Which place is cheaper, Kota Kinabalu or Petra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Petra or Kota Kinabalu?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Petra and Kota Kinabalu can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Petra or Kota Kinabalu?
Petra
Whether you're checking off the Seven Wonders of the World, or you're just a huge Indiana Jones fan, the city of Petra must be on your bucket list. The "rose red city, half as old as time," was the capital of the Nabataean kingdom in the 6th century BC. It was the center for trade and commerce until an earthquake took out buildings and destroyed their water management system. After this destruction, the city of Petra seemed to be lost to western civilization.
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 Historical Tours in Jordan, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Jordan, The Best Luxury Tours to Malaysia, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPetra $125Kota Kinabalu $49
The average daily cost (per person) in Petra is $125, 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 Petra and Kota Kinabalu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPetra $59Kota Kinabalu $18
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPetra $118Kota Kinabalu $36
Compare Hotels in Petra and Kota Kinabalu
Looking for a hotel in Petra 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: Petra Hotel Prices and Kota Kinabalu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Petra $23Kota Kinabalu $22
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Petra
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Petra:
- Private Transfer Amman Airport to Ma'in Hotel and vice versa: $73
- Petra to Wadi Rum Private Transfer: $80
- Private Departure Transfer: Petra Hotels to Amman Airport: $93
- Private Transfer from Petra City Hotels to Aqaba Airport: $93
- Private Transfer From Petra to Amman or Airport With Optional : $99
- Petra Private Transfer to or from Aqaba: $105
- Petra to Aqaba South Beach Hotels Private Transfer: $110
- Private transfer Petra to/from Wadi Rum: $118
- Private Transfer Amman Airport to Petra or vice versa via the King's Highway: $120
- Private Transfer Petra to/from Wadi Rum: $135
- Petra to Madaba Private Transfer: $140
- Petra to Sheikh Hussein Crossing Border Private Transfer: $180
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kota Kinabalu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kota Kinabalu:
- Kota Kinabalu Airport Private Transfer with 1 hour Charter: $12
- Private Transfer: Kota Kinabalu International Airport to/from Hotel: $20
- Kota Kinabalu to Kota Kinab Airport: Departure Private Transfer: $23
- 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
- Monsopiad Cultural Village Visit with Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu: $31
- Private Transfer- Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI: $32
- Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu hotels: $32
- Borneo to Kota Kinabalu Airport(BKI) - Departure Private Transfer: $46
- Kota Kinabalu Hotel to Jetty Round Trip Transfer: $52
Is it cheaper to fly into Petra or Kota Kinabalu?
Prices for flights to both Kota Kinabalu and Petra 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 dayPetra $38Kota Kinabalu $15
Typical Food Prices in Petra
Some typical examples of dining costs in Petra are as follows:
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Dinner for Two$12
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Juice$1.76
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Petra
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Petra.
- Cooking outside in little Petra between the Mountains. : $45
- Private Outdoor bedouin Dinner in Petra: $300
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.Petra $47Kota Kinabalu $5.67
Typical Entertainment Prices in Petra
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Petra are as follows:
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Entry to Petra for One$71
Tours and Activities in Petra
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Petra are as follows:
- 3-hour Private Guided Tour In Petra with hotel pick up.: $75
- Private Indiana-Jones Archeological Trail Tour: $90
- Private Half-Day Tour of Petra with Lunch: $120
- Wadi Rum Day Tour from Petra ending in Aqaba: $138
- Private Petra Back Entrance Tour with Guide .: $140
- 3 Hour Horse Riding Adventure around the Petra Area: $145
- Wadi Rum Private Tour from Petra with Martian and Star Wars Film Site: $173
- Petra Back Entrance Private Walking Tour: $215
- Private Full-Day Tour to Petra and Wadi Rum from Dead Sea: $269
- Private Back Trail Tour of Petra starting from the Monastery : $276
Tours and Activities in Kota Kinabalu
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kota Kinabalu are as follows:
- Kota Kinabalu Historical Photo Walking Tour: $37
- Private Half Day Kota Kinabalu City Tour: $38
- Full Day Bongawan River Cruise with Proboscis Monkey Sightseeing: $40
- Sky-Mirror Photographing and Proboscis Monkey & Fireflies Watching River-Cruise: $46
- Sunset E-Foil Experience in Tanjung Aru Beach: $47
- Private Guided E-Foil Experience in Tanjung Aru Beach: $47
- Borneo (Klias) River Cruise & Fireflies Tour: $50
- Kota Kinabalu City Tour: $54
- Mari-Mari Cultural Village Tour Including Lunch: $55
- Klias Wildlife Safari River Cruise from Kota Kinabalu: $58
- Cowboy Town & Fireflies River Cruise: $62
- Cultural Night Tour From Kota Kinabalu : $64
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPetra $15Kota Kinabalu $6.34
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Petra and Kota Kinabalu, we can see that Petra is more expensive. And not only is Kota Kinabalu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Petra is in Middle East and Kota Kinabalu is in Asia, 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 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 Petra would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Petra 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 Petra Expensive? and Is Kota Kinabalu Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Petra or Kota Kinabalu?
Kota Kinabalu has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Petra. When comparing the sizes of Petra 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 Petra or Kota Kinabalu?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Petra or Kota Kinabalu in the Summer?
Both Kota Kinabalu and Petra are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Petra 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. In July, Petra usually receives less rain than Kota Kinabalu. Petra gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Kota Kinabalu receives 255 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the summer.
It's quite sunny in Kota Kinabalu. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Petra. Petra usually receives more sunshine than Kota Kinabalu during summer. Petra gets 384 hours of sunny skies, while Kota Kinabalu receives 205 hours of full sun in the summer.
It's very hot in Petra this time of the year. Petra is a little warmer than Kota Kinabalu in the summer. The daily temperature in Petra averages around 33°C (91°F) in July, and Kota Kinabalu fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPetra 33°C (91°F)Kota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Petra or Kota Kinabalu in the Autumn?
Both Kota Kinabalu and Petra during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Petra 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. Petra usually gets less rain in October than Kota Kinabalu. Petra gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Kota Kinabalu receives 336 mm (13.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
It's quite sunny in Petra. In the autumn, Petra often gets more sunshine than Kota Kinabalu. Petra gets 295 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kota Kinabalu receives 192 hours of full sun.
In the autumn, Petra is around the same temperature as Kota Kinabalu. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Petra in October average around 27°C (80°F), and Kota Kinabalu averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPetra 27°C (80°F)Kota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Petra or Kota Kinabalu in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Petra and Kota Kinabalu. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Petra year-round. Kota Kinabalu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Kota Kinabalu receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Petra usually receives less rain than Kota Kinabalu. Petra gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Kota Kinabalu receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
In Petra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Petra usually receives more sunshine than Kota Kinabalu during winter. Petra gets 234 hours of sunny skies, while Kota Kinabalu receives 181 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Petra is generally much colder than Kota Kinabalu. Daily temperatures in Petra average around 15°C (59°F), and Kota Kinabalu fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPetra 15°C (59°F)Kota Kinabalu 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Petra or Kota Kinabalu in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Petra as well as Kota Kinabalu. Petra 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. Petra usually gets less rain in April than Kota Kinabalu. Petra gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Kota Kinabalu receives 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kota Kinabalu. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Petra this time of the year. In the spring, Petra often gets more sunshine than Kota Kinabalu. Petra gets 282 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kota Kinabalu receives 237 hours of full sun.
Petra is cooler than Kota Kinabalu in the spring. The daily temperature in Petra averages around 25°C (76°F) in April, and Kota Kinabalu fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPetra 25°C (76°F)Kota Kinabalu 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Kota Kinabalu and Petra
| Petra | Kota Kinabalu | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 15°C (59°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) |
| Feb | 17°C (62°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Mar | 20°C (68°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 25°C (76°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 31°C (88°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 291 mm (11.5 in) |
| Jul | 33°C (91°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 255 mm (10 in) |
| Aug | 32°C (90°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) |
| Sep | 30°C (87°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 285 mm (11.2 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (80°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 336 mm (13.2 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (70°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 298 mm (11.7 in) |
| Dec | 16°C (62°F) | 41 mm (1.6 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.