Which place is cheaper, Kota Kinabalu or Pokhara?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Pokhara 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 Pokhara and Kota Kinabalu can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Pokhara or Kota Kinabalu?
Pokhara
Pokhara is the second largest city in Nepal and is strategically located near the popular Annapurna Circuit. The Annapurna Circuit, or the "Apple Pie Trail", is a popular trek through the Annapurna Valley that makes a circular route through stunning mountainous landscapes. Several other trekking options can be found in this region, too. Many people use Pohkara as a place to prepare or recover from their recently completed treks because it is less intimidating than the larger city of Kathmandu.
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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in Nepal, The Best 10-Day Tours in Nepal, The Best Luxury Tours to Malaysia, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia.
-
Pokhara Prices
Nepal PricesKota Kinabalu Prices
Malaysia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPokhara $22Kota Kinabalu $70
The average daily cost (per person) in Pokhara is $22, while the average daily cost in Kota Kinabalu is $70. 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 Pokhara and Kota Kinabalu in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPokhara $3.43Kota Kinabalu $21
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPokhara $6.86Kota Kinabalu $42
Compare Hotels in Pokhara and Kota Kinabalu
Looking for a hotel in Pokhara 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: Pokhara Hotel Prices and Kota Kinabalu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pokhara $6.69Kota Kinabalu $26
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Pokhara
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Pokhara:
-
Short Taxi Ride$0.66
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pokhara
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pokhara:
- Airport Transfer by Private Car: $11
- Transfer To Kathmandu (VIP Sofa Tourist Bus) & Back: $12
- Pokhara Airport Shuttles & Private Transfer: $15
- Pokhara ↔️ Kathmandu: VIP Luxury Sofa Bus Transfer (Rainbow): $16
- Annapurna Foothills Day Hike with Transfers: $38
- Intercity transfer by private car all over Nepal: $54
- From Private Car Transfer To Chitwan: $59
- Comfortable Private Transfer from Pokhara to Chitwan: $66
- Private Transfer:- Pokhara to Chitwan (Sauraha) by car: $68
- Bandipur to Kathmandu Private Car Service | Best Private Transfer: $70
- White Water Rafting Half Day with Hotel Transfers: $70
- Private Transfer: Kathmandu ↔ Pokhara by Car, Jeep & Hiace: $73
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kota Kinabalu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kota Kinabalu:
- Borneo to Kota Kinabalu Airport(BKI) - Departure Private Transfer: $38
- Kota Kinab Airport to Kota Kinabalu - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $47
- Kota Kinabalu Airport (BKI) to Borneo - Arrival Private Transfer: $38
- Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI to Borneo - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $75
- Kota Kinabalu Hotel to Jetty Round Trip Transfer: $54
- Kota Kinabalu（BKI）: Private Transfer to City Center: $14
- Private Airport Transfer in Kota Kinabalu: $20
- Private Airport Transfer: BKI Airport ⇄ Kota Kinabalu City(Hotel): $14
- Private Departure Transfer : Kota Kinabalu International Airport: $27
- Private Transfer from Kota Kota Kinabalu Hotels to Kinabalu Port: $25
- Private Transfer- Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI: $25
- Private Transfer: Kota Kinabalu International Airport to/from Hotel: $30
Is it cheaper to fly into Pokhara or Kota Kinabalu?
Prices for flights to both Kota Kinabalu and Pokhara 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
-
Food Meals for one dayPokhara $12Kota Kinabalu $31
Typical Food Prices in Pokhara
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Pokhara:
-
Dinner for Two$3.95
-
Dessert (for 2)$2.63
-
Pastries$1.32
-
Dinner$5.59
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Pokhara
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Pokhara.
- Nepali cultural dinner night in Pokhara: $21
- Nepalese Momos or Dal Bhat Cooking Class (Cook with Delight): $25
- Nepali Nights: Dinner & Cultural Dance Delight in Pokhara: $26
- MoMo or Dal Bhat Cooking Class at Aama Kitchen in Pokhara: $29
- Nepalese Kitchen in Momos or Dal Bhat Cooking Class: $29
- 3 Hour MoMo cooking class: $31
- Nepali Cooking Class and Momo Making Workshop: $42
- 3 Hour Authentic Nepali Thakali Dish Cooking Class: $45
- Thakali food Cooking Class in Pokhara: $50
- 2 hours Momo cooking class in Pokhara: $60
- 3 Hours Momo Cooking class in Pokhara: $70
- 1 Day Momo making cooking class: $75
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kota Kinabalu
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kota Kinabalu.
- Beringgis Mangove Fireflies, Sunset Tour & Dinner: $33
- Sabah Traditional Authentic Cuisine Cooking Class 3 Hours: $45
- Klias River Cruise with Dinner and Fireflies: $55
- Kawa Mangrove Cruise & Fireflies with Dinner: $67
- Kota Kinabalu Klias River Cruise with Dinner and Fireflies Tour: $72
- Traditional Sabah Cooking Class and Taste Local Flavors: $75
- Ethnic Cooking Class & Upside Down House & 3D Wonders Museum: $92
- Private Cooking Class with Market Visit: $94
- North Borneo Sunset Dinner Cruise: $121
- Kota Kinabalu Night Tour with Dinner & Cultural Dance Show: $142
- Kota Kinabalu Sunset Cruise with Dinner, Live Band & Hotel Pickup: $189
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pokhara $6.37Kota Kinabalu $6.62
Tours and Activities in Pokhara
Here are a few actual costs in Pokhara for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Sarangkot Sunrise with Half or Full-Day City Tour: $7.47
- From Sarangkot Sunrise Himalayas Tour: $7.84
- Sarangkot Sunrise Himalayas: Tour 3 hour private tour: $9.16
- Quick Devi’s Water Fall Tour: $9.26
- Guided Evening Walking Tour in Lakeside: $9.52
- Visit Best Seven Tourist Destination by Sharing Bus: $9.52
- Paragliding, Bungy Jump and Zipline Combo Adventure: $10
- Pokhara Places of Interest Tour by Sharing Bus: $10
- City Sightseeing Group Budget Bus Tour: $10
- City Sightseeing Group Bus Tour: $10
- Pokhara City Tour in Sharing Bus: $10
- Sarangkot Sunrise Himalayas Group Joining Tour: $10
Tours and Activities in Kota Kinabalu
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kota Kinabalu are as follows:
- Sabah Mali-Mali Garden Spa Massage Experience: $27
- Bongawan River Cruise, City Tour & Fireflies: $28
- Private Tour Kampung Gipsi Sabah Cultural Village Kota Kinabalu: $38
- Kota Kinabalu 3 Hour Coastal Fishing and Island Tour: $38
- Sky-Mirror Photographing and Proboscis Monkey & Fireflies Watching River-Cruise: $46
- Mangrove Kayaking Experience in Borneo: $47
- Bongawan: River Safari Cruise, Private or Shared Ticket: $48
- Sabah: Manukan and Sapi Islands Excursion Ticket: $50
- Borneo (Klias) River Cruise & Fireflies Tour: $50
- Bongawan River Cruise Proboscis Monkey, SkyMirror, Fireflies: $54
- Full Day Bongawan River Cruise with Proboscis Monkey Sightseeing: $56
- Cowboy Town & Fireflies River Cruise: $62
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayPokhara $5.75Kota Kinabalu $7.40
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pokhara and Kota Kinabalu, we can see that Kota Kinabalu is more expensive. And not only is Pokhara much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Pokhara would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pokhara 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 Kota Kinabalu would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kota Kinabalu than you might in Pokhara.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Pokhara Expensive? and Is Kota Kinabalu Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Pokhara or Kota Kinabalu?
Kota Kinabalu has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Pokhara. When comparing the sizes of Pokhara 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.
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.