Which place is cheaper, Kota Kinabalu or Zanzibar?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Zanzibar and Kota Kinabalu can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Just off the coast of Tanzania lies an entrancing archipelago known as Zanzibar. This gorgeous string of islands is the land of sultans, palaces beaches and spice-filled markets. Once an important trading center, many restorations have been done in recent years to restore Zanzibar to its ancient grandeur - earning its capital city UNESCO World Heritage status in 2000.
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 Eco Tours in Tanzania, The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania, The Best Luxury Tours to Malaysia, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $66, while the average daily cost in Kota Kinabalu is $68. 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 Zanzibar and Kota Kinabalu in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar 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.
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kota Kinabalu:
Prices for flights to both Kota Kinabalu and Zanzibar 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.
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zanzibar.
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kota Kinabalu.
Here are a few actual costs in Zanzibar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kota Kinabalu are as follows:
When comparing the travel costs between Zanzibar and Kota Kinabalu, we can see that Kota Kinabalu is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Zanzibar is in Africa and Kota Kinabalu is in Asia, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Zanzibar Expensive? and Is Kota Kinabalu Expensive?.
Kota Kinabalu has a larger population, and is about 13% larger than the population of Zanzibar. When comparing the sizes of Zanzibar 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.
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Zanzibar and Kota Kinabalu. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Zanzibar year-round. Kota Kinabalu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Kota Kinabalu receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Zanzibar usually receives less rain than Kota Kinabalu. Zanzibar gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Kota Kinabalu receives 255 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the summer.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kota Kinabalu this time of the year. In Zanzibar, it's very sunny this time of the year. Zanzibar usually receives more sunshine than Kota Kinabalu during summer. Zanzibar gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Kota Kinabalu receives 205 hours of full sun in the summer.
Zanzibar is around the same temperature as Kota Kinabalu in the summer. The daily temperature in Zanzibar averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Kota Kinabalu fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
The autumn brings many poeple to Zanzibar as well as Kota Kinabalu. Zanzibar 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. Zanzibar usually gets less rain in October than Kota Kinabalu. Zanzibar gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Kota Kinabalu receives 336 mm (13.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Zanzibar this time of the year. In the autumn, Zanzibar often gets more sunshine than Kota Kinabalu. Zanzibar gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kota Kinabalu receives 192 hours of full sun.
In the autumn, Zanzibar is around the same temperature as Kota Kinabalu. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Zanzibar in October average around 25°C (78°F), and Kota Kinabalu averages at about 27°C (81°F).
Both Kota Kinabalu and Zanzibar are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Zanzibar throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Kota Kinabalu because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kota Kinabalu. In January, Zanzibar usually receives less rain than Kota Kinabalu. Zanzibar gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Kota Kinabalu receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Zanzibar. Zanzibar usually receives more sunshine than Kota Kinabalu during winter. Zanzibar gets 236 hours of sunny skies, while Kota Kinabalu receives 181 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Zanzibar is generally around the same temperature as Kota Kinabalu. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 28°C (82°F), and Kota Kinabalu fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
Both Kota Kinabalu and Zanzibar during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Zanzibar 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. It rains a lot this time of the year in Zanzibar. Zanzibar usually gets more rain in April than Kota Kinabalu. Zanzibar gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Kota Kinabalu receives 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Kota Kinabalu, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Zanzibar often gets less sunshine than Kota Kinabalu. Zanzibar gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kota Kinabalu receives 237 hours of full sun.
Zanzibar is around the same temperature as Kota Kinabalu in the spring. The daily temperature in Zanzibar averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Kota Kinabalu fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
Zanzibar | Kota Kinabalu | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) |
Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
Mar | 28°C (83°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 269 mm (10.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
May | 26°C (78°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 291 mm (11.5 in) |
Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 255 mm (10 in) |
Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) |
Sep | 25°C (76°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 285 mm (11.2 in) |
Oct | 25°C (78°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 336 mm (13.2 in) |
Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 298 mm (11.7 in) |
Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) |