Which place is cheaper, Kota Kinabalu or Saaremaa?
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 Saaremaa or Kota Kinabalu?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Saaremaa or Kota Kinabalu, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Saaremaa or Kota Kinabalu?
Saaremaa
Saaremaa is the largest island in Estonia and it has a unique and rural atmosphere that makes it an interesting place to visit. Saaremaa has remained rural and frozen in time due to its isolated location, particularly during Soviet occupation when it was used as a military base. The island still has working windmills, hand placed stone walls, and old stone churches that feel like you've stepped back in time.
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 2-Week Tours from Tallinn, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Estonia, The Best Luxury Tours to Malaysia, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia.
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Saaremaa Prices
Estonia PricesKota Kinabalu Prices
Malaysia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaaremaa €128Kota Kinabalu €60
The average daily cost (per person) in Saaremaa is €128, while the average daily cost in Kota Kinabalu is €60. 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 Saaremaa and Kota Kinabalu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaaremaa €36Kota Kinabalu €18
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaaremaa €72Kota Kinabalu €36
Compare Hotels in Saaremaa and Kota Kinabalu
Looking for a hotel in Saaremaa 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: Kota Kinabalu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saaremaa €47Kota Kinabalu €22
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saaremaa
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Saaremaa:
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Rental Car and Gas for a Day€34
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kota Kinabalu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kota Kinabalu:
- Kota Kinabalu Hotel to Jetty Round Trip Transfer: $54
- Monsopiad Cultural Village Visit with Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu: $50
- Borneo to Kota Kinabalu Airport(BKI) - Departure Private Transfer: $37
- Stand Up Paddle Boarding with Sunrise/Sunset Tour at Kota Kinabalu with transfer: $32
- Private Transfer: Kota Kinabalu International Airport to/from Hotel: $30
- Private Departure Transfer : Kota Kinabalu International Airport: $27
- Kota Kinabalu Airport (BKI) Private Transfer to Kota Kinabalu: $25
- Private Transfer- Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI: $24
- Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu Airport (BKI): $24
- Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI to Kota Kinabalu Port: $24
- Private Transfer from Kota Kota Kinabalu Hotels to Kinabalu Port: $24
- Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu hotels: $24
Is it cheaper to fly into Saaremaa or Kota Kinabalu?
Prices for flights to both Kota Kinabalu and Saaremaa 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 daySaaremaa €63Kota Kinabalu €27
Typical Food Prices in Saaremaa
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Saaremaa:
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Salmon€1.28
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: $32
- 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: $74
- Private Cooking Class with Market Visit: $91
- Ethnic Cooking Class & Upside Down House & 3D Wonders Museum: $92
- North Borneo Sunset Dinner Cruise: $121
- Kota Kinabalu Night Tour with Dinner & Cultural Dance Show: $141
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Saaremaa €21Kota Kinabalu €5.72
Tours and Activities in Kota Kinabalu
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kota Kinabalu are as follows:
- Bongawan River Cruise Proboscis Monkey, SkyMirror, Fireflies: $50
- Bongawan: River Safari Cruise, Private or Shared Ticket: $48
- Borneo (Klias) River Cruise & Fireflies Tour: $50
- Borneo Combo Adventure: $200
- Cowboy Town & Fireflies River Cruise: $62
- Day Trip to Kinabalu Park and Poring Hot Spring Guided Tour: $70
- Discover Sailing Experience in Tanjung Aru Beach: $87
- Essential Half-Day Kota Kinabalu City Highlights and Museum Tour: $95
- From Kota Kinabalu : Kiulu White Water Rafting Tour + meal: $66
- Indigenous Weaving Experience: $236
- Island Hopping Tour (2 Island) From Kota Kinabalu: $100
- Kinabalu National Park Tour: $135
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySaaremaa €11Kota Kinabalu €6.39
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saaremaa and Kota Kinabalu, we can see that Saaremaa is more expensive. And not only is Kota Kinabalu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Saaremaa 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 Saaremaa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saaremaa 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 Saaremaa Expensive? and Is Kota Kinabalu Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Saaremaa or Kota Kinabalu?
Kota Kinabalu has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Saaremaa. When comparing the sizes of Saaremaa 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 Saaremaa or Kota Kinabalu?
Saaremaa 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 Saaremaa or Kota Kinabalu in the Summer?
Both Kota Kinabalu and Saaremaa during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Saaremaa in the summer for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kota Kinabalu year-round.
Saaremaa is much colder than Kota Kinabalu in the summer. The daily temperature in Saaremaa averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Kota Kinabalu fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
In Kota Kinabalu, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Saaremaa. In the summer, Saaremaa often gets more sunshine than Kota Kinabalu. Saaremaa gets 302 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kota Kinabalu receives 205 hours of full sun.
Kota Kinabalu gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Saaremaa usually gets less rain in July than Kota Kinabalu. Saaremaa gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Kota Kinabalu receives 255 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySaaremaa 17°C (62°F)Kota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Saaremaa or Kota Kinabalu in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saaremaa and Kota Kinabalu. Most visitors come to Saaremaa for the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Kota Kinabalu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the autumn, Saaremaa is much colder than Kota Kinabalu. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saaremaa in October average around 8°C (47°F), and Kota Kinabalu averages at about 27°C (81°F).
Saaremaa usually receives less sunshine than Kota Kinabalu during autumn. Saaremaa gets 101 hours of sunny skies, while Kota Kinabalu receives 192 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Kota Kinabalu receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Saaremaa usually receives less rain than Kota Kinabalu. Saaremaa gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Kota Kinabalu receives 336 mm (13.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSaaremaa 8°C (47°F)Kota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Saaremaa or Kota Kinabalu in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Saaremaa as well as Kota Kinabalu. The winter months attract visitors to Saaremaa because of the cuisine. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kota Kinabalu throughout the year.
The weather in Saaremaa can be very cold. In January, Saaremaa is generally much colder than Kota Kinabalu. Daily temperatures in Saaremaa average around -3°C (27°F), and Kota Kinabalu fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
In the winter, Saaremaa often gets less sunshine than Kota Kinabalu. Saaremaa gets 33 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kota Kinabalu receives 181 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Kota Kinabalu. Saaremaa usually gets less rain in January than Kota Kinabalu. Saaremaa gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Kota Kinabalu receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySaaremaa -3°C (27°F)Kota Kinabalu 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Saaremaa or Kota Kinabalu in the Spring?
Both Kota Kinabalu and Saaremaa are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Saaremaa this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to Kota Kinabalu because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It's quite cold in Saaremaa in the spring. Saaremaa is much colder than Kota Kinabalu in the spring. The daily temperature in Saaremaa averages around 4°C (38°F) in April, and Kota Kinabalu fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
It's quite sunny in Kota Kinabalu. Saaremaa usually receives less sunshine than Kota Kinabalu during spring. Saaremaa gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while Kota Kinabalu receives 237 hours of full sun in the spring.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kota Kinabalu. In April, Saaremaa usually receives less rain than Kota Kinabalu. Saaremaa gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Kota Kinabalu receives 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSaaremaa 4°C (38°F)Kota Kinabalu 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Kota Kinabalu and Saaremaa
| Saaremaa | Kota Kinabalu | |||
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| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -3°C (27°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) |
| Feb | -3°C (26°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Mar | -1°C (30°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 4°C (38°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| May | 9°C (48°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 14°C (57°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 291 mm (11.5 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (62°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 255 mm (10 in) |
| Aug | 17°C (62°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) |
| Sep | 13°C (55°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 285 mm (11.2 in) |
| Oct | 8°C (47°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 336 mm (13.2 in) |
| Nov | 4°C (39°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 298 mm (11.7 in) |
| Dec | 0°C (32°F) | 58 mm (2.3 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.