Which place is cheaper, Kota Kinabalu or Tampere?
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 Tampere 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 Tampere and Kota Kinabalu can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Tampere or Kota Kinabalu?
Tampere
Tampere is a city in southern Finland. It sits between Nasijarvi Lake and Pyhajarvi Lake, with the Tammerkoski rapids in between. It is one of the larger Finnish cities, with more than 200,000 inhabitants, but Tampere has managed to keep the small town feel. The city center is compact in size, and the atmosphere is friendly and casual. The city is located on a scenic spot on a narrow isthmus. The Tammerkoski rapids and their riverbanks form the backdrop for the old industrial buildings, and ridges formed thousands of years ago by ancient seas and retreating ice offer fantastic views over the two lakes. Original architecture and innovative urban development blend together to please both viewers and users of the built environment. Enjoy the surrounding lakes on peaceful rowboat trips or on cruises on larger vessels, or concentrate on the urban sights from a sightseeing bus. Regenerated industrial buildings now house quirky museums, enticing shops, pubs, cinemas and cafes. Tampere has a down-to-earth vitality that makes it a favorite for many visitors.
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 Finland, The Best Budget Tours to Finland, The Best Luxury Tours to Malaysia, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia.
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Tampere Prices
Finland PricesKota Kinabalu Prices
Malaysia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTampere €172Kota Kinabalu €60
The average daily cost (per person) in Tampere is €172, 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 Tampere and Kota Kinabalu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTampere €80Kota Kinabalu €18
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTampere €160Kota Kinabalu €36
Compare Hotels in Tampere and Kota Kinabalu
Looking for a hotel in Tampere 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: Tampere Hotel Prices and Kota Kinabalu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tampere €59Kota Kinabalu €22
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tampere
Also for Tampere, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Tampere Private Transfer from Tampere city centre to Tampere airport: $120
- Forest Campfire Experience with Hotel Transfer: $404
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kota Kinabalu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kota Kinabalu:
- Kota Kinab Airport to Kota Kinabalu - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $47
- Kota Kinabalu Airport (BKI) to Borneo - Arrival Private Transfer: $38
- Borneo to Kota Kinabalu Airport(BKI) - Departure Private Transfer: $38
- Private Departure Transfer : Kota Kinabalu International Airport: $27
- Kota Kinabalu Airport (BKI) Private Transfer to Kota Kinabalu: $25
- Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu Airport (BKI): $25
- Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu hotels: $25
- Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Hotels to Kota Kinabalu Port: $25
- Kota Kinabalu（BKI）: Private Transfer to City Center: $14
- Private Airport Transfer: BKI Airport ⇄ Kota Kinabalu City(Hotel): $14
Is it cheaper to fly into Tampere or Kota Kinabalu?
Prices for flights to both Kota Kinabalu and Tampere 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 dayTampere €57Kota Kinabalu €27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tampere
For Tampere, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Tampere Food Tour Local Tastings, Meal & Rooftop City Views: $106
- Food Tour with Tastings, Meal, & Rooftop City Views: $110
- From Private Lakeside Sauna & Campfire Dinner: $681
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
- Traditional Sabah Cooking Class and Taste Local Flavors: $76
- Ethnic Cooking Class & Upside Down House & 3D Wonders Museum: $92
- Private Cooking Class with Market Visit: $96
- North Borneo Sunset Dinner Cruise: $121
- Kota Kinabalu Sunset Cruise with Dinner, Live Band & Hotel Pickup: $192
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tampere €24Kota Kinabalu €5.74
Tours and Activities in Tampere
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tampere.
- Tampere Private Walking Tour with a Local: $49
- Guided Walking Tour with Coffee & Snacks: $52
- Mushroom Picking and Tasting Tour with Meal: $53
- Midnight Sun Canoe Tour with Crepes: $58
- Fatbike Tour with Coffee Stop: $63
- Private Forest Mind Tour in Tampere: $65
- Calm lake Experience at Hatanpää Manor: $75
- The Uncomplicated Finnish Forest Tour: $80
- Tampere Scenic Bike Tour with Sauna and Local Flavors: $106
- Näsijärvi Lake Guided Paddling Tour: $106
- Finnish Sauna & Lake Swim Bike Tour: $126
- City and Nature Walking Tour with Local Guide: $126
Tours and Activities in Kota Kinabalu
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kota Kinabalu are as follows:
- 2 Hour Kota Kinabalu Local Street Food and History Walking Tour: $47
- Bongawan River Cruise Proboscis Monkey, SkyMirror, Fireflies: $55
- Bongawan Rivercruise a Proboscis Monkey and Fireflies: $78
- 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: $89
- From Kota Kinabalu : Kiulu White Water Rafting Tour + meal: $66
- Full Day Bongawan River Cruise with Proboscis Monkey Sightseeing: $57
- Full Day Tour in Mantanani: $150
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTampere €10Kota Kinabalu €6.41
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tampere and Kota Kinabalu, we can see that Tampere is more expensive. And not only is Kota Kinabalu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Tampere 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 Tampere would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tampere 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 Tampere Expensive? and Is Kota Kinabalu Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tampere or Kota Kinabalu?
Kota Kinabalu has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Tampere. When comparing the sizes of Tampere 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 Tampere or Kota Kinabalu?
Tampere 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 Tampere or Kota Kinabalu in the Summer?
Both Kota Kinabalu and Tampere during the summer are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kota Kinabalu year-round.
In the summer, Tampere is much colder than Kota Kinabalu. Typically, the summer temperatures in Tampere in July average around 16°C (61°F), and Kota Kinabalu averages at about 27°C (81°F).
In Kota Kinabalu, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Tampere. In the summer, Tampere often gets more sunshine than Kota Kinabalu. Tampere gets 247 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. Tampere usually gets less rain in July than Kota Kinabalu. Tampere gets 80 mm (3.1 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 JulyTampere 16°C (61°F)Kota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Tampere or Kota Kinabalu in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Tampere and Kota Kinabalu. Kota Kinabalu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In October, Tampere is generally much colder than Kota Kinabalu. Daily temperatures in Tampere average around 5°C (42°F), and Kota Kinabalu fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
Tampere usually receives less sunshine than Kota Kinabalu during autumn. Tampere gets 81 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, Tampere usually receives less rain than Kota Kinabalu. Tampere gets 58 mm (2.3 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 OctoberTampere 5°C (42°F)Kota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Tampere or Kota Kinabalu in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Tampere as well as Kota Kinabalu. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kota Kinabalu throughout the year.
It's quite cold in Tampere in the winter. Tampere is much colder than Kota Kinabalu in the winter. The daily temperature in Tampere averages around -7°C (19°F) in January, and Kota Kinabalu fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
In the winter, Tampere often gets less sunshine than Kota Kinabalu. Tampere gets 37 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kota Kinabalu receives 181 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Kota Kinabalu. Tampere usually gets less rain in January than Kota Kinabalu. Tampere gets 36 mm (1.4 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 JanuaryTampere -7°C (19°F)Kota Kinabalu 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Tampere or Kota Kinabalu in the Spring?
Both Kota Kinabalu and Tampere are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Kota Kinabalu because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Tampere. In the spring, Tampere is much colder than Kota Kinabalu. Typically, the spring temperatures in Tampere in April average around 3°C (38°F), and Kota Kinabalu averages at about 28°C (82°F).
It's quite sunny in Kota Kinabalu. Tampere usually receives less sunshine than Kota Kinabalu during spring. Tampere gets 174 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, Tampere usually receives less rain than Kota Kinabalu. Tampere gets 31 mm (1.2 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 AprilTampere 3°C (38°F)Kota Kinabalu 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Kota Kinabalu and Tampere
| Tampere | Kota Kinabalu | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -7°C (19°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) |
| Feb | -7°C (19°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Mar | -3°C (27°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 3°C (38°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| May | 10°C (50°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (58°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 291 mm (11.5 in) |
| Jul | 16°C (61°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 255 mm (10 in) |
| Aug | 15°C (59°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) |
| Sep | 10°C (50°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 285 mm (11.2 in) |
| Oct | 5°C (42°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 336 mm (13.2 in) |
| Nov | 0°C (32°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 298 mm (11.7 in) |
| Dec | -4°C (24°F) | 42 mm (1.7 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.