Which place is cheaper, Kota Kinabalu or Yogyakarta?
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 Yogyakarta or Kota Kinabalu?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Yogyakarta or Kota Kinabalu? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Yogyakarta or Kota Kinabalu?
Yogyakarta
Yogyakarta, also called Yogya, Jogja, and Jogjakarta, is Java's hub of culture and art, and is the top-visited destination on the island. While Jakarta is the most populated and industrially-developed city in Indonesia, Yogya has managed to progress without losing its cultural charm, as illustrated in its well-kept traditional Indonesian architecture.
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 Adventure Tours to Indonesia, The Best Eco Tours in Indonesia, The Best Luxury Tours to Malaysia, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia.
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Yogyakarta Prices
Indonesia PricesKota Kinabalu Prices
Malaysia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayYogyakarta $59Kota Kinabalu $72
The average daily cost (per person) in Yogyakarta is $59, while the average daily cost in Kota Kinabalu is $72. 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 Yogyakarta and Kota Kinabalu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personYogyakarta $33Kota Kinabalu $22
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomYogyakarta $66Kota Kinabalu $44
Compare Hotels in Yogyakarta and Kota Kinabalu
Looking for a hotel in Yogyakarta 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: Yogyakarta Hotel Prices and Kota Kinabalu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Yogyakarta $1.19Kota Kinabalu $27
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Yogyakarta
Also for Yogyakarta, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer Airport Yogyakarta (JOG) to All City Destination: $7.00
- Yogyakarta Airport: Private Transfer To/ From The Hotels: $12
- YIA Airport Private Transfer: $12
- Indonesia: Yogyakarta Airport Transfer: $14
- From Roundtrip Transfer to Borobudur Temple: $15
- Private Airport Transfer YIA: $22
- Private Transfer Airport Jogyakarta ( Adisucipto ): $25
- Borobudur 5-hour Tour with Climb-up & Transfers: $25
- Yogyakarta Airport Transfer (For 1-4 person): $26
- Borobudur ClimbUP Afternoon Guided and transfer: $26
- Yogyakarta Airport Transfer (For 1-4 person): $27
- Private Transfer from Yogyakarta Airport YIA To City Center: $28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kota Kinabalu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kota Kinabalu:
- Private Transfer: Kota Kinabalu International Airport to/from Hotel: $30
- Private Transfer from Kota Kota Kinabalu Hotels to Kinabalu Port: $25
- Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu hotels: $25
- Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Hotels to Kota Kinabalu Port: $25
- Private Departure Transfer : Kota Kinabalu International Airport: $28
- Private Airport Transfer in Kota Kinabalu: $20
- Kota Kinabalu（BKI）: Private Transfer to City Center: $14
- Kota Kinabalu Airport (BKI) to Borneo - Arrival Private Transfer: $38
- Kota Kinab Airport to Kota Kinabalu - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $47
Is it cheaper to fly into Yogyakarta or Kota Kinabalu?
Prices for flights to both Kota Kinabalu and Yogyakarta 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 dayYogyakarta $18Kota Kinabalu $32
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Yogyakarta
For Yogyakarta, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Ramayana Show with Transfer, Entry Fee & Dinner: $13
- Night Walking & Street Food Tour: $21
- Guided City Walk and Food Tour: $23
- Morning Walk and Food Tour: $23
- Ramayana Ballet Performance with Optional Dinner: $28
- Yogyakarta Historical and Food Tour: $28
- Yogyakarta Evening Walking and Food Tour: $30
- Nighttime Walk and Food Tour: $32
- Small-Group Walking and Food Tour by Night in Yogyakarta: $33
- Cooking Class with Market Visit and Hotel Pickup: $33
- Prawirotaman Night Food Tour: $35
- Yogyakarta Cooking Class and Market Tour: $35
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
- Kota Kinabalu Klias River Cruise with Dinner and Fireflies Tour: $66
- 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: $94
- North Borneo Sunset Dinner Cruise: $121
- Kota Kinabalu Night Tour with Dinner & Cultural Dance Show: $145
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Yogyakarta $14Kota Kinabalu $6.82
Tours and Activities in Yogyakarta
For Yogyakarta, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Chicken Church at Karangrejo Village Admission Ticket: $1.70
- Obelix Hills Entry Ticket: $2.18
- Indonesia: Prambanan Temple Entrance ticket: $3.97
- HeHa Sky View Admission Ticket: $3.98
- YOGYAKARTA CITY TOUR,SULTAN PALACE,WATER CASTLE AND CRAFTS.: $6.23
- Prambanan Temple Afternoon Tour: $12
- Half Day Keraton and Taman Sari Tour: $13
- Indonesia: Borobudur Temple Entrance Ticket: $14
- Prambanan Temple: Half-Day Guided Tour From Yogyakarta: $14
- Borobudur(Guarantee Climb up) Shared Guide Tour: $15
- Jomblang Cave & Pindul Cave Adventur Tour: $15
- Jomblang Cave and Pindul Cave Tour with Lunch: $15
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: $51
- Bongawan: River Safari Cruise, Private or Shared Ticket: $48
- Borneo (Klias) River Cruise & Fireflies Tour: $50
- 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
- Dreamer Island Snorkeling Day Tour: $78
- From Kota Kinabalu : Kiulu White Water Rafting Tour + meal: $66
- Full Day Bongawan River Cruise with Proboscis Monkey Sightseeing: $58
- 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 dayYogyakarta $4.41Kota Kinabalu $7.61
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Yogyakarta and Kota Kinabalu, we can see that Kota Kinabalu is more expensive. And not only is Yogyakarta much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Yogyakarta would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Yogyakarta 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 Kota Kinabalu would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kota Kinabalu than you might in Yogyakarta.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Yogyakarta Expensive? and Is Kota Kinabalu Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Yogyakarta or Kota Kinabalu?
Yogyakarta has a larger population, and is about 39% larger than the population of Kota Kinabalu. When comparing the sizes of Yogyakarta 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.