Which place is cheaper, Kota Kinabalu or Riga?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Riga or Kota Kinabalu?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Riga or Kota Kinabalu? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Riga or Kota Kinabalu?
Riga
Riga is the vibrant capital city of Latvia. It continues to gain popularity as a tourist destination in part because it is the base for the airline Air Baltic. This affordable airline offers discount flights around Europe and most of these flights pass through Riga with a forced overnight layover. This encourages travelers to visit this fascinating city for at least a night or two.
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 Luxury Tours to Malaysia, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia.
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Riga Prices
Latvia PricesKota Kinabalu Prices
Malaysia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRiga €122Kota Kinabalu €57
The average daily cost (per person) in Riga is €122, while the average daily cost in Kota Kinabalu is €57. 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 Riga and Kota Kinabalu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRiga €52Kota Kinabalu €17
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRiga €104Kota Kinabalu €34
Compare Hotels in Riga and Kota Kinabalu
Looking for a hotel in Riga 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: Riga Hotel Prices and Kota Kinabalu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Riga €9.63Kota Kinabalu €21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Riga
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Riga:
- Riga Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Klaipeda: $43
- Riga Airport to Hotel Transfer: $45
- Arrival Private Transfer from Riga Airport RIX to Riga City by Minivan: $51
- Private Transfer Riga International Airport RIX to Jurmala City: $51
- Transfer from Riga center to Airport: $53
- Transfer from Riga Airport to Riga Old city: $53
- Riga Airport to Riga City - Private Transfer: $57
- Riga City to Riga Airport - Private Transfer: $57
- Private Transfer to anywhere in Riga Center: $60
- Private Transfer from Riga Airport (RIX) to Riga Cruise Port: $60
- Departure Transfer from Riga to Riga Airport RIX by Car or Van: $68
- Private transfer from Riga Airport RIX to Riga city by Car or Van: $68
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kota Kinabalu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kota Kinabalu:
- Kota Kinabalu Airport (BKI) Private Transfer to Kota Kinabalu: $13
- Kota Kinabalu（BKI）: Private Transfer to City Center: $14
- Private Transfer: Kota Kinabalu International Airport to/from Hotel: $20
- Kota Kinabalu to Kota Kinab Airport: Departure Private Transfer: $24
- Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Hotels to Kota Kinabalu Port: $25
- Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu hotels: $25
- Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI to Kota Kinabalu Port: $25
- Private Transfer- Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI to Kota Kinabalu Port: $25
- Private Transfer- Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI: $25
- Private Arrival Transfer : Kota Kinabalu International Airport: $30
- Stand Up Paddle Boarding with Sunrise/Sunset Tour at Kota Kinabalu with transfer: $32
- Kota Kinabalu Airport (BKI) to Borneo - Arrival Private Transfer: $38
Is it cheaper to fly into Riga or Kota Kinabalu?
Prices for flights to both Kota Kinabalu and Riga 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 dayRiga €57Kota Kinabalu €25
Typical Food Prices in Riga
Some typical examples of dining costs in Riga are as follows:
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Fast Food Lunch€5.77
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Riga
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Riga.
- Central Market Traditional Food Tour in a Small Group: $41
- Central Market Latvian Food Tour: $53
- Khinkali and Pelmeni Cooking Master Class: $70
- Exclusive Igloo for Lunches, Dinners and Events: $72
- Latvian Art Museum, Dinner, and Black Balsam Tasting: $210
- Pizza Making Master Class in Riga: $251
- Traditional Latvian Dinner with Private Folk Show: $252
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
- Ethnic Cooking Class & Upside Down House & 3D Wonders Museum: $92
- Taste Of Borneo Cooking Class: $95
- North Borneo Sunset Dinner Cruise: $121
- Kota Kinabalu Night Tour with Dinner & Cultural Dance Show: $138
- Kota Kinabalu Sunset Cruise with Buffet Dinner: $187
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Riga €14Kota Kinabalu €5.46
Tours and Activities in Riga
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Riga are as follows:
- An audio tour of Old from St Peter's Church to the Monument of Freedom: $6.99
- Entrance Ticket - House of the Black Heads: $8.21
- Canal Boat Tour with Welcome Drink & Audio Guide: $8.21
- Panorama Riga Observation Deck Ticket: $9.38
- Old Town Electrobus Tour + Audio Guide & Drink: $9.38
- Riga Exploration Game and City Tour on your Phone: $9.57
- Riga Canal and Daugava Boat Tour with Welcome Drink & Audio Guide: $9.58
- Evening or Sunset Boat Tour with Welcome Drink: $10
- Rowing boats and Pedal boat rental - River Cruises Latvia: $11
- Riga English Self-guided Audio Tour on your Phone: $11
- Evening or Sunset Boat Tour with Drink and Audio Guide: $11
- Riga Golden Autumn Canal & River Cruise | River Cruises LV: $11
Tours and Activities in Kota Kinabalu
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kota Kinabalu are as follows:
- Bongawan Proboscis and Fireflies Cruise Tour: $32
- Sail and Catch Boat fishing Tour of the Coast of Kota Kinabalu: $41
- Night Glow Stand Up Paddle Experience in Kota Kinabalu: $44
- 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
- Bongawan River Cruise Proboscis Monkey, SkyMirror, Fireflies : $49
- Sabah: Manukan and Sapi Islands Excursion Ticket: $50
- Borneo (Klias) River Cruise & Fireflies Tour: $50
- Private Guided E-Foil Experience in Tanjung Aru Beach: $54
- Full Day Bongawan River Cruise with Proboscis Monkey Sightseeing: $55
- Pulau Sapi & Manukan Sabah Shared Activity Adventure: $57
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRiga €20Kota Kinabalu €6.10
Sample the Local Flavors in Riga
Also in Riga, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Old town pub & bar crawl, hidden gems, and local party: $21
- Pub Crawl with Local Guide: $29
- Brewery Tour and Beer Tasting in Riga: $35
- Riga Pub Crawl: $41
- Latvian Brewery Visit & 5 Beer tasting: $47
- Riga Evening Adventure: Pub Crawl & Games Night: $50
- Game Night & Pub Crawl: $52
- Riga Happy Hour Pub Crawl: $59
- Riga Brewery Tour: $59
- Prosecco Bike & Pub Crawl: $65
- Riga Brewery Tour: $77
- Riga's Old Town Beer Bike Tour & Guided Pub Crawl: $94
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Riga and Kota Kinabalu, we can see that Riga is more expensive. And not only is Kota Kinabalu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Riga is in Europe 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 Riga would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Riga 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 Riga Expensive? and Is Kota Kinabalu Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Riga or Kota Kinabalu?
Riga has a larger population, and is about 62% larger than the population of Kota Kinabalu. When comparing the sizes of Riga 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 Riga or Kota Kinabalu?
Riga has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Kota Kinabalu experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Riga or Kota Kinabalu in the Summer?
Both Kota Kinabalu and Riga are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Riga because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Plenty of visitors come to Kota Kinabalu because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the summer, Riga is much colder than Kota Kinabalu. Typically, the summer temperatures in Riga in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Kota Kinabalu averages at about 27°C (81°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kota Kinabalu. In July, Riga usually receives less rain than Kota Kinabalu. Riga gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Kota Kinabalu receives 255 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyRiga 17°C (63°F)Kota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Riga or Kota Kinabalu in the Autumn?
Both Kota Kinabalu and Riga during the autumn are popular places to visit. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Riga this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kota Kinabalu year-round.
In October, Riga is generally much colder than Kota Kinabalu. Daily temperatures in Riga average around 7°C (45°F), and Kota Kinabalu fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
Kota Kinabalu gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Riga usually gets less rain in October than Kota Kinabalu. Riga gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Kota Kinabalu receives 336 mm (13.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberRiga 7°C (45°F)Kota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Riga or Kota Kinabalu in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Riga and Kota Kinabalu. Many travelers come to Riga for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Kota Kinabalu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Riga. Riga is much colder than Kota Kinabalu in the winter. The daily temperature in Riga averages around -5°C (23°F) in January, and Kota Kinabalu fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
Kota Kinabalu receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Riga usually receives less rain than Kota Kinabalu. Riga gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Kota Kinabalu receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryRiga -5°C (23°F)Kota Kinabalu 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Riga or Kota Kinabalu in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Riga as well as Kota Kinabalu. Many visitors come to Riga in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kota Kinabalu throughout the year.
In the spring, Riga is much colder than Kota Kinabalu. Typically, the spring temperatures in Riga in April average around 5°C (42°F), and Kota Kinabalu averages at about 28°C (82°F).
It's quite rainy in Kota Kinabalu. Riga usually gets less rain in April than Kota Kinabalu. Riga gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Kota Kinabalu receives 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilRiga 5°C (42°F)Kota Kinabalu 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Kota Kinabalu and Riga
| Riga | Kota Kinabalu | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -5°C (23°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) |
| Feb | -4°C (24°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Mar | -0°C (31°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 5°C (42°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| May | 12°C (53°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 291 mm (11.5 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (63°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 255 mm (10 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (62°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 285 mm (11.2 in) |
| Oct | 7°C (45°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 336 mm (13.2 in) |
| Nov | 2°C (36°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 298 mm (11.7 in) |
| Dec | -2°C (28°F) | 49 mm (1.9 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.