Which place is cheaper, Kota Kinabalu or Tel Aviv?
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 Tel Aviv or Kota Kinabalu?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Tel Aviv 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: Tel Aviv or Kota Kinabalu?
Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv is the second largest city in Israel and is situated on the Mediterranean coast 60 kilometers north of Jerusalem. It's a rapidly growing city and is one of the most modern and cosmopolitan cities in Israel. The official name is Tel Aviv-Yafo because the city has grown to include the ancient port city of Yafo. If you're looking for an embassy, you are likely to find it in Tel Aviv, despite Jerusalem being the official capital of Israel.
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 Israel, The Best Budget Tours to Israel, The Best 2-Week Tours from Kuala Lumpur, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Malaysia.
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Tel Aviv Prices
Israel PricesKota Kinabalu Prices
Malaysia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTel Aviv $195Kota Kinabalu $70
The average daily cost (per person) in Tel Aviv is $195, 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 Tel Aviv and Kota Kinabalu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTel Aviv $106Kota Kinabalu $21
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTel Aviv $212Kota Kinabalu $42
Compare Hotels in Tel Aviv and Kota Kinabalu
Looking for a hotel in Tel Aviv 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: Tel Aviv Hotel Prices and Kota Kinabalu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tel Aviv $11Kota Kinabalu $26
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Tel Aviv
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Tel Aviv are as follows:
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Local Bus to Central Bus Station$1.93
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Taxi to Airport$49
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tel Aviv
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tel Aviv:
- Private Departure Transfer: From Tel Aviv City Center to Ben Gurion Airport: $48
- Tel Aviv Airport (TLV) to Tel Aviv - Arrival Private Transfer: $50
- Tel Aviv to Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) Private Departure Transfers: $55
- Tel Aviv Airport (TLV) to Tel Aviv Hotels - Private Transfer: $55
- Herzliya to Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport Private Departure Transfer: $56
- Private Ben Gurion Airport Transfer To/From TelAviv: $67
- Tel Aviv Airport (TLV) to Jerusalem Hotels - Private Transfer: $85
- Sheikh Hussain Border Private Transfer To Amman or Airport: $90
- Tel Aviv Airport TLV to Jerusalem city - Arrival Private Transfer: $92
- Private Transfer: From Tel Aviv to Jerusalem: $107
- Tel Aviv to Tel Aviv Airport (TLV) - Departure Private Transfer: $110
- Tel Aviv Airport (TLV) to Tel Aviv Hotels - Private Transfer: $112
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: $37
- Kota Kinab Airport to Kota Kinabalu - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $46
- Kota Kinabalu to Kota Kinab Airport (BKI) Private Transfer: $23
- Kota Kinabalu（BKI）: Private Transfer to City Center: $14
- Private Airport Transfer: BKI Airport ⇄ Kota Kinabalu City(Hotel): $14
- Private Arrival Transfer : Kota Kinabalu International Airport: $27
- Private Departure Transfer : Kota Kinabalu International Airport: $27
- Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu hotels: $24
- Private Transfer from Kota Kota Kinabalu Hotels to Kinabalu Port: $24
- Private Transfer- Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI: $24
- Stand Up Paddle Boarding with Sunrise/Sunset Tour at Kota Kinabalu with transfer: $32
Is it cheaper to fly into Tel Aviv or Kota Kinabalu?
Prices for flights to both Kota Kinabalu and Tel Aviv 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 dayTel Aviv $59Kota Kinabalu $31
Typical Food Prices in Tel Aviv
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Tel Aviv:
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Dinner for Two$28
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Dinner for 2 at Vatroshka$159
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Lunch at Segev Sarona$42
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Aroma Iced Coffee$4.59
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Lunch at the airport$39
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tel Aviv
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Tel Aviv.
- Tel Aviv Food Tour: The Magic of Carmel Market: $49
- Private Jaffa Flea Market Hapishpeshim Food Tour: $60
- Carmel Market Food Tour: $75
- Levinsky Market Food Tour: $145
- Food Tour of Sarona Market and Azraeli Center: $165
- Try Your Hand At Israeli Home Cooking: $177
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: $31
- Sabah Traditional Authentic Cuisine Cooking Class 3 Hours: $45
- Klias River Cruise with Dinner and Fireflies: $55
- Kawa Mangrove Cruise & Fireflies with Dinner: $67
- Klias River Dinner Cruise with Firefly Spotting: $72
- Traditional Sabah Cooking Class and Taste Local Flavors: $75
- Ethnic Cooking Class & Upside Down House & 3D Wonders Museum: $92
- North Borneo Sunset Dinner Cruise: $121
- Kota Kinabalu Sunset Cruise with Dinner, Live Band & Hotel Pickup: $140
- Scenic Full Day Klias Mangrove Wildlife and Fireflies with dinner: $153
- Kota Kinabalu Night Tour with Dinner & Cultural Dance Show: $167
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tel Aviv $28Kota Kinabalu $6.62
Typical Entertainment Prices in Tel Aviv
Here are a few typical costs in Tel Aviv for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Masada tour from Tel Aviv$97
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Etzel museum$4.91
Tours and Activities in Tel Aviv
Here are a few actual costs in Tel Aviv for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Trail of Independence Quest Experience: $6.80
- Historic walking tour of Tel Aviv - Secrets of Sarona - Self-Guided Tour: $30
- Tel Aviv Street Art Tour (Graffiti): $35
- Jaffa Walking Tour: Old Jaffa, Jaffa Port & the Flea Market: $39
- Jaffa Half-Day Walking Tour: $49
- Tel Aviv Carmel Market & City Walking Tour: $49
- Carmel Market & Tel Aviv Tour with Tastings: $49
- Jerusalem Old City Morning Tour: $49
- Jaffa Sunset Skyline Walking Tour: $50
- Carmel Market & Neighborhood Guided Walking Tour: $50
- Hatikvah Market Interactive Behind-the-Scenes Tour: $50
- Jaffa: Old City, Port & Shuk Hapishpishim Walking Tour: $50
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: $27
- Private Tour Kampung Gipsi Sabah Cultural Village Kota Kinabalu: $38
- Kota Kinabalu 3 Hour Coastal Fishing and Island Tour: $38
- Kota Kinabalu Filipino Market Night Tour: Seafood & Street Food: $40
- Sky-Mirror Photographing and Proboscis Monkey & Fireflies Watching River-Cruise: $46
- 2 Hour Kota Kinabalu Local Street Food and History Walking Tour: $47
- 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
- Kota Kinabalu City Tour: $54
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTel Aviv $27Kota Kinabalu $7.40
Sample the Local Flavors in Tel Aviv
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Tel Aviv:
- Pub Crawl and Nightlife Tour with Shots: $27
- Tel Aviv Pub Crawl: $30
- Pub Crawl with 4 Stops and Free Shots: $32
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tel Aviv and Kota Kinabalu, we can see that Tel Aviv is more expensive. And not only is Kota Kinabalu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Tel Aviv is in Middle East 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 Tel Aviv would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tel Aviv 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 Tel Aviv Expensive? and Is Kota Kinabalu Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tel Aviv or Kota Kinabalu?
Kota Kinabalu has a larger population, and is about 21% larger than the population of Tel Aviv. When comparing the sizes of Tel Aviv 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.