3.69
- Big Bee farm Pattaya ( Entry & Return Transfers): $11
- Pattaya City: Tappia Floating Cafe Pattaya Transfer & Drink: $16
- Mini Siam Miniature World in Pattaya with Return Transfer: $19
- Pattaya Art in Paradise Admission Ticket with Return Transfer: $19
- Teddy Bear Museum in Pattaya with Return Transfer: $22
- Frost Magical Ice Of Siam in Pattaya with Return Transfer: $24
- Mimosa Pattaya City of Love with Show & Return Transfer: $24
- Mimosa Pattaya City of Love with Cabaret Show & Return Transfer: $24
- Frost Magical Ice Of Siam at Pattaya with Return Transfer: $24
- Mini Siam Miniature World Admission with Roundtrip Transfer from Pattaya: $24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kota Kinabalu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kota Kinabalu:
- Kota Kinabalu Hotel to Jetty Round Trip Transfer: $52
- Borneo to Kota Kinabalu Airport(BKI) - Departure Private Transfer: $46
- Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu hotels: $32
- Private Transfer- Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI: $32
- Monsopiad Cultural Village Visit with Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu: $31
- Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu Airport (BKI): $28
- Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI to Kota Kinabalu Port: $28
- Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu hotels: $28
- Private Transfer from Kota Kota Kinabalu Hotels to Kinabalu Port: $28
- Kota Kinabalu to Kota Kinab Airport: Departure Private Transfer: $23
- Private Transfer: Kota Kinabalu International Airport to/from Hotel: $20
- Kota Kinabalu Airport Private Transfer with 1 hour Charter: $12
Is it cheaper to fly into Pattaya or Kota Kinabalu?
Prices for flights to both Kota Kinabalu and Pattaya 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 dayPattaya $22Kota Kinabalu $15
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Pattaya
For Pattaya, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- All Star Dinner Cruise, Cabaret Show & Beer Buffet: $32
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.Pattaya $21Kota Kinabalu $5.67
Tours and Activities in Pattaya
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Pattaya.
- Floating Market Entry Ticket: $3.18
- Pattaya sheep Farm Entrance Tickets: $3.60
- FlowerLand Pattaya Admission Ticket (Optional Activities): $4.97
- Fairy Sweet Village Pattaya Entry ticket: $5.41
- Art in Paradise Pattaya Admission Ticket: $6.00
- Mini Siam Entry Ticket: $6.62
- Entry Ticket for Art in Paradise 3D Art Museum in Pattaya: $7.18
- Pattaya : Coral Island Tour by Speedboat with Indian Lunch & Pick Up from Hotel: $7.59
- Half-day Coral Island Join Tour with Lunch from Pattaya: $7.73
- Pattaya Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Mini Siam Miniature World in Pattaya Admission Ticket: $9.44
- Mini Siam Miniature World at Pattaya Admission Ticket: $9.44
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 dayPattaya $8.18Kota Kinabalu $6.34
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pattaya and Kota Kinabalu, we can see that Pattaya 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 Pattaya would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Pattaya 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 Pattaya Expensive? and Is Kota Kinabalu Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Pattaya or Kota Kinabalu?
Kota Kinabalu has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Pattaya. When comparing the sizes of Pattaya and Kota Kinabalu, 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 Pattaya 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 Pattaya or Kota Kinabalu in the Summer?
Both Kota Kinabalu and Pattaya during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Pattaya 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. Pattaya usually gets less rain in July than Kota Kinabalu. Pattaya gets 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Kota Kinabalu receives 255 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Kota Kinabalu, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Pattaya often gets less sunshine than Kota Kinabalu. Pattaya gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kota Kinabalu receives 205 hours of full sun.
In the summer, Pattaya is around the same temperature as Kota Kinabalu. Typically, the summer temperatures in Pattaya in July average around 29°C (84°F), and Kota Kinabalu averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPattaya 29°C (84°F)Kota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Pattaya or Kota Kinabalu in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Pattaya and Kota Kinabalu. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Pattaya year-round. Kota Kinabalu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
December to April in Pattaya is the dry season. Also, June to October is the rainy season in Pattaya. Kota Kinabalu receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Pattaya gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Pattaya usually receives less rain than Kota Kinabalu. Pattaya gets 258 mm (10.2 in) of rain, while Kota Kinabalu receives 336 mm (13.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In Pattaya, it's very sunny this time of the year. Pattaya usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Kota Kinabalu during autumn. Pattaya gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Kota Kinabalu receives 192 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Pattaya is generally around the same temperature as Kota Kinabalu. Daily temperatures in Pattaya average around 28°C (82°F), and Kota Kinabalu fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPattaya 28°C (82°F)Kota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Pattaya or Kota Kinabalu in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Pattaya as well as Kota Kinabalu. Pattaya 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. Pattaya usually gets less rain in January than Kota Kinabalu. Pattaya gets 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Kota Kinabalu receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Pattaya this time of the year. In the winter, Pattaya often gets more sunshine than Kota Kinabalu. Pattaya gets 276 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kota Kinabalu receives 181 hours of full sun.
Pattaya is around the same temperature as Kota Kinabalu in the winter. The daily temperature in Pattaya averages around 27°C (80°F) in January, and Kota Kinabalu fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPattaya 27°C (80°F)Kota Kinabalu 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Pattaya or Kota Kinabalu in the Spring?
Both Kota Kinabalu and Pattaya are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Pattaya throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Kota Kinabalu because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The dry season in Pattaya is December to April. The rainy season in Pattaya is June to October. It rains a lot this time of the year in Kota Kinabalu. In April, Pattaya usually receives less rain than Kota Kinabalu. Pattaya gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Kota Kinabalu receives 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
It's quite sunny in Kota Kinabalu. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pattaya. Pattaya usually receives more sunshine than Kota Kinabalu during spring. Pattaya gets 262 hours of sunny skies, while Kota Kinabalu receives 237 hours of full sun in the spring.
In the spring, Pattaya is around the same temperature as Kota Kinabalu. Typically, the spring temperatures in Pattaya in April average around 30°C (86°F), and Kota Kinabalu averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPattaya 30°C (86°F)Kota Kinabalu 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Kota Kinabalu and Pattaya
| Pattaya | Kota Kinabalu | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (80°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (85°F) | 62 mm (2.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 30°C (86°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| May | 30°C (85°F) | 202 mm (7.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (85°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 291 mm (11.5 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (84°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 255 mm (10 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 232 mm (9.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 285 mm (11.2 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 336 mm (13.2 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 298 mm (11.7 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 16 mm (0.6 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.