Is Kota Kinabalu expensive to visit?
While Kota Kinabalu is a popular place for travelers, it is also somewhat affordable and less expensive to visit. The average daily cost is $49, which is one of the many reasons for its popularity with tourists. When compared to other destinations in Asia, many visitors find it to be a reasonably affordable destination. It's in the top 25% of places in Asia for its affordability, and our cost analysis found it to be comparable to Da Nang and Hue.
Kota Kinabalu
How expensive is Kota Kinabalu?
On average, visitors spend about $49 per day when visiting Kota Kinabalu (U.S. Dollars). Two travelers together would spend an average of $98 per day. Prices vary dramatically by travel style and length of trip, but if you stay at moderately priced hotels, eat at affordable restaurants, and use public transportation when possible, you can expect to stay close to this budget. See more travel costs for Kota Kinabalu here.
How expensive is a weekend trip (three days) to Kota Kinabalu?
A weekend trip to Kota Kinabalu costs about $147 per person on average, based on the previous expenses of other travelers. This includes accommodation, sightseeting activities, transportation, food, and nightlife. For two people, a weekend trip costs $293.
How expensive is a one week (7-day) trip to Kota Kinabalu?
Based on the travel expenses of others, a one week trip to Kota Kinabalu costs around $342 on average, per person. This includes food, sightseeing, local transportation, accommodation, and nightlife. For two people, a one week trip costs $684.
Is it expensive to backpack in Kota Kinabalu?
With more than 20 hostels in the area, Kota Kinabalu is a popular backpacker destination for travelers looking to stay on a tight budget and have a fun time along the way. Here, hostels cost an average of $7 per night for a dorm bed, with private rooms being more expensive. (See hostel prices in Kota Kinabalu here.) It's also common to see a wide range in prices, as the cheapest hostels here cost $3, but the most expensive can be more than $15 per night.
Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Kota Kinabalu.
- $8 for a dorm bed at Faloe Hostel
- $8 for a dorm bed at Lavender Lodge Kota Kinabalu
- $5 for a dorm bed at Akinabalu Youth Hostel
Are hotels expensive in Kota Kinabalu?
From our analysis of hotel prices in Kota Kinabalu, we can see that they are moderate and on par in comparison to the rest of the world. On average, a night in a hotel room costs approximately $31. The area hosts around 9 five-star hotels, averaging $83 per night. For those with an eye on both comfort and economy, three-star hotels present a reasonable choice at an average of $40 per night, while two-star hotels offer an even more economical option at $25 per night.
Hotels by star rating in Kota Kinabalu
| Rating | Number of Hotels | Average Hotel Price |
|---|---|---|
| 5 stars | 9 | $83 |
| 4 stars | 16 | $49 |
| 3 stars | 52 | $40 |
| 2 stars | 74 | $25 |
| 1 star | 18 | $34 |
| No rating | 2 | $63 |
How expensive are sightseeing activities in Kota Kinabalu?
Activities and things to do in Kota Kinabalu can vary in price depending on the type of activity, length, and location. Below are a number of popular activities to give you an idea of what to expect when visiting. Generally, previous travelers have spent $6 per day on sightseeing activities and things to do when visiting, which is less than the country's average of $26.
- Mari Mari Cultural Village Tour from Kota Kinabalu: $125
- Day Trip Sepilok Orang-utan And City Tour: $149
- KK Rainforest City Tour: $79
- Kota Kinabalu City Tour : $85
- Kota Kinabalu Half-Day City Tour with Local Host: $97
- PADI Discover Scuba Diving DSD - Try-Dive Experience!: $105
- Full Day Bongawan River Cruise with Proboscis Monkey Sightseeing: $40
- Mangrove Kayaking Experience in Borneo: $80
Is food expensive in Kota Kinabalu?
Food in Kota Kinabalu can vary in price depending on the restaurant and food options available. Generally, other travelers have spent $15 on food per person per day, which is less than the country's average of $18. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible.
- Kota Kinabalu K2 Fireflies Sunset River Cruise Tour with Dinner: $86
- Ethnic Cooking Class & Upside Down House & 3D Wonders Museum: $92
- Private Kinabalu Night Tour with Cultural Show and Dinner: $62
- Half Day Klias Mangrove Wildlife and Fireflies with dinner: $144
- Kota Kinabalu Sunset Cruise with Buffet Dinner: $187
Is transportation expensive in Kota Kinabalu?
Exploring local transportation in Kota Kinabalu shows that the price can vary greatly by the type of transportation used. On average, previous travelers have spent $22 per person per day, which is more than the country's average of $12. If you want to save money, use public transit as it's much cheaper than taxis or private drivers.
More for Kota Kinabalu
If you're planning a trip to Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, check out these other informative travel guides.
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
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.