Which place is cheaper, Kota Kinabalu or Sukhothai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sukhothai 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 Sukhothai and Kota Kinabalu can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Sukhothai or Kota Kinabalu?
Sukhothai
If you are the kind of wandering traveler looking to find calm and inner peace, you will want to add Sukhothai to your list. Also known as "the dawn of happiness," this area is best known for the ruins of the ancient city of Sukhothai – the capital of Thailand during the 13th century. As the first capital of Siam, the area's temples and monuments are restored and ready for visitors from around the world.
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 10-Day Tours in Thailand, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Thailand, The Best Luxury Tours to Malaysia, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySukhothai $59Kota Kinabalu $49
The average daily cost (per person) in Sukhothai is $59, 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 Sukhothai and Kota Kinabalu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSukhothai $23Kota Kinabalu $18
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSukhothai $46Kota Kinabalu $36
Compare Hotels in Sukhothai and Kota Kinabalu
Looking for a hotel in Sukhothai 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: Sukhothai Hotel Prices and Kota Kinabalu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sukhothai $17Kota Kinabalu $22
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sukhothai
Also for Sukhothai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Sukhothai airport: Transfer to Sukhothai Historical Park: $78
- Sukhothai : private car transfer to/from Chiang Mai: $138
- Sukhothai Hotel Transfer: to/from Chiang Mai Hotel Transfer: $159
- One -Way Private Transfer to Chiang Mai: $187
- Private Transfer to Bangkok City: $268
- Private Transfer to Bangkok City: $322
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kota Kinabalu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kota Kinabalu:
- Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu Airport (BKI): $28
- Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI to Kota Kinabalu Port: $28
- Private Transfer: Kota Kinabalu International Airport to/from Hotel: $20
- Private Transfer- Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI: $32
- Private Transfer from Kota Kota Kinabalu Hotels to Kinabalu Port: $28
- Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu hotels: $28
- Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu hotels: $32
- Monsopiad Cultural Village Visit with Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu: $31
- Kota Kinabalu to Kota Kinab Airport: Departure Private Transfer: $23
- Kota Kinabalu Hotel to Jetty Round Trip Transfer: $52
- Kota Kinabalu Airport Private Transfer with 1 hour Charter: $12
- Borneo to Kota Kinabalu Airport(BKI) - Departure Private Transfer: $46
Is it cheaper to fly into Sukhothai or Kota Kinabalu?
Prices for flights to both Kota Kinabalu and Sukhothai 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 daySukhothai $19Kota Kinabalu $15
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.Sukhothai $33Kota Kinabalu $5.67
Tours and Activities in Sukhothai
For Sukhothai, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2.5-Hours Guided Countryside Sunset Bike Tour: $18
- Half-Day Countryside Bike Tour: $26
- Cycling Sukhothai Full Day Countryside Tour: $32
- Historical Park & Countryside Cycling Tour: $42
- Full-Day Historical Park Cycling Tour with Lunch: $42
Tours and Activities in Kota Kinabalu
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kota Kinabalu are as follows:
- Sky-Mirror Photographing and Proboscis Monkey & Fireflies Watching River-Cruise: $46
- Borneo (Klias) River Cruise & Fireflies Tour: $50
- Borneo Combo Adventure: $200
- Cowboy Town & Fireflies River Cruise: $62
- Cultural Night Tour From Kota Kinabalu : $64
- Day Trip Sepilok Orang-utan And City Tour: $149
- Discover Sailing Experience in Tanjung Aru Beach: $75
- From Kota Kinabalu : Kiulu River White Water Rafting Tour: $131
- Full Day Bongawan River Cruise with Proboscis Monkey Sightseeing: $40
- Full Day River Rafting with ATV Adventure in Kiulu : $293
- Full Day Tour in Mantanani: $140
- Indigenous Weaving Experience: $236
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySukhothai $12Kota Kinabalu $6.34
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sukhothai and Kota Kinabalu, we can see that Sukhothai is more expensive. And not only is Kota Kinabalu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Sukhothai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sukhothai 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 Sukhothai Expensive? and Is Kota Kinabalu Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sukhothai or Kota Kinabalu?
Kota Kinabalu has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Sukhothai. When comparing the sizes of Sukhothai 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 Sukhothai or Kota Kinabalu?
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 Sukhothai or Kota Kinabalu in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Sukhothai as well as Kota Kinabalu. Sukhothai 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. Sukhothai receives a lot of rain in the summer. Sukhothai usually gets less rain in July than Kota Kinabalu. Sukhothai gets 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain, while Kota Kinabalu receives 255 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kota Kinabalu. In the summer, Sukhothai often gets less sunshine than Kota Kinabalu. Sukhothai gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kota Kinabalu receives 205 hours of full sun.
In July, Sukhothai is generally around the same temperature as Kota Kinabalu. Daily temperatures in Sukhothai average around 29°C (84°F), and Kota Kinabalu fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySukhothai 29°C (84°F)Kota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Sukhothai or Kota Kinabalu in the Autumn?
Both Kota Kinabalu and Sukhothai are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Sukhothai throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Kota Kinabalu because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The dry season in Sukhothai is October to April. The rainy season in Sukhothai is May to October. It rains a lot this time of the year in Kota Kinabalu. It's quite rainy in Sukhothai. In October, Sukhothai usually receives less rain than Kota Kinabalu. Sukhothai gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Kota Kinabalu receives 336 mm (13.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sukhothai. Sukhothai usually receives more sunshine than Kota Kinabalu during autumn. Sukhothai gets 229 hours of sunny skies, while Kota Kinabalu receives 192 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Sukhothai is around the same temperature as Kota Kinabalu in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sukhothai averages around 28°C (83°F) in October, and Kota Kinabalu fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSukhothai 28°C (83°F)Kota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Sukhothai or Kota Kinabalu in the Winter?
Both Kota Kinabalu and Sukhothai during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Sukhothai 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. Sukhothai usually gets less rain in January than Kota Kinabalu. Sukhothai gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Kota Kinabalu receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
It's quite sunny in Sukhothai. In the winter, Sukhothai often gets more sunshine than Kota Kinabalu. Sukhothai gets 266 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kota Kinabalu receives 181 hours of full sun.
In the winter, Sukhothai is around the same temperature as Kota Kinabalu. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sukhothai in January average around 25°C (77°F), and Kota Kinabalu averages at about 26°C (79°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySukhothai 25°C (77°F)Kota Kinabalu 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Sukhothai or Kota Kinabalu in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Sukhothai and Kota Kinabalu. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Sukhothai year-round. Kota Kinabalu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
October to April in Sukhothai is the dry season. Also, May to October is the rainy season in Sukhothai. Kota Kinabalu receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Sukhothai usually receives less rain than Kota Kinabalu. Sukhothai gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Kota Kinabalu receives 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kota Kinabalu this time of the year. In Sukhothai, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sukhothai usually receives more sunshine than Kota Kinabalu during spring. Sukhothai gets 279 hours of sunny skies, while Kota Kinabalu receives 237 hours of full sun in the spring.
Sukhothai can become quite hot in the spring. In April, Sukhothai is generally a little warmer than Kota Kinabalu. Daily temperatures in Sukhothai average around 32°C (89°F), and Kota Kinabalu fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSukhothai 32°C (89°F)Kota Kinabalu 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Kota Kinabalu and Sukhothai
| Sukhothai | Kota Kinabalu | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Mar | 30°C (86°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 32°C (89°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| May | 31°C (87°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (85°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 291 mm (11.5 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (84°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 255 mm (10 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 257 mm (10.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 241 mm (9.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 285 mm (11.2 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (83°F) | 157 mm (6.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 336 mm (13.2 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 298 mm (11.7 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 6 mm (0.2 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.