Which place is cheaper, Kota Kinabalu or Cesis?
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 Cesis or Kota Kinabalu?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Cesis 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.
Where Should I go: Cesis or Kota Kinabalu?
Cesis
Cesis is the quintessential old world town in Latvia. It is nestled among rolling hills, giving it a beautiful, fantasy world like setting. The small town is sprinkled with old castles, fortresses, and parks that you can leisurely wander through to pass the time. There's a lovely town square that is the perfect place to grab a seat on a bench and people watch. Because of the square's central location, many residents pass through it on their way to and from the market. The town is intertwined with lovely cobblestone streets that are lined with old homes, in various stages of disrepair. Cesis manages to perfectly balance a level of authentic wear and tear with a fairytale ambiance. Outside of town you'll find great hiking trails that you can use to explore the rolling hills and picturesque countryside. The small town is also conveniently located less than 100 kilometers from Riga, making it an easy trip on a bus.
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 Malaysia, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia.
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Cesis Prices
Latvia PricesKota Kinabalu Prices
Malaysia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCesis €138Kota Kinabalu €57
The average daily cost (per person) in Cesis is €138, while the average daily cost in Kota Kinabalu is €57. 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 Cesis and Kota Kinabalu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCesis €47Kota Kinabalu €17
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCesis €94Kota Kinabalu €34
Compare Hotels in Cesis and Kota Kinabalu
Looking for a hotel in Cesis 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: Kota Kinabalu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cesis €30Kota Kinabalu €21
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: $38
- Kota Kinab Airport to Kota Kinabalu - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $48
- Kota Kinabalu Airport (BKI) Private Transfer to Kota Kinabalu: $13
- Kota Kinabalu Airport (BKI) to Borneo - Arrival Private Transfer: $38
- Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI to Borneo - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $76
- Kota Kinabalu Hotel to Jetty Round Trip Transfer: $53
- Kota Kinabalu to Kota Kinab Airport: Departure Private Transfer: $24
- Kota Kinabalu（BKI）: Private Transfer to City Center: $14
- Malaysia: Sabah Airport Transfer: $14
- Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Hotels to Kota Kinabalu Port: $25
- Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu hotels: $25
- Private Transfer- Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI to Kota Kinabalu Port: $25
Is it cheaper to fly into Cesis or Kota Kinabalu?
Prices for flights to both Kota Kinabalu and Cesis 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 dayCesis €71Kota Kinabalu €25
Typical Food Prices in Cesis
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Cesis:
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Lunch in town for two€6.67
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
- Kawa Mangrove Cruise & Fireflies with Dinner: $67
- 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: $138
- Kota Kinabalu Sunset Cruise with Buffet Dinner: $187
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cesis €16Kota Kinabalu €5.46
Tours and Activities in Kota Kinabalu
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kota Kinabalu are as follows:
- Bongawan Proboscis and Fireflies Cruise Tour: $32
- Sail and Catch Boat fishing Tour of the Coast of Kota Kinabalu: $41
- Night Glow Stand Up Paddle Experience in Kota Kinabalu: $44
- 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 : $49
- Sabah: Manukan and Sapi Islands Excursion Ticket: $50
- Borneo (Klias) River Cruise & Fireflies Tour: $50
- Private Guided E-Foil Experience in Tanjung Aru Beach: $54
- Kota Kinabalu City Tour: $54
- Full Day Bongawan River Cruise with Proboscis Monkey Sightseeing: $55
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCesis €17Kota Kinabalu €6.10
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cesis and Kota Kinabalu, we can see that Cesis is more expensive. And not only is Kota Kinabalu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Cesis 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 Cesis would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cesis 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 Cesis Expensive? and Is Kota Kinabalu Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cesis or Kota Kinabalu?
Kota Kinabalu has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Cesis. When comparing the sizes of Cesis 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 Cesis or Kota Kinabalu?
Cesis 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 Cesis or Kota Kinabalu in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Cesis and Kota Kinabalu. Many travelers come to Cesis for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Kota Kinabalu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the summer, Cesis is much colder than Kota Kinabalu. Typically, the summer temperatures in Cesis in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Kota Kinabalu averages at about 27°C (81°F).
Kota Kinabalu receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Cesis usually receives less rain than Kota Kinabalu. Cesis gets 79 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 JulyCesis 17°C (63°F)Kota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Cesis or Kota Kinabalu in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Cesis as well as Kota Kinabalu. Many visitors come to Cesis in the autumn for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kota Kinabalu throughout the year.
In October, Cesis is generally much colder than Kota Kinabalu. Daily temperatures in Cesis average around 7°C (45°F), and Kota Kinabalu fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
It's quite rainy in Kota Kinabalu. Cesis usually gets less rain in October than Kota Kinabalu. Cesis gets 60 mm (2.4 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 OctoberCesis 7°C (45°F)Kota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Cesis or Kota Kinabalu in the Winter?
Both Kota Kinabalu and Cesis are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Cesis for the cuisine during these months. Plenty of visitors come to Kota Kinabalu because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Cesis can be very cold during winter. Cesis is much colder than Kota Kinabalu in the winter. The daily temperature in Cesis averages around -5°C (23°F) in January, and Kota Kinabalu fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kota Kinabalu. In January, Cesis usually receives less rain than Kota Kinabalu. Cesis gets 33 mm (1.3 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 JanuaryCesis -5°C (23°F)Kota Kinabalu 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Cesis or Kota Kinabalu in the Spring?
Both Kota Kinabalu and Cesis during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Cesis because of the small town charm and the natural beauty. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kota Kinabalu year-round.
In the spring, Cesis is much colder than Kota Kinabalu. Typically, the spring temperatures in Cesis in April average around 5°C (42°F), and Kota Kinabalu averages at about 28°C (82°F).
Kota Kinabalu gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Cesis usually gets less rain in April than Kota Kinabalu. Cesis gets 39 mm (1.5 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 AprilCesis 5°C (42°F)Kota Kinabalu 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Kota Kinabalu and Cesis
| Cesis | Kota Kinabalu | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -5°C (23°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) |
| Feb | -4°C (24°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Mar | -0°C (31°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 5°C (42°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| May | 12°C (53°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 291 mm (11.5 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (63°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 255 mm (10 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (62°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 285 mm (11.2 in) |
| Oct | 7°C (45°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 336 mm (13.2 in) |
| Nov | 2°C (36°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 298 mm (11.7 in) |
| Dec | -2°C (28°F) | 49 mm (1.9 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.