Which place is cheaper, Kota Kinabalu or Vilnius?
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 Vilnius or Kota Kinabalu?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Vilnius and Kota Kinabalu. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Vilnius or Kota Kinabalu?
Vilnius
Vilnius is the capital and largest city in the country of Lithuania. It has a population of more than 500,000 residents and is located in the valley between the Neris River and the Vilnia River in the southeastern part of the country. Visitors come to the city for its beautiful Old Town, impressive architecture, and fascinating culture. In 2009 it was named the European Capital of Culture along with the city of Linz, in Austria.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Vilnius, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Lithuania, The Best Luxury Tours to Malaysia, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia.
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Vilnius Prices
Lithuania PricesKota Kinabalu Prices
Malaysia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVilnius €117Kota Kinabalu €60
The average daily cost (per person) in Vilnius is €117, 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 Vilnius and Kota Kinabalu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVilnius €41Kota Kinabalu €18
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVilnius €82Kota Kinabalu €36
Compare Hotels in Vilnius and Kota Kinabalu
Looking for a hotel in Vilnius 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: Vilnius Hotel Prices and Kota Kinabalu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Vilnius €7.26Kota Kinabalu €22
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Vilnius
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Vilnius:
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Train to Airport€0.80
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vilnius
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Vilnius:
- Trakai Tour with Audio Guide and Minibus Transfers: $35
- Private Vilnius Airport Departure Transfer: $41
- Vilnius Airport Private Transfer: $41
- Vilnius Private 1-Way Airport Transfer: $70
- CO2-Offset Arrival Transfer from Vilnius VNO Airport to Vilnius: $99
- From Suburbs Hot Air Balloon Ride w/ Hotel Transfer: $164
- Hot air balloon flight Vilnius, Trakai with Transfer & Shampagne: $197
- Premium Hot Air Balloon Flight Over Trakai (transfer included): $203
- Hot Air Balloon Ride with Hotel Transfer: $235
- Jewish Heritage Sites Private Tour with Transfer: $235
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kota Kinabalu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kota Kinabalu:
- Kota Kinabalu（BKI）: Private Transfer to City Center: $14
- Private Airport Transfer in Kota Kinabalu: $20
- Kota Kinabalu to Kota Kinab Airport (BKI) Private Transfer: $23
- 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
- Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Hotels to Kota Kinabalu Port: $24
- Kota Kinabalu Airport (BKI) Private Transfer to Kota Kinabalu: $25
- Private Departure Transfer : Kota Kinabalu International Airport: $27
- Private Transfer: Kota Kinabalu International Airport to/from Hotel: $30
Is it cheaper to fly into Vilnius or Kota Kinabalu?
Prices for flights to both Kota Kinabalu and Vilnius 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 dayVilnius €63Kota Kinabalu €27
Typical Food Prices in Vilnius
Some typical examples of dining costs in Vilnius are as follows:
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Dinner for Two€13
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Vilnius
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Vilnius.
- Zeppelin Cooking Class: $115
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.Vilnius €9.57Kota Kinabalu €5.72
Typical Entertainment Prices in Vilnius
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Vilnius are as follows:
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Walking Tour€5.79
Tours and Activities in Vilnius
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Vilnius are as follows:
- Vilnius Scavenger Hunt & Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour: $6.95
- Secrets of Old Vilnius Smartphone App GPS Audio Walking Tour: $7.50
- Iron Wolf to Gate of Dawn Self Guided Tour of Vilnius: $8.99
- The Old Town of A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
- Self-Guided Audio Tour of Vilnius Old Town Core: $10
- Audio Tour of the South Part of the Vilnius Old Town: $11
- Live guide tour via WhatsApp - Vilnius Ghetto: $12
- Audio Tour of Vilnius Old Town Core: $12
- Skip the Line: Europos Parkas, Open-Air Museum Ticket Vilnius, Lithuania: $13
- Audio Tour of Vilnius Old Town Core and the South Part 2in1: $14
- Discover Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
- Virtual reality movie - experience I AM LITHUANIA: $18
Tours and Activities in Kota Kinabalu
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kota Kinabalu are as follows:
- Bongawan River Cruise, City Tour & Fireflies: $26
- Sabah Mali-Mali Garden Spa Massage Experience: $27
- Pulau Sapi & Manukan Sabah Shared Activity Adventure: $43
- 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: $50
- Sabah: Manukan and Sapi Islands Excursion Ticket: $50
- Borneo (Klias) River Cruise & Fireflies Tour: $50
- Kota Kinabalu City Tour: $54
- Klias Wildlife Safari River Cruise from Kota Kinabalu: $58
- Cowboy Town & Fireflies River Cruise: $62
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVilnius €6.08Kota Kinabalu €6.39
Typical Alcohol Prices in Vilnius
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Vilnius from other travelers:
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Beer€4.34
Sample the Local Flavors in Vilnius
Also in Vilnius, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Vilnius Private Pub & Bar Crawl Tour & Hidden Gems: $62
- Pub Crawl with Welcome Drink and Traditional Snacks: $77
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vilnius and Kota Kinabalu, we can see that Vilnius is more expensive. And not only is Kota Kinabalu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Vilnius 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 Vilnius would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Vilnius 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 Vilnius Expensive? and Is Kota Kinabalu Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Vilnius or Kota Kinabalu?
Vilnius has a larger population, and is about 19% larger than the population of Kota Kinabalu. When comparing the sizes of Vilnius 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 Vilnius or Kota Kinabalu?
Vilnius 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 Vilnius or Kota Kinabalu in the Summer?
Both Kota Kinabalu and Vilnius are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Vilnius this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to Kota Kinabalu because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the summer, Vilnius is cooler than Kota Kinabalu. Typically, the summer temperatures in Vilnius in July average around 18°C (65°F), and Kota Kinabalu averages at about 27°C (81°F).
It's quite sunny in Kota Kinabalu. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vilnius. Vilnius usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Kota Kinabalu during summer. Vilnius gets 219 hours of sunny skies, while Kota Kinabalu receives 205 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kota Kinabalu. In July, Vilnius usually receives less rain than Kota Kinabalu. Vilnius gets 78 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 JulyVilnius 18°C (65°F)Kota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Vilnius or Kota Kinabalu in the Autumn?
Both Kota Kinabalu and Vilnius during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Vilnius for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kota Kinabalu year-round.
In October, Vilnius is generally much colder than Kota Kinabalu. Daily temperatures in Vilnius average around 8°C (46°F), and Kota Kinabalu fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
In the autumn, Vilnius often gets less sunshine than Kota Kinabalu. Vilnius gets 94 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kota Kinabalu receives 192 hours of full sun.
Kota Kinabalu gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Vilnius usually gets less rain in October than Kota Kinabalu. Vilnius gets 53 mm (2.1 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 OctoberVilnius 8°C (46°F)Kota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Vilnius or Kota Kinabalu in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Vilnius and Kota Kinabalu. Many visitors come to Vilnius in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Kota Kinabalu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Vilnius can get quite cold in the winter. Vilnius is much colder than Kota Kinabalu in the winter. The daily temperature in Vilnius averages around -5°C (23°F) in January, and Kota Kinabalu fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
Vilnius usually receives less sunshine than Kota Kinabalu during winter. Vilnius gets 36 hours of sunny skies, while Kota Kinabalu receives 181 hours of full sun in the winter.
Kota Kinabalu receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Vilnius usually receives less rain than Kota Kinabalu. Vilnius gets 41 mm (1.6 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 JanuaryVilnius -5°C (23°F)Kota Kinabalu 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Vilnius or Kota Kinabalu in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Vilnius as well as Kota Kinabalu. Most visitors come to Vilnius for the natural beauty during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kota Kinabalu throughout the year.
In the spring, Vilnius is much colder than Kota Kinabalu. Typically, the spring temperatures in Vilnius in April average around 7°C (45°F), and Kota Kinabalu averages at about 28°C (82°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kota Kinabalu. In the spring, Vilnius often gets less sunshine than Kota Kinabalu. Vilnius gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kota Kinabalu receives 237 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Kota Kinabalu. Vilnius usually gets less rain in April than Kota Kinabalu. Vilnius gets 46 mm (1.8 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 AprilVilnius 7°C (45°F)Kota Kinabalu 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Kota Kinabalu and Vilnius
| Vilnius | Kota Kinabalu | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -5°C (23°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) |
| Feb | -4°C (26°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Mar | 1°C (33°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 7°C (45°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| May | 14°C (57°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 17°C (63°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 291 mm (11.5 in) |
| Jul | 18°C (65°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 255 mm (10 in) |
| Aug | 18°C (64°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) |
| Sep | 13°C (56°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 285 mm (11.2 in) |
| Oct | 8°C (46°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 336 mm (13.2 in) |
| Nov | 2°C (36°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 298 mm (11.7 in) |
| Dec | -2°C (29°F) | 55 mm (2.2 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.