Which place is cheaper, Aalborg or Kota Kinabalu?
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 Kota Kinabalu or Aalborg?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Aalborg? 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: Kota Kinabalu or Aalborg?
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.
Aalborg
Aalborg is the fourth largest city in Denmark with a population of over 200,000. It is an industrial and university city in the north of Jutland. Aalborg is a cultural hub as it is home to many historical museums, and performance venues.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Malaysia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Denmark, and The Best Adventure Tours to Denmark.
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Kota Kinabalu Prices
Malaysia PricesAalborg Prices
Denmark Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKota Kinabalu $68Aalborg $209
The average daily cost (per person) in Kota Kinabalu is $68, while the average daily cost in Aalborg is $209. 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 Kota Kinabalu and Aalborg in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKota Kinabalu $21Aalborg $96
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKota Kinabalu $42Aalborg $192
Compare Hotels in Kota Kinabalu and Aalborg
Looking for a hotel in Kota Kinabalu or Aalborg? 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 and Aalborg Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kota Kinabalu $25Aalborg $35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kota Kinabalu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kota Kinabalu:
- 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: $77
- 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
- Private Arrival Transfer : Kota Kinabalu International Airport: $30
- 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
- Private Transfer- Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI: $25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Aalborg
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Aalborg:
- Private Airport and City Transfers in Aalborg: $96
- Aalborg Private Transfer from Aalborg (AAL) Airport to City centre: $144
- Aalborg Private Transfer from Aalborg city centre to Aalborg airport: $144
- Private Transfer from Aalborg Airport (AAL) to Skagen Cruise Port: $210
- Private Transfer from Aalborg City Hotels to Skagen Cruise Port: $210
Is it cheaper to fly into Kota Kinabalu or Aalborg?
Prices for flights to both Aalborg and Kota Kinabalu 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 dayKota Kinabalu $30Aalborg $89
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
- Taste Of Borneo Cooking Class: $95
- 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.Kota Kinabalu $6.43Aalborg $26
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
- Full Day Bongawan River Cruise with Proboscis Monkey Sightseeing: $55
- Pulau Sapi & Manukan Sabah Shared Activity Adventure: $57
Tours and Activities in Aalborg
Here are a few actual costs in Aalborg for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 3-Hours Street Art Tour in Aalborg: $48
- Denmark: Tour of Aalborg in Spanish: $118
- Wonderful Christmas in Aalborg - Private Walking Tour: $1,434
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKota Kinabalu $7.18Aalborg $21
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kota Kinabalu and Aalborg, we can see that Aalborg is more expensive. And not only is Kota Kinabalu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kota Kinabalu is in Asia and Aalborg is in Europe, 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 Aalborg would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Aalborg 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 Kota Kinabalu Expensive? and Is Aalborg Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kota Kinabalu or Aalborg?
Kota Kinabalu has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Aalborg. When comparing the sizes of Kota Kinabalu and Aalborg, 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 Kota Kinabalu or Aalborg?
Aalborg 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 Kota Kinabalu or Aalborg in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kota Kinabalu and Aalborg. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kota Kinabalu year-round. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Aalborg because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Kota Kinabalu is much warmer than Aalborg. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kota Kinabalu in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Aalborg averages at about 16°C (61°F).
Kota Kinabalu gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Kota Kinabalu usually receives more rain than Aalborg. Kota Kinabalu gets 255 mm (10 in) of rain, while Aalborg receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Aalborg 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Aalborg in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Kota Kinabalu as well as Aalborg. Kota Kinabalu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to Aalborg this time of year.
In October, Kota Kinabalu is generally much warmer than Aalborg. Daily temperatures in Kota Kinabalu average around 27°C (81°F), and Aalborg fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).
Kota Kinabalu receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Kota Kinabalu usually gets more rain in October than Aalborg. Kota Kinabalu gets 336 mm (13.2 in) of rain, while Aalborg receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Aalborg 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Aalborg in the Winter?
Both Aalborg and Kota Kinabalu are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kota Kinabalu throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Aalborg for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Aalborg. Kota Kinabalu is much warmer than Aalborg in the winter. The daily temperature in Kota Kinabalu averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Aalborg fluctuates around -1°C (31°F).
It's quite rainy in Kota Kinabalu. In January, Kota Kinabalu usually receives more rain than Aalborg. Kota Kinabalu gets 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Aalborg receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKota Kinabalu 26°C (79°F)Aalborg -1°C (31°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Aalborg in the Spring?
Both Aalborg and Kota Kinabalu during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Kota Kinabalu because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Aalborg in the spring for the small town charm.
In the spring, Kota Kinabalu is much warmer than Aalborg. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kota Kinabalu in April average around 28°C (82°F), and Aalborg averages at about 6°C (43°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kota Kinabalu. Kota Kinabalu usually gets more rain in April than Aalborg. Kota Kinabalu gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Aalborg receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKota Kinabalu 28°C (82°F)Aalborg 6°C (43°F)
Typical Weather for Aalborg and Kota Kinabalu
| Kota Kinabalu | Aalborg | |||
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| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | -1°C (31°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (80°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | -0°C (31°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 291 mm (11.5 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 285 mm (11.2 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 336 mm (13.2 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 298 mm (11.7 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 55 mm (2.2 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.