Which place is cheaper, Kuala Lumpur or Petra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Petra or Kuala Lumpur?
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 Kuala Lumpur can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Petra or Kuala Lumpur?
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.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in Jordan, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Jordan, The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Malaysia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPetra $125Kuala Lumpur $62
The average daily cost (per person) in Petra is $125, while the average daily cost in Kuala Lumpur is $62. 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 Kuala Lumpur in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPetra $59Kuala Lumpur $36
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPetra $118Kuala Lumpur $72
Compare Hotels in Petra and Kuala Lumpur
Looking for a hotel in Petra or Kuala Lumpur? 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 Kuala Lumpur Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Petra $23Kuala Lumpur $6.41
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Petra
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Petra:
- Private transfer Petra to/from Wadi Rum: $118
- Private Transfer from Petra City Hotels to Aqaba Airport: $93
- Private Transfer Petra to/from Wadi Rum: $135
- Private Transfer From Petra to Amman or Airport With Optional : $99
- Private Transfer Amman Airport to Petra or vice versa via the King's Highway: $120
- Private Transfer Amman Airport to Ma'in Hotel and vice versa: $73
- Private Departure Transfer: Petra Hotels to Amman Airport: $93
- Petra to Wadi Rum Private Transfer: $80
- Petra to Sheikh Hussein Crossing Border Private Transfer: $180
- Petra to Madaba Private Transfer: $140
- Petra to Aqaba South Beach Hotels Private Transfer: $110
- Petra Private Transfer to or from Aqaba: $105
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:
- Kuala Lumpur International Airport Departure Transfer KLIA1/KLIA2: $13
- Exclusive Kuala Lumpur International Airport Transfer: $14
- Kuala Lumpur International Airport Transfer Services: $15
- Private Kuala Lumpur Airport Departure Transfer: $15
- Private: Kuala Lumpur Departure Transfer: $17
- Kuala Lumpur Airport Departure Transfer: $17
- Kuala Lumpur Hotels to Sunway Lagoon Theme Park Transfer (1-way): $17
- Kuala Lumpur International Airport Transfer to City Hotels: $17
- Kuala Lumpur Hotel to Airport Transfer: $18
- Kuala Lumpur International Airport Transfer : $18
- Kuala Lumpur City to Kuala Lumpur International Airport Transfer: $18
- Kuala Lumpur Airport Arrival Transfer: $18
Is it cheaper to fly into Petra or Kuala Lumpur?
Prices for flights to both Kuala Lumpur 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 $38Kuala Lumpur $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
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Petra $47Kuala Lumpur $13
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 Horse Riding Adventure around the Petra Area: $145
- 3-hour Private Guided Tour In Petra with hotel pick up.: $75
- Petra Back Entrance Private Walking Tour: $215
- Private Back Trail Tour of Petra starting from the Monastery : $276
- Private Full-Day Tour to Petra and Wadi Rum from Dead Sea: $269
- Private Half-Day Tour of Petra with Lunch: $120
- Private Indiana-Jones Archeological Trail Tour: $90
- Private Petra Back Entrance Tour with Guide .: $140
- Wadi Rum Day Tour from Petra ending in Aqaba: $138
- Wadi Rum Private Tour from Petra with Martian and Star Wars Film Site: $173
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:
- KL Tower Admission E-Ticket with Options: $3.92
- Malaysia: KL Tower Entry Ticket: $4.60
- Alive 3D Art Gallery Admission Ticket: $7.67
- Zoo Negara Instant Entry E-Ticket: $9.81
- Aquaria KLCC Entry Ticket: $9.81
- KL Tower Observation Deck Entry Ticket: $11
- KL Tower Admission Ticket: $12
- Kuala Lumpur's Cultural Highlights and Landmarks: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
- Berjaya Times Square Theme Park Entry Ticket: $12
- Malaysia: Aquaria KLCC Entry Ticket: $13
- KL Tower Admission Ticket: $13
- Half-Day City Tour: $13
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPetra $15Kuala Lumpur $6.21
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 Petra and Kuala Lumpur, we can see that Petra is more expensive. And not only is Kuala Lumpur much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Petra is in Middle East and Kuala Lumpur 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 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 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 Kuala Lumpur.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Petra Expensive? and Is Kuala Lumpur Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Petra or Kuala Lumpur?
Kuala Lumpur has a larger population, and is about 100 times larger than the population of Petra. When comparing the sizes of Petra and Kuala Lumpur, 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 Kuala Lumpur?
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 Petra or Kuala Lumpur in the Summer?
Both Kuala Lumpur and Petra during the summer 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 Kuala Lumpur year-round.
Kuala Lumpur gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Petra usually gets less rain in July than Kuala Lumpur. Petra gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Kuala Lumpur receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Kuala Lumpur, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Petra. In the summer, Petra often gets more sunshine than Kuala Lumpur. Petra gets 384 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kuala Lumpur receives 200 hours of full sun.
The heat can be very extreme in Petra. In the summer, Petra is a little warmer than Kuala Lumpur. Typically, the summer temperatures in Petra in July average around 33°C (91°F), and Kuala Lumpur averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPetra 33°C (91°F)Kuala Lumpur 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Petra or Kuala Lumpur in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Petra and Kuala Lumpur. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Petra year-round. Kuala Lumpur attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Kuala Lumpur receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Petra usually receives less rain than Kuala Lumpur. Petra gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Kuala Lumpur receives 280 mm (11 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In Petra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Petra usually receives more sunshine than Kuala Lumpur during autumn. Petra gets 295 hours of sunny skies, while Kuala Lumpur receives 169 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Petra is generally around the same temperature as Kuala Lumpur. Daily temperatures in Petra average around 27°C (80°F), and Kuala Lumpur fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPetra 27°C (80°F)Kuala Lumpur 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Petra or Kuala Lumpur in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Petra as well as Kuala Lumpur. Petra attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kuala Lumpur throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Kuala Lumpur. Petra usually gets less rain in January than Kuala Lumpur. Petra gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Kuala Lumpur receives 239 mm (9.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Petra this time of the year. In the winter, Petra often gets more sunshine than Kuala Lumpur. Petra gets 234 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kuala Lumpur receives 185 hours of full sun.
Petra is much colder than Kuala Lumpur in the winter. The daily temperature in Petra averages around 15°C (59°F) in January, and Kuala Lumpur fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPetra 15°C (59°F)Kuala Lumpur 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Petra or Kuala Lumpur in the Spring?
Both Kuala Lumpur and Petra are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Petra throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Kuala Lumpur because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kuala Lumpur. In April, Petra usually receives less rain than Kuala Lumpur. Petra gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Kuala Lumpur receives 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Petra. Petra usually receives more sunshine than Kuala Lumpur during spring. Petra gets 282 hours of sunny skies, while Kuala Lumpur receives 199 hours of full sun in the spring.
In the spring, Petra is cooler than Kuala Lumpur. Typically, the spring temperatures in Petra in April average around 25°C (76°F), and Kuala Lumpur averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPetra 25°C (76°F)Kuala Lumpur 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Kuala Lumpur and Petra
| Petra | Kuala Lumpur | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 15°C (59°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 239 mm (9.4 in) |
| Feb | 17°C (62°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) |
| Mar | 20°C (68°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) |
| Apr | 25°C (76°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
| Jun | 31°C (88°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| Jul | 33°C (91°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Aug | 32°C (90°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| Sep | 30°C (87°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (80°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 280 mm (11 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (70°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 290 mm (11.4 in) |
| Dec | 16°C (62°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 250 mm (9.8 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.